Growth is Not an Arrival

We often think of growth as something we achieve. But what if it is something we continuously move through?

When I read On Becoming a Person by Carl Rogers a few months ago, one of the reflections he refers to as a satisfying realisation stayed with me. He noted that human beings are not a fixed entity or a product, but a process of becoming.

Years ago, in my student days, I vividly remember Revered Swami Gautamananandaji, the current President of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission, sharing a similar idea in a different way:

“Humans, like batteries, need recharging.”

I find myself returning to this often. It is a reminder that growth is not about arriving, but about staying in motion—and finding ways to renew ourselves along the way.

For me, one way of “recharging” has been through books. I do not view them as something to simply complete, but as something to return to and anchor me. Some of those very books reflect the
process of becoming, each in its own way. A few that have stayed with me over the years include:

  • Swami Vivekananda on Himself — A reminder of the depth of inner work behind outer impact.
  • Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl — A perspective on finding meaning even in the most difficult circumstances.
  • Apprenticed to a Himalayan Master by Sri M — Glimpses of a lifelong journey of learning and becoming.

What helps you pause, reflect, and recharge? Are there specific books or practices that have anchored you on your own journey?