Beyond Goals: Discovering the Four Aims of Life

Have you ever stopped to ask yourself: What am I really aiming for in this life?

Is it security? Success? Love? Freedom? Maybe a mix of all of these?

Most of us inherit our aims without much reflection. Family, culture, religion, and society all leave strong impressions about what matters most. Maybe you were taught that achievement and hard work are the highest goals. Or perhaps you grew up hearing that family, faith, or service to others should always come first.

But if you peel back the layers of expectation—what is your answer? What do you long for at the deepest level?

The yoga tradition offers a framework for exploring this question. It identifies four aims of life, called the Purusharthas. The word comes from purusha (person, or human being) and artha (meaning, purpose, or goal). These are considered universal aims—relevant to all humans, regardless of religion, culture, or background. Rather than a rigid rulebook, they’re a guide for living a balanced, meaningful, and fulfilling life.

Here they are:

1. Dharma — Living with Integrity

At its heart, dharma is about right action: living in harmony with truth, virtue, and the natural order of life. It doesn’t always mean following external rules—it means listening for what is right and just, both for yourself and for the collective whole. Dharma can feel like your inner compass pointing toward what makes life meaningful.

2. Artha — Building Stability

We all need resources to live—food, shelter, health, and financial security. Artha is the pursuit of material well-being and stability. It’s not about greed or endless accumulation, but about cultivating enough prosperity to support yourself, care for those you love, and contribute to the wider community.

3. Kama — Enjoying Life’s Beauty

Kama is pleasure in all its forms—love, friendship, beauty, art, intimacy, music, and joy. Too often we either chase pleasure without end or deny it altogether. In the yogic view, kama is an essential part of being human, so long as it is pursued with awareness and balance. It’s about savoring life without being consumed by it.

4. Moksha — Seeking Freedom

The final aim is moksha: liberation, spiritual freedom, awakening. This is the deepest longing of the soul—to be free from fear, free from the endless grasping of the mind, free from the illusion that we are separate from one another. Moksha is the remembrance of our true nature, often described as peace, bliss, or union with the Divine.

Aims of Life vs. Life Goals

You might be wondering: Are the aims of life the same as life goals?

Not exactly. Life goals are usually personal and specific—things like finishing a degree, buying a home, raising a family, starting a business, or traveling the world. They’re shaped by your individual circumstances, personality, and culture.

The aims of life, on the other hand, are broader guiding principles. They’re less about the what and more about the why. They help us understand what gives our personal goals deeper meaning. For example, wanting to start your own business might connect to the aim of Artha (building stability and prosperity) or Dharma (fulfilling your purpose). Seeking close relationships may fall under Kama (love and joy), while a meditation practice might be rooted in Moksha (spiritual freedom).

When we see our goals in light of the aims of life, everyday choices begin to feel more connected, balanced, and purposeful.

When seen together, these four aims form a whole. If we only chase material success without integrity, something feels hollow. If we only seek pleasure without responsibility, life feels unsteady. If we only focus on spiritual freedom without tending to our human needs, the path feels ungrounded. The Purusharthas remind us that life is meant to be lived in balance—honoring the practical, the joyful, the moral, and the spiritual.

So, I invite you to pause and reflect:

• Which of these four aims feels most alive in your life right now?

• Which one do you tend to overlook?

• How might your life feel if all four were honored?

  
  

The answers are uniquely yours.

Yoga doesn’t ask you to abandon your background or beliefs, but to bring curiosity to your own journey. The Purusharthas are simply one lens—a way of remembering that life can be rich, joyful, meaningful, and free, all at once.