Good Morning Everyone! May your day be merry and bright! This is my first attempt at startin a topic. Hope it goes well. What I am interested in hearing first is your understanding of the meaning of life. I respect everyone's opinion on this subject. First I would like to hear from those who believe they understand the meaning of life. What is your understanding and what brought you to that understanding? SO THAT THE SUBJECT DOES NOT GET CLUTTERED IT IS RESPECTFULLY REQUESTED OF THOSE OF US WHO DON'T BELIEVE WE UNDERSTAND OR WHO BELIEVE WE ARE AT A SPECULATIVE POINT IN OUR LIFE TO LISTEN FOR A DAY OR TWO TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE THEY DO UNDERSTAND THE MEANING OF LIFE. I'm sure there will be many of us who will want to voice objections and debate with those who believe they understand the meaning of life. Hopefully we can learn something about what the meaning of life means to others who believe they understand it first. Thanks to everyone.
I don't believe in a general "meaning of life". Of course, it helps to define what one means by "meaning". I'm going to assume that you aren't interested in the medical definition of "life", but are rather looking for a spiritual reason for existing as we do, with our faults, feats, and foibles. Spiritually, I believe that we fill a niche in the fabric of reality, whether it be in the food chain or else as a link on the endless evolutionary chain. At the level of the individual, the meaning of one's life can be as varied as the people who live them. There is no one "meaning of life". I also don't believe that we ever truly "know" what the meaning of our lives are. We can only find something that is comfortable and hope we got it right. Sometimes we don't get to live long enough to know if we found our meaning or not. Some years ago a man at a monster-truck show gave his life to save an eight-year-old boy rom a run-away truck that crashed through the stands. Someone got a photo of the last seconds of that man's life, just as the tire was coming down on him. His eyes betrayed no fear. Ten years later, when the boy graduated high-school, he tracked down and met the sons of the man who saved his life. He wanted to thank them for their father, and he wanted to honor the memory of their father by becoming a doctor so he could pass on the gift of saved lives. Was the the meaning of the man's life, to save this boy so he could go on and save someone else's? Did he spend all those years on Earth, learning what he learned and eventually cultivating the sort of personality that would sacrifice life and limb for another just for that one moment that he would never be allowed to live to remember? And what was the meaning of the boy's life before the incident? Do meanings change as we go through life? There are times when I feel that the only reason I'm here is to be kicked around. There are times when I feel completely disposable, without a meaning. There are also times when I feel that my job here is to rescue others from themselves, largely in the form of just listening. I've stopped a lot of my friends from doing stupid or rash things just by pouring a cup of coffee and letting them vent it all in my direction. Perhaps the question should be "What is the meaning of YOUR life?" I'd like to hear that from various members of the board. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! ------------------ I may not agree with what you have to say, but I will fight, kill, and die for your right to say it.
Doesn't look like many people think they know the meaning of life. Although you posted this as a question, do you have any theory of your own?
Mine is to seek the truth and commune with God. That wasn't too complicated was it? ------------------ "Go Jesus, go! Go Jesus, go!" I finally get to be the cheerleader that I always wanted to be but could not, as I was not a fluff chick.
<img src = "http://users.esc.net.au/~nitro/BBoard_member_gifs/bowser_anim.gif">I'm sorry, but I can't leave this alone. I don't have a definitive belief, one which I can defend as being absolute, because life is so large, and we are so small. But my best guess is that we are here simply for the sake of being here, as opposed to being nothing at all. ------------------ It's all very large. [This message has been edited by Bowser (edited January 21, 2000).]
