WHAT’S THE PURPOSE OF OUR LIFE
The cycle of birth and death is a great mystery. We are not born into areas and families
of our choice. We might well think why were we not born in a great family! But this is
perhaps determined by our past deeds – partly to pay off our old debts and partly to
earn new capital with our good deeds, if we want to do that
As children we have no definite idea of the purpose of our living and thus many years
pass away before we get even a glimpse of the purpose of our coming to this world.
Obviously life in itself has no meaning, unless we ourselves give it a meaning and
direction.
Life is certainly not for eating, sleeping and procreation. Nor does life mean only to
revolve around our family, friends and our social circle or to increase our importance in
society. So what does life mean? The answer is partly yes to the above purposes.
But its larger and ultimate aim, as every spiritual thinker says, is to gain spiritual
knowledge and be of some help to our fellow beings. We feed our mind with lots of
worldly knowledge. We feed our body with lots of nutrients. But have we ever thought of
feeding our soul with its right diet? Either we don’t know that this task is also to be
performed or, if we do, we don’t care or we are inclined to do so.
The result: man is always running around in search of illusive peace. Despite all his pelf,
power and name in society, man lacks inner peace. Therefore it seems essential to
always remember God and do good deeds. And never be violent in thought, world or
deed. What hurts us hurts others also.
Only spiritual knowledge guides us in how to tide over a crisis. The spiritual knowledge
and energy we gain from reflection and practical goodness restrains us from hatred or
nurturing any inn feeling towards others.
And this energy can be wonderfully increased through meditation, yoga and charity, to
give life a meaning.
DR. NAVRAJ SINGH SANDHU