A major question that anyone should think about is whether our existence works according to a paranormally unchallengeable norm; because of a supernatural reason, that is. A great many of us, however, do not see the real, exact, precise, particular, thorough, methodical and comprehensive principle/meaning of life. In your opinion, what can this principle or meaning be?
Once again, to Professor Nelson Orringer, friend and colleague, with much admiration, for the question and discussion thread on the notion of ”human life as a journey!”
Dear Marwan,
Let me rephrase your phrase ”human life as a journey!” as ”human life as time!". General understanding is that time is precious. If it is precious, we should use it to do what we want. Naturally, if one believes that there is a supernatural existence, therefore, one should consciously work according to paranormally unchallengeable norms as revealed in scriptures. Even if a person who does not believe in supernatural existence, even that person has to follow minimum norms and ethics to maintain order in the society. However, neuroscientific studies have proved that free-will is an illusion. Attribute it either to our evolution or to norms imposed by supernatural existence.
“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” ― Mae West
Sure thing, dear Mahmoud. Life is a short sojourn that begins with birth and ends with death!
Dear Marwan,
Let me rephrase your phrase ”human life as a journey!” as ”human life as time!". General understanding is that time is precious. If it is precious, we should use it to do what we want. Naturally, if one believes that there is a supernatural existence, therefore, one should consciously work according to paranormally unchallengeable norms as revealed in scriptures. Even if a person who does not believe in supernatural existence, even that person has to follow minimum norms and ethics to maintain order in the society. However, neuroscientific studies have proved that free-will is an illusion. Attribute it either to our evolution or to norms imposed by supernatural existence.
Life isn’t about getting and having, it’s about giving and being. –Kevin Kruse
http://kevinkruse.com/
"What is Life? appears together with Mind and Matter, his essay investigating a relationship which has eluded and puzzled philosophers since the earliest times." It is famous Nobel laureate Erwin Schrödinger's What is Life?, one of the great science classics of the twentieth century.
http://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2013/feb/07/wonders-life-physicist-revolution-biology
Why all this diversity in life expressions and visions?
Someone asked me recently: What is an ant or a fly good for? Why do these life forms exist, also from a spiritual point of view?
Why do people claiming they have paranormal/spiritual experiences ridiculed or considered as fools? What is unconsciousness good for?
Dear @Marcel, Our Unconscious Brain Makes the Best Decisions Possible is fine article, very good one actually!
http://www.rochester.edu/news/show.php?id=3295
What is the purpose of life?
“I cannot believe that the purpose of life is to be happy. I think the purpose of life is to be useful, to be responsible, to be compassionate. It is, above all to matter, to count, to stand for something, to have made some difference that you lived at all..”
― Leo Rosten
Another quot about the purpose of life:
“In the beginning, God created the earth, and he looked upon it in his cosmic loneliness.
And God said, "Let Us make living creatures out of mud, so the mud can see what We have done." And God created every living creature that now moveth, and one was man. Mud as man alone could speak. God leaned close to mud as man sat, looked around, and spoke. "What is the purpose of all this?" he asked politely.
"Everything must have a purpose?" asked God.
"Certainly," said man.
"Then I leave it to you to think of one for all this," said God.
And He went away.”
― Kurt Vonnegut
What is the meaning of existence? We are in the middle of billions and billions of stars. It's like being a grain of sand on an endless beach. How many Gods are there? One God for planet Earth only? Other Gods for other systems/ galaxies/ continents of galaxies....?
LIFE IS _______
What word do you think goes in that blank? Life is what?
Let's look at some of the different options that philosophers and smart people have said.
LIFE IS TIME
Some say life is time. Life is all about time. The definition of life is the time between when you're born and when you die. So the literal meaning of life is time.
So if life is time, the way to have a good life is to use time wisely.
Please refer to the following link:
http://sivers.org/ml
Dear Ljubomir, Arno and Marcel and Mahmoud,
I'll keep life as treasure (though short). The Observer and the observed summerizes it all. There is only ONE indivisible God to run ONE system (not systems), otherwise the different systems will destruct the Universe.
