Siddarth Shukla

In my inaugural essay entitled “The Necessity of Goals,” I emphasized the crucial integration of goals into our lives. Goals serve as fundamental catalysts for nurturing character growth, fostering virtues such as patience and resilience. They reveal the inherent duality within our character, casting light on our innate drive for truth and heroism juxtaposed with our pursuit of pleasure in the mundane aspects of life. Through unwavering dedication to a goal, we refine our ability to focus, gaining insights into how our actions propel us closer to or further from our objectives. The cumulative effect of these actions establishes a framework of self-discipline, enabling us to discern truth from falsehood. Furthermore, the pursuit of goals aids us in aligning our lives with the immutable laws of the universe, fostering a sense of harmony and coherence. Also, I delved into how goals serve as the tool for developing focus and discipline. It’s through this focus and discipline that we can attain any goal. However, the stark contrast often lies in the intention behind these achievements. Intentions resides within us – it’s the internalized goal, purpose, or aim. Whether our intention is driven by the pursuit of significance, as seen in the pursuit of accomplishments, or rooted in the genuine quest for the truth, which enable us to test our principles or skills with integrity against environment, defines the essence of our pursuits. 

There are two distinct environments: one inside our physical body and the other lies outside our body. When I refer to the ‘mind,’ I’m addressing the internal environment, while ‘world/matter’ denotes the external one. Disorder exists within both, manifesting in our minds and the world around us.

Many of us understand the significance of curating our external surroundings: organizing our living spaces, ensuring we have the tools necessary to pursue our goals, and nurturing our gardens for a bountiful harvest. However, it is our internal landscape that holds the true power to shape our external reality. In this essay, I explore the importance of cultivating our inner world – the intentions that drive our actions, reactions, and interactions. While our external environment undoubtedly plays a role, it is our inner intentions that ultimately mold our perceptions, guide our decisions, and determine our outcomes. Our intentions serve as the architects of our minds. For those striving to reach their goals, its crucial to recognize the transformative impact of refining one’s intentions. True achievements do not hinge on external circumstances aligning perfectly; rather, it stems from the steadfast determination of a disciplined mind fueled by genuine intentions. Success is rooted in understanding that is the resolute mind, guided by truthful intentions, that charts the path to accomplishment, surpassing the influence of external factors. 

Many people fail to translate their desires into actionable goals spanning different aspects of their lives, with even fewer managing to accomplish them. It’s essential to delve into the reasons behind this common shortfall. While conventional self-help resources typically point to a lack of consistency as the primary cause, a deeper inquiry is needed into why individuals find it challenging to sustain consistency.

In my observation, I’ve found that the root cause lies in the underlying intent driving our pursuit of goals. Our default mindset tends to view ourselves as unworthy, incomplete, or lacking, believing that reaching certain external milestones will validate and transform us into successful beings. We set goals with the underlying intention of seeking validation, recognition, praise, and a sense of belonging. However, even upon achieving these goals, many still experience feelings of desperation, emptiness, sadness, and resentment. Why does this paradox persist? 

For many of us, the pursuit of desire is often driven by fear, a sensation that not only grips our minds but also permeates our bodies, a primal instinct shared by humans and animals alike. Fear can either freeze the mind or drive it into a hyperactive state, hindering introspection and the evaluation of our intentions and actions. The looming sense of impermanence and vulnerability compels us to cling desperately to what appears stable: our relationships, technological diversions, social obligations, hobbies, possessions, and other comforts. The fear of loneliness propels us to mimic others, transforming imitation into habit and fostering numerous meaningless routines that leave us mentally impoverished. Trapped in the senseless cycles, we forfeit opportunities for learning and personal growth, opting instead for external validation through relationships, material acquisitions, accomplishments, and accolades.

As social beings, humans naturally depend on connection and interaction; isolation is antithetical to our well-being. Consequently, societal norms dictate that we conform to certain behaviors: dressing modestly, employing polite language, adhering to cultural etiquette, fulfilling tax obligations, and so forth. However, its imperative to move beyond mere imitation and cultivate independent thinking. Frequently, we conform to trends without critical examination, a habit instilled since childhood as we’re taught to respect authority and mirror peer behavior. Yet, only a few dares to diverge from the norm and crave their own path.

When someone presents something we desire, a fear of not obtaining it surfaces, compelling us to comply. Seeking psychological security from external sources is a common human impulse, leading to the establishment of institutions such as government, religion, corporations, and marriage to meet this need. When governments promise security, religious figures pledge salvation, employes offer career advancement, spouses provide intimacy, children assure companionship in old age, and parents guarantee inheritance, a fear of deprivation emerges. This fear drives us to accept oppressive laws, antiquated religious customs, workplace exploitation, unrealistic marital expectation, unwarranted demands from children, and outdated parental guidance. If desires persist, fear remains deeply ingrained, and fulfilling desires out of fears fails to dispel it, leaving peace, joy, and bliss elusive. 

When individuals grasp how they’re fulfilling desires rooted in fear, they come to recognize that their actions are often imitations, driven by apprehension of societal judgement – from peers, parents, or acquaintances. Viewing these imitations as one would study mathematics or science reveals their constraining nature. This process of introspections fosters a profound sense of inner goodness. In this newfound awareness, the presence of outliers – individuals unbound by societal norms-becomes evident. In the digital age, locating these outliers is considerably more accessible than in the pre-internet era, when social circles tended to be more homogenous. 

