My purpose in life

a reply to: nOraKat

You have clearly misunderstood. To be clearer: It doesn't matter in an objective sense to the universe/existence whether/how one subjectively values the life they've lived or not. Of course our decisions affect the life we experience and the lives of those around us (in both senses), but the some total of the assessment of that affect (as to how it pertains to enjoyment/fulfillment/meaning/etc.) is a collection of subjective and objective elements which cannot be quantified into a measurable value. It therefore stands to reason that all eventualities stand on the same level of quality/importance/whatever criteria you are measuring - but can be sorted by a variety of subjective qualities from the myriad individuals subjectively experiencing it.

In your example the hunger you feel is real in a sense, but the ultimate outcome (whether you eat and live, or don't and starve) has a neutral effect on the entire system in which we exist.

What Is the Meaning of Life?

What Is the Purpose of Life?

WHY DOES THE ANSWER MATTER? Few things are more distressing to the human spirit than the thought that life has no meaning, no purpose. On the other hand, a person who has a clearly defined purpose in life is resilient. Viktor E. Frankl, a neurologist and a Holocaust survivor, wrote: “There is nothing in the world, I venture to say, that would so effectively help one to survive even the worst conditions, as the knowledge that there is a meaning in one’s life.”

However, there are numerous and conflicting opinions on this subject. Many feel that it is up to the individual to determine for himself the purpose of life. By contrast, some who believe in evolution teach that there is no ultimate meaning in life. ...

What Gives Life True Meaning?

Question 1: Does My Life Have a Purpose?

Why We Are Here: Awake!—2008

Maybe the purpose of life is "spiritual" development.

a reply to: GordonCole

if i had all my money obligations taken care of indefinitely - i would read. i always say to myself that i have over 2,000 years of writings to catch up on in my short life! mainly philosophy and deep thought writings... there are so many brilliant minds before us that have gone through what we are experiencing ourselves just now.

other than that i would still enjoy life with my wife as well - probably by visiting beautiful locations with mountains and water ... because life just feels right when you're chilling around those places

originally posted by: GordonCole
a reply to: waftist

Thank you very much for your post. Have you read any of those books in that link you posted? I am an avid reader and am always looking for a book to help me grow or give me another perspective to consider. I have been thinking about doing volunteer work, I'm going to research the opportunities that are around me. Travel was second on the list of things people wished they did, I have a longing to travel, there's so many things I want to see, I just don't have the means, not yet anyways. I think that's part of what scares me, I worry I'll never be in the position to afford to see all the places I wanna see. I think if money wasn't an issue I would spend a while just traveling the world bouncing from place to place until I didn't want to anymore.

My pleasure and yes I have read about a dozen or so and the one's that really hit me were the World's Religions, The Road Less Traveled, Chop Wood Carry Water, The Miracle of Mindfulness, The Gospel Of Thomas, The Four Agreements, The Hero With A Thousand Faces and numerous things by Alan Watts(for Taoist stuff, more philosophical)and one of his books in particular was the Wisdom Of Insecurity. I have read many books in my thirsty days of seeking spirituality and deeper meaning in life, and in retrospect, 20 years later I feel that these books helped shape my perspective to include some values of multiple religions instead of just one, and give me options of thought to cope with the madness and frustration we all experience, both within and without.

The traveling expense is yes, a barrier, although many people simply backpack across countries relatively cheap, staying at hostels and being somewhat minimalists. It takes some money of course ,but heck even traveling to various areas of our country can be inspirational and joyous. The Redwoods, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, New Orleans were all wonderful journeys for me.

The world has one purpose and that is to remind you who you are!

a reply to: GordonCole

Do you think you would get bored and feel like no matter what you are doing, it isn't enough or that there's something else out there? Maybe that feeling is just part of being human. Maybe all life is, is a collection of experiences and people you meet and there is no higher purpose of us being here.

If you feel like you are separate to the all, there will be seeking for some 'thing' which will make you feel whole.

I've enjoyed the discussion, it's threads like these why I joined ATS. I wish there were more of them these days.

Anyways....I tend to think our purpose is to be aligned with the Source as much as possible. To seek the Source in all endeavors.

And by "being" you "become" so then there is no need to seek.

Whether you are Catholic or not, this sums it up well IMHO.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.

Pray I never have too much money.
I would hire dodgy scientists to do many odd weird experiments....I may become a villain.
I have recently passed into a a good stage in my life of not giving a darn anymore and I'm happy.