Life is the discovery of finding true love.. The value of making a difference for the good of others. Being able to put the needs of others ahead of yourself.. Being able to choose to forgive others who have harmed or hurt you and allowing Christ to fill you with love for those people.. It is loving others as much as you love yourself.. It is using your talents to the fullest to bring happiness to God, others, and yourself. It is dying to your will and allowing Christs to reign.. It is peace, happiness and joy..................LOL
Meaning of life...good question! I dunno. What's the meaning of life for a horse? What's the meaning of life for a paramecium? Are we all part of the same meaning, or is there a different meaning for each species? Each sex? Each individual? I don't think there's any particular "meaning" to life. I think there is a general life-force everywhere & everywhen. This life force tends to cause organization in inanimate objects (like atoms and molecules), eventually the organization is complex enough that life becomes sustainable. From there, life grows, mutates, changes, becomes more complex, divides into several species... I think it's a phenomenon of the universe and asking what the meaning of it is akin to asking what the meaning of gravity or light is. They just ARE, because that's how the universe is put together. They mean the universe is functioning. I don't see life as being any different in the big sense as any other universal force. With us humans, of course, we have conscious thought. So we try to attach meaning to everything. What does a swastica mean, what does that earthquake mean... So naturally we try to find meaning to our own lives. It is not enough to simply exist for most people. I think that's just a symptom of the human mind. Not that it's unworthy to find meaning in your life, but finding the meaning to whom - that man in Oxygen's story had meaning to his life - to that boy he saved, perhaps he was a savior. To me, perhaps an inspiration. To the guy next to him, perhaps a bloodstain. To the driver, perhaps a source of guilt. Different people will attach different meanings to the same thing, so I don't see how it would be possible to find THE meaning of life in general, when even a single life could have millions of meanings.
Oxygen- On to your part of the topic. Meaning in my own life. Well, that's tough. I have said that the meaning of a particular life will be percieved differently from person to person. I see the same thing in my own life. You do too, I think - sometimes it seems to be one thing, sometimes the other. It's not enough just to trudge from one day to the next, you need to have goals. Perhaps it could be said that your goals define the meaning of your life?? The meaning of my life - well to my Mom, hopefully I'm a source of joy. To Lori, I'm probably a source of frustration and occasional comic relief. (Not pickin' on you Lori, just making a point) To my husband, hopefully I'm a source of joy and fulfillment. To ME, though, my life has no one single meaning. To learn, I suppose is the only constant. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
It truly pains me to see how many people are unacquainted with the meaning of life. No wonder there are so many unhappy humans today. My answer only requires a person to use their power of reason to see the truth on this issue. First of all, do not fool yourselves into thinking that mankinds hope is to reside with God in heaven for all eternity. If this were God's purpose for us, we would have been created like the myriads of angels which NOW reside in heaven. Also, God's clearly stated purpose for the earth would not be realized if all the righteous individuals were to be taken to heaven. God put mankind on this earth surrounded by paradisaic conditions. Everything that he gave to humans was for their enjoyment, both materially & spiritually. However, this gift was not without conditions. Humans had to be willing to obey and worship God, just as the heavenly spirit creatures were required to do. Being the very personification of love, there would not be any form of cruelty from God's headship. He wants only exclusive devotion, and a heartfelt desire to do his will. As the creator of us and everything else, he certainly has that right! Since only God knew (at the time of the rebellion of our first parents) that mankind could not be successful ruling himself, he has allowed humans to rule these last 6000 years or so to set a precedence that will solve this issue once and for all. Soon, God's original purpose for the earth and obedient mankind will be realized. Eternal life on a paradise earth with only God's Kingdom as this earth's government! This is why a very wise man once said, "Fear God and keep his commandments,...this is the whole obligation of man." That was Solomon from the book of Ecclesiastes. I couldn't have said it better myself. Unfortunately, most people live for self gratification, not pleasing God. Forgive me for sounding 'preachy', but let me assure you, that each and every one of you have an opportunity to live forever on a paradise earth. And it's God's Kingdom; the kingdom that so many people have prayed for, that's going to make it happen. It is impossible for God to lie!!!
...To become one, with God, through Jesus Christ... "And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me."
Thanks for sharing everybody! I believe that this mortal human life is the temporary and conscious beginning of life everlasting. It is in this world where we become consecrated in the truth and it is here where we make a decision concerning our eternal life. "Now this is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ." John 17:3 "Now they know that everything you gave me is from you, because the words you gave to me I have given to them, and they accepted them and truly understood that I came from you, and they have believed that you sent me." John 17:7-9 "And now I will no longer be in the world, but they are in the world, while I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are." John 17:11 "But now I am coming to you. I speak this in the world so that they may share my joy completely. I gave them your word, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world. And I consecrate myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth." John 17:13-19 I agree with TS and Lori that we are here to come into conscious communion with God - to consciously become one with each other and with God. We know Jesus Christ and we know that through Him God has offered us the gift of salvation. We have been given this temporary life to consciously decide whether to accept the gift so that we may become one with God for all eternity (or not).
