HOW DO I find a self of my own? What is the purpose of my life? Whether moved by pain, drawn by longing, or inspired by hope, we search for answers, but what we find are more questions. These uncertainties are universal and yet their resolution is unique and personal.
Throughout time, people have set out on spiritual pilgrimages, on quests for personal meaning and peace. Often these journeys begin because of some kind of crisis. This isn’t really surprising, because when we’re happy and comfortable, we want things to remain the same, but when we’re unsettled, we seek change.
As much as we may hope for help with the struggle, we must learn the most important lessons on our own. As a Zen master once said to a student, “If I did not make you fight in every way possible in order to find the meaning, you would lose every chance of discovering yourself.”
To find what peace is possible, we must make our own pilgrimage. Along the way we must learn what we can and accept what we must. The important thing is to begin.
As we make our way on the pilgrimage that is our life, however well we may prepare, the moment belongs to God.