Is Seeking a Purpose in Life Beneficial?

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by (120 points)
Does living with a purpose confer benefits, or are there adverse consequences to such a lifestyle?

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by (220 points)
Narrowing one’s life towards a purpose still stands as one of the most dangerous notions out there. Offsetting one’s attention in the form of any purpose at all could lead to bad consequences – for example, people who focus too much on their ‘purpose’ may lose their perspective on everything else. If someone believes to be a 'godly' purpose behind their actions, justifying any wickedness becomes easy as well. The passage goes to a certain level suggesting that life in itself is the meaning and getting involved in the meaning of life can be quite dangerous as it leads to madness if taken too seriously.
by (100 points)
This is an amazing philosophy on life...some of the happiest people in the world have no purpose, they are just joyful, helpful and in the moment.  I realized this thru the eyes of my young son!  Stop taking life so serious and just be!  Love to all!
by (100 points)
For years and years I struggled with the concept of “love yourself” until I listened to a talk by sadhguru who made it crystal clear we should love the LIFE inside of us. It clicked and I’ve found the peace he promises. It’s not constant, I still find myself trapped by thoughts and feelings but I can get out quickly.
I’ve also discovered that you cannot speak to others about this - but you can show it in your own transformation. Some people will fall away, others will appear, some will get closer - don’t worry about them for a moment. Just love the life inside of you.
by (100 points)
This is exactly what I have always said. Finally, someone else that gets it. There is no purpose to/of life. Life just is. Any purpose that you think exists is only a construct of your own mind.
by (100 points)
I’ve been told in my life I need to find a purpose in life . Like I must be a title or I’m no one . After hearing this I feel I have been blessed to know that I am who I am. I’ve enjoyed and given joy.
by (100 points)
I found my purpose. My purpose was finding the content telling me not to find purpose
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As someone who gravitates toward a nihilistic view of the world, this is very validating. Nihilism has always had a bad rap, but the reality is that when you can just rekax and enjoy life without trying to ascribe any meaning to it, it actually becomes meaningful on its own.
by (100 points)
This content is better than 10 years of therapy thank you
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Those who always seek are always lost, no matter their success
by (100 points)
This set me free.  I listen everyday and it still makes me emotional.  So beautiful.
by (100 points)
I began to start noticing the overwhelming amount of attention that has been placed on "a purpose". While I originally agreed with it wholeheartedly, I became quite stressed in my search. A red flag popped up just a week ago and I started thinking that a purpose was possibly just a mind construct, an amazing trick by the mind. I wasn't sure how to remove myself from it but after reading this content, I feel I already have. Thank you.
by (100 points)
Thankyou Sadhguru for reminding me to be me and bringing back the calming way of life to Sit and be still and look in wonder and smile in gratefulness .
by (100 points)
The easiest purpose to follow for me is "to make the world a better place" in whatever way you can. Keeps things open and allows you focus on the present most of the time.
by (100 points)
Purpose of life- To free oneself from phycological traps to find balance within for what's all around you
by (100 points)
This took me right out of a trap for the moment, feeling of depression because I wasn't taking the steps to fulfill my purpose, or, I see now, my illusion of one. Been working on balance big time. Thanks, got me through this one.
by (100 points)
His words changed my life. I have anxiety and I’m also a nurse when I got panic attacks at work I quit I felt like a failure because this was my purpose in life, I had bad anxiety, I dont look at the world like that anymore, I have no purpose my purpose is to live, i trapped my self in this safe goal of mine and the minute it cracked my whole life changed, i am more stress freee now
by (100 points)
If you seek a purpose you are seeking madness. If you find a purpose you are mad. I am so glad I never found a purpose and now have no desire to find one.
by (100 points)
If you really need a purpose in this life, create one and follow that. My purpose is to live my life without fear or worry, inspire others to do the same, and to offer a little assistance to my fellow travelers who are on their personal journey, if they should fall by the wayside! Life is good!
by (100 points)
I am glad all of you responded to this with positivity.  Stop having a purpose you need to "fulfill" and just help others live and be happy, stop pushing your agenda and start embracing the art of being nobody...life is much easier and pure that way...when kids are playing...they aren't trying to be someone, they are just being and in the moment.  Stop being defined by your job position...Does your job define your life...or do you?  Do you see the problem with this false hope of identitying yourself?
by (100 points)
I have discovered that our "purpose" is to enhance our symbiotic existence, i.e., do things to make our co-inhabitance more pleasurable, efficient, and happy. I try to live my life helping others feel like their life is worth living, following the "golden rule", turning my attention to what other people need.
by (100 points)
Purpose is source of pain and stress. Life without purpose is spontaneus life, without calculations.....  calculations  are always connected to purpose. Most of the people do things just for their own profit and benefit. And when they fulfill one purpose, than they search for another one. Never satisfied, never enough..... I just enjoy life with everything it brings.... pain, love,disappointment, all those ups and downs....but without plans.
by (100 points)
It’s okay to not have a passion. The purpose is to be passionate about everything.
by (100 points)
Thank .. I have lived my entire life without any purpose & I have literally enjoyed it . Blessed Life
by (100 points)
You have moved me to tears,which is not whom iam, my family always says iam most happy when I have a purpose, I feel I have been floundering in life for the last year for I have been seeking a new purpose, a new insanity in my life thank you for your words, they so ring true.
by (100 points)
Sorry mate.