Our purpose is to worship and be obedient to God,...not to become LIKE God. Please, do not try to convince yourself (and others) that we are incapable of dying, and losing the gift of life that we have been given. God has put before us "life or death", and the "broad and spacious" road by far has the majority of mankind on it. Sadly, that's the road that leads to everlasting death. Humans are mortal creatures; always have been, and always will be. For the obedient righteous ones, the reward is everlasting life that our heavenly Father will sustain. Remember, "the righteous will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it". That is what the Bible teaches.
Your life and mine have exactly as much meaning as we chose to give it, no more no less. It means what we say it means, no more no less. I have no metaphysical obligation to live in any particular way. I may chose, for various good and sufficent reasons to live a particular way but the Universe gives not one whit about that choice. I am responsible to no one but myself nor is anyone responsible to me. I have no one to blame for my failures nor anyone with whom I must share credit for my success. No being in the Universe (except me, and perhaps a handfull of others) cares if I live or die, nor will take notice of which or when those events occur. And if u think about it, that is the way it should be. I, and everyone else, is free to do with life what they will. ------------------ The Sailor says, remember Omar was right.
Here's my theory : (keep in mind I don't nessasarily believe it but it's the best I've come up with yet) Picture for a moment, a race of beings, living in an eternal state. This place they live in is heaven like. There is no desese, no hatred, only love. But as crazy as this may seem, heaven is dissatisfying. After infinite years of existance the whole meaning appears to be lost. There's no challange, no real purpose. And so, out of this, the birth of the universe is created... This new universe is excepionally unique, it is in this place that a new and totally strange element of life is brought into effect. That element, Is Danger, death and fear. The three negatives that plague our every day. It is now, that true purpose is brought within our actions. When we are cold, we must learn to build a fire. When escaping the hand of danger we feel a totally unique and pleasent sensation. It's called releif. Now that our time is limited we can't be wasteing it anymore, there are things to be done. It is on this place called earth that we can gain new perceptions on ourselves as well as others. Relationships can grow stronger in ways previously impossable. Sensations that are felt are no longer taken for granted, it is here that we can truely feel "alive". Consequently, this place called earth, is heavens heaven. [This message has been edited by Spirit17 (edited February 03, 2000).]
.... Well, I'm here again. You may all think I'm full of s**t for some of the stuff I talked about a while ago. Yeah, I was messed up. My views are different now, no different than yours. ------------------------------------------- Anyway, here are my two cents on this topic. Give and take whatever you want or find interesting: To grow, to flourish, to learn, to adapt. Life is what you make of it. Though this may not apply to everything, it does apply to some things. Through experience, you gain knowledge and insight. Is that not what most of us strive to do. This entire discussion contemplates the views we have on what the meaning of life could be. We do not know what it is, but we want to know the answer. That's all I have to say. Feel free to add anything if you want to.
