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| ~ ∞ ~ In Search for the Meaning of Life – The Essence of Life ~ ∞ ~ |
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Now, it is reasonable to ask ourselves: Did people seek contentment and fulfillment before the modern times, and did they seek meaning and purpose? Did people really seek to understand their own existence before the modern times, and was that even a necessary endeavour? Were they fulfilled enough living off of the land, being close to nature?
Did they have a deeper connection to their environment and the world around them than we do? Did they have a connection to God that we apparently don’t? One thing is certain, modern day humans are experiencing an existential crisis of epic proportions. Therefore, as a result, modern day humans are seeking answers to the deeper underlying causes behind the collective human condition.
From the previous, it becomes obvious that throughout the history of humanity, we have struggled to find meaning and purpose in an incredible contradiction of our human condition. The agony of being unable to truthfully answer the fundamental question of why we are the way we are – has been the particular burden of human life.
Our endeavours in philosophy, psychology, and biology have failed to provide a truthful, real, fully accountable and genuinely clarifying explanation. And when it comes to scientific contributions, they focus primarily on describing related empirical facts about the universe, exploring the context and parameters concerning the “how” of life – rather than “why.” This raises the question: Have you ever wondered what life is? If you answered yes – then it’s highly probable that you might have also asked the following questions:
What is the origin of life? Where did it all come from? What caused the universe? What happened before the Big Bang? What is the meaning of life? What’s it all about? Who, and what are we, really? Why are we here on Earth? Why do we exist in the first place, and what is the reason for our existence? Is there any specific purpose to life? What is the purpose of one’s life? What is meaningful and valuable in life? What is the value of life? What is the reason to live? What are we living for?
If you considered any of those questions worth thinking about, then you are like most curious human beings. Furthermore, if you considered any of them worth contemplating over, and if you considered answering any of them, then you are unlike most humans, one of those few whose hearts desire is to know themselves – deeply, inside and out.
Broadly speaking, for centuries, people all over the world have been asking these very same questions, eventually arriving at the same conclusion: We just don’t know, do we? So, then, what do we really know? All we know is that we exist and we are aware of it; likewise, all we know about the world is experience (consciousness), and all we know about the experience is that there is that-which-experiences (awareness).
All we know about the experience and the experiencer is that the human body, including the brain – is the instrument through which awareness experiences consciousness. In other words, there is the content of consciousness (experience) as well as the awareness of it. This dynamic between the experience and the experiencer can be called reality.
And now the question becomes: What came first: reality or consciousness of it? This, indeed, is a mystery. What we know about it, though, is that underlying this consciousness, there is awareness – through which, and by which, we become aware of consciousness, and therefore, of reality, you see?
Furthermore, to be honest, how much do we really know about the past and the origins of the human species? When we really think about this – it seems that the story of the human species is one big mystery. As such, it appears that we are suffering from a certain level of collective amnesia. This amnesiac state seems to have an influence on our way of life, to such an extent that we humans also seem to live in a deep state of denial – most notably of our mortality and suffering.
Against this backdrop, it is fascinating to see that we dream of an eternal life, but at the same time we fail to see that most of our lives are filled with suffering – there’s a huge dichotomy here – don’t you think? Despite this obvious dichotomy, most people just leave it there and continue their way of life as before; choosing an endless cycle of craving, frustration and suffering. In spite of that, there is a point, a moment we arrive at where the inevitable strikes us with its adamant presence: If we don’t choose a path of peace, harmony and balance, we plunge deeper into oblivion.
Even though at some point in everyone’s life there comes a time when each person starts to question their mortality and the meaning of it all – only in some rare cases does this natural process lead to a spiritual awakening, which is something that takes place within each of us whenever we are ready to remember our eternal nature.
As it stands, most humans are not ready to awaken or to be awakened, which goes on to say that most people seem to only touch the surface level of Life – by their own volition. As such, it seems to be the case that more often than not, it requires some kind of critical life event to happen that forces us to look at our deepest questions: Who am I? What is this life? Is there more to this life than I’ve already discovered? There is, indeed, more to us than we know, and much more to Life than meets the eye. Let us explore this further.
