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Life is extremely complex and multifaceted. It is made up of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual components, all of which interact and contribute to the overall experience. Life has an evolutionary purpose, but some argue life’s purpose is linked to our relationship with a higher power. Life matters because it is part of a larger chain of existence, of which all living things are a part.
When we look at life from different angles, we can gain a better understanding of its purpose and what it means to live with meaning. In general, experts agree that the meaning of life lies in the pursuit of human flourishing through communication, understanding, and service, such as better health and wellness. Also, feeling a sense of belonging and serving something bigger than ourselves is often seen as the key to meaningful life experiences.
Objective Meaning of Life
From an objective perspective, life has no intrinsic meaning or purpose. Existential nihilism is a philosophical theory that holds that life has no intrinsic meaning or value. This concept, first proposed by the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, states that life is ultimately meaningless and that human existence serves no real purpose. This belief leaves us without a higher power or bigger plans to rely on for comfort.
The ending will be accompanied by great laughter, as we will realize that there is a punchline called life on Earth – life doesn’t matter!
While nihilism can be a depressing view, it also encourages us to take personal responsibility for our own lives, since no external force dictates how we should live. Ultimately, nihilism can be seen as an opportunity for self-determination and freedom. We can give our lives meaning by living with purpose and striving to achieve spiritual self-sufficiency (eudaimonia). This provides us with values, a reason to live a certain way, and limited meaning and comfort in a universe in which we are always haunted by the mystery of our existence. So while life doesn’t necessarily have any universal meaning or purpose, we can still find our own personal sense of fulfillment.
Subjective Meaning of Life
The idea is that the meaning of life is entirely up to us; it cannot be determined by anyone else. We have different interpretations of a meaningful life, ranging from pursuing our own goals and dreams to living according to spiritual or religious beliefs. Ultimately, we decide what gives our life meaning and purpose, which can be achieved by engaging in activities that bring joy to others and noticing how they affect the world around us.
Subjectivists reject the notion that there can be objective value in things or one life we should aspire to. Life is an illusion, a concept that has been articulated by many scientists and thinkers throughout history. Albert Einstein famously said that reality is only an illusion. However, it is a very persistent illusion, which means that the way we perceive the world is not necessarily what it actually is. At the quantum level, this has been confirmed by a recent set of experiments showing that two objects can have the same shade of gray despite their apparent differences. This only goes to show that life is simply an illusion we create.
Pursuing Learning
Lifelong learning is a self-initiated form of education that focuses on personal development and is an often overlooked pathway to happiness. Research shows that the more we learn, the higher our self-worth and life satisfaction. Lifelong learners are those who pursue education beyond the requirements of formal schooling or corporate training.
Learning can also come in the form of a crisis—it occurs when there is a sudden and profound shift in our sense of reality, values, and beliefs. It is often the result of a spiritual awakening in which our habitual ego-based and outdated worldview collapses, opening up a new understanding. Along the way, we experience strong emotional and behavioral changes as we experience shifts in our identities and belief systems.
Pursuing learning is an important part of living a fulfilling and multidimensional life. Some Eastern religions, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, accept reincarnation as our soul’s way of learning. Reincarnation is a concept that has been around for thousands of years, yet it remains a controversial topic. Findings from scientists studying the topic suggest that there may be some truth behind the idea of reincarnation, as many people report having memories of past lives.
The purpose of reincarnation is to provide the soul with the opportunity to learn to grow and eventually achieve liberation or redemption. Hindus believe that death is not an end, but an opportunity to continue living in a different form. Through reincarnation, our soul can learn how to forgive, and eventually become a non-incarnating being. Furthermore, it gives us the opportunity to learn lessons that were not available in our previous lifetimes.
The ultimate goal of this cycle is to develop perfect karma and connect with divine consciousness. Reincarnation offers a way to understand how our personal lives are intertwined with changes in the world around us. However, without concrete evidence of past lives, it is impossible to determine whether reincarnation is real. Currently, the debate about the validity of reincarnation continues.
The English word “therapy” originates from the ancient Greek word “therapeia,” which means “to heal.” It is derived from the root “therapeuō”, which means “to serve” or “to heal”—focusing on the restoration of health and well-being by providing a variety of physical and spiritual treatments. Today, when we say we are in therapy, we usually mean psychological healing.
Feeling so we can heal is an important part of our search for meaning in life. Everyone experiences grief to varying degrees, and it’s important to acknowledge and accept these difficult emotions. Through the latest theories in positive neuroscience and holistic practice, we can learn how we need to welcome all emotions instead of blocking them. It is a step-by-step approach to understanding and dealing with painful life experiences and strong emotions.
This journey is never a linear process; we have to be flexible with our emotions and make changes when necessary. This approach encourages us to love and allow ourselves to be loved in order to feel happier. Ultimately feeling is a necessary process of emotional healing that helps us to move towards the path of spiritual growth and wholeness.
Here are some ways to get our healing journey started:
- Take baby steps: Healing emotional wounds can be a slow and challenging process, but it’s important to remember to take things one day at a time. Even small steps toward progress can eventually lead to huge changes.
- Seek help: Talking to a professional mental health professional can be an invaluable resource for healing. Whether it’s through therapy, medication, or both, there are people with the knowledge and experience required to help us on our journey.
- Make leisure and contemplation a priority: Schedule regular activities that promote relaxation, such as yoga or tai chi. We need to find time to reflect and meditate in order to gain insight into our thoughts and feelings. This can help us gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and what we need for healing.
