Last week, we celebrated our school reunion—29 years since we walked the halls of our beloved school.

Together, we laughed over the silly things we did, reminisced about our struggles and innocent mischiefs, and relived those carefree days. It was a heartwarming experience—one that words can barely capture. This reunion made me reflect deeply, and through this blog, I’d like to share some thoughts that emerged from that beautiful gathering.

Though we’ve all taken different paths—each successful in their own professions, leading respectable lives, blessed with families and comforts—I sensed a common undercurrent. Amidst all the achievements and responsibilities, there seemed to be a subtle sense of disconnection.

In the pursuit of careers, financial stability, and fulfilling societal and familial roles, many seem to have lost touch with their inner self. There’s a quiet sense of incompleteness—an undefined void, a feeling that something is missing, though we can’t quite name it or understand what will fill it.

When we’ve checked all the boxes of success but still feel dissatisfied, it’s time to realize that we may be neglecting something more fundamental—our eternal quest.

### So, what is man’s eternal quest?

After a certain age—often post 35—most of us begin to encounter deeper, existential questions:

* Who am I, really?

* Where is my life headed?

* What is my purpose in this vast universe?

* What is destiny trying to teach me?

* Is this the life I truly desired?

* Why do I feel incomplete, even when I have so much?

If you’ve ever found yourself contemplating questions like these, know that you are not alone. These are the stirrings of the eternal quest—a deep inner calling to understand life beyond its surface.

To make sense of this, let’s look at a familiar example:

When we enter a new school grade, say the 9th grade, we’re given a syllabus, specific subjects to study, skills to build, and opportunities for learning through activities, assignments, and exams. Throughout the year, we use textbooks, notebooks, classrooms, and facilities. Periodic tests and final exams help us assess what we’ve learned. Once the year ends, we leave all those materials behind and carry forward only our learnings and skills into the next grade.

We never cling to the 9th-grade textbooks once we enter 10th. What we retain is the knowledge and experiences.

Likewise, in the grander journey of the soul, each lifetime is like a school grade. The soul comes into each incarnation with a plan—to learn certain lessons and evolve. It chooses circumstances, relationships, opportunities, and even challenges as tools for growth.

The difficulties we face are like exams, testing how well we’ve learned. And just like in school, we don’t take our material possessions forward—only the wisdom gained.

Everything—our careers, relationships, challenges, joys, and sorrows—is ultimately a platform for the soul’s evolution.

From this lens, I’ve come to see the deeper meaning behind the four pursuits of life, as outlined in ancient wisdom:

**Dharma** – Living righteously, aligned with truth and purpose.

**Artha** – Earning wealth ethically, without losing oneself.

**Kama** – Desiring the right things, aligned with higher purpose.

**Moksha** – Striving for spiritual liberation, the ultimate goal.

However, a common misconception is that spirituality is something to be explored only after retirement or in old age.

But let’s reflect honestly:

If all the great sages, scriptures, and spiritual leaders say that spirituality is a *way of life*—that it teaches us how to live meaningfully and experience inner peace, joy, harmonious relationships, and even material success—then why do we postpone it?

All of us desire peace, happiness, love, success, and fulfillment—not just in old age, but throughout life.

Yet, by neglecting our spiritual journey, we unknowingly create that gap—that unshakable sense of “something’s missing,” no matter how much we achieve.

So, if you’ve ever felt this inner restlessness or longing, know that it’s not unusual. It’s your soul gently nudging you to look inward.

That is man’s eternal quest—to reconnect with the self, understand life deeply, and evolve spiritually, even amidst the noise of the world.

I feel truly blessed to have started seeking answers to these deeper, eternal questions over 11 years ago. That journey led me to the Inner Wellness Circle, and since then, I’ve been living a more balanced, fulfilling, and meaningful life—guided by various courses and the support of a like-minded community.

With love,
Sujatha Sivapooja