How do you know you're on the right path?

Question

I'm in my mid-twenties and have become quite disillusioned with life. I don't know where I'm heading although I live quite practically. It bothers me that my friends are content with their choices; what is wrong with me?

Am I wrong to believe that the human race is headed for self-destruction; spiritually at least?

I feel restless a lot, angry at times for being powerless. Sometimes I just want to dissapear or get away from all the chaos. I don't understand how how people are so intent on keeping to mechanical routine every day.

Is there anyone out there who feels like breaking away too? I try to do little things that will make a difference and my family says that it's the best I can do. Then why doesn't it feel enough?

There's also a part of me that wants to be in a position where no one can harm me. I see everyone looking out to be number one. Today, you have to be the best or you're worthless. It seems kinda cruel to me.

Answer 1

The chaos... The disillusion result when our faith in God Almighty diminishes! However trying the circumstances... our faith in Almighty God has to be absolute! Apart from faith in God... we need to practice absolute truthfulness in our worldly affairs. The path of spirituality can never be traveled in absence of absolute truthfulness.

Most human beings never form a goal in life. In absence of a defined goal... their life is like a rudderless boat going round and round in the ocean. Having a goal in life is of utmost importance. Mahavira... the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism rightly said that before preaching anything... we must become a Mahavira!

As per Mahavira every human being had the seed to become a Mahavira, Gautama Buddha, Jesus Christ or prophet Mohammed in life! Man gods are not born... they were commoners before rising to the level of human God. Only in the human form can one gain enlightenment and salvation... never in the form of insect, plant or animal life!

Before trying to indulge in community service... we must rise above the ordinary... become a spiritual master of the highest order! No point trying changing the society... better change self! Life is not a utopia... the ups and downs in life is part of the journey ahead! Why look hither and thither... we only need to concentrate on our goal of life!

Those indulging in wanton desires and materialistic riches always keep contented... but for how long! The unethical practices followed by them will become their nemesis one-day! Gaining enlightenment (kaivalya jnana) and finally salvation (moksha) is the sum substance of life! Mahavira did it... so did Gautama Buddha! Followed them Jesus Christ and Prophet Mohammed!

We normally get disillusioned when thinking wrong! Negative thinking mars the enthusiasm within! Positive thinkers are always optimists... they look forward to life as a challenge! In the field of spirituality is not the number game that matters. What matters is the wisdom and the virtues gained the journey of life! More on my personal experience - http://www.godrealized.org/story_of_my_personal_experience.html

Answer 2

I will tell you what my late grandmother told me, years ago
"There is no such thing as can't, you just haven't tried hard enough."

She was a writer and philospical person and I take after her a little.

Your only powerless when your behind bars doing time or on your death bed.

Since your breathing, walking I presume and talking and typing here online. Your troubles are nil and your present state of mind is called confusion of growing up and simply fear of the unknown.

God has a path for each one of us.

Seek out your spiritual self inside and consult a therapist to talk out your anger, frusterations of life and why you feel powerless.

I am not saying your crazy. I been to a therapist and its helpful and rewarding. I also found my spiritual self and there is nothing on earth more powerful then the Holy spirit.

You'll know when you know.

I 'm 4 time cancer survivor and only 32. I am not married nor do I have kids. As I can not have kids. Be thankful for what you have and don't worry what the world is doing...the world is not going to help you, you need to be independent and sort of a free spirit.
Don't let the news or worlds issues persue you to stop living. But, to start living. Life is your's and be happy your in it and God grants miracles everyday and you might just be one of them.

Tough times are always a part of life..but nothing compared to being beatened, dragged, whipped, belted, cut open, hung by your hands and feet on a pole left roasting under the sun and your so weak that your lungs collapse and immediate suffication.

Always remember. There is nothing you bare will compare to Jesus Christ crucification. And God will never give you more the you can handle.

Be proud of who you are and what you want to become.

Don't worry about what others are doing...I been there and occasionally I find myself..saying why me? It just is. Make amends with yourself and forgive others of their wrongs. Life will be uplifted almost instantly.

