When somebody dies in old age, people often say about them: “They had a good life.” But does the length of a life determine its quality? Not necessarily. 

What can be inferred from the longevity of their life? That they had adopted some basic practices for good health; and that they had done some good karma in their previous lives. What can’t be inferred? That they did good karma in this life or that the longevity of their life by itself guaranteed its quality. 

The quality of our life is determined not so much by how long we live as by what we do while we live. And what we do refers not just to our activities but the purpose that animates our activities. Do we contribute toward others’ good, especially their ultimate good and even to our own ultimate good? In perceiving and pursuing that ultimate good, do we contemplate: whether our brief sojourn on earth has any lasting significance; whether life itself has any enduring significance; and whether our present lifespan can contribute toward that significance? Only when we contemplate such questions and find answers by drawing from the world’s great wisdom-traditions, can our life become infused with quality.

It is with this focus on life’s spiritual essence that the Bhagavad-gita (02.27) urges us to not lament about death, no matter how disorienting or even devastating it seems from our immediate perspective —  especially when it comes prematurely and unexpectedly. As long as we keep our life’s spiritual purpose at the forefront of our activities, our life will be infused with quality no matter what its longevity turns out to be.

One-sentence summary

To live a good life, worry not about its longevity; work on its quality by perceiving and pursuing spiritual purpose.

Think it over:

  • What can be and can’t be inferred from the longevity of a person? 
  • What infuses our life with quality?
  • What can you do right now to increase the quality of your life?

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02.27: One who has taken his birth is sure to die, and after death one is sure to take birth again. Therefore, in the unavoidable discharge of your duty, you should not lament.