Jack Hirschfeld wrote:
>In my opinion, goals may be either achievable or not by definition. It is
>how you define the goal that will define the degree to which "the journey
>is the purpose." The more attainable the goal, the more possible it is
>that the goal is the purpose.
I wonder? Goals are set in the present, founded on the accumulated past.
Progress toward the goal accumulates new experiences and insights. New
insights can lead to choosing a new more compelling goal and abandoning
the old one. Staying on the path to the original goal can take you to
"Davy's Bar" as Joe O'Keefe quotes Charles Handy in his delightful post
(LO2454)
>"...The world keeps changing.... If you think that you know the
>way to the future because it is a continuation of where you've
>come from, you may well end up in Davy's Bar, with nothing left
>but a chance to drown your sorrows and reminisce about times past."
So, is the attainment of a specific goal ever a purpose? They certainly
provide the energy for action, and in those terms they can be viewed as
essential beacons of direction. Further, not achieving a goal can
sometimes be the greatest learning experience and help realignment to
capital 'P' Purpose.
Suppose that there are no failures, just learning experiences? Goals
achieved then become markers of success on the journey.
Perhaps the epigram:
"The goal is the direction, the journey is the purpose."
only applies to this level of reality as your quote suggests:
>...I posted a story about the Buddha which in essence declares that
>enlightentment is the purpose of the journey, and that when it is achieved,
the >journey becomes irrelevant (though still praiseworthy).
A more interesting epigram may be:
"The goal is the direction, the journey is the _destination_"
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