The Quest for True Fulfilment
The Japanese concept of Yugen is something I’ve been feeling for as long as I can remember. I only recently figured out that there was a name for it. Yugen is the word used to describe that feeling of wonder you get when you contemplate the immense hugeness of the universe and how insignificant our day-to-day lives are. When you become consciously aware of the universe, our minuscule place in it, and the sad beauty of human suffering, that is Yugen. It’s like a kind of cosmic vertigo that can come from letting your mind expand to fill the landscape. Yugen is important in the quest for true fulfilment.
The fulfillment of your positive purpose on earth truly needs your undivided attention.” Edmond Mbiaka
Part of being happy, healthy, and living well is finding that true fulfilment. It’s as important as brushing your teeth. How long do we get to exist in our physical forms? Maybe 80 years if we’re lucky? There are no dress rehearsals, we need to start living our lives from a place of pure existence, an awareness that life is short and finite.
A concept that always puts the day-to-day stresses in my life into perspective is to remember this: One day humans will be obliterated from the earth (morbid, I know but stay with me). When that time comes, our religions, our languages, our entire human record will no longer exist. It will be as if it didn’t happen. Does that make you realize that stressing about getting your weekly sales report in on time is a waste of your precious time?
The only thing we can do that matters in this life is to be kind, help each other, and follow our true passion. Sure, we need to pay our bills, but finding fulfilment is an equally necessary goal.
At this point, you may be wondering about what may give you that true fulfillment. I can’t even go close to answering that for anyone but myself. But I can offer you a few tips that may help you decide:
My biggest tip would be to give yourself the chance to listen. Your inner voice is always speaking to you. The true calling and passion of your life is always lingering in the back of your mind. The problem is these days we don’t slow down long enough and turn down the noise low enough to listen to those voices. Every day I sit in silence for at least half an hour. I try to empty my mind and not have any preconceived notions of what I may uncover. Usually if I listen, I can get to know myself and what I want to do with my life. It has nothing to do with society, money, or other people’s opinions. Those things are the opposite of fulfilment.
For me, I find the most meaning in my life when I spend time working in my herb, fruit, and vegetable garden. Preparing a healthy meal for those I love made entirely from the produce in my garden is one of my life’s most fulfilling activities.
No one else’s opinion matters but yours. Listen carefully, seek that feeling of Yugen, and you will be well and truly on your quest to finding true fulfilment.