YoursTrue
Faith-confidence in what we hope for (Hebrews 11)
Got it. Thanks.
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Meaning of Life?
- Thread starter JustGeorge
- Start date
Truthseeker
Non-debating member when I can help myself
The meaning of life to me is in the Baha'i short obligatory prayers first line: "I bear witness, oh my God, that thou hast created me to know Thee and to worship Thee". To interpret this, to know God, in my opinion, is to know the image of God within me, and to know this image I need to act like Baha'u'llah would act, otherwise it would be hidden to me. Worshipping God is done by doing good things, not by singing hymns, though singing hymns is a step in the right direction. I arrived at this understanding by accepting Baha'u'llah as a Prophet so that I believe in this first line of that prayer, and understanding what that means developed over time. I did suddenly believe in Baha'u'llah after looking at it, but I had things happen or things harder to accept as true so becoming a Baha'i is a process also. I don't expect this understanding to change now after 54 years of this process.
Truthseeker
Non-debating member when I can help myself
You're honest as usual. That's one reason to be here. We can anonymously be honest here easier without risking alienating people we know in person.
The meaning of life is undoubtedly subjective. As a single person at my age, I often find it amusing when married people question why I’m still unmarried. They seem incredulous that I could be happy and content living this way. Many dismiss the idea of singlehood because they believe that marriage is the pinnacle of happiness and that having children is a safeguard for old age. I find these arguments rather absurd. Why is it assumed that being single equates to unhappiness or discontent? The Apostle Paul lived a fulfilling life without being married, didn’t he? If marriage is truly the happiest path, then why is the divorce rate on the rise? Why do we see so many instances of parental abandonment? Why are homes for the elderly so overcrowded if we are led to believe that our children will care for us as we age?
My point is that the meaning of life is about knowing where you’re headed and understanding your purpose. Without this essential knowledge, finding peace and fulfillment becomes elusive. The true meaning of life lies in your hands, not in what society tells you to pursue. While we may encounter both solicited and unsolicited advice regarding life's meaning, it’s crucial to embrace what genuinely brings us joy, regardless of societal expectations. Life is too short to deny ourselves the happiness we seek, irrespective of whether it aligns with the mainstream. Just a thought.
My point is that the meaning of life is about knowing where you’re headed and understanding your purpose. Without this essential knowledge, finding peace and fulfillment becomes elusive. The true meaning of life lies in your hands, not in what society tells you to pursue. While we may encounter both solicited and unsolicited advice regarding life's meaning, it’s crucial to embrace what genuinely brings us joy, regardless of societal expectations. Life is too short to deny ourselves the happiness we seek, irrespective of whether it aligns with the mainstream. Just a thought.
Heyo
Veteran Member
The meaning of life, the universe, and everything is forty-two.
How did I get there? I read the Hitch-hiker's Guide and thought about that answer. At first glance, it seems to be a nonsensical answer, but when I thought about it, I realized that it was a nonsensical question, so the answer fits.
Observation.
That's probably true of everything, really - we learn everything we learn (well, almost everything) through observation.
And through observation, it became obvious to me there was no answer to that question. After that, I became disinterested in asking it and consider it to be the wrong question. The better question to ask is what gives your life meaning and value. Don't try and proclaim universals (there are none to be had) just ask yourself what makes the good life for you, then do those things to be happy and content.
That's probably true of everything, really - we learn everything we learn (well, almost everything) through observation.
And through observation, it became obvious to me there was no answer to that question. After that, I became disinterested in asking it and consider it to be the wrong question. The better question to ask is what gives your life meaning and value. Don't try and proclaim universals (there are none to be had) just ask yourself what makes the good life for you, then do those things to be happy and content.
Wherenextcolumbus
Well-Known Member
Beyond evolutionary instincts which can vary based on genetics and environmental factors / experiences, I believe you find your own meaning in life.
Matrinarc was introduced to the Jehovah witnesses through her first husband. Patrinarc was raised as JW as well as my ex-step father. So the general over view was that I was taught to believe that humans were created in gods image and that we are supposed to worship and please god by following certain rules.
