A perfectly secular approach.
Some around us, we see, are driven in their life by a higher purpose. Call it passion or whatever. Not unusual to find these folks – never mind their station: age, finance…– dearly wishing to live longer and be more vigorous in their pursuit!!
What does it do for them? Besides their zest for life, just when many of us shy away from the occasional pop-up of the uncomfortable thought: ‘What are we doing with ourselves in life?
Ignoring the rest, watch these secular parts of this clip here
https://www.facebook.com/watch?v=647084330484746
from Swami Mukundananda (0:0 to 4:57) and (9:04 to 12: 18) (the vanilla WP used here does not permit uploading (trimmed) clips☹). He presents two great stories for real! The message here is, god or no god: identifying a higher purpose gives one the courage, fortitude and strength to face up to the odds, often unimaginable, and derive eudemonic happiness. A good morning run after pulling away from bed, austerities practiced by training athletes or soldiers risking their lives are a few other examples cited of higher purpose playing out.
The short and secular Gita essay Why we are NOT defined by our desires takes a different view on higher purpose, no less exciting. It is seen as key to achieve the ‘impossible’ – mind control!! The message given out here is: Our higher purpose allows us to observe our desires objectively, enabling our mind and body to respond appropriately, not swayed by overwhelming desires. Once again god or no god.
End
Sanmargam 