- Track gratitude and achievement: By writing in a journal the things we are grateful for and things we are able to accomplish each day, we can track our progress and stay motivated during tough times.
- Engage in social activities: Reconnecting with old friends or trying new activities can help us shift our minds away from traumatic memories and experiences and help build the support network critical to emotional recovery.
- Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness exercises like yoga, meditation, deep breathing, and progressive muscle relaxation can help reduce stress and bring our minds back into balance.
By being present in our own healing process, we can be a healing presence for others and strive to achieve wholeness as a person. Practicing our basic truths means making a conscious effort to feel all emotions, big and small, and allowing ourselves to heal.
Finding Our Purpose
Everyone is searching for their purpose in life and it can be a difficult path. Here’s how we can get started:
- Know our values: Finding our purpose in life starts with understanding our values, passions, and interests. We need to know what makes us unique—what are the things that bring us joy and fulfillment?
- Facing our inner dialogue: In order to find our purpose, it is important to step back and analyze our inner dialogue. We need to ask ourselves questions like”What do I want to accomplish in life?” or “What are my goals?”
- Discover our ikigai: We can use our “why” to create ikigai. Our ikigai is the intersection between what we love, what we’re good at, what the world needs us for, and what we can get paid for. To create our ikigai, we need to start with each of the four main areas of the circle. We can write about activities and topics we enjoy and things we are good at.
- Put purpose before goals: Discovering our “purpose” in life essentially boils down to finding one or two things that are bigger than ourselves and the people around us and putting them ahead of any goals.
- Donate time, money, or talent: Consider donating time, money, or skills to a cause that personally means something. Giving to others without expecting anything in return can provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment in life.
- Turn hurt into healing for others: If we have experienced hurt or trauma, we need to consider it as an opportunity to heal others who are struggling with similar issues. Turning pain into healing for others can be a powerful way to find meaning in life and make a difference in the world at large.
- Our life purpose is a journey: Remember our life purpose is a journey, not a destination; it evolves over time as we grow and gain new experiences. Embrace the journey of discovering your purpose in life!
Serving Something Bigger Than Ourselves
Serving something bigger than ourselves can be a rewarding experience. It allows us to tap into our sense of purpose and feel that our lives are meaningful and important. Here’s how to get started:
- Aligning our values with something bigger: This could be an organization or even a person. When we take the time to connect with something bigger than ourselves, we infuse our efforts with passion and purpose.
- Fight for our truth: Let us not be afraid to stand up for what we believe in. When we fight for our truth, even when it is unpopular or difficult, our reward is the satisfaction of living for something greater than ourselves.
- Evaluate ourselves based on our contributions to others: Instead of basing our self-worth on material things or personal honor, we need to value ourselves on the basis of our contributions to the goals of others. This allows us to assume the goals are meaningful and gives us a sense of being connected and contributing to something bigger than ourselves.
- Open up to self-discovery: Take time out each day to think about how we serve something bigger than ourselves and how it makes us feel. This can lead to a more meaningful life and create a sense of purpose—planting an achievement rooted in something more important.
- Rise above self-obsession: Consider whether we are always trying to control situations or people, as these can be signs of self-obsession that need to be addressed in order to live for something bigger than ourselves.
Giving Something Back to the World
- Helping those around us: Donating our time, money, or talents to helping others can be incredibly rewarding and can help us develop a sense of purpose.
- Charity Miles: Charity Miles is an app that lets us donate to charity while staying healthy. Every mile counts and this is a great way to give back to the community while staying active.
- Working together: We don’t need to solve the world’s problems on our own. We can join a cause or charity that matters to us and do something that makes a difference, even if it’s small. The sense of accomplishment that comes from having even a small influence on someone else’s life can be incredibly rewarding and help us find meaning in our own life as well
- Tithing has a positive effect on many areas of life: Tithing is a voluntary contribution that is paid as an offering. The word “tithe” literally means tenth and it is viewed as a way of expressing thanks and dedication to a church, temple, or any other religious organization. Catherine Ponder’s book Open Your Mind to Receive recommends tithing to a source of spiritual help and inspiration. It is a powerful reminder that we are all connected to something bigger than ourselves.
Life as a Process of Growth
Life is an evolving journey of physical, emotional, and spiritual growth. It is a dynamic process of change that touches every aspect of life. Holistic well-being consists of eight interdependent dimensions: the body, feelings, mind, relationships, spirituality, vocation, abundance, and nature. By consciously improving our connection in each of these areas, we can enjoy full and happy lives.
Introducing healthier routines and habits into our lives can lead to positive relationship satisfaction and increases energy and spiritual growth. Taking care of our physical health is essential to living a vibrant life, but it’s important to remember to take care of our mental and spiritual bodies as well.
Conclusion
I hope you no longer think that we are just here on Earth to survive and reproduce; personally, I believe life’s meaning is all about learning and healing. The meaning of life is a complex and highly personal concept, however; depending on one’s philosophy and worldview, the answer to this question can vary vastly. Ultimately, the meaning of life lies in the individual’s own hands. It is up to each of us to find our own meaning and purpose in life by authentically interacting with our environment and those around us.
Life is a constant process of growth and development, starting small and eventually reaching full maturity. This constant process of change and growth is essential to life’s continuation. Whether or not you have found the answers, I hope this article has inspired you to take a closer look at your life and your life choices. As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts on the meaning of life, so drop a comment below and give your opinion!
