What do you think about this statement? "the importance of life is not only in Being, but also in Becoming"

Question

how does it come across to you? do you think it is true? is it inspiring?

Answer 1

It means that you should not just live your life as it is. Being a "being" means you are stagnant. You need to make improvements in your life. Study, and when you are knowledgeable, then you become something; now, that is "becoming." And when you've become something, do something to alleviate your life, learn more skills, do something good, do anything. And then again, you will become something more. Now that is another "becoming." Continue on doing something in order to "become" and then when you've had enough of "being" someone, do something else again to "become" yet another. It's a continuous process.

Answer 2

Of course we were not put here to merely exist or "get by".
The purpose of life is to grow Spiritually, becoming more of what we are, which is Soul.
Unfortunately, we don't come into being already in the self-realized state, but only through much experience, both good and "bad" and through true contemplation may we become truly alive.
There is always a plus element though - We never reach a final state where we can go no further!
Hal Fitzpatrick

Answer 3

Life is important. Becoming sounds like a catch word for a reality TV show on MTV. Being is all that matters. Life in itself matters. Becoming when related to life is a loaded word that suggests others determining what one becomes. Actually saying that the importance of life is becoming something, sounds very directionalist, motivated by control as theme as to why one exists. It reminds me of Peter Singer and other philosophers interested only in what uses they can derive from Man.

Absolute control of everything eventually fails and fails rather badly. Just being is good enough. Becoming is nobodies business.

Answer 4

It reminds me of another quote:

I must be willing to give up what I am in order to become what I will be. ~Albert Einstein

Both are inspiring in that 'being' is a constant process full of change and growth towards a more definite sense of self. Both tell me that no matter how far I go, there is still more things to learn and living yet to do.

Answer 5

Only the 2nd half of it is important to me or means anything which could be viewed as something positive. Simply "Being" is a mute point. People that are dying from starvation are "Being", those which are completely insane are "Being"... see my point? Now if one would consider those types of things as "important"? then yes, the entire statement makes sense and is pretty good.

Answer 6

Sometimes it's important to just sit back and Be. But if you don't do some Becoming, too, then it gets kind of dull. Therefore, I like that the statement is "not only...but also" rather than "not...but instead"

Answer 7

Its a way of saying that we need to develop and change with our lives. To me, it means nothing, as I live the way I need to, and becoming is apart of life that i dont even have to think about, it just happens. but there are those who are content with just being. But thats not the most important thing in life. adapting to change is vital, however.

Answer 8

True and inspiring ~ we are not here to sit and do nothing, but to do and grow. Life without growth would be a tragic waste.

Answer 9

Yes not only in being, but also in becoming something useful to the community.

Answer 10

Yeah, I'd say that's inspiring. I like the way it acknowledges both sides. Where'd you get the quotation, by the way? I bet it wasn't Jerry Seinfeld.