Purpose of life-Material or Spiritual

Ancient Wisdom For Modern Times

A common question that we all encounter is what is the purpose of my life - Am I supposed to be working in the trenches day in and day out or am I supposed to be serving humanity or am I supposed to be pursuing a higher goal? The one common answer is that everyone's life has a purpose. The differentiation comes in with how each individual defines what their purpose in life is - whether they are in pursuit of a materialistic goal or a spiritual goal. 

When it comes to materialistic pursuits, for some, the purpose of life is acquiring knowledge, for some, it is the position, for some others, it is wealth and fame. Every pursuit requires tremendous hard work, commitment, and struggle. When we look at what happens when a pursuit is fulfilled, along with it comes the fear of retaining the achievement-for instance, keeping the money, position, fame. When we look at what happens when a pursuit is not fulfilled, or when anyone loses what they have achieved, comes the sadness of failure and depression. Ultimately, there is a consequence of fear and/or suffering. 

However, when one is in spiritual pursuit, and if they choose attaining the supreme being is the purpose of life, the very efforts for that become joyous. One loses nothing in that pursuit of the Lord. Daily sadhanas(practices) in this pursuit lead to incremental progress. That progress happens unaware, to the sadhak. The progress occurs through inner transformation. Its commonly known from the scriptures that evil tendencies do not help one reach God. However, when sadhana occurs and efforts are made, one starts to correct oneself towards the path of goodness. With consistent practice and discipline and self correction, and undeterred sadhana, one can attain bliss. That bliss is never lost, unlike the materialistic pursuits. It stays with one forever. A realized being stays in the realized state and is not born again. That state is unchanging and a constant. 

So, when we circle back to what the purpose of life is, we need to pause and think about the countless cycles of birth and death one is subjected to. However, to escape from this or to even elevate one through every cycle closer to the supreme, the goal or purpose in the current birth should be the attainment of bliss, the attainment of the lord, to seek God. The path towards the supreme is pure and the effort towards that is peaceful and pure and is full of joy. It gives the sadhak clarity and inner excellence, and as the sadhak tries to move forward in their pursuit of the lord, self-realization, the mind becomes calm and placid and finally culminates in Anandha or bliss. 

In reality, therefore, the ultimate purpose of life is self-realization or bliss or attaining the lord. This article is a concise reproduction of His Voice series, episode “The purpose of Life” by His Holiness Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji.