No matter which the approach however, the notion of a purpose in life stands central to any lasting sense of involvement with this universe in which we all dwell for the span of years that we find to be our lot. Provided that we achieve some degree of success in the implementation of this sense of purpose, it contributes greatly towards both our self-esteem and our peace of mind; and a final point to note is that a society in which self-esteem and peace of mind can be widely promoted within the individuals that it contains, furnishes us with the best possible formula for the attainment of the general happiness.

I am suggesting that these are the levers we need to watch when assessing our individual ability to align ourselves with the dictates of this universe. The universe is a gentle master so long as we can find the way of tending to its needs within the realisation of our own personalised identity; but it promptly emerges in the guise of an ogre, if we establish our own interests on a level too much aside from, or above, those of the common lot.

It also displays random tantrums, which may well destroy the lives (or just the well-being) of individuals deserving of a better fate. And the random strike of death or misfortune on a tranquil day must be anticipated as part of the pattern, into which the history of each and every one of us has been woven. Naturally we hope for better things, but we must be ready to shield ourselves from dismay if disaster should befall.

It is after all best that we should live in acceptance of the idea that our experience is contained within a strictly finite life, upon a planet whose history is finite, within a universe which is itself finite - despite the fact that it stands there in permanence and in perpetuity. There can be little purpose in fretting concerning what our individual lot may turn out to be, provided that we are currently doing all within our power to fulfil the sense of purpose on this earth, to which we may have committed ourselves.

We find ourselves with a perceived number of problems on our plate. We tackle those problems within the spirit of a problem-solving quest, in an awareness that the solutions we adopt will unleash problems of a different kind. Our concern should never be to withdraw from this quest, but to be careful instead to ensure that the problems on our plate are decreased, rather than augmented, by the solutions that we engender.

Each individual's problem-solving quest is a highly personalised affair. There are no generalised rules on offer. But the creation of one's special niche within society, (indeed within the universe at large,) involves a variety of routine practices which most people take for granted. But each individual needs to establish what will be the nature of the family form, from which he will be making his attack upon life's fortune. He will need to be clear as to the nature of the political groupings, whose ideals may be sufficiently similar to his own, to warrant a joint approach in the quest for such solutions. He must also be clear on the identity and nature of the state, which will permit such political groups to operate with the necessary degree of freedom to have some possibility of attaining their goals; and he must know what legitimate assistance and encouragement he can expect to receive from the services of this state.

Regardless of any assistance that the individual might anticipate will be coming his way, it is far wiser that he should realise that throughout his existence, he should be capable of standing on his own feet in the pursuit of the goals that he has freely chosen for himself. And it is usual that he would have selected for himself a territorial base, or home nest, from which to operate. The concept of a home is important in that it stands as the point of connection between the individual and the universe. Without it, he is found rootless and at a disadvantage; but from inside it, he confronts the rest of the world as if from behind a shield.