And God said, "Let Us make living creatures out of mud, so the mud can see what We have done." And God created every living creature that now moveth, and one was man. "
“The scientist does not study nature because it is useful to do so. He studies it because he takes pleasure in it, and he takes pleasure in it because it is beautiful. If nature were not beautiful it would not be worth knowing, and life would not be worth living. I am not speaking, of course, of the beauty which strikes the senses, of the beauty of qualities and appearances. I am far from despising this, but it has nothing to do with science. What I mean is that more intimate beauty which comes from the harmonious order of its parts, and which a pure intelligence can grasp.” ― Henri Poincaré, Science and Method
http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/meaning-of-life
Life can be
The way you control and experience all these things through your life will define your existence.
@MMO
Oh its a deep question. It can only be answered by very few who have given a very serious thought on " life?" Still, You may get views/ideas/suggestions/explanations but not perfect answers.
Since last 15 years I am also searching answers to some questions viz 1 who are we? 2. why have we come here? 3 What is the main purpose of our existence? 4. Are not we living a life of a cow / buffalo? 5. If we are created bye ONE then why we destroy each other?
I have met a number of distinguished people from almost all religions, But no one gave me a clear and satisfying answer to each of my questions. I consulted sacred books of different religions but of no help.
I have realized that no one tells you such things. You have to find out your own ways and means and get proper satisfying explanations to your views/thoughts/questions and first and foremost THE HIDDEN powers of this human body, which we are not aware-off. I am told that if you know the ONESELF you will get all answers automatically (????)
Life functions on the principle of reward and punishment: when you do things you are supposed to do you experience pleasure, and when you do things you are not supposed to do you experience pain and suffering. For example: if you drink fresh clean water you will experience pleasurable quenching of thirst, but if you drink seawater you will experience discomfort. The rules of physics govern which animal and human actions should be pleasurable and which painful. 'God' in my view has a material form and that material form is food. Even Mahatma Gandhi said this:
“There are people in the world so hungry, that God cannot appear to them except in the form of bread.”
Dear Ravi,
Very subtle answer! But I see great difference between the purpose and meaning of life. From a religious standpoint, we're created to worship and know that there is ONE Creator/Maker and that this Creator has made life work according to a paranormally unchangeable norm; because of a supernatural reason beyond the scope of mundane sense. A great many of us, however, do not see the real, exact, precise, particular, thorough, methodical and comprehensive principle/meaning of life because our senses are limited by the very limitation of human knowledge!
I think there is no need to know the hidden meaning. The beauty is in the nature and within us. If you are sometimes resonant with it you have no need to know the main reason, the right order or any other artefact created by our minds.
Dear Marwan,
Thanks for liking my views. I am told is that (about PURPOSE:) we are sent here to do Select KARMA and reproduce and increase the human race. And as far as the meaning of life is concerned, it is to know inner-self. Some saints advised me to read Srimad Bhagavad Gita (www.bhagavad-gita.org/index-english.html)
) to get all my answers. But it is not easy to understand the hidden meaning in each of the verses. May be my mental/knowledge level is not up-to the mark. I read again and again until i get the hidden meaning (but no one is there to confrm my meaning).
I also believe that ”human life is a journey through a big drama stage. I am told that I have to have a GURU then the proper attainment can be achieved.
Well I am a fresh student of this domain of knowledge. I do not know, how far, i will be able to go in this life.
In the mean time, with all the killing we see on TVs, life has no meaning....
Wow! what is the meaning of life? Well all that i know is that we are not existing by chance. There has never been anybody like you and there will never be anyone like you. Even our finger prints testifies that.
The truth is, life is fulfilling when you know deep within you that you have satisfied your purpose of existence in this world.
How do we know the purpose of our existence in this world? We all are part of God's big plan. Its like fixing the picture puzzle. We are all piece of each puzzle and we all have a particular place to fit. when you miss you rightful place, life become meaningless to oneself. How do we find our rightful place? By asking the one who brought you into this world in the first place. Look at what God said to Jeremiah at Jeremiah 1: 5-"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.