Answer 3

Just knowing that there are many paths is the start. Imagine if you were one of those mechanical people, going through the motions, without ever knowing?
We can view Society in much the same way that the Gaia theory views the Earth, as a living thing. As such we would each be like cells. Most of us do the necessary work of sustaining life, and repairing damaged areas. But some of us do the work of guiding, and steering clear of dangers. Both are necessary to the survival of the whole. However, from this view, it would appear that we are each insignificant. But without each small part there would be no whole.
As a life form, we all go through periods of health and illness. Sometimes it takes a good hot fever to get well. Spiritual self destruction has happened many times in the past, and much more violently than it is today. Each one of us has the first responsibility to live our lives, do our parts, as we see fit. And secondly to try to help others to do theirs.

Answer 4

how do you be responsive to which you're on the surprising course and not purely brainwashed from the commencing up? how do i be responsive to? nicely different religions merely dont look appropriate. It it not organic for me to worship extra suitable than one God, nor want to kill his Prophets. the genuine acid attempt is what the quran revealed approximately itself extra suitable than 1400 years in the past. The attempt is this: 23. And if ye are uncertain as to what we've revealed sometimes to Our servant, then produce a Sura like thereunto; and contact your witnesses or helpers (If there are any) besides Allah, if your (doubts) are real. only one surah which has merely 3 verses. See surah one hundred ten divine help. it is the genuine attempt of mankind. to have the potential to offer merely 3 verses like that throughout the quran. Even the Muslims can't try this.

Answer 5

The fact that you are questioning whether you are on the 'right' path means that you ARE on the right path. Contrary to 'popular belief,' if you have 'questions' about your 'path' it means that you are on a path of 'questioning' ... and if you ask questions, you LEARN ... and if you learn, you grow, and your 'spirit' grows, too. Of course you feel like 'breaking away' ... the 'non-questioning path' seems much easier ... but when the 'end' comes, you'll KNOW that the questions you asked got you much 'farther along' than not asking questions ... so 'don't worry' about whether you are 'the best' or are 'worthless' because what you are is A WORK IN PROGRESS and you may not 'know' until you are 'old and grey and on your deathbed' whether that was you 'being the best you could be' throughout your life ... but I am 'closer' to that 'end' than you, and I was very much like you once upon a time ... and now I 'know' that it WAS the 'right path' ... and you will too ... someday. Until then ... KEEP ON ASKING QUESTIONS. It's really the BEST path to be on, in the end.

Answer 6

Your feelings are not unusual for your age. The idea of at least doing positive things to try to make a difference is a good one. If you wait until you are certain you have chosen the one true path for your life, you will have missed a lot of time and experience. Accept that perhaps there are numerous options and pick one that is 'pretty good' for now and get going so that you at least are not standing still watching life go by.

Answer 7

You sound like a bright person. These are the years that you need to go exploring. Explore your beliefs, a new job in a city, new friends that are more diverse than you have. You will have a good base to know what to choose for the future.

Your friends sound pedestrian. I have friends that are all colors, gay, of foreign origins, and people who have a great sense of humor (a sign of intelligence, by the way).

Go to a Unitarian church and try it out for a year. You will meet very open minded people. Spirituality isn't dead or in danger. But traditional religions are still relying on the same old, same old. Good luck!

Answer 8

There are some good answers here. Also try reading the quarter life crisis. Its geared towards people in their mid 20s and puts a lot of the stuff in perspective. A real good read. Contact me I may have an extra one lying around the house.

Answer 9

Sometimes the path is just right in front of you, sometimes it is nowhere in sight. Sometimes the path you take looks great and you end up finding it is not at all what you wanted.

Those people who have found what they like, are doing well in their careers, see opportunity for advancement and have started families are lucky. They may have worked hard, but so did you.

Answer 10

It sounds to me like you need an anchor not an escape from the world. May I suggest a website that I have found helpful. It's www.lds.org. You will find the right path there.