The Significance Of Meraki

By: Heather Blanchard

I learned the meaning of a beautiful new word recently – Meraki. It is an extraordinary word used to describe an approach to doing things with passion, with your whole heart and soul. And it is indeed a word, or concept, to live by.

Meraki (pronounced may-rah-key) is derived from Greek language, and literally means the “essence of yourself.” But it has a translation that transcends many languages and cultures, and represents a concept that is deep and powerful. It is doing something with creativity, passion and love. This word can be used to describe things like the heart someone puts into someone decorating their sacred space, their home, or a wholesome meal cooked with love. It is that personal, creative touch that makes everything sparkle and shine. 

The “Ki” at the end of this word also translates from Sanskrit to Hebrew and Asian languages as a form of vital energy. It is the life force, the prana, that flows in every living thing, and the essence, or seed, from which life flows forward. And just like that ever flowing energy, we should continue to learn and grow, to discover, seek adventure and try new things. This is the key to true joy!

Taking a Meraki approach to all that you do could greatly change your life. Just think – if all our interactions with others came came from the heart they would be good and pure. If we took a focused Meraki approach to our work, it would be stellar – it would have more meaning and purpose. If we brought Meraki into our spirituality, it would carry us through the most challenging times, and if we learned with Meraki, we would truly embody new concepts, new skills and new subjects. 

Meraki is not about being perfect, as we so often try to be, it is about bringing your best foot forward every single day. It is showing up as your highest self. When you focus on the very best, the best just gets better.

I’ll leave you with a quote from one of my favorite writers:

“When you do things from your soul, you feel a river of joy moving in you.” 

 ~ Rumi ~

Namaste~

Heather