What if someone walked up to you on the street and asked, "What is the meaning of life?" How would you answer.......
Shouldn’t that really be capitalized- “life” I mean? Because living is what we are all about. For some, who don’t believe in a higher power or a “place” like heaven, living is truly all about the here and now. In uncultured civilizations, where rules and regulations and penalties and jail time don’t exist, people allow themselves to follow their own selfish goals. They believe in self-fulfillment here on earth, because this is truly all there is for them. For those who are guided by a higher purpose, as well as by government laws, believe that this life is only a temporary stop on their eternal journey. How they go about living this life determines where they finally come to rest; whether it is a physical state or a state of mind.
So to me, the meaning of life is all about being the most self-actualized (a tip of the hat to uber- shrink Maslow); always striving to be a good person and helping other people. Ultimately it is about living in order to fully live- to meet up with our Creator. If I can capitalize on my talents and strengths and use them for a far greater good than purely for myself, then I am enriching the lives of others. The trick is having balance; making sure that all of that enrichment is spread evenly among my self and others.
So truly for me the meaning of life is all about death. Death of an earthly existence judged for an eternity of life. Could be that we are all here on earth as some very large existential experiment on God’s part to see which way we will respond to that ringing bell in absence of the inevitable meat. What do you think?
Michelle Beckham-Corbin
12/11/06
Copyright Michelle Beckham-Corbin 2010
2 comments:
I believe, as you do, that the meaning of life is self-actualization, though I call it "the meaning of life - to be happy." There is even an organization called The Self-Realization Fellowship, begun by Yogananda in 1925. But I don't believe it has to do with meeting your Creator. We are loved as we are and no judgment is yet to come. We are here to be be happy and when we are, we find ways to help in the world in which we live, not, in my view, to prepare us for judgment. So, I can't see, sorry, that life is about death. Life is about living. Experiencing the most we can in this time on earth. We are not an experiment but a loving expression of God. Hope I didn't sound too intrusive. I apologize if I did. Dr Bob
Dr. Bob,
No apologies necessary; I welcome your thoughts. I was approaching the question from my own religious upbringing which has as its focus the concept of an eternity with God. While stating that 'the real meaning of life is death' seems to be very abrupt, I was merely pointing out my own personal beliefs. Diverse opinions just add to a healthy conversation. Thanks for joining in!
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