Are We Truly Living?

You are not preparing to live, you are already alive. The breath in your lungs is the only permission slip you need. Stop waiting. Start being.

We all crave existence. We go to incredible lengths to validate ourselves, to appear interesting, acceptable, or unique in the eyes of others. We craft identities, chase achievements, and meticulously curate how we are perceived. But in the midst of all this effort, a fundamental question lingers…Are we truly living?

The reality is sobering. Most people will be forgotten by the second generation after their passing. Names once spoken with admiration will fade into obscurity, stories that once inspired will become lost in time.

If this is inevitable, then what are we really doing with our lives? Are we spending our time wisely, or are we prisoners of fears and insecurities that hold us back from truly experiencing life?

The Illusions That Hold Us Captive

Society conditions us to believe that our worth is measured by external validation such as status, wealth, power, recognition. We work tirelessly to fit into these molds, chasing goals that often leave us feeling unfulfilled. But when we look deeper, we see that much of our suffering stems from self-imposed limitations:

• Fear: the silent force that stops us from taking risks, speaking our truth, and living authentically.
• Jealousy: a reflection of our own perceived inadequacies rather than a true rivalry with others.
• Procrastination: the endless postponement of dreams that could transform our lives.
• Regret: the weight of past mistakes that keeps us from embracing the present.
• Judgment: the habit of criticizing ourselves and others, which only fosters separation and negativity.

So, why do we waste so much time entangled in these emotions? Why do we suppress our deepest aspirations, hold back our most auspicious desires, and allow anger and doubt to dominate our inner world?

The Shift Toward Meaningful Living

True living begins when we recognize that our time is finite, but our impact doesn’t have to be. It’s not about achieving worldly success; it’s about the depth of our understanding our true nature, the authenticity of our actions, and the love we share with the world. Therefore:

• Choose courage over fear. Take the leap, say what needs to be said, and do what truly fulfills you.
• Celebrate others’ successes. There is no shortage of greatness in the world. Another’s light does not diminish yours.
• Act now. Whatever dream lingers in your heart, start today. Small steps create great transformations.
• Forgive and release. Let go of resentment, both toward yourself and others. Peace is the greatest liberation.
• Be present. Stop waiting for a future moment to be happy. Life is happening now.

A Life Worth Remembering

In the end, we are not remembered for how many followers we had, how much money we made, or how flawless our reputation seemed. We are remembered for how we made others feel, for the kindness we showed, and for the courage we had to live authentically.

So, what are you doing with your life? Are you merely existing, or are you truly living? The choice is yours, always has been.

You are not preparing to live, you are already alive. The breath in your lungs is the only permission slip you need. Stop waiting. Start being.

Acharya Tadany

Pune, 9 April 2025.

Photo by Rafael Otaki on Unsplash