You have also been appointed by God almighty. Seek your purpose of existence while you can and you will know the meaning of life and why you are alive at this particular time and you will know why you were not born in the past or the future to come.
Jesus, The Son of God said and I believe that- “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Even if you don't believe this, Just asked God, If you exist show me or reveal yourself unto me and He is a loving God who will certainly show you the way and even more.
Dear Ravi and All,
As you suggest: Let us "read again and again until we get the hidden meaning of life."
Dear Marwan,
Let me provide some meaning to LIFE by way of acronym and abbreviation:
Life means Life Is For Everyone (You can think of other possibilities/ meanings such as Living in a Finite Environment, Love Is For Everyone, etc., too)
Life also stands for Loyalty, Integrity, Fairness, and Empathy. These are crucial ingredients to leading an ethically-sound life, but it’s good to be reminded. And if life has not taught you these lessons yet, those around you can only hope that it eventually will. As you can see each of the letters in “LIFE” stands for a word that should play a crucial role in our moral reasoning.
The purpose of life is to facilitate the continuous process of evolution of the organism eventually leading to salvation or nirvan or moksha which is the goal of the human life. This may take many lives to achieve. Starting from cell which is the fundamental unit of life, which over several life times may grow into bacteria which following similar process may grow into insect then fish then bird, animal and eventually monkey and then into a savage man who over a several life time may get transformed into a saint who after a several life times may succeed in having a vision of God and then himself become an angel who may have to be reborn many times on earth and lead the humanity towards its goal and then if he is lucky enough may get his own salvation which is the union with God.
I have sarted from the cell because if I go lower than that, the scientists will raise their eyebrows. Some scientists believe viruses have life, some believe they don't. I believe they have life but do not have consciousness. Life and consciousness are not the same thing. Cell and above have both life and consciousness. As the life form evolves, it manifests more and more of this consciousness and eventually the mind of a saint finds itself swimming in the ocean of consciousness without limit. Below the viruses are self replicating molecules, atoms and fundamental particles of physics all of them have life but no consciousness. Scientists do not know from where these particles emerge. In my judgement they emerge from the ocean of limitless consciousness. So the entire universe arises from this limitless consciousness and returns back to this limitless consciousness. What is the driving force? Driving force is the joy and bliss assciated with the consciousness which is the goal of the human life. Joy and bliss of the illumined person is far superior to anything known to the carnal man. It is permanent and everlasting.
Meaning of life can be a different expactations of time, place and reality which every human being constructs. Nobody can really say how universe started and it is not clear if any other life exists elsewhere. When you would define life it is necessary that there is a beginning and an end. Reproduction and a form of energy is important to survive, but there are also machines which have different recourses of energy and may be intelligent enough to build new ones (reproduction) and able to learn. Solving problems is an indicator of living. Every form of intelligence should be able to solve problems and to survive in real environmental factors. So you have to decide what form or type of life you mean, organic life or computer/machinery life, both are able to create their one reality, have abilities of reproduction and solving problems. Time and place are methods for us to make things real, but what would happen in a world without time and place. Life in such a world is different to here but you cannot say that it is not possible to survive and exist there. Thoughts are also without time and place but the subject who has thoughts is alive.
What a profound question! Recently, one of India's famous diplomats, K Natwar Singh, published his autobiography by the title ONE LIFE IS NOT ENOUGH. Perhaps, one RG will not be enough to find an answer - yet every answer will lead to it.
According to the Bhagwad Gita, a holy scripture for Hindus, the meaning of life is to discover our real state of being - a state in which neither sorrow nor joy affects our mind; a state in which we see the whole world and the occurrences around us as though we are a drop of water on the leaf of the lotus, in it but yet not stuck to it; a state in which neither we seek nor we renounce. (extracted from Chapter 9 & XIII)
Buddhism would tell us that the real meaning of life is discovered when we renounce all our desires, for it the desire that is the source of all misery as well as happiness.
