What makes your life meaningful, and is there a such thing as one? and is there a greater goal then a good life, and what obstacles are we faced with in pursuit of a meaningful life? Would education play a role in if your life was meaningful. Any thoughts?
2007-12-03 10:26:40 · 11 answers · asked by Owen 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
First, let me say that meaning and purpose are essentially the same. We use "meaning" when we refer to actions and "purpose" when we refer to objects. But both words imply (actually require) a plan or design. So your question requires a plan for our very life, i.e. a purpose for our existence.
“Unless you assume a God, the question of life’s purpose is meaningless.” –Bertrand Russell (philosopher, mathematician, Nobel Laureate)
2007-12-04 23:11:47 · answer #1 · answered by Matthew T 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Listen ... when i grow old and wiry, i want to be able to look back over my life and know that I've helped more than jest myself. what does it mean to have a meaningful life. if at the end of the day i can say that i have no regrets, no remorse, I've left no words unsaid that needed to be said. I've laughed, I've cry ed. I've seen good days as well as bad and still continued to fight through the hard times. I've fought for what i believed in and even when i was pushed down i still got up. I've taken people who were having gray days and showed them the sunny side of the rainbow. and yes education does play a role in a meaningful life because the more you know about this world and the things in it the better off you will be period. therefore when my eyes close for the last time i smile because i've created a ripple...a ripple that will not only be remember by my family but everyone who i chose to put before myself. you see i can't touch everybody but if i teach my nephew how to fish, one day he'll show someone else...
2007-12-03 20:33:38 · answer #2 · answered by smooth76 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends on what one values in life........and usually people are the obstacles...........and yes education has played a role in my life .........but not a formal one..........I found what it was I found to be meaningful and went for it. Truthfully the whole experience has been one form of knowledge or the other....I personally don't think that ever stops......physically, mentally, spiritually or emotionally, that's what keeps it exciting at least to me. One more thing to me life can be good and simple I don't have to have all the "one with the most toys wins" thing going on. I'll tell you why........because you can't take it with you when you leave anyway.
Have a great life and I hope that this helps....!
2007-12-03 18:49:42 · answer #3 · answered by rainbowmatrixs 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We are all unique persons; there cannot be a uniform prescription for 'meaningfulness'.
Do you think Mother Teresa lived a meaningful life? How about Che Guera?
I believe whoever is happy to die when the time comes, has led a meaningful life.
And don't kick 'good life'. Read ATLAS SHRUGGED/THE FOUNTAIN HEAD etc by the American author whose first name is Ayn Ran.. You will get a new perspective.
2007-12-03 19:05:31 · answer #4 · answered by penjoy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are happy with your life then you are having a meaningful life. You don't need to set such a high goal to satisfied with your life. Don't Worry Be Happy
2007-12-03 19:01:00 · answer #5 · answered by traceur651 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To understsand a meaningful life one first has to understand that- we are not this material body, IE; Race, color, nationality, Religion, mind, intellect, senses, job, etc. We are all eternal spirit souls, part and parcel of the Supreme Soul, also known as Krishna, Allah, Jehovah, Vishnu, etc. We never die, only this mortal body dies.
This material world is not our real home, it is called Maya (illusion) and is temporary and full of misery, only one fourth of the souls come here, and the rest are enjoying blissful eternal loving relationships with our Maker named above. We fell here due to envying Gods position. He made the material world for those who want to try to live separately from Him (Which is impossible because He is actually everywhere). After many lifetimes of trying to be happy in this temporary world one becomes frustrated and board and begins to question their existence. We then seek out real happiness, and when one becomes sincere God reveals how to come back Home. Those who are intelligent, take up the process of self realization (Bhakti Yoga) which begins with the chanting of the Maha Mantra (the great mantra for deliverance from all suffering and illusion), which gives one real peace, happiness and reality. Then at the end of life they can give up all material attachments and fully surrender to God and return to the eternal Kingdom, where there is no more birth, death, old age, or disease and be eternally happy. i am so glad I know how to make my life actually meaningful. Most are in illusion.
For info. Go to harekrishnatemple.com Read Bhagavad Gita- As it is by Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada asitis.com you can read it on line.
2007-12-03 18:34:42 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you were to die tomorrow, and you didn't care because all the things you ever wanted to do you have accomplished, you would have lived a meaningful life.
2007-12-03 19:56:53 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Every person has his or her own unique experiences. Therefore it would be selfish to define a meaningful life.
2007-12-03 20:10:57 · answer #8 · answered by lipodemia 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Importance is based on opinion so there is no true intrinsic meaning.
2007-12-03 19:35:48 · answer #9 · answered by shmux 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you can smile and mean it then you are truly happy.but happyness is like a frog. if you dissect it you kill it.stop questioning and be happy.
2007-12-03 18:35:58 · answer #10 · answered by m4d_mike 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