“An unexamined life is not worth living” – Socrates
Short-term and long-term goals in life vary from person to person, but having an ultimate purpose in life is crucial for personal fulfillment and happiness. Purpose provides a sense of direction, meaning, and motivation, which can lead to a sense of fulfillment, contentment, and happiness. As Nietzsche said, “Those who have a ‘why’ to live, can bear with almost any ‘how’.”
“If you have a strong purpose in life, you don’t have to be pushed. Your passion will drive you there.”
― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart
In various philosophies and religions, the ultimate purpose of life is to achieve enlightenment, salvation, or a higher state of consciousness.
In ancient philosophy, Aristotle believed that the ultimate purpose of life was to achieve happiness through virtuous living. In medieval philosophy, Thomas Aquinas believed that the ultimate purpose of life was to achieve union with God and salvation in the life to come. In modern philosophy, Immanuel Kant believed that the ultimate purpose of life was to achieve moral perfection.
“It does not matter how long you are spending on the earth, how much money you have gathered or how much attention you have received. It is the amount of positive vibration you have radiated in life that matters,” – Amit Ray, Meditation: Insights and Inspirations
In Asian philosophy, Confucianism aims to create a peaceful society through improvement in the moral character of the individuals, while Taoism emphasizes living in harmony with nature and focusing on self-improvement with emphasis on ethics such as humility, kindness, and generosity.
In Hinduism, the ultimate goal is to achieve Moksha, a state of liberation from the cycle of birth and death through performing good deeds and actions, while in Buddhism, the ultimate goal is to achieve Nirvana, a state of liberation from suffering and rebirth, through enlightenment and elimination of all ignorance, greed, and hatred.
“Your purpose in life is to find your purpose and give your whole heart and soul to it”
― Buddha
According to the common Islamic Belief, the purpose of life is to worship and serve Allah and live in accordance with His Guidance as a servant (Quran 51:56). However, the Quran further elaborates that the ultimate purpose of serving Allah (or living in accordance with His Guidance as a servant) is to attain Falah or self-actualization (Quran 22:77). The word Falah primarily means working out our latent potentials and faculties to the best of our abilities. The term Falah also means ‘success, prosperity, welfare and the attainment of that which one desires or seeks or that whereby one becomes in a happy or good state’. So, the ultimate goal of human life is the achievement of Falah, i.e. success and prosperity, which lies in the actualization of all good human potential, through taqwa (i.e. preservation and manifestation of one’s integrity) and ibada (i.e. compliance with Allah’s Commands).
Through the actualization or development of our physical, intellectual, emotional, moral, and spiritual potentials, we can achieve personal fulfillment and happiness. This can lead to a sense of inner peace and contentment, which is essential for a fulfilling life. When we help others to actualize their potential, we can have a positive impact on their lives. This can create a ripple effect, leading to a better world for everyone. By striving to actualize our potential, we can constantly improve ourselves and become the best version of ourselves. This can lead to a sense of purpose and motivation, which is essential for personal growth. When we create a peaceful and prosperous world around us, everyone benefits. This can lead to a better quality of life and increased opportunities for everyone.
“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson
My ultimate purpose of life is to develop my own physical, intellectual, emotional, moral and spiritual potential to the utmost extent and also help others to do the same, in order to create a peaceful and prosperous world.
What is your ultimate purpose in life? If you would care to share, please share in the comments.
