Worldviews

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  Similar to the two approaches to gaining enlightenment, I believe there are two approaches to feeling fulfilled in life. Through the mundaneness of life, we can see either the continuous struggles and worries of school life or we can enjoy the laughter we share with friends who are close to us. Day in and day out we follow nearly the same routine year after year. Wake up, go to school, nearly fall asleep in all of your classes, go home, sit on your phone for 4 hours, do homework, go to sleep… rinse and repeat. It’s the same thing every day. 

If we look back at our memories of the past, we only remember the good times. We don’t remember the monotone voice of our teachers or the thousands of homework assignments due at 11:59. What I do remember however, is wasting hours at the library “studying” with friends while being completely unproductive but still having joy without worrying about the consequences. When everything melds together in the end, the individual voices of the river will never be as resounding as the Om heard over the rest.

In the last stretch of my life, before I leave my parents and the town that I grew up in, I want to make memories that will last me much longer than the tests I passed or failed. I want the memories that I make to be with friends who I truly enjoy spending time with and not out of any obligations I feel required to fulfill. When I die, I want to have fond memories of high school that I won’t ever regret. In this final semester, I want to prioritize myself over the pursuit of grades, money, or anything else. As it is said in sanskrit, Sarvam Evam Maya Asti (everything is an illusion).

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