Along the Eternal Path: Studies of the Belarusian Mindset Ihnat Abdziralovich The author's ideas formulated as far back as 1921 find their way straight to then reader's heart because they deal with underlying issues of the Belarusians' existence. Abdziralovich views Belarus as a borderline between the East and West, and the nation's most distinctive feature as spiritual teetering between the East and West. "We liked very much and were attracted by the openness and clarity of the East, but on the other hand, by greater objectivity and more humane approach of the West. Life demanded a synthesis of harmony of the two directions, but that … turned out impossible." The Belarusian people may have failed to create distinctive culture because the nation went through a great spiritual tragedy – only two or three other nations had a similar experience. Belarus has been a battleground between Western and Eastern cultures from the 10th century to present day. The border between the two sources of influence, which divides Slavs into two camps, runs through Belarus and Ukraine, and gets lost somewhere in the Balkans. What conclusions does Abdziralovich make? He says that the only reason to live is to create. People must be creative in their day-to-day work, family relations and civic activity. If their life is not be constrained by the form they are able to realize the natural urge toward creation.