Jonathan Livingston Seagull: Part 2 and 3

“Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish” – the famous phrase has been inspiring for many. While reading Jonathan Livingston Seagull, the two pieces of the phrase formed the two different perspectives that clashed. The Gull Brotherhood was not hungry to learn. The only purpose of its flights was to satisfy hunger. On the other hand, Jonathan the seagull learned the lesson to stay foolish and gave a new purpose, and therefore a new meaning to the act of flying.

Jonathan Livingston Seagull: Part 2

For those who deprive themselves of learning, the knowledge of a higher purpose remains missing even in their coming lives. Learning continues till one attains perfection. When we set a limit to what we can learn, we distance ourselves from perfection. And, since perfection is limitless, so is learning. When one becomes conscious of this, like Jonathan seagull did, nothing seems out of reach. Nothing is limited by time and space as everything becomes as free and fast as thought.

The ultimate learning is the lesson of love and kindness. This love can be communicated by spreading one’s own learning to those who are unaware of the joys of these lessons. While some people may remain closed to learning, those who strive to learn, like Jonathan Livingston Seagull, should not become cold towards them. Learners must recognize that their eventual learning will be making their closed fellows understand the joy of learning.

Jonathan Livingston Seagull: Part 3

Those who realise that the purpose of life is the sheer joy it offers, have the responsibility of teaching this lesson to their fellow beings. Each one of us needs to find that joy by understanding our nature and what makes us happy. Merely enjoying is not enough. Being conscious of what makes us enjoy adds a new meaning to life.

And, there is nothing that can stop us from experiencing that joy. It is all in the mind. We can achieve any goal just by setting the right state of mind. If we free the mind of all ties, our joy will be boundless as well. Nobody can impose any restrictions on us. The only person who can curb us from doing what we want to is ourselves.

So, if any seagull believes that it is free to do what it wants to, it becomes Jonathan the seagull, for whom, possibilities were endless. Every law is an illusion. Once we become conscious of this, our existence gets a new meaning.