Is there a purpose to life?

Yes, but it is different from what you typically believe!!!!

Payal Koul
ILLUMINATION
Published in
4 min readOct 4, 2022

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Those who follow me on Medium may have noticed that the subject of ‘happiness’ intrigues me!! I used to believe that there was some lofty purpose in my life that would catapult me to do great things in the world, fulfilling and making me happy.

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

I kept looking for that purpose, that greatness, for a long time! I looked for it in every job I did and every relationship I had, but I was restless, I was impatient, and never at peace. I wondered what I wanted! I felt like the little child who wants something but can’t figure out what; a little child who gets everything but still wants something more to feel happy and fulfilled. Just like this little child who looks at her parents to tell her what is that ‘something’ which will make her feel good, I too looked at other people and other things, but no-one and no-thing could make me feel whole.

Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

As I went deeper and deeper into this feeling of dissatisfaction and disillusionment, I revisited all the emotions that I had ever felt; I experienced the shame I had felt as a little kid, and again, as a teenager, I touched the anger boiling in me, I felt the regret for words not said, stands not taken, I experienced the fear; fear of being unloved, fear of being shamed again. I hugged all these emotions and realized I had spent too much time pushing these under the carpet to the dark recesses of my memory. As I brought them all out from the closet, brushed them and looked at them, they all disappeared and what was left was just that deep, calm sense, which was untouched, fulfilled and joyful.

I realized that the purpose of life is to just live and get in touch with this Self that is forever satisfied and joyful, untouched by this drama of life. This higher Self witnesses our ego, mind, and emotions as we go through this drama but does not get involved in the experience. Every relationship and every life situation is a trigger to realizing this Self. Only in relationships with others can we figure out our emotions, ego, and, eventually, our real Selves. Our ego, mind, and emotions are all a part of us, created to help us eventually discover this real Self.

Once you realize this, you get better at it all because you are no longer entangled in this ‘drama of life.’ You realize that this is all an illusion, and you, as the director of your life story, have the power to create whatever you desire and whatever you want to experience. The key is to know what you really desire and use your mind as a tool to achieve that. It is like you are playing two roles, both the director and the actor in the movie. You, as the director, have the power to make yourself do anything, experience anything. Unfortunately, though, your mind so deeply relates to the role you are playing as the actor (ego) in this life story that you forget that you are also the director (your real, higher Self) of this movie. All you have to do is pull your mind out of the character you are playing, let your real, grander Self take charge of the mind, and then experience your glory as the protagonist of your life story.

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

As you move on this path, you will surely succeed; you will feel emotions like — success, momentary joy, and delight; remember, just like the negative emotions, these positive ones don’t matter as well; they too are an illusion of the ego. Let your mind and your character in the story enjoy these moments, but you, as the director, should be aware that this is momentary, do not get attached to them. What matters is the everlasting joy you feel when you connect to your higher, real Self, your real purpose. Everything else is just a means to the end.

I used to believe that there was some lofty purpose in my life that would catapult me to do great things in the world, fulfilling and making me happy. Now, I just observe the drama of life. I may still aim high, but I refuse to get caught in the web.

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ILLUMINATION
ILLUMINATION

Published in ILLUMINATION

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Payal Koul
Payal Koul

Written by Payal Koul

Forever a student of Life. Excited about sharing my learnings and getting inspired by the brilliant writers on this platform. Wishing more power & joy to all.

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