The Search for Meaning and Purpose
At the core of human existence lies a desire to know about one’s being. This desire is intimately related with the underlying question: What is the purpose of our life and what is the purpose of what we do? Of course, there are many other related questions.
All such questions may be combined in a practical way to form a single question: What is the meaning of my life, my journey, or my actions? This basic question forms the starting point for contemplation about significant actions in purposeful and effective leaders.
We will explore this question through five sequential actions one could contemplate on the way to discovering the answer:
Introspection
A Plan for the Journey
Reviewing Your Progress
Dealing with Diversions
Receiving Help along the Way
Introspection
Most individuals have an innate desire for something that we refer to as happiness. We desire happiness to the point of fulfillment. Yet most of us move through life experiencing moments, and occasionally extended periods, of joy, sorrow, remorse, regret, pleasure, pain, loss, triumph, rejection, fear, anger, etc., without thinking consciously about what it is we really want.
At some point in our lives most of us come to a realization that either consciously or subconsciously, we want from life what we do not have. In other words, we realize we are not satisfied with our lot in life. Sometimes, such thought, or introspection, leads us to search within ourselves for an answer to the question: What is it that I really want from life?
Let us assume, for the present, that we come to some conclusion about what it is we really want. In that case, assuming that we do not already have it – for if we had it, it is unlikely that we would be engaged in this thought process – we may begin to ponder another question: What is the likelihood of getting what I want?
In other words, we would like to know whether or not we might expect to achieve or obtain what we want during our life span. A sub-set of this query would involve the determination of what we would do in the event that we achieve what we want.
If we view this want in terms of reaching a specific goal in our journey, then two questions arise immediately and intuitively. Taking them one at a time, the first question may take the form: Where am I now?
Assuming we know where we want to go, we cannot determine whether or not we will get there, or the probability of our getting there, unless we first determine where we already are. For most individuals it is relatively easy to find an answer to this question. In most cases we can determine with some reasonable degree of certainty where we are with respect to where we want to go. So, the next question is how do I get to where I want to go? Thus, the process continues.
A Plan for the Journey
At the core of these questions about our journey lie three important assumptions.
- I do want to get somewhere. In other words, you have a destination in mind that is related to, or springs from, your intended purpose.
- I have the ability to implement my plan. This requires action, or a specified set of actions.
- When I get to where I want to go, I will want what I have received. In other words, it is expected that you did indeed get to where you wanted to go and you are satisfied, at least for the moment, with where you ended up.
We must also recognize that much of our success hinges upon the quality of the plan. We may ask some unnerving questions, such as: How will external factors, such as the actions of others or acts of nature, affect the plan and its execution?
On the other hand, we may wonder, in the first instance, about the basis for our belief in the potential for our plan to succeed. Moreover, what may sound alarming to some of us is that we may have lingering doubts – do we still want to be where we are aiming?
This last question, if not answered in the affirmative, may reset the cycle of questions, with resulting review and perhaps a redefinition of purpose, goals, plans and actions. And the cycle continues on and on.
For the present, though, let us assume that these preliminary questions are not enough to discourage or overwhelm us – the determined goal-seeking individuals. That is to say, we have a defined purpose for our journey, we have a plan of action, or a map with the necessary navigational tools (i.e., compass, binoculars, etc.) to get there. Let us assume, furthermore, that we are confident that where this journey will take us is where we want to go. Let us say, then, that we have embarked upon our journey.
Reviewing Your Progress
If the goal is distant and the journey is long and difficult, many questions will arise along the way. On such a journey, even the most determined individuals may be troubled by doubts regarding their progress. This may cause them to assess their situations, review their maps, question their plans and, in extreme cases, even question their purposes. These doubts can be expressed in the form of four new questions related to our journeys.
- How am I progressing? The first question suggests that one needs to have a way of measuring progress. You cannot assess something that you have not measured or gauged. So, you need some form of measurement to determine the progress of your journey. Only when you have determined where you are, with respect to where your plan shows that you ought to be, can you determine whether or not you need to revise your action or to change your plan and redirect your journey.
- Do I need to revise my action or my plan? Once you have determined where you are with respect to your original plan, it is possible for you to decide whether or not you need to make a change. This then gives you a clue to what you need in order to be prepared to answer this question.
- At what level of depth does the change have to be? The third question is more complex. It is more difficult to answer because it requires a high level of judgment, based upon knowledge or wisdom and gained from prior experience. In other words, we have to judge whether the correction or change calls for a simple redirection of the action at hand, or if change is a necessity to accomplish some of the intermediate goals (i.e. milestones along the way), the ultimate goal, or the mission which defined the purpose for our action or journey. Or, perhaps, you need to rethink and modify your vision.
- How can I assure that I will stay the course in my revised journey and, as a result, reach my goal? The fourth question is centered upon issues such as confidence, belief, faith, and perseverance or persistence. In other words, the response to this question depends upon a series of other questions, such as: what degree of confidence do I have in the quality of the plan? How much faith do we have in the leader’s ability to get us to where we want to go (that is, if we have a leader or a living teacher or guide)? Do we have the degree of faith or self-discipline necessary to stay the course? And so on.
These questions help our doubts surface and make real changes in our lives that may be beneficial in the course of our actions. They influence what we may, from time to time, envision about our future. These considerations provide a basis for changes to our lives. They can help us find a path for self-growth. In other words, through recognizing and responding to these questions, we may become better equipped to review and redirect our journeys in life. The significance of these questions is independent of the philosophies or theologies upon which our personal religions or faiths are based. These considerations are common to all individuals and are relevant to all aspects of our lives. They can help us face and overcome obstacles and doubts that we face in most of our actions each day.
Bothersome as they may appear, these considerations need to be addressed if all except the most trivial actions are to be accomplished successfully. With considerations such as these in mind it will be easier to search for the right answers, since you are more likely to ask the right questions at appropriate times. The questions asked will depend upon your situation and their relevance and importance to the particular journey upon which you have embarked. Much could be gained by adding such considerations to your reservoir of knowledge, even if it were in the form of nagging and bothersome questions.
Dealing with Diversions
Even as we strive towards our goals in accordance with our plans, we cannot be assured that there will not be any diversions. Diversions may appear in the form of distractions for the mind that result in a clouding of purpose or mission, thereby causing us to question our commitment to the journey.
There are many sources from which obstacles and diversions stem. They may be caused by events within our own life and by our own actions. They may be forced by events resulting from the actions of others. Some diversions in our journeys may be caused by actions in our environments. In addition, diversions may be caused by any of several simultaneously operating and complex sets of events caused by a combination of these and other causes.
Each individual is unique, with a unique set of circumstances that comprises the life conditions for that individual. Furthermore, our world is dynamic, like the flowing water of a brook. The waters, once they flow past you, do not return to the same part of the flow. Over the ages much has been learned about the dynamics of life, as about the flow of water. This knowledge can be useful to those who choose to acquire it as they navigate through their individual brooks. For, even if we cannot predict each change in the course of the Brook, we can develop a better understanding of the waters in which we navigate. We can learn how to deal more effectively with the dynamics of life.
Receiving Help along the Way
One way to deal with obstacles is to find sources of help along the way. However, in order to obtain help, you must first desire it and then be willing to look for it. Finally, you must be willing to accept it. Acceptance of help generally paves the way for giving.
Having by now unfolded your journey in the brook and your life as action, you are ready to embark on a path to success and fulfillment.
Read more in the series of books on The Purpose and Meaning of Life, by Prem Chopra