|
|
Spirituality
Why Am I Here?
by Shefali Burns
November 20, 2005
This
is a question that has been asked by everyone at least once in their
lives. It is an age old question since the time when man could think,
reason and use his intellect. It is usually first asked in adolescence
when teenagers are beginning to make sense of this world and their place
in it. Then it is asked again when they are trying to decide what to do
with their lives. Subsequently it is asked whenever their life plan does
not turn out the way they thought it would. And finally when they become
seniors and look back at their life and do not know what the future
holds.
It takes a lot of courage to ask this question and even more to listen
to the answer and follow it. One cannot ask this question to a room full
of people, only oneself. We are hardly ever truly alone so that we may
think, reflect and contemplate. When we are alone we can see ourselves,
all of ourselves, the different roles we play, and the different masks
we wear. This takes a great deal of courage and honesty. We may not like
what we see or who we are.
I have asked this question “Why am I here?” many times already and have
come up with several answers. I am here to help others, I am here to
learn from my mistakes, and I am here to be kind to the people I
interact with. Other answers include, I am here to do selfless service,
to give love and receive in return, and to make this world a better
place. All of these answers are reasonable and noble but they always
left me with a feeling that there was still something missing.
After meeting my Guru, a spiritual master, an enlightened being, I
realized that the reason I and everyone else is here is to become
enlightened, to know God, to know oneself. When I am in his presence, I
feel indescribable peace and contentment. I forget all of my problems.
They seem to not exist anymore. All of my fears, doubts and questions
disappear and my mind becomes quiet and still.
How can one know oneself and know the Divine? In my experience it is
through the grace of the Guru and by being in their presence. It is also
through meditation, contemplation, reflection, and yoga to name just a
few. But the most important thing is the burning desire to know God, as
a dying man thirsts for water so one should want God more than anything
else. I am still on my spiritual journey and have been caught up in the
illusion of the world many times, but I just keep getting back on track
and one day I will wake up to my true nature.
Top |
Spirituality
The Week of November 20, 2005
Law of Karma by Dr. Anil K. Rajvanshi
Why Am I Here? by Shefali Burns
Global Threats,
Local Responses by Rajinder Puri
When will India get over Its Awe of White Skin?
by Kusum Choppra
The PM who
Placed India on Fast Trace to Global Power Status by Dr. Subhash Kapila
All You Who Seek Sleep Tonight by
Susan Philip
Gender Equality or Encashment of the Last Human
Resource by Kusum Choppra
Credibility of University Courses:
Uniform
Evaluation is the Answer by Prof. Raja Mutthirulandi
Caste System in Hinduism: A Historical and
Analytical Approach by Dr. RK Lahiri, PhD
India's African Past by Fatima Chowdhury
Goa and Garbage by Lionel Messias
Peace via Technology by Anat Cohen
Poet, Poetry and the Native Land by Alipta Jena
Footsoldiers Ask for a Better Deal by
Kathyayini Chamaraj
Brazil: Waiting for Their Land of Freedom by
Marlinelza B de Oliveira
At Peace in Conflict Zone
Child Warriors of Kashmir by Prakriiti Gupta
Shedding Light on the Dark Continent by Aparna
Sharma
Main, Meri Patni aur Woh by Kusum Choppra
A Second Lesson by NS Murty
Insanity by Anu Chopra
|
|
