If something is disturbing you, then it is not your purpose. You can have love—you may love someone, or receive love from someone.
However, even if you give your love to someone, it isn’t guaranteed that you will receive the same in return. Even when you do receive love, it often creates expectations, fear, and anxiety about whether it will last. Sometimes, your love might even be ignored, which naturally leads to worry.
In this world, regardless of what you do, the ultimate outcome is happiness. Whether you invent something remarkable, earn significant wealth, gain power, or achieve popularity, everything aims for happiness. Yet the question remains: does that happiness stay forever?
Clearly, our purpose is to achieve happiness through our actions and accomplishments. However, our deepest wish is for that happiness to endure, something that is never fully assured. While love is very important, it is not our ultimate purpose. Our true purpose lies in attaining a state where, regardless of external disturbances, our happiness remains steady. If something disturbs our happiness, we should be able to overcome it quickly. This undisturbed mind is what we believe is the true purpose of our lives.
We can achieve this undisturbed mind by mastering three key principles:
1. Staying focused on the present moment: Constantly anchoring yourself here and now. This habit helps prevent distractions. It also reduces anxiety about the future or regrets about the past.
2. Replacing unnecessary, disturbing, negative thoughts: When negative thoughts arise, consciously replace them with more positive or neutral ones.
3. Practicing acceptance: When you are striving to achieve something and it doesn’t work out, learn to accept the situation. Move on and do not dwell in frustration.
If you master these three principles, you will be able to achieve that undisturbed mind, no matter what life brings. This is our real purpose. We can cultivate this mindset through the regular practice of meditation.
In meditation, the focus is on being present. It involves letting go of unnecessary thoughts and calming the mind. Ultimately, this practice makes it easier to accept things as they come.