Purpose of Life
What is the purpose of Life?
Let us try answering this question from various perspectives and known sources of answers.
1. Some say, God created life to show HIS prowess !!
2. Some say, God wished to do something creative and therefore created!!
3. Some say, God just wished and therefore it came!!
4. Some say, There is no real reason, but it is God's leela.
5. Some say, There is no God, it just evolved from original cause
6. Some say, God wanted to teach a lesson to the original sinners
and so on and so forth.
Most of these beliefs are based on what they have perceived in their life on Earth. It was not possible for them to think beyond the life on Earth.
In my school days, as part of history studies, we had chapters on Jainism & Budhism. And then we also read Amar Chitra Katha pictorial story books. We read that Prince Sidhartha, once when he went out into the streets in his chariot, saw a sick man and he asked his charioteer, why he was not walking properly. The charioteer replied that it was because he was sick, tired and weak. Then saw a procession and when enquired as to what it was, the charioteer replied that the man who was being carried was dead. Sidhaartha then asked why do people fall sick? And why do people die? And why do people suffer?
The charioteer didn't have any answer to the young seeker.
As I read those stories, I used to think what stupid questions were those that the 'supposedly' great man asking?. But when I contemplate on those now, there is more clarity to my humble vision.
It is this, that gives happiness to that energy and also to us equally. Happiness induces vibrations that maintain peace and tranquility.
While we take care of the body thru proper food, exercise and the like, we also need to take care of the mind and thoughts thru techniques like meditation, self introspection, and self control (Yama) thru rules (Niyama) if necessary. Such Yama and Niyama bring about a sustained energy within us and controls unnecessary controversies & life conflicts with anyone or anything (including nature) around us.
Only a healthy body has a healthy mind.
Buddha didn't speak about existence or non existence of a God. It was for him, not necessary to have one, as we are ordained to conduct our duty that is to maintain healthy happiness thru a healthy body and a happy mind.
When we are created in our mother's wombs there are many physical qualities that get added; at the same time, few errors or noises or impurities also get added. We call them as inherited attributes. Thus, many of our concerns are about those we inherited (paramparaa). Others are acquired over a period of time due to our living conditions, environment, situations, interactions with others, behaviourial etc. (praarabdha : praayaena labhadhae).
A gradual decease of the body ensures a smooth switch over from one data body to another.
Therefore our duty lies solely on maintaining a fit physical infrastructure (body) and a stable & happy mind.
The principles of achieving those lies in proper yoga & exercises and meditation and sama-bhaava for an all encompassing feeling of love that we know as Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.
In my school days, as part of history studies, we had chapters on Jainism & Budhism. And then we also read Amar Chitra Katha pictorial story books. We read that Prince Sidhartha, once when he went out into the streets in his chariot, saw a sick man and he asked his charioteer, why he was not walking properly. The charioteer replied that it was because he was sick, tired and weak. Then saw a procession and when enquired as to what it was, the charioteer replied that the man who was being carried was dead. Sidhaartha then asked why do people fall sick? And why do people die? And why do people suffer?
The charioteer didn't have any answer to the young seeker.
As I read those stories, I used to think what stupid questions were those that the 'supposedly' great man asking?. But when I contemplate on those now, there is more clarity to my humble vision.
When Siddhartha became Budha, the enlightened, he deduced few simple tricks to be followed that would deliver anyone from innumerable suffering.
My simple & innocent understanding as I crossed my half century yesterday, is that (contrary to common reasoning & arguments about a cause and effect) we have been created with a higher purpose that we are not very clear about. Whatever be that purpose, (and that I would attempt to elaborate later on below), the success of that purpose lies in maintaining this body of ours until it depreciates and disperses back into the components by which it has been made or created. An energy by whatever name it could be understood (if at all), derives or otherwise maintains infinite knowledge within us through our existence. Therefore it is our responsibility to maintain that data base and help preserve it to the best of our abilities. For this, we should take care of our body like a temple (the word Kshetra, incidently denotes both temple as well as the body). Unless we take care of the temple properly we can't take care of the energy source inside its sanctum sanctorum.
It is this, that gives happiness to that energy and also to us equally. Happiness induces vibrations that maintain peace and tranquility.
While we take care of the body thru proper food, exercise and the like, we also need to take care of the mind and thoughts thru techniques like meditation, self introspection, and self control (Yama) thru rules (Niyama) if necessary. Such Yama and Niyama bring about a sustained energy within us and controls unnecessary controversies & life conflicts with anyone or anything (including nature) around us.
Only a healthy body has a healthy mind.
Buddha didn't speak about existence or non existence of a God. It was for him, not necessary to have one, as we are ordained to conduct our duty that is to maintain healthy happiness thru a healthy body and a happy mind.
When we are created in our mother's wombs there are many physical qualities that get added; at the same time, few errors or noises or impurities also get added. We call them as inherited attributes. Thus, many of our concerns are about those we inherited (paramparaa). Others are acquired over a period of time due to our living conditions, environment, situations, interactions with others, behaviourial etc. (praarabdha : praayaena labhadhae).
A gradual decease of the body ensures a smooth switch over from one data body to another.
Therefore our duty lies solely on maintaining a fit physical infrastructure (body) and a stable & happy mind.
The principles of achieving those lies in proper yoga & exercises and meditation and sama-bhaava for an all encompassing feeling of love that we know as Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.
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