The Koran Sharif proclaims "The most honored of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you." [Surah 49: Al-Hujurat: 13], indicating that the meaning of life is to live righteously and in full faith of His abundant benevolence.
In the Holy Bible, it is said: "A lawyer asked him a question, testing him: 'Teacher, which is the most important commandment?' And He said to him,... 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these'" (Mark 12:28-31).
Paulo Coelho would say: To live is to experience things, not sit around pondering the meaning of life". (Well....I didn't. Coelho said this)
Khalil Gibran says: "Vain are the beliefs and teachings that make man miserable, and false is the goodness that leads him into sorrow and despair, for it is man's purpose to be happy on this earth and lead the way to felicity and preach its gospel wherever he goes. He who does not see the kingdom of heaven in this life will never see it in the coming life."
Martin Luther King says: "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."
Now, my dear Marwan and friends, it is upto us what meaning we want to give our life. Have a great day!!
The meaning of life is a philosophical question concerning the significance of life or existence in general.
• In Platonism, the meaning of life is in attaining the highest form of knowledge, which is the Idea (Form) of the Good, from which all good and just things derive utility and value.
Aristotelianism
• Every skill and every inquiry, and similarly, every action and choice of action, is thought to have some good as its object. This is why the good has rightly been defined as the object of all endeavor [...] Everything is done with a goal, and that goal is "good".
—Nicomachean Ethics 1.1
Cynicism
• Antisthenes, a pupil of Socrates, first outlined the themes of Cynicism, stating that the purpose of life is living a life of Virtue which agrees with Nature. Happiness depends upon being self-sufficient and master of one's mental attitude; suffering is the consequence of false judgments of value, which cause negative emotions and a concomitant vicious character.
In general every philosophical school and every religious have their own approach to the meaning of life!
One might say that there are as many conceptions of the meaning of life as there are people.
For me the meaning of life is obeying to the grand master! This grand master is "gene".
Gene control us using pleasure! You eat a good food a feel happy! It is not for you, it is for the survive of genes. You make love and feel very nice! It is not for you it is for the reproduction of genes!. When you have children and grandchildren you feel hapy. This is because you fulfilled your gene objective! You can think and continuo this line of thought.
To make a very long story short, dear Srinivasan, Costas, Marcel, Miriam, Abedallah , Roland, Vikram, Mohammad, Mahmoud and the rest of you my friends, the meaning of life is to live righteously and virtuously!
Dear Marwan and friends,
German metaphysician-sociologist Georg Simmel modified formulas of Nietzsche when he defined life as "more-life" ("Mehr-Leben") and as more-than-life ("Mehr-als-Leben"). By this he meant that it is the meaning of life to increase itself (more-life), but this self-affirmation signifies devotion to lofty goals lying outside oneself (more-than-life). A good example is the present question. Marwan generously derives this question from one of mine (lying outside the present thread), yet he absorbs and surmounts my thread into a superior one of his own!
(See G. Simmel, Lebensanschauung).
Thanks ever so much my friend nelson. My gratitude remains profuse for the over kind words! Your very informative response is a superior example in and of itself-- an example of most refined scholarship!
And we'll keep searching indefinitely, dear Roland . I too appreciate your honesty of soul and sincerity of thought!
Keep on searching on the meaning of life! Life is searching itself! "Life is too short not to work on the things you love."
http://talkaboutyourfuture.org/the-meaning-of-life/
Thank you for the meaningful Answer/Doubt and for sharing it with all of us here on RG, dear Francesca. And we'll keep searching for the meaning of life, dear Lijubomir!
Thanks for the short (but very informative) response my dear Kamal. Life is living rightly in every possible human way! Righteousness, in all we do and say and think about, is the key word!
By no means, my dear Kamal and Francesca, we are talking about death-in-life!
Well appreciated posted significant question: "What is the meaning of life?" This question invites us all to pause for a while and reexamine our self existence. The meaning of life is contextual. I agree with all the shared thoughts on what is life.
