[raison d'etre = reason or justification for existence]
Modern physics has already made many discoveries about matter and still continues to do so. It has been able to penetrate the atom and to analyse the structure of the atomic nucleus. But the object of its quest is the ultimate particle of matter and not the conscious reality - the psyche of the soul. Physics, in its quest, employs scientific equipments - apparatus and instruments which are themselves made from matter. Hence, it can have access only to matter. The spiritual existence could never enter the range of their investigation and become the object of their quest. That is why science has not, so far, positively accepted the separate existence of soul. Due to this non-acceptance, the purpose of meditational practice appears to have been restricted to relaxation, easing of tensions etc. The popular belief is that meditational practice results in physical benefits, such as maintenance of robust physical health, and treatment (and prevention) of serious mentalillnesses without drugs, though valuable contributions are not the only or even the chief objective of meditational practice. Its aim-in-chief is realization and awareness of one's spiritual self - the real SELF. As long as one in not aware of his SELF, he cannot end his misery. The only means of eradicating all suffering is realization of Truth-Realization and awareness of one's real SELF.