Probably, all of us strive to answer this question as we carry on with our lives. Do we live for food, clothing and shelter? These are basic necessities; one cannot live without them, but surely every living entity aspires for them. Then do we live for money? Money is an abstract concept. We will aspire for money only if we derive some meaning out of it. Then do we live for being respected, loved or feared? It comes a little closer; after all, that is what excess money is put use to. But what is the final goal?
The final goal can be only one thing – to connect ourselves with what truly belongs to us – our eternal and immutable self. But seldom do we realize that. Indeed, all of us are on that path, having traversed to some extent. Some are standing at the beginning, some midway, whereas some are near the end. No one has truly achieved the final goal in his or her lifetime.
Some aspire for physical prowess; some for beauty; some for knowledge; some for appreciation; some for companionship; and some seek answers to their unanswered questions. Everybody is on this path. No one can deny the fact that he aspires for something that he does not have. The mind is always flickering like a candle flame; it can never be completely satisfied, nor can it be completely immobilised.
All of us, indeed, must have thought over this question in their lifetimes. But seldom do we give any thought to it, because we do not have the time, and if we do, then we do not have the patience to attend to this query.
There is no fixed answer as to how we must go about answering this question. Indeed, the existence of so many religions and philosophies in this world testifies to the fact that the same destination can have different paths. The same Mankind which talks of life after death also talks of nullity and void. This is not a contradiction; they are only different ways to look at the entirety.
The final goal can be only one thing – to connect ourselves with what truly belongs to us – our eternal and immutable self. But seldom do we realize that. Indeed, all of us are on that path, having traversed to some extent. Some are standing at the beginning, some midway, whereas some are near the end. No one has truly achieved the final goal in his or her lifetime.
Some aspire for physical prowess; some for beauty; some for knowledge; some for appreciation; some for companionship; and some seek answers to their unanswered questions. Everybody is on this path. No one can deny the fact that he aspires for something that he does not have. The mind is always flickering like a candle flame; it can never be completely satisfied, nor can it be completely immobilised.
All of us, indeed, must have thought over this question in their lifetimes. But seldom do we give any thought to it, because we do not have the time, and if we do, then we do not have the patience to attend to this query.
There is no fixed answer as to how we must go about answering this question. Indeed, the existence of so many religions and philosophies in this world testifies to the fact that the same destination can have different paths. The same Mankind which talks of life after death also talks of nullity and void. This is not a contradiction; they are only different ways to look at the entirety.
But what must we strive for during our lifetime? I have a few ideas. [They are by no means universal, but I believe in them.] Practice the golden rule. Always strive for knowledge and intellect. Stand up for your values. The path need not be the same. That way, we can resolve our conflicts and riddles.
To be or not to be, that is the question.
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