Engaging with these outliers allows for meaningful dialogue, explorations, introspections, and the cultivation of relationships founded on authenticity, which nourishes the soul with truth. While imitation is inherent to our social nature, it is paramount to surround ourselves with open-minded individuals driven by quest for truth than fear. By acknowledging our desires, we come to understand our fears, enabling us to precisely delineate our goals. With well-define goals, we can seek appropriate mentors and foster relationships with peers who share our commitment to truth-seeking in specific domains. The relationships forged through this pursuit of truth are transformative, enriching one’s life in profound ways. Truth-seeking is a deeply personal journey, intimately intertwined with relationships, which serve as mirrors reflecting our inner selves. 

In summary, a significant barrier to achieving goals stems from individuals’ intentions, often misguided by fear-driven desires. Instead, they should prioritize the pursuit of truth, which emancipates them from the grip of fear. For example, many aspire to entrepreneurship driven by the fear of poverty, dreading familial disapproval, romantic inadequacy, or social rejection. Conversely, others shy away from such ventures fearing the loss of a steady paycheck and subsequent loss of respect. In both scenarios, fear dictates their actions. However, those who identify market problems and offer ethically truthful solutions for monetary gain experience greater fulfillment compared to fear-driven pursuits. This sense of fulfillment sustains their consistency in goal attainment. 

Also, a common reason individual often abandons their goals prematurely and struggle with consistency is the disconnect between their expectations and reality. Frequently, their aspirations are sparked by observing individuals who have achieved significant wealth, health, and overall quality of life. However, what remains unseen are the dedication, strategic efforts, and patience invested behind such accomplishments. The behind-the-scenes story that ignites our desire is seldom witnessed. Consequently, once the desire is kindled, we pursue it without recognizing the need to achieve numerous smaller goals along the journey. These smaller goals serve as the foundational principles truths guiding us towards our ultimate objective. Those who grasp the importance of setting and achieving these incremental milestones, and who posses the patience to persevere, may indeed reach their goal. However, they may discover a sense of emptiness if their actions were primarily driven by fear. It’s crucial to acknowledge that fulfilling a goal driven by fear does not yield genuine fulfillment. 

“Choosing an intention is the fundamental creative act. An intention is the reason or motivation for doing what do. Every action has an intention… it comes from fear or from love.” – Gary Zukav

Choosing not to act out of fear fosters an inner sense of goodness, manifesting as a mind devoid of sadness, worry, depression, or anxiety. In this state, the mind resides pleasantly in the present, immersed in positivity. This inherent goodness can then be channeled into purposeful action, resulting in a mental sate often described as ‘flow’ in contemporary discourse. Flow represents an optimal state of engagement, characterized by a notable alteration in one’s perception of time – activities undertaken in this state feel significantly shorter compared to mundane tasks. 

Flow emerges when reactions harmonize optimally with one’s environment, cultivating a deep sense of inner balance. This state of equilibrium, if sustained even after the flow experience fades, indicates a connection with pure consciousness. However, it’s important to acknowledge that flow can manifest during activities like playing video games, which may serve as an escape rather than action rooted in goodness. Such engagements may not foster equilibrium and can exacerbate imbalance when faced with the realities of life. 

Accessing pure consciousness initiates a transformative process where the subconscious undergoes self-purification, shedding negative emotions and attaining a serene state free from agitation or hyperactivity. The fundamental purpose of goal setting is to cultivate discipline, facilitating consistent access to this state of pure consciousness. Discipline serves as a dynamic and evolving realm where pure consciousness flowers. 

The discipline demonstrated by a novice varies from that of a seasoned expert, yet both can access to the realm of pure consciousness. When beginners act from a place of goodness, pure consciousness is readily accessible to them. Conversely, even experts displaying remarkable discipline may find themselves disconnected from pure consciousness if their actions stem from arrogance rather than sincerity. Additionally, beginners may initially adopt discipline driven by fear, but over time, they may transition towards a pursuit of truth, thereby acting from a place of goodness. Everyone navigates a distinct path, shaped by their environment, personal circumstances, and quest for truth. 

Let me encapsulate the essence of this essay through personal experience. 

When I landed my first engineering job fresh out of Mechanical Engineering school, my primary intention was rooted in fear to make money, be independent and take care of myself. I worked as a supervisor of maintenance department of stamping press of a car-manufacturing company. In the naivety of youth, I was fixated on impressing my superiors and peers, avoiding termination, and securing promotions. After work, I did not want to be by myself and started to imitate my friends who recently got jobs by getting upscale apartment, going to fancy restaurants, buying expensive furniture and clothes; in short, frivolously spending my money to “fit in”. To fund this lifestyle, I resorted to relentless overtime, I lost sight of my personal and professional goals. I squandered my valuable professional time on pleasing my bosses and peers, plus my personal time impressing my friends. The weight of pleasing my environment manifested in stress, unhappiness, and an unhealthy lifestyle, marked by erratic sleep patterns, poor diet, and sedentary pleasure-seeking lifestyle. 

After six months, I sat down and introspected with one of my friends who was doing his own venture. He suggested me to focus on the job and not the politics around it. I realized as an engineer my discipline lies in making processes efficient and not managing politics of my peers involving overtime. It was only when I shifted my intention from appeasement to enlightenment that my outlook transformed. Immersing myself in the intricacies of stamping operations, I devoured literature, dissected machine maintenance records, and delved into the history of our equipment. On the weekends, instead of hanging out with my friends, I worked on the floor and recorded maintenance operations. Armed with newfound knowledge, I devised comprehensive work instructions, optimized maintenance schedules, and championed lean process improvements. 

While my newfound dedication to truth and efficiency yielded personal fulfillment, it unsettled the status quo. My efforts were met with resistance from both my superior and colleagues. Ultimately, my dismissal became inevitable. Surprisingly, I greeted this setback with a sense of liberation, recognizing it because of my unwavering commitment to truth. Also, it helped me in making healthy boundaries with my friends and a new sense of fulfillment which brought a newfound balance in my life.