The new 4Ps

Life offers a dynamic landscape of ambitions and discoveries. Over time, we often encounter four key pursuits, each shaping the story of who we are and what brings us true fulfillment. These are the pursuit of Pleasure, Passion, Purpose, and Paramatma. Understanding how each fits into our journey can provide clarity, balance, and direction as we age.

The Pursuit of Pleasure
At its core, pleasure is about seeking joy and instant gratification—doing things that feel good, provide comfort, and bring immediate happiness (and many a times, instant gratification). Whether it’s indulging in hobbies, savoring good food (or bad), or enjoying moments with loved ones (sometimes amorous), pleasure forms a vital foundation for well-being early in life and offers essential restoration along the way.

The Pursuit of Passion
Passion goes deeper, calling us to harness our innate talents and interests to build something meaningful. For some, this results in a rewarding career; for others, it may remain a cherished hobby or a dream yet to be realized. Not everyone finds their passion, and for many, work remains a matter of necessity rather than inspiration. Still, passion, when discovered, infuses life with energy and motivation.

The Pursuit of Purpose
Purpose marks a turning point—transcending personal desires to contribute to something greater. It’s about empathy, altruism, and sometimes self-denial, as we strive to create positive impact for others or tackle challenges bigger than ourselves. This pursuit often gains prominence as we mature, and integrating it by around age 50 is vital for lasting fulfillment. Early discovery and blending of purpose with pleasure and passion amplify its rewards.

The Pursuit of Paramatma
Paramatma is the pursuit of spiritual realization, detaching from transactional living and turning inward to explore the essence of existence. Guided by the principle of “not this, not this (Neti, Neti),” it’s a call to move beyond the material and personal, seeking higher consciousness and peace. While few embark on this journey early, focusing on Paramatma from age 60 onward often becomes a singular, transformative endeavor.

There is no rigid timeline for these pursuits. Some find passion in youth, others only later; purpose may call at any age, and Paramatma’s awakening remains rare in early life unless one is molded along the lines of a Shankara or Vivekananda. What matters most is that each pursuit enters the mix at the stage best suited to the individual’s circumstances and growth.

What about our work then? If you are one of the blessed few, your work will figure in one of the 4Ps. If not, our work is what funds our ability to pursue one or many of these. So, everytime we find what we are working hard at is meaningless, remember the one or many of the 4Ps it is enabling.

The secret to a successful career and a fulfilling life lies in harmonizing these pursuits. Embrace pleasure and passion in youth and midlife, let purpose find its place by maturity, and finally, pursue Paramatma as the golden chapter of life unfolds. Ideally, each new pursuit takes precedence as we age, leading to a richer and more meaningful existence.A balanced life integrates all four pursuits, allowing us to savor joy, express creativity, serve others, and finally seek spiritual peace—crafting a journey that is truly our own.

So, where do you stand? How many of these 4 Ps have you embraced already?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Moment with Ram Lalla: Reflections from the Maha Kumbh

When Gopanna, also known as Ramadasu, wrote: “Kaarunyalaya Bhaktavarada ninu Kannadi kaanupu Rama,” he was undoubtedly referring to experiencing Rama — our inner consciousness or Paramatma personified. It is not meant to be taken literally. When we had the darshan of Prabhu Shri Ram Lalla in Ayodhya, these lines by Ramadasu came to mind. Yes, they are not meant to be taken literally, but the emotion one feels while looking at Ram Lalla is such that you can’t help but feel your sight has finally fulfilled its purpose. Personally, I couldn’t have asked for more during our entire Kumbh Mela yatra. It felt as if Mother Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati had conspired with Mahadev to grant us that incredible darshan of Prabhu Ram. There are many logistical aspects one could speak about at the Kumbh Mela — the efficiency of the Yogi administration, the commitment of all the personnel involved, the cleanliness, the cleaning workforce, the elaborate arrangements that are rarely seen in any I...
Read more

Logic vs Dharma : Lessons from Shri Ramas life

Image
In a world driven by reason, strategy, and measurable outcomes, the story of Rama from the Ramayana offers a striking counter-narrative. Rama's choices often appear illogical on the surface, yet they illuminate a deeper truth—one rooted not in reason but in Dharma. When Queen Kaikeyi asked King Dasharatha to exile Rama and crown her son Bharata, it was a move that defied logic. Every citizen of Ayodhya longed for Rama to ascend the throne. Kaikeyi's manipulation was transparent. Dasharatha was broken, Bharata would never agree to take the crown this way, and public unrest was a likely outcome. Logic dictated that Rama should stay, wait for Bharata to return, and overturn Kaikeyi's irrational demands. But Rama didn’t choose logic. He chose Dharma. As a son, his duty was to honor his father’s word—even if it was unfair or politically dangerous. Rama knew that upholding Dharma would cost him comfort, power, and perhaps the goodwill of the people. But he also knew t...
Read more