Narendra Kotwal
The purpose of human existence has been a subject of profound contemplation for sages, philosophers, and seekers across ages. While life’s transient goals-wealth, relationships, power, and sensory pleasures-often dominate our attention, the deeper meaning of existence transcends these ephemeral pursuits. The true aim of life is to achieve a form of consciousness that penetrates divine and eternal truths, truths that exist beyond the limitations of this material world.
The Nature of Eternal Truths
Eternal truths are not bound by time, space, or worldly constructs. They represent the fundamental reality that underlies all existence-unchanging, omnipresent, and absolute. Different spiritual traditions describe this ultimate truth in various ways:
Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism): The realization of Brahman, the unchanging, infinite reality that underlies the universe. The Upanishads teach that “Tat Tvam Asi”-Thou art That-implying that the divine essence exists within each being.
Sufism and Islamic Mysticism: The concept of Fana, or the dissolution of the ego, wherein the seeker becomes one with the Divine.
Buddhism: The attainment of Nirvana, the state beyond suffering and illusion (Maya), where one merges with the ultimate reality beyond individual identity.
Christianity: The deep communion with God, where the soul transcends worldly attachments to dwell in divine grace and eternal love.
These truths are not intellectual constructs but experiential realities. They cannot be understood solely through reasoning; they must be realized through inner transformation.
The Illusion of Worldly Existence
The world, as we perceive it, is transient and constantly changing. Everything we cling to-our bodies, emotions, relationships, and material possessions-is subject to impermanence. The ancient sages referred to this as Maya, the great illusion that binds the soul to suffering by making the impermanent seem real and desirable.
Despite knowing that wealth, status, and pleasures are fleeting, humans continue to chase them, believing they hold the key to happiness. However, true fulfilment is not found in external acquisitions but in the discovery of one’s divine essence. To awaken from this illusion, one must cultivate a higher form of consciousness-one that perceives beyond the material and penetrates the realm of the eternal.
The Path to Higher Consciousness
The journey towards divine consciousness is not a single road but a confluence of multiple paths, each suited to different temperaments and inclinations.
The Path of Knowledge (Jnana Yoga)
This path involves deep inquiry into the nature of self and reality. Through introspection, meditation, and wisdom, the seeker discards false identities (body, mind, ego) and realizes their eternal nature. Adi Shankaracharya’s Advaita Vedanta emphasises this path, teaching that the self (Atman) is identical to the supreme reality (Brahman).
The Path of Devotion
Love and surrender to the Divine dissolve the barriers of ego and bring about spiritual realization. Saints like Mirabai, Kabir, and Ramanuja exemplify this path, where devotion transforms the soul and merges it with the beloved God.
The Path of Selfless Action
By acting without attachment to results, one transcends the bondage of karma. The Bhagavad Gita teaches that performing one’s duty as an offering to the Divine purifies the heart and leads to liberation.
The Path of Meditation and Discipline
Through meditation, breath control (pranayama), and ethical discipline, the seeker silences the mind and experiences higher states of awareness. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali outline this structured approach to spiritual realization.
The Path of Surrender
The ultimate realization often comes through surrender-letting go of the illusion of control and yielding to divine will. This path dissolves the ego and aligns the seeker with the flow of the cosmos.
Transcending the Individual Self
The fundamental shift in consciousness occurs when one moves from an ego-cantered existence to a realisation of interconnected oneness. This is the moment when individual identity dissolves, and one sees the divine in everything. The Rigveda proclaims:
“Ekam Sat Vipra BahudhaVadanti”-Truth is one; the wise call it by many names.
This realization leads to unconditional love, boundless compassion, and fearless living. Such a being, free from attachments and delusions, moves through the world with grace, unaffected by pleasure or pain, success or failure.
The Ultimate State: Liberation and Oneness
The culmination of this journey is Moksha (Liberation), Nirvana (Enlightenment), or Union with the Divine. This is not a state to be attained after death but a living reality that can be experienced here and now. A person who attains this state transcends suffering, exists in eternal bliss (Ananda), and serves as a guiding light for others.
Spreading This Message: A Call to Humanity
In today’s chaotic world, where stress, greed, and conflicts dominate human consciousness, the need for spiritual awakening has never been greater. To spread this wisdom:
Teach by Example: Living a life of simplicity, integrity, and compassion is the best way to inspire others.
Use Modern Platforms: Social media, blogs, and publications can serve as tools to share spiritual insights.
Community Engagement: Spiritual gatherings, meditation groups, and discussion circles can help others embark on this journey.
Integrate Spirituality into Daily Life: Making small yet profound shifts-mindfulness in work, gratitude in relationships, and detachment from outcomes-creates a ripple effect in society.
The aim of existence is not merely survival or temporary happiness but the realization of divine consciousness. By transcending worldly illusions and aligning with eternal truths, humanity can experience true peace, boundless love, and ultimate freedom.
As Swami Vivekananda declared:
“Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached.”
Let us walk this path with courage, wisdom, and devotion, knowing that beyond the illusions of this world lies the eternal truth-the divine essence that pervades all existence.
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