In Search of Meaning

If one day, you are not blissful, that’s understandable, something happened; but not having been blissful for a single day, that means something very fundamental is wrong, isn’t it? It is just this: without understanding the fundamentals of what this human mechanism is, you are trying to operate it

If you were very blissful and ecstatic at this moment, would you think, “What is the purpose of my life?”

— No.

Only when in some way, life has become burdensome, these questions arise: “To be or not to be.”

— “Is there a good enough purpose for me to exist?”

The experience of life itself has not become grand enough, has not become worthwhile enough, that is why you are trying to find a meaning, isn’t it? If just sitting here and breathing was ecstatic for you, you wouldn’t ask, “What is the purpose of life?” So, before you ask that question, the most important thing you need to do is just this: to learn to enhance this life to its maximum potential. When I say “life,” you don’t even know what life is... All you have right now is your body and mind. Make them as pleasant as you can. Only when your physical body and mind are in a state of pleasantness, everything in you works at its best. Your intelligence works at its best only when you are joyful and blissful. If a human being manages to remain in a continual state of blissfulness, let’s say for 24 hours, one’s intelligence will double. There is enough medical evidence to prove this today.

Have you spent a single day in your life without a moment of agitation, irritation, anger, anxiety, or anything like that? In all these years, have you spent 24 hours just blissfully? No? Not just you, almost the whole of humanity has to answer this question with a “no.” If one day, you are not blissful, that’s understandable, something happened; but not having been blissful for a single day, that means something very fundamental is wrong, isn’t it? It is just this: without understanding the fundamentals of what this human mechanism is, you are trying to operate it. It is just like you got into a car, you didn’t know what these three pedals are, and you kicked any one of them whenever you feel like it. You know what a jerky driver you would be? [Laughter]

Right now your well-being is so jerky, isn’t it? You know moments of joyfulness, you know moments of love, you know moments of blissfulness, you know moments of ecstasy in your life - but you are not able to sustain this. It is jerky because you are trying to operate your life without understanding the sophistication of the mechanism that you are handling.

So, “What is the purpose?” This question arises because you have not experienced the grandeur of existence; you have not experienced the magnificent nature of your being. That is why you are asking, “What is the purpose? What should I do to make this life meaningful?” You don’t have to do anything. If you could sit here for one moment and experience this, you would know you don’t have to do anything; just being alive is grand enough. That you would know when somebody puts a gun to your head. Suddenly, you would know, just being alive is grand enough.

Ranked amongst the fifty most influential people in India, Sadhguru is a Yogi, mystic, visionary and a New York Times bestselling author. Sadhguru has been conferred the Padma Vibhushan by the Government of India in 2017, the highest annual civilian award, accorded for exceptional and distinguished service. He is also the founder of the world’s largest people’s movement, Conscious Planet - Save Soil, which has touched over 4 billion people; Views presented are personal.