Personal Growth and Well-being, and the Search for Meaning in Life

By Parveen Jain

The terms “personal growth” and “personal well-being” have various interpretations and are commonly evaluated in terms of wealth, fame, social stature, academic or spiritual achievement, and so on. Regardless of these conditions, a common trait among all living beings is our pursuit of a peaceful and blissful existence. In reality, the state and nature of this pursuit for each living being indicate the levels of one’s personal growth and well-being. 

According to Jains, the true self of any living being, including humans, is its soul. One’s soul adopts a unique body in each life, as it transitions from one life to the next. Jain philosophy’s doctrine of right perception (samyag-darśana) teaches that all souls, irrespective of their current embodiment, are intrinsically endowed with unlimited consciousness, bliss, and vigor. These characteristics become blemished through the deeds committed in the soul’s embodiments over the countless migrations from one life to the other.

Understanding this concept and committing to a life of righteousness brings true meaning to one’s life. Thereupon, personal growth is defined by one’s progress toward the original unblemished state of one’s soul, and not by wealth, fame, social stature, etc. A person’s well-being is defined by a state of peace, tranquility, compassion, modesty, and other virtuous qualities.

For more information, please see chapter 3 in An Introduction to Jain Philosophy.