Three things that make life complete : Part III

This is a three part series. Please read Part I and Part II before you start reading below.

He reached early and chose a place that offered privacy and a good view of the sea. After going through the menu and briefing the steward, he waited - impatiently. 

Gazing at the horizon, his mind drifted to how everyone sees the same world differently. Everyone around here has his own ideas about what he wants from his life. But in general, most want to make loads of money and be successful. There is an urge for recognition and status in the society, want their kids to do well, be healthy etc. He wondered how he missed these two important aspect that make life complete - money and health. They have their place too. Perhaps the girl had given a very good answer - health, wealth and wisdom. She was practical and honest.

He was sure that there is nothing right or wrong and that everyone thinks and makes choices based on his experiences, ideas and capabilities. But most want to make a lot of money. They haven’t thought about how much and if they have, they set another target, when they reach there.

He had started asking the right questions and the answers had started flowing. The Captain realized that like his new friend, he too wanted to live a full life. Rise to his full potential. Play his part well. Do a thing because he felt like doing it and not because that was the 'in' thing to do. He just wanted his needs addressed - which were few, have a balanced life, define success in his own way, be a good human being, try and help others, give, surrender, express gratitude, empathize. He wanted a simple life, didn't want to prove anything to the world, he was seeking love, and had realized that he must first learn to to give love. He wanted to be a learning machine, to seek 'new', to explore, to grow, to be the best in his work...

By now it was half an hour past five; he had consumed a large cup of coffee and wondered what had delayed his friend. He had not even asked for her number and hence had no choice but to wait. Just then he saw her coming and was fascinated by her grace. 

" Hi! I am so sorry, i got delayed. Got stuck in the traffic."

" It's OK, i got some time to turn over a few things in my mind"

" Hmm..I thought you didn't like reflecting"

" You thought right, but it has changed since we met"

She smiles.

" So what have you been thinking about?"

" About - How can i become a better human being, a better person?"

" That's a great thought. Did you get an answer?"

" In some measure. I feel it has to start with introspection and being honest about it. Being authentic is very important. It is a journey and i guess a tough one. But it's a worthy endeavor, since one undertakes it willingly."

" Wow. Tell me more"

" I have reached this important conclusion just a few minutes back - Not to ask God to change my life but to change me. I feel that the journey of fulfillment starts with this"

" This is the best thought i have ever come across. Thanks. tell me more"

" No. I came here to listen to you. I am carrying forward unanswered questions since last evening"

" Please, you go on first and then i will share my bit"

" OK. I think i need to see the inter-connected-ness, in the creation. For that my awareness has to improve. Be very conscious and attentive to what is happening around me - be more mindful. I have an intuition that i will find love as the binding force in this inter-connect-ness. 

Simultaneously the following cycle starts - explore -seek 'new' or create 'new' - learn - explore. Also must challenge my belief system. Observe my emotions and various thought patterns. By this time, I should have found some areas for improvement. Having absorbed new ideas / thoughts, i must then begin for a long drawn war. I would like to call it "Chiselling my block". It is said that it takes 10,000 hours of practise to be a master of something - to see the shoots of greatness. That comes to about 3 hours of work for next 10 years. 

Concurrently, practicing compassion, expressing gratitude, and being helpful would be important too.

Slowly, very slowly the consciousness will expand. Perhaps then i will be able to see love as the fundamental force binding us all."

" I am floored sir. That's amazing. Where did you get all this from?"
" I like to read and listen but all this came from somewhere - i don't know? I guess we get shaped by a lot of things but ultimately have this uniqueness"

"  I agree."

" It's your turn now. Please help me with this question, 'what are the three things that make life complete?' "

" Oh! this was asked to one of the contestant last evening."

" Yes. And i have been struggling since then to get an answer"

" I didn't see you struggle on the dance floor"

" I love dancing. And my mantra is - Dance like no one is watching you. But before we get distracted, please tell me your answer"

" OK. Do you think what a man most want in his life is pleasure?"
" No"

" Well Sigmund Freud thought so. But Viktor Frankl, a psychologist, stood up to him and said that every man seeks a deep sense of meaning. And, when he cannot find a deep sense of meaning, he distracts himself with pleasure.

I also feel that pleasure never satisfies anyone. One has to listen to his deepest voices and find the purpose in his / her life. Now, i am talking of a higher purpose. Making money could be someone's purpose, but it will not satisfy him and thus will not complete his life. So this higher purpose originates from his uniqueness and is aimed at helping others. Such people are humble and are working out of gratitude. they share whatever they have, They simply want to give - selflessly, unconditionally. It is then that they experience actualization. By the way do you know that living a life like this is fulfilling because you get what you give - you give love you get love and so it goes for everything else. But as you mentioned, it has to be pure and authentic with loads of patience."

" That's a great learning. That counts as one part - Having a purpose in Life. A worthy goal. What are the other two"

" You described love perfectly. Love is the deepest and most fundamental of all things. It connects us all. And we can experience it only when we give it. A mother's love for the baby is unconditional and she gets back so much more in return."

" OK that's two and what is the last one?"

" I won't call the third thing as something that makes life complete. It is rather a thought to live by. We are constantly bombarded with so many good ideas and it gets hard to remember them, leave alone integrating them in our lives. So this thought kind of sums up like this - Life is a joyous battle of duty but at the same time a passing dream. 

Duty is anything that demands our attention. We have a role to play in this cosmic drama. Since this movie(cosmic drama) is always on we must give our best shot in every moment. That's why they say - live the moment - and that is where awareness connects to this moment. But at the same time one must realize that it is a passing thing - a transition -and so one must not take it too seriously. Have fun while the game is on"

" Great, I would like you to sum it up for me"

" 1. Give love - unconditionally,

  2. Have a Purpose in life that helps you to express your uniqueness and in turn is aimed at greater good,

  3. Give your best in every moment - play your part well in this delusive world."

This is the way to fulfills your destiny. But as you mentioned, one has to be authentic in this journey and must be even minded.

" That's so overwhelming. Last 24 hours have been truly transforming for me. And I would sincerely want to interact as much more as possible. Can we keep meeting?"

" Sure, i would love to. Everything happens for a reason and i am sure there is a reason why destiny brought us together."