The Pursuit of a Perspective
A rational perspective often leads to a meaningful and purposeful life so, do pursue it.
It’s been quite some time since I’m thinking about writing on this particular subject and I believe, this is something we all can relate to. It should not come as a surprise that most people of my age, in their mid 20s, find it quite difficult to search for their existential purpose. Mostly, they struggle with a sense of meaninglessness and they find it quite onerous to find the true meaning of their existence. They tend to question their reality as they feel uncertain about this matter-substance equation. Thus, existential crisis do exist. No denying that.
Moreover, if we consider this topic in detail, we will get to know that the existential crisis often lead people to extreme isolation, making them unable to function properly in a society.
Moreover, whenever an individual goes through such a phase, everyone will tell him to embrace the void and have the courage to exist etc. However, when you go through any such phase, nothing makes sense. In addition, it is not always about the courage to exist! Most people who go through existential crisis aren’t suicidal. They love their lives. They just struggle with finding an identity for themselves. That’s all. So, stop telling people to exist rather let them evaluate their existence and make peace with their reality.
Contrary to the existential crisis, they are few who don’t value the meaning of their lives and do not try to find one. These people are of the view that doing what one enjoys is far more important than finding an identity. And when we consider their view in the context of this post modern age, it also makes a lot of sense.
So, which view makes more sense? Finding existential purpose or just living your life?
It is quite debatable and there isn’t a conclusive answer to this question. However, I am of the view that if we try to marry both philosophies, we may end up finding the right answer.
Here, I feel the urgency to tell my own story. Almost 2 and half years ago, when I graduated from the Engineering school, nothing was certain. I wasn’t sure about anything, be it my personal life or professional. There was a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty. In short, I went through a phase of existential crisis. It was a difficult time, indeed. But it didn’t last forever. Did I find the meaning or the purpose? No, I didn’t. Instead, I find the right perspective.
Thus, it led me to a conclusion that those who go through existential crisis and try to find a meaning end up finding a perspective. And for me, a rational perspective often leads to a meaningful and purposeful life.
Now, the question arises that how a rational perspective can help us? A rational perspective leads us to think objectively and allows humans to make necessary compromises between our over-ambitious goals and the objective realities. It doesn’t mean that we should discard our ‘crazy ideas’ and play safe rather a rational perspective makes it easier for us to pursue the right things and discard the unnecessary noise.
We all have our own stories and we all are unique in one way or the other. However, the thing is, down the road, we all face existential crisis. We all go through a phase where we pursue a purpose or a meaning. An identity is something, which we all look for. The problem is our pursuit of an identity often leaves us empty-handed, making us feel the brunt of purposelessness.
To conclude, I am not sure about others but for me, the best way to get out of the existential crisis is to look for a right perspective because unless we are thinking with the right context, we can’t find our true purpose. Thus, it is not about our purpose or identity, it is always about the way we perceive it.