When we are talking about the spiritual awakening, it is worth pointing out that it is a complete surrender – a process of harsh self-honesty. It’s a path of complete acceptance of the truth – no matter how difficult it is to bear; this is also the main reason why only so few individuals embark on a spiritual journey. That said, it is important to highlight the fact that all spiritual development comes from within the individual, and thus spiritual development is a process like any other.
You see, spiritual development arises from discipline and continuous self-improvement. This means that no one else but the individuals themselves can increase their own spirituality – no one else can do it for us; we ourselves are responsible for our own growth and development. Our growth is solely dependent upon the amount of work we put in; after all, it is the process that counts, you see?
We are all on a journey – some more invested and committed than others; the path we tread is full of ups and downs – and some of them are very steep. Sometimes we may feel that we have lost our way on the river of life; with its many twists and turns we might find ourselves wondering which direction to take. But all is not lost, for you see, if we choose to use our free will to find the strength that dwells within, we find hope – a compass directing us in life.
With patience and persistence we continue to move forward, overcoming any obstacles we may face, and eventually we will prevail, you see? And this is where the wisdom lies – sometimes the obstacle is the path, for every obstacle presents an opportunity to grow and become better, you see? The obstacle can either be a boundary or a horizon; it can be a problem or it can be a solution; it can either be something we run from or something we learn from.
As we navigate the path that life lays out before us – the choice is always ours to make. Remember, it is one thing to talk the talk, and quite another to walk the walk. We can talk the talk without walking the walk; and we can try to walk the walk without talking the talk; but those who both walk the walk and talk the talk – are the ones who succeed – see?
Before we wrap up this chapter, once again, let me ask you this: What is it that most of us are truly seeking? Is it not true that most of us are seeking some kind of happiness, some kind of inner peace and harmony? And is it not also true that beyond it, we seek meaning, purpose, growth, and most of all – we seek connection? But what if, in actuality, there is nothing to seek, and nothing to find? What if, in actuality, there was but one Truth to be found, one Truth to be realized – the great cosmic joke, if you will: that you are what you are seeking?
That there is nothing we must be, do, or have, nothing to achieve, to become, to grow to, or strive for. That we merely discover what we truly are as we unbecome everything we’re not, and in so doing become more of what we are, you see? So, where does the cosmic joke lead us? Plain and simple, back to where we started, but with a completely new and fresh perspective – to the unadulterated pure joy of just being alive, appreciating the Miracle of Life and each day as a precious gift from God.
Taking into consideration all the aforementioned, one should be inclined to ask the following question: Isn’t it intriguing that we all look for happiness, peace, contentment and fulfillment in the things of the world, yet all along, these things are our very nature – our very own center of being, you see?
Now, let us end this chapter with the following words: although life may sometimes seem aimless or random, even absurd, pointless and without meaning – there is purpose in everything; we just need to be aware enough to see it. There is purpose even in the process of realizing the absurdity of life. You see, it is the beginning, not an end, for it fundamentally changes one’s way of living and being, doing and acting, which in turn changes one’s feeling and the ways of thinking and seeing.
It is in these moments where we have an opportunity to gain perspective. These are the moments that allow us to realize that happiness stems from being aware; from being grateful for this moment; from being grateful for what we have. Life is the ultimate blessing – see? So with each morning, why not remind yourself how grateful you are for your health and well-being? For you see, health is not given – it has to be gained and maintained by one’s own efforts; of which being grateful is a big part of the equation. What a marvelous reminder, don’t you think?
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~ ॐ ~ Sambodhi Padmasamadhi ~ ∞ ~
Get the Book: Awaken the Living Awareness Within – Discover the Keys to Happiness, Inner Peace & Harmony
~ ॐ ~ Sambodhi Padmasamadhi ~ ∞ ~
Get the Book: Awaken the Living Awareness Within – Discover the Keys to Happiness, Inner Peace & Harmony
[ Click » here « to read the next part: The Mystery of Human Life – The Essence of Life: Part III ]