However, I had a different idea when I was about 10 years old, I openly said I believe that animals are better than people because they only take what they need while we are greedy and I was shut down by my step father who became angry with me and said that is not true as god made us in his image - superior over all other creatures.
Now that I’m older I realise from early I was very different from several of my family members, personality & perspective wise.
When I was a teen I dabbled with the idea of god & became more interested in the JW church and then when I found out they covered up child sexual abuse reports, I completely turned against it. I also realised that their material was manipulative in that they set it out in a way so that you give the answers that they want you to give.
Eventually I became atheist and now I find meaning in the work that I do, family/friends, entertainment, travel etc just living really
PureX
Veteran Member
I don't know what the phrase "the meaning of life" means. Is it referring to the purpose of our existence? Is it referring to how we feel about being alive and semi-cognizant? Is it referring to our place in the "grand scheme" of things? Is it referring to something else? Is it even a question? I just don't know.
I don't really ever ask myself what "the meaning of life" is. I do wonder what the purpose of existence is. But of course I have no answer for that. So I can have no answer for what my place in it might be. Instead, I tend to look at the mystery of it all as the gift, itself. Because it's in our not knowing that we become free to speculate, and to choose whatever answers we would hope the answer to be. And we can use this as our life-guide. And in that way we get to create the "meaning" that we want for ourselves. And become the people we would most like to become.
I don't really ever ask myself what "the meaning of life" is. I do wonder what the purpose of existence is. But of course I have no answer for that. So I can have no answer for what my place in it might be. Instead, I tend to look at the mystery of it all as the gift, itself. Because it's in our not knowing that we become free to speculate, and to choose whatever answers we would hope the answer to be. And we can use this as our life-guide. And in that way we get to create the "meaning" that we want for ourselves. And become the people we would most like to become.
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GoodAttention
Well-Known Member
The meaning of life is to have a limited experience.
How did you arrive at this conclusion?
Truthseeker
Non-debating member when I can help myself
There was a movie called "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" when I was young but I forget how it goes.
I love that one!
I watched a few different versions recently.
How did you arrive at this conclusion?
Kathryn
It was on fire when I laid down on it.
Trial and error. Lots of it.
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Truthseeker
Non-debating member when I can help myself
The critics hated the second one, and I think that was the one I saw, though not sure. Just goes to show, don't necessarily go by what critics say.
I stopped searching for profound answers decades ago. I came to tentative conclusions which have been refined in minor ways since, but in the main, what I thought about such matters hasn't changed for a long time. The answers I came to satisfy me and work for me, so I have no need for more answers or to revise my present opinions.
I really don't understand this endless searching people do or talk about doing. It sounds to me like looking for your keys for ten years. Doing more of the same will be just as unproductive as it has been. If you haven't found what you're looking for after years of searching whether that be for your keys or the meaning of life, you won't unless life unexpectedly teaches you a lesson, and you won't find that searching. It might find you or maybe not, but you won't find it looking for it. If you ever find those keys, it will be by accident, not from another few hours of looking in drawers and sofa cushions.
So, for example, I'm not looking for gods anymore or giving them any thought. When I write on the matter here, they're ideas I've long held. Why? Because such considerations stopped yielding useful results long ago, and I've come to accept that such questions will never be answered and need not be answered.
And that reminds me of a song about those who haven't found what they're looking for. This is our old band covering this iconic song:
I have climbed highest mountains
I have run through the fields ...
I have run, I have crawled
I have scaled these city walls ...
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for.
I have kissed honey lips
Felt the healing in her fingertips
It burned like fire
This burning desire
I have spoke with the tongue of angels
I have held the hand of a devil
It was warm in the night
I was cold as a stone
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
We Never Know
No Slack
Monty Python knew
PearlSeeker
Well-Known Member
How? By finding something meaningful to do or experience, building meaningful relationships and finding a positive attitude.
Still on journey? Yes. Every period of life brings new challenges.