Why seek a guiding purpose?

When I decided to embark upon this journey I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from making it public. Even though I began this search many years ago, to a certain extent, I didn’t quite expect the reactions I’ve already gotten. Certainly I appreciate that people want the best for me, sure. But why would people be afraid of someone wanting to attain a deeper and more fundamental understanding of oneself? Maybe I’m not “getting” what people are trying to tell me.

But I must ask, why wouldn’t I want to find a guiding purpose? What’s the difference between what I’m doing and an established religion? Would I get the same reactions had I converted to an existing faith? Doubt it. Straying from, or questioning, the known and accepted is almost always taboo it seems. I can understand that big corporations would want us to conform and fall in line, because they certainly do not benefit from having their products usefulness questioned. But why aren’t more of my fellow humans asking if there is a better way to live life?

All I’m trying to do is find a way of life which can give myself and as many other the most meaning.

Working towards a purpose…

Seeking purpose (by flickr/zedzap)

To live graciously, consciously and to extend love and compassion towards all living beings. This is what I’m talking about, a guiding purpose. Living by this would grant meaning to my actions as long as they resonate with this purpose. Why would anyone be afraid of finding something this, or not want others to find it? Granted, in our current western society we value so many strange things such as physical appearance and money. The social conditioning we are exposed to each day is certainly not a weak force, but we also have the power to say, no thanks.

Perhaps what we need is a global adoption of a new value system, one which does not rely on scarcity and goods. Certainly a noble goal, but what is required for something like this? A start would be to ask more questions, and share with each other our conclusions. The Internet has certainly helped to propel the speed at which we can exchange ideas to unimaginable levels. As humans we now have an opportunity to support, help and nurture each other like never before.

A society built upon those values, how wonderfully beautiful.

… and breaking free

Depending on to what extent one has been exposed to societal conditioning the effort required to break free may be greater for some. That doesn’t mean that it’s too late to give up. I do realize that for some people it might be extremely hard to allow the mind to break free from the mental prison they’re in. However, if a person can summon the strength to even just imagine a better life, there is potential. A person that can’t even muster, or is unwilling, to do so is doomed to remain imprisoned.

Having only the will to break free is not enough, one will need to put that intention into action. This may require one to leave friends and family behind, an abusive husband or wife, or an uninspiring job. It may require significant changes to established habits and disregard of previous experiences. The key I believe, if possible, is to make very small adjustments to ones life instead of going all out. The required determination and self-discipline to completely turn around a bad habit is substantial. Attempting to change everything at once is likely doomed to fail. I for one have a problem with committing to big changes, but have found that doing it incrementally work much better.

The result?

Imagine if everyone sought out, or created, their own guiding purpose. Living in harmony with neighbours, sharing wisdom and knowledge without thought of selfishness. Now there is a world I wouldn’t mind living in.