by R. Srinivasan and Jayram Daya

R. Srinivasan:

My question is: Why do our thoughts on life, death and other spiritual issues crop up only when we grow old, and usually face a health crisis? Then we start wondering about the futility of life’s material pursuits. Why are we born, only to die eventually? What is the reason for the life-death cycle in this universe in the first place? What is its purpose? 

I share my thoughts and questions here as a seeker of truth. I have been exposed to many views on this subject, starting from my childhood, and through reading and listening to our traditional philosophy. But I am still asking this basic question again and again, without attaining clarity in my mind.

Jayram Daya:

Srini, thank you for sharing your journey and insightful reflections. Your experiences and questions influence me because they address fundamental questions that have fascinated humanity for millennia. My thoughts are influenced by self-awareness, traditional philosophy, and a developing understanding of life and creation.

I regard the Creator and creation as infinite possibilities. Creation, like a dance or a song, exists not for a specific reason, but as a tapestry of experiences and growth. In this context, life and death are not endings but movements in the grand symphony of existence. Many forms and experiences may permit the existence of the life-death cycle without a ‘reason’ that humans can comprehend.

We are often drawn to this truth when health crises or significant events force us to pause. These moments bring us to the realization that our physical bodies are not permanent; they will eventually age and fade away. However, within us, there is a deeper, unchanging part — our soul or inner essence — that is eternal, and connected to the divine or the Creator. It encourages us to look beyond the temporary nature of our physical self and focus on the spiritual part of us — the part that is timeless and closer to the truth of existence.

Perhaps this explains why questions about life, death and purpose surface more often in such times. They are reminders that the pursuit of external goals, though necessary for a time, is ultimately secondary to the inner journey of realizing and reconnecting with our true nature.

Regarding the timing of such thoughts, I feel it is less about age and more about the soul’s readiness to deal with these issues. Health issues, aging, or other significant events act as triggers, jolting us out of our routine and forcing us to look inward. They are the Creator’s subtle ways of directing our attention to truths we may have missed while pursuing momentary aims.

The changes in our lives and society over the last century have shifted our focus toward material pursuits and away from meditation. Yet, when life throws us into these moments of vulnerability, we realign ourselves with the eternal — the energy-vibrating field that binds us all. Despite believing we are in control, the Creator reminds us that we are part of a vast design, which transcends our ambitions and fears.

To the question of why we have a purpose at all, I would say that the concept of ‘purpose’ may not be about achieving a specific goal, but rather about discovering oneself. We are not here to accomplish anything except exist — to experience, evolve, and connect with the Creator’s limitless potential. Each life, death and moment in between contributes to the larger tapestry of existence.

Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads emphasize detachment, submission, and recognition of the eternal Self. These teachings inspire us to see life as a continuous drama with the Creator, in which we are both participants and viewers.

Let us continue to seek answers as fellow travellers on this journey of discovery. Understanding that questioning brings us closer to the truth.

This aligns with a belief system, emphasizing introspection, the Creator’s infinite potential, and life transitions as integral components of a working design.