By Syed Shujaat Hussain
As per general/personal perception, advocated by Dr Fankl, Prof of Neurology and Psychiatry who founded the third Viennese School of Psychotherapy called Logotherapy ( therapy for curing patients by helping them to discover their own Meaning of life ), after Freud and Adler’s individual psychology.
“Meaning does not exist on its own. It is something we create in our minds like an idea, belief, (service to humanity or a country, specialization in a certain field, making money, lust for power or a luxurious life) which are the outcome of personal desires, goals, dream etc, whereas Purpose is less tangible and can be defined on long term basis,providing a direction based on Meaning. Meaning is subjective and purpose is more objective but is closely associated with it. These will therefore vary from person to person, , time to time” unquote, society to society and nation to nation, thus creating more chances of conflict rather than eliminating them. On the other hand, according to my understanding , a “Higher Purpose or Higher Consciousness”, as a part, connected to the whole/ultimate and everlasting “Reality”, beyond our comprehension, belongs to the domain of Spirituality which transcends, encompasses and provides the real essence to Meaning and Purpose of life, and lays down the framework and guidelines to them for their moral governance and regeneration thus creating the most conducive environment for living in peace and equilibrium, and in a state of contentment and perpetual happiness, both material and spiritual.
Happiness. It is the ultimate goal of every living being. For real happiness in life, we need to consider all the 4 dimensions of life ie physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual. While the momentary and transitory happiness depends on visible success in life which is largely dependent on high IQ, professional competency, EQ (emotional balance), and most importantly relationships, both vertically and horizontally. I have come to believe that the real and permanent happiness comes from spirituality which provides to raw human beings already blessed with a rational soul, will-power and freedom of choice, a meaning, a direction and a higher purpose to their lives, and for controlling/sublimating the negative traits like anger, hatred, jealousy, lust, selfishness etc, and for promoting social justice, honesty, integrity, tolerance, compassion and productive living, unlike animals with whom we share a lot of biological commonalities who only live for themselves. But, as human beings we need to create a higher purpose of our lives instead of only living, earning, eating and dying . The worldly success is no doubt very important, but we need to understand that the material and spiritual happiness, are mutually inclusive and need to progress side by side. Fortunately, the human beings are already blessed with the ability and capacity to change their lives for the better or worse, but unfortunately most of them are quite weak in emotional balance due to reasons of genetic inheritance, social, and family environment
in which brought up or living/lived. This adversely impacts the development of good and sustainable relationships, very essential in life. It is through spirituality that we can overcome
these shortcomings by creating self consciousness and then using our will power and freedom of choice to change and control the negative traits.
I have given you the essence of my life time, acquired and inspired knowledge and experiences of the past for you to ponder and determine future direction to your lives. The aim should be to attain material success as well as become an exemplary human being.
The author is former Engineer- In-Chief & Founding Rector National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST)
