At a Gurukul the guru was talking about a chase between the lion and deer, in that pursuit this time the deer won and which has been the case with many other deer’s on many occasions. The teacher asks can anyone think why this happens. The teacher broke the silence by saying “the lion runs for food and deer for life. “Purpose is more important than need”. He then says let’s try and consider ‘purpose’ as our mantra for the day to realize and identify its application in our lives now and always.
Let me start with an example…. the ‘purpose’ of a story teller is not to tell you how to think, but to give you questions to think upon. Let’s break so that all of you get sufficient time to think and discuss with others and identify the importance of 'purpose' in our lives. We will meet tomorrow to discuss our learning’s
The following day the first student spoke, while discussing with my elders I am given to understand humanity is all about human beings collectively, in which case knowing our right 'purpose' should help better the quality of all humans. Having a sense of 'purpose' is having a sense of self and I seem to realize the definiteness of 'purpose' is the starting point of all achievements.
The next student spoke my father made me realize life as the most valuable gift. He said the 'purpose' of life is to discover your gift. The work of life is in developing it and the meaning of life is in sharing the gift. I now realize the two important days in life are the day you are born and the day you find out your gift holds the key in finding your true 'purpose'. It was nice learning the purpose of life is not just being happy, but to serve and to show compassion and the will to help others. Our efforts and courage are not enough without 'purpose' and direction.
The student who spoke next thanked the Guruji for this exercise as he felt you don’t decide what your purpose is in life, you discover it. The purpose then becomes a reason for living and I am beginning to understand the involvement of my heart and soul in it. It is not unique to only some of us, each one is born for a 'purpose'.
The next child was brief but carried deep reflections with his observation. On his way home he observed a man showing his hand to a palmist. The man seemed to have a lot of problems and challenges in life. What the palmist said became learning. He was telling the man life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of meaning and purpose.
Another older student was from a business background family. He said business purpose and business missions are so rarely given adequate thought and perhaps the most common cause of business frustrations and failure. Defined 'purpose' works well setting boundaries for what an organization will and will not do as part of its growth strategy.
The next student’s ambition was to pursue public service and his learning’s made him realize when under oath the duty is about meaning and purpose and commitment, to be doing good and to use any privilege – authority only to make positive changes and to disrupt oppressive systems.
The teacher was happy with the children’s learning’s and advised them to also invoke a desire to learn from scriptures. Singing creators praises listening to His teachings will result in knowing God, knowing why you were created for His higher 'purpose' and for your better good.
After knowing and loving God, loving all His creations will matter.
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