Douglas Keene -- USA
Many in today’s society feel alienated, lost, and drifting, searching for substance and meaning, often expressed as the desire for purpose. This is most often evident at three developmental points in our lives. Firstly, as young adults, when trying to choose a career or identify how a person might fit into society at large. For many this is a relatively passive choice due to cultural norms, family tradition and expectations, and available avenues of pursuit. This can be a conscious choice, or typically, a necessary default. The second common timeline is in middle age when we have engaged in some pursuit or combination thereof, and find it unsatisfactory, whether it be ill suited to our passion (if we have a passion), repetitive, superficial or just generally unfulfilling. This is often termed a midlife crisis. This is an opportunity to reassess our values and the trajectory of our lives. Lastly, around the age of retirement from one’s primary profession is when many individuals lose a sense of purpose and attempt to regain it.
With functional life expectancy expanding for at least a decade or two, many wonder how to find meaning in their lives now that they are no longer engaged in a career. This need for relevance seems to be exploding in our time due to the exposure to social media, artificial intelligence, cultural microcosms, and a diminution of immediate need for survival. Lower-level factory work and general labor opportunities have been shrinking and in many places are unavailable. Even where they are, many now deem them unsuitable to those with a more global awareness. Service workers in the food industry are notoriously difficult to find. Opportunities for advanced degrees require financing, extensive study with sacrifices, and competition. Even if obtained, these may ultimately feel hollow and disappointing.
The American mythologist, Joseph Campbell wrote in his 1988 book, The Power of Myth, to “follow your bliss”. Certainly, those that are able to obtain a living by following a deep passion are blessed, but this is often not the case, either because the passion is not found, or, once found, it cannot sustain a minimal standard of living. Passion also tends to be mercurial, and opportunities are not always plentiful.
Theosophy teaches us that we all do have a purpose, even if obscure at times. Dharma, an Eastern concept integral to Hinduism and Buddhism, which has multiple definitions when translated but can mean a life goal or purpose (sometimes translated as duty). Many adherents believe that our life will provide us with opportunities consistent with finding a purpose. It might be mundane or grandiose, both being equally necessary at different times. As we search for this direction, we examine the world at large, but more critically, we need to look at the world within ourselves. What are our motivations and are they altruistic?
If we wish to embark on a spiritual path, this may change us. In each opportunity we will make choices, which in turn further defines us and brings the conditions that will be presented in life. If we are confused, perhaps we need to create a new direction as we align our motives with the person we wish to be. Generally, this does not come easily, but requires dedication, earnestness and industry. Annie Besant, in The Spiritual Life writes “then you are taking the first step toward the spiritual life, you are changing your motives; all activities of your day will have a new object.” (page 7 of Kindle Edition)
There are times that we reach out to the world in a conscious way to find a vocation that attracts us. On other occasions, the opportunity comes unexpectedly or we are even thrust into a situation, seemingly unwanted, that is critical to our own development. We must ask ourselves if we are working with nature’s currents or are we in opposition to them. Karma will provide the lessons, but are our eyes and ears open to the teachings?
As the 13th century mystic and poet Rumi wrote: “everyone has been made for some particular purpose, and the desire for that work has been put in every heart.”
We only need to recognize it.
