"When the soul is caught up in rigid identification with others in the world, it is not satisfied. In every soul there is an inherent drive toward truth, an inherent desire to feel fulfilled, real and free. Although many people are not able to pursue this desire effectively, the impetus toward the realization of the self is in all of us; it begins with the first stirrings of consciousness and continues through life whether or not we are directly aware of it. This impetus spontaneously emerges in consciousness as an important task for the psychologically and spirtually maturing human being. As maturity grows into wisdom in an optimally developing person, this task gains precendence over other tasks in life, progressively becoming the center that orients, supports and gives meaning to one's life, ultimately encompassing all of ones experiences."

-A. H. Almaas, The Point of Existence, p 16