Knowing what we must do
Rajesh Bhola
Aquestion which perplexes some people is “What is
the purpose of life? I do not know what I am really
here for.” Such people are still in the waiting room of
life, and long for that ‘something‘ that they still have
not found. They also feel that the moment they
discover that ‘something’, they will automatically
have a purpose that will define and integrate their lives. Some of
them continue to live in the ‘no purpose’ labyrinth, and leave this
planet dissatisfied. Yet, many do find their ‘something’, and live in
harmony with their life’s new purpose.
Every person is here on the earth for a specific purpose - even
if it takes a while to see what that is. Most of us struggle and search
for how to make a meaningful difference in our and others’ lives,
and finally live the life we are meant to live. We are constantly
searching for ways to align ourselves
with a higher calling and a deeper
purpose.
How do we infuse our daily lives
with meaning and purpose? We
should try to be activated in body,
mind and spirit, and equipped with a
kind of resiliency, vision and
creativity that transcends ordinary
human capacities. We should strive
for a new operating system – rather
than an upgrade – to make our life
happier and contented.
It may need a lifestyle change.
may be for what is exactly required in order to find and live for a
purpose. There are enlightened individuals who can help tap our
immense human potential, empowering us to discover and finally
live as per our life’s purpose.
There are also those who feel emptiness, a yearning, confusion
– and even depression. At a primal level, there are believed to be
three parts of our brain: the reptilian (instinctual), the mammalian
(emotional) and the primate (thinking). The reptilian and
mammalian parts of our brain are very basic in nature. The
reptilian handles things like aggression and territory; the
mammalian things like food and sex.
The third, the thinking and primate part of our brain, focuses
on things like perception, planning and handling complex
concepts. This is the part of our brain that knows deep down that
we need to find a meaning to our life – a purpose. Purpose is what
gives us the strength to carry on, through all difficult changes,
transitions, relationships, activities and conditions.
Even suffering ceases the moment it finds meaning. When
living a practical life of purpose, we can see the picture at both the
micro and the macro level. Our micro-level purpose is to know our
values, and then try to be in integrity with them. The macro-level
purpose is the big picture. Our values, strengths and passions
must align, for us to discover our purpose. However, the most vital
piece to the purpose puzzle is to learn how to give – rather than
get.
All forms of life, all natural phenomena, have some purpose.
There is always movement or evolution towards some kind of
outcome or fulfillment - whether it is a tree that produces fruit, or
clouds that form to create rain; or whether it is night or day.
However, we humans become so wrapped up and possessed by
our daily activities, engagements that the awareness of our own
unique life purpose is easily dimmed - and then lost in wilderness.
We are obsessed with ourselves.
There are consequences of not knowing or finding purpose in
life. Many who have become successful in their work or
relationships in their outer lives, yet
somehow feel hollow, empty and
unfulfilled. They feel defeated in
some way, or incomplete, despite a
conventionally successful life.
Sometimes they wonder if they
have been on the wrong path all
along - chosen the wrong career, or
the wrong life partner. That is
because our true inner self always
knows when our life purpose is out
of sync with our outer life.
The latter
is often a false self, but we have
identified with it because it has
been so rewarding to our ego. Perhaps the path that was chosen
for them could have been more meaningful or purposeful, if they
had tried to discover it. Very late in life many people finally realize
that they felt most in sync when they were helping people.
Those who do experience a clear inclination, a purpose, but do
not pursue or fulfill it, remain incomplete and dissatisfied. It is
important not to confuse seeking happiness with a discovery of
our purpose. Happiness is what we experience in the daily flow of
life; highs and lows are situational, and will fluctuate. Purpose is
deeper. It is more of an underlying sense of peace and overall
fulfillment, a sense of integration and the continuous unfolding of
our being.
When we are living in accordance with our life’s purpose, we
view the ups and downs, the disappointments and successes, as
just a part of what we encounter along our path. The more we
consciously infuse our thoughts, emotions and behaviour with
positive, life-affirming energy, and with kindness, compassion and
generosity, the more we keep our egos at bay - and are able to see
our true purpose with greater clarity. There is happiness in
knowing our purpose - what we must do. We must always live a
life of compassion for others – to be at peace with ourselves.