Summary of Stephen Cope's The Great Work of Your Life

By IRB Media

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Book Preview:

#1 The Battle of Kurukshetra is the definitive struggle of its age. It marks the end of one great mythic era and the beginning of another. The battle of Kurukshetra ushers in the Dark Age, the last of the four great eras foreseen by the Seers of ancient India.

• Language: English
• Publisher: IRB Media
• Release date: Jun 10, 2022
• ISBN: 9798822538085

IRB Media

With IRB books, you can get the key takeaways and analysis of a book in 15 minutes. We read every chapter, identify the key takeaways and analyze them for your convenience.

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Insights on Stephen Cope's The Great Work of Your Life

Contents

Insights from Chapter 1

Insights from Chapter 2

Insights from Chapter 3

Insights from Chapter 4

Insights from Chapter 5

Insights from Chapter 6

Insights from Chapter 7

Insights from Chapter 1

#1

The Battle of Kurukshetra is the definitive struggle of its age. It marks the end of one great mythic era and the beginning of another. The battle of Kurukshetra ushers in the Dark Age, the last of the four great eras foreseen by the Seers of ancient India.

Insights from Chapter 2

#1

Arjuna was faced with a dilemma: fight in a just war, or betray his sacred duty and his life’s meaning. He fell to the floor of his chariot, unable to decide.

#2

The author uses the first chapter to set up the problem of vocation. He knows that we will identify with Arjuna’s dilemma: How do we choose between two difficult courses of action. What are the consequences of an inability to choose, or of choosing poorly.

#3

We can see how doubt is the invisible affliction, because it is slippery and hidden. It is this very hidden quality that gives doubt its power. I have seen it in the people I work with at Kripalu, who are constantly paralyzed by doubt.

#4

Katherine is the dean of a small private girls’ school. She is loved by several generations of students. She has thrived in the role of dean. But she is also tired. She is irritable and pissy with her faculty. She forgets to attend important meetings.

#5

There are many ways to be paralyzed by doubt. We might call Katherine’s version Fear of Closing the Door. Someone has had a profound taste of living their dharma, but now that particular dharma is used up. They know that a certain dharma moment is over, but they have no idea what must be next.

#6

Ellen, my friend, is a good example of Denial of Dharma. She does not have a calling because her calling is not dramatic like her brother’s. But she most certainly does have a calling. It is clear to everyone around her.

#7

The Problem of Aim is when we realize we are not living in the center of our passion. We may not have a clear idea of what our passion is, but we know it exists. We may be good