What we truly seek is hidden within us, although we may have to travel far into the world and face many other questions before we learn that.

An old idea suggests that each person’s life is a question being asked of the world. Each life is a specific question that isn’t completely answered until a person’s last breath goes out. Regardless of the condition of the outer world, the old idea was to enter the question of one’s life fully and become the living answer.

It’s like the story of the old rabbi who lay on his deathbed as his final hour drew near. His name was Zushya, and he had lived a full life. He was widely known and greatly respected as a holy man and scholar. He had taught others for many years and was loved by his students for his honesty and wit. Now that his time had come, his students gathered to share in his final moments.

When a student asked how he felt, the old teacher answered with characteristic honesty. “I am afraid to face God,” he said, “I fear that I will be found wanting in the world to come.” The students were shocked; how could such a thing be possible? Their teacher was an exceptional spiritual leader who had taught them generously and guided them wisely. The students began to reassure the teacher: “Rabbi, you are a pure and righteous man. You have shown the leadership of Abraham, the courage of Jacob, the vision of Moses. What do you have to fear in facing God?”