There is this bigger hole I want to fill. It is not filled after my recent trip volunteering and holidaying. Does it come with money? No, I have built a small fortune but always desire more. Does it come with what makes me happy? Friends? Activities? Holidays? Girls? Running? No, they provide short term relief.
Many have pondered about the meaning of life. Philosophers from Plato to Confucius have asked this question. It is a common question that is considered in religion, science, and life. There is no absolute answer to the question of the meaning of life besides God, and the subjective answer varies from person to person. Each individual creates their own subjective meaning in life, while refusing to let the human condition restrain them and recognising that life is absurd. The subjective meaning guides what you do with the life you have. However, pondering too much about meaning may lead to sadness and deprive yourself of the joy of life.
Emptiness can be positive or negative. In fact, eastern cultures believe that the true nature of the self and of the universe is sometimes identified as “emptiness” or “nothingness”. The realisation of the emptiness of inherent existence (through factors including the fear of death, the essential aloneness of the individual, and uncertainty about God, truth, or life) is believed to be key to the permanent cessation of suffering and it brings great joy.
I think that what people are seeking is not the meaning of life, but the experience of being alive. Isn't this the point of living?
"The purpose of life is to live it (verb)" so said Eleanor Roosevelt, "to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience". This is the feeling of being alive. Immersion. Truly living. Experiencing the golden rays of sunlight on my skin, fresh air in my lungs, blood pumping in my veins, sharing my life with people and the world.
Find out what the cause of your meaningless is (1). Consider what will make you look back with pride and look forward with peace, what makes you happy and what you are passionate about.
My main purpose to enjoy life. While pleasure may be an illusion and pointless, at least I like it. Futhermore, I endeavour to be fit and healthy and make a positive impact. My views are a collection of the opinions on the meaning of life.
Without God or a spiritual realm there is no real meaning. Nothing means anything. Your desires become just goals. I might reach a goal and then there's the next goal. Even if I achieve a big goal, it's meaningless. What is the point and what is there to look forward to? Without God, there's nothing. However at the same time, no-one truly knows if God exists.
Even though life may be meaningless, it doesn't make it any less enjoyable. Food is still fun to eat. Friends are still fun to laugh with. Love is just as attractive.
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Science says it is through pleasure, satisfaction, engagement, and contribution; replication of DNA and survival of one’s genes; origins and fate of the universe; consciousness and the mind.
Popular views say it is to realise one’s potential and ideals and accomplishments; to achieve biological perfection; to seek wisdom and knowledge; to do good and the right thing; to attain spiritual enlightenment; to love, feel and enjoy the act of living; to have power, riches, fame and be better; life has no meaning; one should not seek to know and understand the meaning of life; life is bad.
I think there is no point stressing out about the concerns of life. Instead, we should appreciate life. Rockefeller summed up the meaning of his life in these words, which I believe to be very apt -
I was early taught to work as well as play,
My life has been one long, happy holiday;
Full of work and full of play-
I dropped the worry on the way-
And God was good to me everyday.
* - August 2011, March 2013, November 2012, July 2013
Walking along the beach or sitting by the river under the sun or having a beautiful girl doesn't cure things*. Going to the beach and talking to an attractive girl temporarily released me from my existential concerns*. They might make things better in the present moment but the overarching big question remains.
There is this lingering emptiness that has nothing to do with loneliness*. I'm dying inside and wrecked from work, numb to the outside world. I don't feel happy or sad and this can be either positive or negative*.
There is this lingering emptiness that has nothing to do with loneliness*. I'm dying inside and wrecked from work, numb to the outside world. I don't feel happy or sad and this can be either positive or negative*.
The joys in life and my goals might make me happy. But they are not my love or passion. I don't feel a burning desire for them. To me, everything is meaningless. Generations come and generations go. Wealth, power, fame and influence don’t deliver lasting satisfaction or meaning in life. What do people gain from all their labours at which they toil under the sun?
I wonder what to do with my life and I want to do something that makes a big impact, but I know that nothing will (1). It is impossible to make a long term difference. Even if I build a $1 billion company, it is meaningless and insignificant in the broader scheme of things. Who will remember it in 1,000 years time? If I win a major sporting championship or write a chart topping song, who will remember it?
My life is good but I don't have something I am passionate about. I know it is not through work. What do I visualise for my future? I think it might be to travel to the remotest places in the world with a beautiful partner by my side and a business that provides continuous positive impact, but it might not be.
