what is the meaning of life?

Question

why are we here? what is our purpose?

Answer 1

That's a worldview question...a good one.

The Bible speaks to that. We were created by God, to worship God and to share His World with Him. Our goal is to love God and enjoy Him forever. Unfortunately, when Adam fell, the world became infected with sin. So God came to Earth in the person of Jesus Christ to pay for that sin and redeem us to Himself. If we accept Christ's sacrifice for our sin, we become children of God. He gives us the job of being ambassadors here on Earth for Him to reconcile others to God. When the end of time comes, He takes us to heaven to be with Him. So our purpose here is to be ambassadors of the Kingdom of God representing His Message, His methods, and His Character until we are called home. 2Cor. 5:17-20

Answer 2

We are here mainly by chance, and as a result of decisions our parents and ancestry have made in their lives.

"Purpose" is an entirely human concept. No animal asks for its purpose, it just breathes and eats and reproduces. Nature does not follow any purpose, it just exists and changes due to the laws of physics. We are part of this world, so I think it is presumptuous to ask for our particular purpose. Why should we have one? Are we special, are we "chosen"? That would be an anthropocentric concept.

Giving your life meaning is basically up to you. The world is huge, multifaceted, and fascinating, and for an open mind there should be opportunities enough to make your life purposeful.

Answer 3

The purpose of life is to learn.

Answer 4

What is the meaning of life?
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-Well lets just put it this way, if you were never born, you would'nt be here to ask this question. In other words,The meaning of life is to exist and to exist your parents had to meet, get married, have sex and have you so you can be here to ask this question in the first place.


Spock off of Star Trek also said which you all probably remember;
-"LIVE LONG AND PROSPER"

God basically said that also, "Prosper and Multiply", in other words have kids and grandkids and have a wonderfull life also.

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-If somebody votes a thumbs down on my answer, then being able to vote a thumbs down on my answer means that you even exist to vote which means that IF you were never born, you wouldn't have the capability to vote which is the reason why existing is the meaning to life.

Answer 5

I was sitting in class one day looking out the window when a little bird landed on the window seal. I asked the very same question at that time and the answer I received was very simple. To reproduce and be happy. We humans make the solutions more complex than it needs to be.

Answer 6

The purpose of life is not MATERIAL HAPPINESS which is transitory, flickering and temporary. In opposition to that is the eternal SPIRITUAL HAPPINESS obtained with love of Godhead.

In the material world everything is temporary and comes to and end or dies for that which has birth has death also. But,the reason behind birth and death is to learn the lesson that the material world is temporary and miserable as told by Lord Sri Krishna in the Bhagavad-gita(8.15) thus, "After attaining Me, the great souls, who are yogis in devotion, never return to this temporary world, which is full of miseries, because they have attained the highest perfection".

Just like one goes to school not to stay there permanently or one goes to the hospital not to stay there for over. From the school we learn and go out and from the hospital we get cured and go out. Similarly in this temporary miserable world of repeated birth and death (Mrityu samsara) we learn the lesson and go back to our original home, back to God's abode in the spiritual world

The same question was asked by Mike Robinson of London Broadcasting Company in 1976 while interviewing Prabhupada(Founder of ISKCON). Some excerpts from that :

Mike Robinson: Can you tell me what you believe to be the meaning of life? Why do we exist in the first place?

Srila Prabhupada: The meaning of life is to enjoy. But now you are on a false platform of life, and therefore you are suffering instead of enjoying. Everywhere we see the struggle for existence. Everyone is struggling, but what is their enjoyment in the end? They are simply suffering and dying. Therefore, although life means enjoyment, at the present moment your life is not enjoyment. But if you come to the real, spiritual platform of life, then you'll enjoy.

Mike Robinson: Can you explain to me, finally, some of the stages you go through in spiritual life? What are the spiritual stages a new devotee of Krishna goes through?

Srila Prabhupada: The first stage is that you are inquisitive. "So," you say, "what is this Krishna consciousness movement? Let me study it." This is called sraddha, or faith. This is the beginning. Then, if you are serious, you mix with those who are cultivating this knowledge. You try to understand how they are feeling. Then you'll feel, "Why not become one of them?" And when you become one of them, then all your misgivings soon go away. You become more faithful, and then you get a real taste for Krishna consciousness. Why aren't these boys going to see the cinema? Why don't they eat meat or go to the nightclub? Because their taste has changed. They hate all these things now. In this way, you make progress. First faith, then association with devotees, then removal of all misgivings, then firm faith, then taste, then God realization, and then love of God, the perfection. That is first-class religion. Not some ritualistic ceremony of "I believe, you believe." That is not religion. That is cheating. Real religion means to develop your love for God. That is the perfection of religion.

Mike Robinson: Thank you very much for talking with me. It's been a pleasure talking to you.

Srila Prabhupada: Hare Krishna.

Answer 7

We are here as a learning process, as a probationary period to develop ourselves as truly altruistic human beings, were we can acquire godliness (qualities of good, of love for all, qualities of compassion). Our purpose then is to prove ourselves "worthy" in a sense of all of the blessings, grace, love, compassion, of God and Christ. If we do this, we can return to live with Christ again. If not, we become "assigned" to dwell in a different sphere or level.

Answer 8

As Solomon concludes in the book of Ecclesiastes.
All the actions of human endever are inherently "futile" and/or "meaningless". As the lives of both the wise and foolish alike end in death. While the pursuit of wisdom is encouraged for the enjoyment of an earthly life, it is to no avail to ascribe eternal meaning to it. In light of this perceived senselessness, one should enjoy the simple pleasures of daily life, such as eating, drinking, and taking enjoyment in one's spouse and work, which are gifts from the hand of God.

Answer 9

In Islam it is clearly stated that the creation of mankind and other creatures to this entire world is to pray to God almighty ( ALLAH S.W.T.). However, it is the duty of all mankind to preserve the creation and the entire world from any damage or disaster. Mankind is to get to know each other and love each other. Preferably, it is advisable for mankind to built a family and continue the generation. Mankind is to appreciate ALLAH for the creation and always remain faithful to Allah and Prophet Muhammad S.A.W. Living in this world for the Muslims is an investment for after life.

Answer 10

For me, the meaning of life is to end up making a positive impact on the people around you and the world in general. Meaning of life is subjective though, so I don't expect many people to agree with me.

Answer 11

The meaning of life is to ask questions just like that.

No joke.