The Meaning Of Life (myth, religion, Mythology)

[Lightkeeper]

What is the meaning of human life, or of organic life altogether? To answer this question at all implies a religion. Is there any sense then, you ask, in putting it? I answer, the man who regards his own life and that of his fellow creatures as meaningless is not merely unfortunate but almost disqualified for life.

Albert Einstein in The World as I See It, 1934

Do you agree with Einstein? Can you give a better answer than this?

[Sunstone]

I was wondering when someone was going to ask "What is the meaning of life"?

I think we make our own meaning, according to our natures. When we follow our boon (as Joseph Campbell would put it) we are following our meaning in this life. That meaning varies from person to person, but the principle of following one's boon remains the same for all.

[Lightkeeper]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

I was wondering when someone was going to ask "What is the meaning of life"?

I think we make our own meaning, according to our natures. When we follow our boon (as Joseph Campbell would put it) we are following our meaning in this life. That meaning varies from person to person, but the principle of following one's boon remains the same for all.

I think Campbell talked about following your 'bliss." That puts a little different twist on it, rather than "boon." Maybe we should defind bliss. I think it means following your compassion. Doing this would make you feel blissful.

[Sunstone]

Wouldn't someone's bliss be different for different people?

[Lightkeeper]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

Wouldn't someone's bliss be different for different people?

Very definitely! For Campbell it was the study of mythology.

[Sunstone]

There are a lot of things that discourage us from following our bliss. Economic pressures come to mind, as do social pressures to conform to other people's ideas of what is right for us. I think many of us get lost and do not follow our bliss. Then we wake up one day and wonder whether life has any meaning at all.

[true blood]

Originally Posted by Lightkeeper

Do you agree with Einstein? Can you give a better answer than this?

[/indent]

Einstein is right on! Eat, drink and be kind to each other...probably like you know who.

[Saw11_2000]

I thought it was something like 42...?

[Fluffy]

To feel like life is meaningless is enormously depressing and hugely uplifting at the same time. It becomes more and more of the latter, and less and less of the former, as this belief becomes more firmly entrenched and people realise that they don't need a reason to live. They are free of purpose and meaning, of guilt and reason, of the that little 3 letter word that has probably caused more grief than anything else in the history of mankind: why?

[Sunstone]

Do you think that a sense of ultimate meaninglessness, Fluffy, encourages you to pay more attention to this life? To cherish it more?