I agree with Dr. Kamal saying that living without purpose or living to harm others in any way is not a life; it is a death in another form. It's a living dead because there is no awareness of existence. This is similar to the philosophy of Socrates and Jean Paul Satere. According to Socrates "unexamined life is not worth living." Jean Paul Satere states the awareness of the purpose why human being exists. Personally life means happiness.
Best regards Marwan M. Obeidat, Kamal Eddin Bani-Hani, and all RG colleagues. Best wishes and God bless us all.
The question "What is life?" may be difficult or even without a definite meaning. How to live is another practical question. For the Ancient Greeks there are two basic canons:
• ΓΝΩΘΙ ΣΑΥΤΟΝ (Know yourself)
• ΜΗΔΕΝ ΑΓΑΝ (nothing in excess)
Well-put, dear Costas and Florencia! Know yourself; nothing in excess. Everything in moderation!
Human life can be also related to morality. Remember that humans make moral judgments and moral choices. That is to say "only humans have morality, not animals".
Sure, dear Mahmoud, including righteousness as well in addition to morality!
Life only comes once, and it is good that we are born as humans, we must be advanced but be simple, friendly and kind to other, since when this journey end nobody knows, we must also do good deeds and enjoy some time also. Next life is not seen and so do all the best and treat others nicely.
Also life need to be taken as broad-minded way, and not in a narrow minded vision. If we stop small quarrels, conflicts and crimes as well - all can be happy: no war, no cunningness,liberal thoughts and freedom of life - with peace and responsibility. Life is precious gift to us and we need to enjoy and be happy and make others be happy too.
Life is a song - sing it.
Life is a game - play it.
Life is a challenge - meet it.
Life is a dream - realize it.
Life is a sacrifice - offer it.
Life is love - enjoy it.
Sai Baba
Life is a dream for the wise, a game for the fool, a comedy for the rich, a tragedy for the poor.
Sholom Aleichem
Great answer, dear Roland. But how? How can we add meaning to life? That's the point! To be or not to be, to use Shakespeare?!
To change the mood let me submit the following poem by Pranjal Bagadiya. Enjoy!:
What Is Life?
People say life is but a race!
Where everybody yearns to find a place.
But ask for a while my dear mate:
Where is my inner soul's trace?
Which will bring me the grace;
When end comes face to face.
Right is the time my dearest mate,
To ponder on this very case.
So put a brake & control your pace...
For time & tide cannot wait.
Halt! Halt my mate for God's sake!
And give up this fruitless chase.
Put thou efforts for few coming days
To strengthen your bond with Almighty,
so great!
And look thyself for your name:
World is honouring you all fame.
Isn't this GREAT? Go for it.....
Source:
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/what-is-life-97/
"The meaning of life is to give life meaning." That is a great statement, Roland, for which I congratulate you. I think it means that you add a truth, a virtue, or a piece of beauty to the world that was not there before you came long. Author derives from Latin "auctor," someone who adds.
Dear Mahmoud, Roland and Nelson,
Thanks for pitching in these great ideas as usual! Some think that life is what we make it to be! Is this true?
Those norms imposed by supernatural existence is what shapes the meaning of our life, dear Mohammad!
There is no a unique "meaning of life". everybody has its own meaning. What is important however is living a life! The method is a journey with many ups and many downs. Keep the zone that includes the ups and downs not to big, so that when you are in a down point to have the strengths to stand up and go forward.
Yes, dear Costas and Ruchi, life itself lies beyond any possible meaning. And there is a major difference between living and existing!
"Existence is necessary, but not sufficient for life." I cannot agree more, dear Roland. This is absolutely true!
Thanks for the link, dear Roland. Still some people think that life is living healthy, others think it is becoming rich, others think it is having good children, others believe it is having good education, others having a house, others think it all lies in the peace of the mind, others still think it is having a good friend, a good job, a good car, a beautiful wife!!!!! Where doe life happen to be in all of this?
