If we are given an
object from Mr. Anonymous, and for argument sake, let us assume this object is
a laptop, what we do with this “laptop” is entirely up to us. However, it is
only natural for us to ask who gave this “laptop” to us? and why? We have all
been given “life”. We do not fully understand what “life” is but we have
assigned the word “life” to it. Let us first talk about why life was given to
us. One of the most widely asked question that is responsible for a large part
of our conscious mind is, “what is the purpose of life?” This is a question,
over which countless have lost sleep, direction, and even a sound state of
mind. This simple question is the driving force of all humanity. If it weren't for this question, why would anyone do anything at all? If we did not believe,
that there must be some reason we have what we have, by which I mean life of
course, we wouldn't really continue living, would we? Well we wouldn't, at
least not as conscious human beings.
Many people have their
various theories regarding why we are born and what we must do. Most of us
think that once we have completed this task, we have fulfilled our purpose,
however what most of us don’t realize, is that what if we complete our goals
faster than we died? Why do we continue to live even after that? In other
words, “what now?” We are, in this situation, obviously capable of more. Our
purpose must be one that does not have an end, and yet that which we fulfill every day. This purpose is change or rather, something new. If you look at your
environment, you’ll see that everything is different. No two snowflakes are the
same, every atom has its unique frequency, every being has its own mind with
different thoughts, different perspectives, and different ideas. Going on a
macro level, every star is different, and so is every universe. Apart from
this, change is the only thing that does not lead back to the beginning, ie. It isn't a cycle unlike abstractions such as happiness and sadness, or pain and
pleasure.
Now we do not fit in
with the general flow of things. We are not born to eat, sleep, and reproduce.
Like most creatures, we have needs but, unlike most creatures, we also have
wants. This collection of “wants” is a major part of one’s consciousness, which leads me to
ask the question, what is consciousness? Some people may argue that it is the
soul but what is a soul? Does it really exist? Or is it just another creation
of man in order to receive a comfortable answer? No one has ever seen a “soul”.
No one has proof of its existence. No one has felt it. So how did the idea of
its existence come about? Once again, just a possibility incorporated into the mind-set
of a large portion of humanity.
- Sharan Joshi
