Love is our true destiny. We do not find the meaning of life by

In the grand and eternal dance of existence, where the soul seeks its true destiny, the wisdom of Thomas Merton illuminates a path we must walk together: “Love is our true destiny. We do not find the meaning of life by ourselves alone - we find it with another.” These words stir deep within the human heart, for they speak of the inherent interconnectedness of all beings. The meaning of our lives, Merton tells us, is not a solitary pursuit, but one that is shaped and fulfilled in union with others. It is through love—not just of ourselves but of one another—that we discover our purpose in the world.

The ancients too understood the profound truth that the self is not an island, but a part of a greater whole. Aristotle, in his work Nicomachean Ethics, speaks of the "philia"—the deep, virtuous friendship that is at the core of human flourishing. For Aristotle, no one could achieve the highest good in life without the presence of others. Love, in its various forms—whether as friendship, family, or romantic union—was the key that unlocked the potential of the individual and brought meaning to life. It is not in self-sufficiency that one finds fulfillment, but in the mutual support and shared growth that comes through loving connections with others.

Consider the life of Socrates, who spent much of his days in dialogue with others, questioning, probing, and seeking truth not in isolation but in conversation. His philosophy was not merely an intellectual exercise, but a search for wisdom that was fostered by the relationships he cultivated with his students and companions. The meaning of life, for Socrates, was not something that could be found in solitude, but in the exchange of ideas, the bond of shared understanding, and the love of truth that he nurtured through his connection with others. It is through this communal pursuit of wisdom that we come to understand not only the world but ourselves.

Similarly, the story of Antigone in Sophocles' tragedy speaks to the power of love as a guiding force for destiny. Antigone, driven by her love for her family and the divine law, defies the king’s edict to bury her brother. Her love for him—and her sense of duty toward a greater moral law—was so strong that it led her to defy authority, and, ultimately, sacrifice her life. In her story, we see that love is not only the key to personal fulfillment but to courage, moral action, and sacrifice. She could not have found the meaning of her life in isolation; it was through her connection to others, to her family, and to her deeper beliefs that she found her purpose and fulfilled her destiny.

In more recent times, Martin Luther King Jr. stands as an example of Merton's wisdom in action. King’s life and work were dedicated not only to the fight for civil rights but to the power of love to transform individuals and societies. He often spoke of the “beloved community”, a vision where love was the unifying force that bound people together, transcending racial, social, and economic divides. King’s vision was not just one of justice and equality, but of human connection, where the meaning of life was found in the service to others, in the sacrifice and love that individuals show for one another. His life's work demonstrates that love, when shared between people, can ignite movements, build communities, and alter the course of history.

Merton’s words call us to understand that love is the very essence of what it means to be human. It is the force that connects us to others, to the world, and to our own divine nature. In this, love is not a selfish pursuit but a shared journey, a bond that deepens with every act of kindness, every moment of connection. True fulfillment does not come from living for oneself alone but from living in a way that enhances the lives of those around us. It is in service, in the giving of our love to others, that we find our true destiny.

The lesson we learn from Merton’s words is one of shared growth and purpose. To live a meaningful life is to be open to the love of others, to form relationships that nurture our spirits and propel us toward higher truths. We must seek not to isolate ourselves in pursuit of self-realization, but to connect deeply with others, to listen, to care, and to love. In this way, we unlock the full potential of our lives, for the meaning of life is not in solitary striving but in the shared experiences, the interactions, and the love we give and receive.

Let us take action: In our own lives, let us seek to build and nurture meaningful connections with others. Let us love not only in words but in deeds, through acts of kindness, understanding, and selfless service. Let us not be content with solitary fulfillment but seek to share our gifts and talents with those around us. By doing so, we will discover that our true purpose is not in isolation but in the interconnectedness we share with others. In love, we find not only our destiny but the strength to fulfill it.