The extremes meet in the Christ We are corpuscles in the body of God His activity in the Earth, are as the blood stream; while the spirit or consciousness is as the nerves of the body itself. (Universal consciousness) as the stars, the planets, the sun, and the moon. - These, by their relative relationships, are in themselves manifestations of the universal consciousness. separations are only walking through the rooms as it were of God's house. (Out of body?) Know O ye peoples, the Lord thy God is One! Be one with another, One with Him. Ye are, corpuscles in the Life Flow. The Will is the Way. Time must be full the entity may either be blotted out or come into full brotherhood. Each soul is just as each atom, as each corpuscle. (Our purpose is to make the world a better place.) if the entity will apply some of the mental suggestions that may be made for the correction of urges thy own soul, has been given a will to use the attributes of soul, mind and body to thine own purposes. (Different channels) For not all peoples walked in the field when the wheat was ripe. as the cycles are passing, when there is come a time a period of readjusting in the spheres - seek then Be circumspect (Our) happy peaceful end is to find power, control and knowledge in this spirit. We are God, not yet come into our heritage. Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman not ashamed. When ye come, leave thy prayer, leave thy offering - until ye have made peace with thy brother, until ye have made peace with thyself. Universal awareness; as the stars, the planets, the sun, the moon. Do ye rule them as they rule thee. They were made for thy own use, as an individual, yea, that is the part, the thought thy Maker the Father-God thinks of thee. (First you find wisdom within, and then) for this information to become knowledge or understanding there must be the application of self to those sources of material knowledge but with the faith and trust in universal knowledge. (Pray three times a day.) Lord! Let Thy Will Be Done In Me. Show Thou Me The Way, O Lord. Amen. Don't condemn others or don't belittle self. See the best in everything. For all disease is sin. (We meet ourselves in our relationships with others) Lift up, look up - now - where ye are oneness in thought - wholly Find and know confidence can be placed in self by self! Meditate upon His promises for the Lord is not far off, but is in thine own heart. Use that in hand one satisfied has already lost the ideal or the ability to go higher (Life is "of light itself!") (Being whole) through those channels that have been set as the ways, the manners for perfecting. What hast thou in hands? Cast it before the Lord and see the Glory of same. Use the rod in hand for knowledge and understanding come with the application (Body - mind - soul) build as one Using that known brings those attunements, those emoluments in every form, that makes for creative forces in themselves. (The Kingdom of Heaven is Within, and the Kingdom of God is without. It reacts upon us.) Minimize the faults, in others - as ye would have them minimized in thee. Don't judge. Door of thy heart Cleanse same in the light of those things that He has given. the awakening is from the desire of the Father that each soul shall continue to have its thread of gold that runs through each conscious force. the resuscitation of the forces as lie within self as innate (Soul) of that in which it moves and has its being. Building then, either with that universal force, or turning the face against all that may aid, may give an understanding that may bring forth from out of the East those of the glories as are seen in the Sun, as of same giving life and heat, and of a concept of the individual - so may those reflections bring that which builds for a contentment. Hit, struggle, aim, not against that that would crush or bind thee. The greatest of missions, just being kind. Each and every soul leaves the body as it rests in sleep. (Out of body) Use that in hand to expand open thine heart stick to that in hand There are ways, but let them present themselves - self makes self more gratified or contented where it is. In seeking, do not seek something afar, nor yet something new. Make the mental and physical and material efforts to open thine own heart and mind to those things that may enter in from the reading and experiencing of those messages He gave. Man can only begin, then, within himself. And all will be, all Are, tried so as by fire. If ye will call, I will hear. Read Exodus 19:5, then the whole 30th chapter of Deuteronomy. St. John 14, 15, 16, 17 - then Romans. (Be mindful) of the manner of offering ye make there to Him. Yet the flow, the impulse, the emotions in material things are activative through impulse of nature, of character, of purpose, of will. Then, as the heart is the seat of life, it is an expression then of a mystical nature. (Interpret the heart from physical, the mental, and spiritual.)
Meaning of Life????????? Well my best guess is that we are here to verify that the universe exists. We are proof that the universe is aware of itself. If you like lets think of the universe as a creative entity that (like AI will eventually do) has spawned life; a means to harbour intelligence, an awarness of itself???? pretty vague I know but its the best I can do. ------------------ work to LIVE...don't live to WORK.
I think there is confusion here between the term 'meaning' and the term 'purpose'. Consider a simple chair. Does it make sense to ask the question 'what is the meaning of the chair?'. No, it is nonsense. Now ask 'what is the purpose of the chair?' Clearly we can see a simple answer. It's for sitting on - in case you wern't sure. Now consider an oil painting. We can say that a particular painting means, hate, or love, or beauty. An artist is usually able to convey a message via his creation. The term 'meaning' is part of the act of communication. The same questions when directed at 'life' have the same properties as the 'chair'. There is no answer to the question 'what is the meaning of life?'. It is a nonsense question, However, ask the question 'what is the purpose of life?'. This is far more interesting. I would reply: Survival. Look at the simplest single celled organisms and upwards - reproduce, propagate, avoid destruction, and continue to exist. For the very early humans surviving was often a full time occupation as it still is for many other lower forms of life. If you direct the question at your own individual life. I.e. What is the purpose of my life? Then I would say: To enjoy everything that life offers while it lasts. And if you can contribute something to the human knowledge base then you will probably have helped assist in the continued survival of humanity.
