Seeking Purpose & Happiness in Life

Life is continuity with the genes we inherited from our ancestors hundreds of thousands of years ago. Death is not the end of life but a break for life to rejuvenate itself. Life and nature are symbiotic. Our actions should not be in conflict with the laws of nature which is part of the larger cosmos; else it will be destructive to life. We cannot be happy by pursuing our objectives for narrow personal gains. Pleasures that are physical provide only transitory happiness. Lasting happiness is mental—when our actions are for the general good and appreciated by others and when our inner self feels contented. This can happen when our conduct is morally right and we live a life of moderation avoiding excesses. We have opted for democracy as it provides for rule by the people and for its commitment to protection of human rights but powerhungry politicians have become despots repressing the rights of the people. Similarly the free market has widened the gap between those who own the means of production and the employees leading to concentration of wealth which creates inequalities and exploitation of the weak. We have to be not only eternally vigilant but also take advantage of the opportunities offered by emerging technologies to banish poverty which is a blot on humanity in modern times.