Perhaps it is programmed into every human being to seek and find some sort of purpose; a reason for breathing. It feels like we are conditioned from a young age to fill our time with activity, through play, screen time, studies etc. The older humans around us encourage us to DO, DO and DO. And as we grow, the activity in our external lives as well as in our minds continues to grow in tandem.
We do not dare to stop. Our society considers those who do not seem to do anything as useless, worthless and ambition less.
My older brother told me that I was a rather inactive toddler. According to him, I used to just sit and sit and raise my arms whenever I wished to be moved elsewhere.
I imagine that I was not a fun toddler to be around. I did not play, sing or dance. There was no entertainment for the people around me. I moved only when it was absolutely necessary.
However, it seems like everything happens for a reason…
During my 39th year on this earth I signed up for a 10-day meditation course in Kathmandu. In order to learn and practise this meditation technique, I had to spend approximately 10,5 hours per day sitting in a cross-legged position. At this time, I felt very grateful for my innate ability to sit.
I sat and sat and sat and observed the inner world within the framework of what I call body.
I continued to sit and this became part of my daily practice. And with prolonged sitting, this daily practice integrated itself into my daily activities. This simple act transformed into a vocation, the purpose of this human’s life.
Consequently, numerous activities that previously held some meaning in my daily life fell away. These were substituted by what I call “meaningful acts”. My life became a string of joyful activities….most of the time 🙂
I am a well-versed scholar of what I call an ambition-driven life. I owe this accolade to my experience as a Chartered Accountant. I attended Stephen Covey’s “A purpose driven life” workshops during my time in the office. I tried, in vain, to align my life with the expectations of friends, family, teachers, mentors and society. And my lack of success has led me to this reflective juncture.
I clearly remember that I made a decision to wear my brave spectacles, during the year of 2004. This was one of my turning points. I chose to look beyond the current horizon and welcome the change that seemed to be beyond what the naked eye could see. This turns out to be one of the most ambitious things that I have ever done.
The year is 2023 and I am back in Kathmandu and I feel that I have stumbled upon a treasure…
A pathway to being peace.