Blurts & Spasms

In answer to Quora question "Can somebody tell me is it true that every single person in this world has come to fulfill some specific purpose? Or that is only rubbish?"

Thanks for the A2A. One of the thirteen dimensions in Integral Lifework is called **"Fulfilling Purpose."** It is defined this way:

"Discovering and actuating a satisfying life-purpose that is perfectly matched to our authentic self, and which supports the focus, strength and healthy expression of our personal will."

The reason this is considered a critical consideration for well-being - an area of life that requires attention an nurturing - is because it turns out to be a central question that most people will ask at some point in their life. And it seems to be rather deeply embedded reflex to ask...and keep asking. So much so that people will unconsciously latch onto some sort of meaning or purpose without much consideration if they don't consciously and actively approach the question. They will, for example, get married, have children, purchase a house, pursue a certain career, attend university, volunteer at a charity, get involved in social justice, or join a religion...all because they feel a strong need to engage the world with purpose, and give their own life meaning, but without really thinking about what they are doing, or why, in a carefully considered way.

So, since this pattern of meaning-making is a nearly universal human habit, there have been memes floating around for a long time that claim everyone has a specific purpose that is uniquely their own. Really I think such claims are an intersection between the real drive that most everyone harbors to find meaning in existence, and the realization that it might be good idea to go about finding such meaning in a conscious way, rather than just adopting what advertisements, entertainment media, charismatic leaders or our family tell us is "the answer" - or to reflexively imitate what everyone else around us is doing. At least that is how I interpret such statements.

But to be more precise - and perhaps more helpful - I would rephrase the statement this way: "If we don't attempt to ferret out a meaningful purpose for ourselves in a conscious way, our purpose will likely either be chosen for us by the agendas of others, or we will adopt some convenient substitution that conforms with societal expectations." For me, this reflects the central concern more accurately. Viewed in this light, the sentiment isn't rubbish at all...it's more of a warning and encouragement.

Lastly, I would say the method of "discovering and actuating a satisfying life-purpose" is also important. In Integral Lifework, this is accomplished by carefully looking within ourselves (through meditation and interior attention and reflection), rather than orienting our search to external answers...or waiting for someone else to show us the way.

My 2 cents.