If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world

Host: The stillness in the room settled as the evening’s calm enveloped them both. Jack sat at the table, his fingers lightly resting on his cup, contemplating the weight of C.S. Lewis's words. Jeeny stood near the window, gazing out into the darkening world, her expression soft as she reflected on the profound idea behind his statement.

Jeeny: “I’ve been thinking about what C.S. Lewis said: ‘If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.’ It’s such a deep and humbling thought, isn’t it? The idea that our desires and longings may point to something beyond this world, something beyond what we can experience here.”

Jack: “Yes, it really is. Lewis is suggesting that the longings we feel—whether they’re for meaning, connection, or purpose—are not random or fleeting. Instead, they might be evidence of a deeper, more spiritual reality. The fact that we often feel unfulfilled, even when we have everything we need, could point to the idea that our true home or purpose lies in something beyond what this world can provide.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. It’s like he’s saying that the discontent we feel isn’t necessarily a flaw or something to fix. It’s a signal that our souls are yearning for something more, something that can’t be satisfied by material success, by pleasure, or by experience. It’s almost like our deepest desires are pointing us toward the idea that we were meant for something greater, something eternal.”

Host: The quiet in the room deepened, the weight of their reflection settling in as they both considered how universal the human longing for fulfillment is. Jack’s fingers rested lightly on the table, while Jeeny’s expression softened, reflecting on how often people seek fulfillment in external things, unaware that their true longing may be for something beyond what the world offers.

Jack: “It makes me think about how often we look for satisfaction in temporary things, in success, relationships, or experiences. But even when we achieve these things, there’s still that emptiness that lingers. Lewis is suggesting that this feeling is part of being human—it’s a reminder that we’re searching for something transcendent, something that’s not bound by the limitations of the world.”

Jeeny: “Yes, and I think that’s why Lewis’s words resonate so deeply. He’s not dismissing the world and the things we experience, but he’s acknowledging that there’s a deeper purpose behind our desires. It’s almost like those desires are a clue, a whisper that there’s more to life than what we can see or touch. That our longings are pointing us toward a reality that we can’t fully understand yet.”

Jack: “Exactly. And I think it’s a comforting thought, too. It means that the restlessness we feel isn’t meaningless—it’s actually a sign of life, a sign that there’s something more waiting for us. That we’re not just here to chase after temporary pleasures, but that our desires are meant to guide us toward something bigger, something eternal.”

Jeeny: “Yes, and it gives us a sense of hope. When we feel like nothing in this world can fully satisfy us, it’s not a failure on our part—it’s a reminder that we were created for something greater. Lewis is encouraging us to look beyond the immediate and to trust that our deepest longings have a purpose. They are leading us toward meaning, toward a greater understanding of who we are and where we belong.”

Host: The quiet in the room grew deeper, the conversation taking root in the realization that our deepest desires may be guiding us toward something beyond the physical world. C.S. Lewis’s words had sparked a reflection on the inherent longing within all of us for fulfillment, and how that longing may point to a deeper, spiritual truth. Jack leaned back slightly in his chair, while Jeeny’s gaze softened, both of them understanding that the restlessness they feel may not be a flaw, but a sign of a greater purpose.

Jack: “So, Lewis is really saying that our unfulfilled desires are a part of who we are as human beings. They are a reflection of something greater, something beyond this world. It’s a call to look for meaning not just in what’s around us, but in what’s beyond.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. And by recognizing that, we can start to understand that our yearning isn’t just a need for material things, but a search for something eternal. Lewis is reminding us that our deepest desires have a purpose—they’re pointing us toward something much larger than what this world can offer.”

Host: The evening had fully settled in, the quiet understanding between them a reminder that desire, far from being a fleeting or shallow feeling, is a profound expression of our soul’s longing for a deeper, spiritual connection. C.S. Lewis had illuminated a truth—that our desires, no matter how unfulfilled, point to something greater, something beyond this world, leading us toward a deeper meaning and purpose. The world outside had darkened, but inside, there was light—a recognition that our true home lies not in the temporary, but in the eternal.