In today’s fast-paced world, where material wealth and consumption seem to define success, we often find ourselves trapped in the cycle of wanting more. But is that what life is truly about? Is there a deeper purpose beyond material gain, and if so, how do we find it?
What is Driving Greed?
Greed and the fear of missing out (FOMO) have become major distractions, pulling us away from fulfilling our soul’s true calling. These distractions stem from two key sources:
- Consumption Markets: On a macro level, companies constantly bombard us with messages designed to make us feel inadequate. Advertisements and social media posts flood our lives, pushing us to believe we are missing out on something, fueling our desire to acquire more—more things, more experiences, more success.
- Fear of Missing Out (FOMO): On a personal level, our scarcity mindset leads to the fear that others are ahead of us in life. We feel the need to catch up, comparing ourselves to others, and becoming trapped in a cycle of competition and inadequacy.
A relatable example is when we’re driving and feel an urge to catch up with the person who just passed us, only to find them stopped at the next traffic light. We fail to realize that we are all on our own journeys, in our own orbits, and that catching up with others is an illusion.
The Circle of Life
No matter where we place ourselves within the circle of life, there will always be people ahead of us and others behind. If we constantly focus on those ahead, we will never feel content. This need to “catch up” traps us in greed and leads to endless dissatisfaction.
The antidote to this is recognizing that we each have our own unique path. The goal is not to surpass others but to fulfill the purpose of our journey. Focusing on our own progress frees us from the false notion of competition and moves us toward inner peace and fulfillment.
Quenching the Thirst of the Soul
In the whirlwind of contemporary life, we often find ourselves caught in a relentless pursuit of material wealth and physical comforts. Yet, the purpose of human existence transcends the mere satisfaction of bodily needs or the accumulation of wealth. It is fundamentally about quenching the soul’s thirst—a quest for deeper fulfillment that is often overshadowed by the distractions of our consumption-driven society.
Our bodies are temporary and will eventually decay, but the soul is eternal. Our souls will either take another form after death or, for the fortunate, achieve Moksha (liberation). Moksha represents the pinnacle of spiritual achievement, a state where the soul transcends the limitations of the physical world and reunites with the divine.
In a culture that constantly emphasizes physical desires and immediate gratification, it becomes easy to lose sight of this truth. The allure of material possessions diverts our attention, keeping us ensnared in a cycle of wanting more, while neglecting our inner selves.
How to Identify the Soul’s Purpose
The first step toward identifying the soul’s purpose is awareness. Most people live their lives on autopilot—waking up, going to work, paying bills, and counting down to the next vacation. This narrow view of life leads us to believe that success is defined by how well we fulfill our material obligations, like paying off loans or acquiring possessions. But the purpose of life is much more profound.
The second step is self-reflection. It encourages us to ask ourselves, “What brings me true happiness, and how can I contribute to the world?” True purpose is not found in material wealth but in understanding our connection to the greater universe and fulfilling our soul’s deeper desires.
Different Paths, One Destination
While every soul has a unique purpose, the ultimate goal for all souls is the same: Moksha. We can compare this journey to traveling from Hyderabad to Bangalore. We can choose different modes of transportation—by plane, by train, by car, or even by foot. The destination remains the same, but the paths we take differ based on individual preferences and life choices.
Similarly, Vedic wisdom speaks of different paths to achieve Moksha, including acts of selfless service (seva), devotion, and knowledge. Although the paths differ, each is a spiritual journey towards the soul’s liberation, personalized to one’s values and life experiences. All paths are valid, and every soul has the freedom to choose how it reaches its goal.
Moving Beyond the Illusions
As we navigate the modern world, it is easy to get caught up in the illusions of success defined by material wealth and status. But to truly live a fulfilled life, we must move beyond these distractions and focus on our soul’s higher purpose. Greed and FOMO will only lead us astray, but by nurturing our awareness and reflecting on our true desires, we can move closer to achieving Moksha.
Life is not about keeping up with others or accumulating more. It is about finding peace within our own journey and aligning with the greater purpose of our soul. So, let us shift our focus from the fleeting needs of the body to the eternal thirst of the soul—and ask ourselves, “What actions today bring me closer to my soul’s purpose?”