I have a purpose.
I came here with a purpose to help others.
And now I am using my life experience to help many others if they choose. By doing this. Much future harm will be abated for generations of people to come.
I only wish someone would have told me these things when I was young. So now I share them with new generations. That is my purpose. To help. Raise awareness of what is possible for us if we choose.
I get what he’s saying. I’m not sure he gets what I’m saying.
We chose to come here and we chose with a purpose to help us grow spiritually.
Amen Sadhguru!
by (100 points)
The purpose is to perpetuate in a small way the species forward,just by being alive every day everyone is contributing without knowing it in there own individual way
by (100 points)
God's Love is what gives Life, that spark is within us all.. learning to Love ignites that spark and becoming pro creation is the ultimate purpose..
by (100 points)
Many of his talks are uplifting. This one is contradictory. First he said finding purpose in life is meaningless. Then he said the purpose of life is to live. This I agree. I would add, purpose of life is to live without doing harm to people or planet. To live we need basic necessities and safety and security. For this the common human has to work to earn and save a reasonable amount to live when we cannot work to earn. Most people do not know the limits of their needs and wants.This causes people to hoard money that deprives billions of common working people, who then live in anxiety and fear. I am sure Sadhguru manages his finances for his needs, wants and comforts. All his projects are his purposes of life. And this is a good thing. He is trying to teach people to be conscious, kind and generous and not be greedy.
by (100 points)
This content changed my life. From now I’m I’m just going to live my life without any purpose. I’m sure life is less stressful living this way
by (100 points)
The purpose of life is to serve and be kind to others.  Love your content.
by (100 points)
I believe redemption and kindness are the great purposes. Essentially: aking ourselves and our world better through our interactions and deeds with others and ourselves. I believe we can find meaning from that. However, I am thankful for his message, it is very calming and interesting
by (100 points)
When you’re living life right, that’s when you’re able to reflect and become aware of everything you’ve conquered and there your purpose begins. That’s why it’s called life’s purpose not purpose then life. ❤
by (100 points)
The purpoae of life is to .... wait for it..... Live and experience. That's it. It really is that simple.
by (100 points)
Once it is understood that everything is interconnected, it logically follows that when one suffers, to some degree, we all suffer. Therefore, everyone has the same purpose. To self improve. This process never ends. So the question of what does one do in life after they fulfill their purpose assumes there is something different to do in the future. Self improvement never ends. As one self improves one gains tremendous benefit from practicing the knowledge one gains as self improvement occurs. The human conscience motivates concern for the self and others and consequently will motivate the desire to assist others in gaining that knowledge that helped you along the path of self improvement. All spiritual figures throughout history did the same thing. They sought knowledge, practiced what they learned and then used that knowledge to assist others along their own path of self improvement.
by (100 points)
Do NOT stop looking for a purpose in life. The purpose is to, through life experiences, good and bad, to learn about your SELF, the good and the bad. Once that is accomplished, you will find peace. Failure to do this makes you a sucker for every control freak in the world.
by (100 points)
This perspective on purpose is eye-opening! It's true that searching for a 'god-given' purpose can lead to harmful actions if we're not mindful.
by (100 points)
1:56 Just like that high school commencement that got so much attention a few years back. You are important, but we need to stop thinking we are somehow special. There are a handful of truly special people, but most of us are not. But, we, each and every one of us, are important.
by (100 points)
Sadghuru- great message, i agree with you , purpose it trap.
by (100 points)
Seeking a purpose caused depression in my life.
by (100 points)
I once saw a psychologist over 20 years ago, he said the same thing. Stop looking for a purpose in your career and job, because everyone thinks they need a purpose.
by (100 points)
I friggin loved this.  I stopped looking for my purpose, because even the most genius or smartest person in this world won't be able to answer mine or their purpose.  We just need to all live life and enjoy the moment.  Enjoy our freedom.  Enjoy exploring the possibilities.  We need to let go of everything.  Of course we still have our loved ones that give us a purpose, but what if they die and you are left alone.. so what now?  We have to just embrace life and love each moment of peace and tranquility, and to learn to evade danger to survive another day.  Accept the things we cannot change in the world, to have courage to change what I can for the better, and the wisdom to know right from wrong.
by (100 points)
A purpose is an answer, but life is a question.
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