There is an interesting fiction book: Georges Perec, Life: A User's Manual- (2008)
Dear Francesca,
The meaning of life (among possibly another 1000000 definitions) is to know and help others know righteousness!
My thanks for your understanding that this is a "1'000'000 $ Question by Marwan M. Obeidat" are beyond words!
Cheers!
Sure, dear Francesca, it is all about educating ourselves. Absolutely true!
Dear Francesca,
Your reference to Tenzin Gyatso is really heart warming, with specific reference to Marwan's question. For those of us who may not immediately recollect the name, Tenzin Gyatso (shortened from Jetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso) is the religious name of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, spiritual head of Tibetans and the most prominent, living embodiment of Buddhist spiritual teachings. There is an institute by his name whose website is worth a visit for those who intellectually seek an answer to Marwan's question:
http://www.tenzingyatsoinstitute.org/
It may not give us all the answers, but then many of us do not know all the questions either.
Sitting in air-conditioned offices (presumably); being assured of some regular monthly income and something stashed away for the twilight years; having children who may actually drop-in to say hello when we may not be so well disposed; amidst a carefully cultivated circle of friends where each would complement to the finer sensibilities of one another; in our own native place; having a roof above our head beneath which we may dine & wine with like minded company - talking about the meaning of life is certainly different.
But consider this: You are the spiritual head of millions and live, pray and do your everything for the up-liftment of those who implicitly trust you; one fine day, your neighbor decides that he actually is the master of your land and its people and deceptively lays a trap to take you into custody; trusted aides forewarn you and sacrificing their life by the dozen, transport you across the most challenging landscape in the world; the country into which you enter has uneasy relationship with the neighbor and by giving you asylum enters permanently into an embittered relationship; you live in exile and travel the world at the mercy of the political powers and their whims and fancies of the moment; millions visit you and regard you as their living god - they still have implicit faith that you will lead them to liberation and salvation. Will you be able to fulfill the destiny that their dreams seek? When such is your life, the meaning of life is bound to be different from what others perceive.
I do hope dear Marwan would bear with me for taking up so much of space. Have a great day.
For your very invaluable responses, dear Srinivasan and Francesca, my gratitude remains profuse! HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!
“Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it.”
― Mother Teresa
Wonderful, I love her quotes! Life is love, what is life without love?
True, dear Ljubomir! Life is compassion, honor, pride, love, friendship and endurance!
Dear All,
From a philosophical standpoint, it seems difficult to say what life is and yet, because of its complexity, what it is not! I'm attaching an article that describes life from a biological standpoint!
http://www.panspermia.org/whatis2.htm
The meanings we believe life to have are 'culturally and individually diverse'. They may be imposed through hegemony; religious or secular, benign or malign; or identified through deliberate choice, where this is available. The range is vast and diverse; from straightforward to highly complex. Meaning for one person may entail supporting a football team; for another, climbing higher and higher mountains; for another, being a parent; for another, being moved by music, poetry, literature, dance or painting; for another the pursuit of truth through philosophy; for another through religious devotions, etc. But characteristic of all these examples is a consciousness that is positively and constructively absorbed, engaged, involved, fascinated, enhanced and fulfilled. I would exclude negative and destructive desires; for example of a brutal dictator who may find torturing others absorbing and engaging and thus meaningful. Such cases would be too perverse and morally repugnant to regard as anything other than pathological.
The meaning of life for individuals may diminish or fade as a consequence of decline or difficult or tragic circumstances. Here it might, sadly, be difficult to see any meaning of life at all. The meaning is also likely to change from one phase of life to another, due to personal development, new interests, contexts, commitments and maturity.
With our arrival on this holy mother earth although it is the result of biological terms but our arrival is a grace & thru our parents we have know the identity of our CASTE,CREED,& RELIGION .
It is also our destiny with our birth we have bought the resulting fruit of our action positive & negative of our previous lives & as we all know that human beings are not equal every where in the world .
For meaning of Life it will not out of place if i submit herewith my publication of similar line for your kind perusal
This is my personal opinion
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