I am sick of my existential concerns and I may have just found the answer*.
'"You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of. You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life." - Albert Camus
My life is good but I don't have something I am passionate about. I know it is not through work. What do I visualise for my future? I think it might be to travel to the remotest places in the world with a beautiful partner by my side and a business that provides continuous positive impact, but it might not be.
I am sick of my existential concerns and I may have just found the answer*.
'"You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of. You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life." - Albert Camus
Many have pondered about the meaning of life. Philosophers from Plato to Confucius have asked this question. It is a common question that is considered in religion, science, and life. There is no absolute answer to the question of the meaning of life besides God, and the subjective answer varies from person to person. Each individual creates their own subjective meaning in life, while refusing to let the human condition restrain them and recognising that life is absurd. The subjective meaning guides what you do with the life you have. However, pondering too much about meaning may lead to sadness and deprive yourself of the joy of life.
Emptiness can be positive or negative. In fact, eastern cultures believe that the true nature of the self and of the universe is sometimes identified as “emptiness” or “nothingness”. The realisation of the emptiness of inherent existence (through factors including the fear of death, the essential aloneness of the individual, and uncertainty about God, truth, or life) is believed to be key to the permanent cessation of suffering and it brings great joy.
I think that what people are seeking is not the meaning of life, but the experience of being alive. Isn't this the point of living?
"The purpose of life is to live it (verb)" so said Eleanor Roosevelt, "to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience". This is the feeling of being alive. Immersion. Truly living. Experiencing the golden rays of sunlight on my skin, fresh air in my lungs, blood pumping in my veins, sharing my life with people and the world.
Find out what the cause of your meaningless is (1). Consider what will make you look back with pride and look forward with peace, what makes you happy and what you are passionate about.
My main purpose to enjoy life. While pleasure may be an illusion and pointless, at least I like it. Futhermore, I endeavour to be fit and healthy and make a positive impact. My views are a collection of the opinions on the meaning of life.
Without God or a spiritual realm there is no real meaning. Nothing means anything. Your desires become just goals. I might reach a goal and then there's the next goal. Even if I achieve a big goal, it's meaningless. What is the point and what is there to look forward to? Without God, there's nothing. However at the same time, no-one truly knows if God exists.
Even though life may be meaningless, it doesn't make it any less enjoyable. Food is still fun to eat. Friends are still fun to laugh with. Love is just as attractive.
--------------------------------------------------
Philosophers say it is through attaining the highest form of knowledge and doing good; achieving the highest good of happiness; living a life of virtue agreeing with nature; hedonist pleasures; modest pleasures; virtue and reason; being free from suffering; individual liberty; moral obligation; greatest happiness to the greatest number of people; no meaning; practical experience; one’s free will; one cannot find meaning; personal fulfillment; engaging with life; social connections and communication; the common good for all; the experience to the person; the question itself is nonsensical; underlying construction of language and structure; fulfillment of human instincts; care for nature and the environment; universal impartial love; ordinary human existence with education and relationships; practical knowledge.
Religions say it is through elevating life and serving God; good thoughts, words and deeds; believing, glorifying and loving God; worshiping and obeying God; spiritual growth and service to humanity; release of the cycle of rebirth and serving God; self-discipline; detaching oneself from cravings and attachments; meditating on God and learning; self cultivation and self realization; valuing and celebrating life; creating happiness for oneself and others.
Science says it is through pleasure, satisfaction, engagement, and contribution; replication of DNA and survival of one’s genes; origins and fate of the universe; consciousness and the mind.
Popular views say it is to realise one’s potential and ideals and accomplishments; to achieve biological perfection; to seek wisdom and knowledge; to do good and the right thing; to attain spiritual enlightenment; to love, feel and enjoy the act of living; to have power, riches, fame and be better; life has no meaning; one should not seek to know and understand the meaning of life; life is bad.
I think there is no point stressing out about the concerns of life. Instead, we should appreciate life. Rockefeller summed up the meaning of his life in these words, which I believe to be very apt -
I was early taught to work as well as play,
My life has been one long, happy holiday;
Full of work and full of play-
I dropped the worry on the way-
And God was good to me everyday.
* - August 2011, March 2013, November 2012, July 2013
1 comment:
Read some good literature.
Enjoy a good meal with friends.
Trade some pairs.
Get drunk.
Get a girlfriend and fall in love?
Stop being a biatch.
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