The Cycle of Life

The cycle of life begins with the birth of a child, a blank canvas without a predetermined language, culture, or religion. Everything must be learned—by observing, hearing, and experiencing. A child absorbs knowledge from their parents, siblings, and the environment they grow up in.

As childhood gives way to teenage years, a delicate stage begins. This is when curiosity peaks and self-exploration begins. Some teenagers may stray onto a destructive path, driven by an urge to explore the unknown. This is not necessarily a reflection of parental upbringing; rather, it is the teenager’s own karma at play. As Steve Jobs once said, “Don’t blame your parents for being born poor; blame yourself if you die poor.” Some individuals escape the consequences of poor choices, while others may remain trapped, allowing these decisions to define and destroy their lives.

In some cultures, religious teachings may be introduced early on. Unfortunately, in many cases, children are discouraged from questioning these teachings, with the fear of divine punishment looming over them. This restricts the expansion of their minds, halting natural intellectual and spiritual growth. Doctrine instilled in a child from a young age may persist into adulthood, preventing them from ever critically examining their beliefs.

As children grow older, they enter school, some pursuing degrees, others stopping short due to financial constraints. Those who complete higher education may enter white-collar jobs, but life continues to challenge and evolve. With a stable income, many young adults embark on a quest for wealth. Some save wisely, while others spend recklessly, thinking they know best. With money in hand, ego inflates, and they often dismiss the wisdom of their elders. They may believe that knowledge can be acquired with a few keystrokes, ignoring the lived experiences of those who came before them.

Yet, in this rejection of wisdom, they lose an invaluable treasure. Elders, through years of life experience, have accumulated insights, and the younger generation’s refusal to tap into that resource is their greatest loss. Strangers may benefit from this wisdom, as elders often offer it generously to those who seek it.

The younger generation, focused on wealth and success, frequently assumes that material possessions can buy everything—even happiness and peace. But history teaches us otherwise. Alexander the Great, despite conquering vast empires, instructed that his hands be left outside his coffin to show that he, too, would leave this world empty-handed.

Inevitably, the younger generation will grow old, and many will face regrets. Karma, the eternal force of cause and effect, will take its course. Every action has a consequence, and in time, they may experience as parents what they once inflicted upon their own parents. Realization will dawn eventually, but when? Only time will tell. Until then, their journey unfolds according to the karma they carry.

Some may embrace religion to extremes, while others turn away from it entirely, seeking peace through different paths. Yet, peace is not found in outward changes of belief or lifestyle. Peace is not external—it cannot be bought, taught, or gifted. It resides within each of us, in the form of our soul. The discovery of peace is a journey inward, to uncover the divine within. True peace comes from connecting with this inner self, the silent, eternal presence within. When we seek the soul, we realize that the tranquility we long for has always been with us, waiting to be found.