one thing which kept me trapped as a JW far longer than necessary was the FEAR that if I left and no longer believed, my life would be empty of meaning and futile and ultimately end in a meaningless death. I could not find any meaning in the world apart from the view JWs had imposed upon me... all other ways seemed to lead only to meaninglessness.but once out and even without a belief in any god[s] I still found my life meaningful but it took several years before I understood my new source of meaning and now see it as the ONLY valid source... I will explain this after I see some of your ideas as I do not wish to bias your answers in advance.
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| zen nudist | 
what is the meaning of life?? | |
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| Elsewhere | Re: what is the meaning of life?? | |
OK... i'll be the first to say it:   | ||
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| drwtsn32 | Re: what is the meaning of life?? | |
Well... I don't believe in god or special creation so I can't really believe that life has some higher purpose.But one of the main goals in life should be to try and better humankind so that future generations have a higher quality of life. Also important is developing meaningful relationships with other people. And have fun!  | ||
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| arrowstar | Re: what is the meaning of life?? | |
YEAH!!What the little guy said!! | ||
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| Nicolas | Re: what is the meaning of life?? | |
Personally, I don't need a special meaning for my life. The life is meaningless and we doesn't have to obey to a god so, let's just have fun with it. Isn't it cool to know we won't burn in a hell or die at Armageddon? I just try to enjoy my life, everyday as it is and try to fully develop my capacities as a human being. As Thomas Jefferson said: "If you don't agree that happiness is the purpose of life then, you are choosing something that isn't happiness as your purpose for living". I also like this sentence from Voltaire "someone said to Voltaire: life is hard. Voltaire replied: compared to what?" | ||
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| kyria | Re: what is the meaning of life?? | |
I believe that any organized spirituality, no matter how well-meaning, will eventually become corrupt. It think the JW's were right when they said that humanity is not capable of governing themselves. Of course, they didn't realize that also included the Witnesses.
I personally don't think that the meaning of life has words that can be attached to it. The meaning of life is what you feel inside of yourself, when you're close to nature, when you let your mind work instinctually. It's sitting on the beach in silence, staring at the ocean with no meaning attached to it, other than the fact that you are alive and you are content. It's the awareness of the complexity of the universe, and the fact that you occupy space within it. On the days that I feel like an animal, like a cat curled up in a sunbeam with a broad smile stretched across my face, I know that's what life is all about. You can feel that kind of contentment by yourself, or next to someone you love, but in the end, you must feel it inside yourself, alone, where words are unecessary.
I am interested to hear your thoughts as well...
Fnord  p.s. I just noticed that this is my post number 42! I think I'll celebrate with a nice, hot cup of tea and my towel. | ||
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by kyria:
Correct formatting | |
| Hamas | Re: what is the meaning of life?? | |
Just like every other living organism on earth, we are born, live then die.Life only has purpose if you make a purpose...Religion gives you a false hope, and a false purpose. | ||
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| Brummie | Re: what is the meaning of life?? | |
what is the meaning of life?? Send me 5000 dollars and I'll send you the answers in my personally autographed book, I'll even enclose a free holy ghost toothpick and a prayer cloth. Brummie | ||
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| bebu | Re: what is the meaning of life?? | |
Brummie,Do you take paypal?  bebu | ||
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| Satanus | Re: what is the meaning of life?? | |
It seems to me that each has their own purpose, all are different. SS | ||
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| Brummie | Re: what is the meaning of life?? | |
Do you take paypal? LOLSure I do, but please add and extra 90% for the additional costs.Brummie | ||
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| JamesThomas | Re: what is the meaning of life?? | |
Hey Zen, Meaning. I discover that there is wonderful meaning -- not intellectual meaning -- but a living, vibrant and unspeakable "meaning" when there is silent, nonjudgmental and open presence with whatever the universe is presenting at the moment. It could be doing the dishes, watering the garden, driving down the road or petting one of the cats. Doesn't matter. Being silently present and aware -- without mental interpretation and monolog -- is for me: Meaning flowing abundant and free.  JamesT (edited to add picture and keep Dansk happy) | ||
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by JamesThomas:
Correct formatting | |
| zen nudist | 
Re: what is the meaning of life?? | |
after leaving JWs I found that there is NO meaning OF life... but there is plenty of meaning found by the living.I first realized how the living find meaning by a comment made by a chess champ after defeating DEEP BLUE of IBM fame. He said that it was not like defeating a human player, there was no sense of victory over someone who realizes he was defeated... the computer does not care which way its play goes, win or lose there is no difference for it... unlike us. we FEEL pain and pleasure depending on outcomes and that is the key to finding meaning... we CARE about what is going on, we care about the outcome of our efforts and intentions. We gamble and experience the consequences. So simply put, things mean something because we are AWARE of how they can and do change us. | ||
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| acsot | Re: what is the meaning of life?? | |
one thing which kept me trapped as a JW far longer than necessary was the FEAR that if I left and no longer believed, my life would be empty of meaning and futile and ultimately end in a meaningless death. I could not find any meaning in the world apart from the view JWs had imposed upon me... all other ways seemed to lead only to meaninglessness. I couldn't agree with you more, this is exactly how I felt as a JW. Now I feel more alive, more spiritual, more genuine, than ever before. I think we are like babes in our comprehension of and ability to quantify spirituality and/or meaning of life. I believe in time science and spirituality will merge, with the one able to understand the other. In the same way we will be able to access our subconscious and evolve into whole human beings. Some are further along than others even now; our meaning or purpose insofar as I believe it to be at this point, is to try and evolve along those lines, tune into the oneness of the universe and access our inner or real selves, through meditation, being in nature, whatever way facilitates our growth individually. Along the way, as we evolve, we see that we are all also part of one - we are all connected, and our connection with others is what will prompt either giving help/advice/enlightenment along the way or receiving such help/advice/enlightenment.JamesT and zen nudist on the same post - sublime! | ||
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| Nicolas | Re: what is the meaning of life?? | |
Also, I will add that I don't need any religion. I now have my own religion.... it is called "life" yes to be alive and to be able to watch the rising sun in the morning is enough for me. | ||
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| iiz2cool | Re: what is the meaning of life?? | |
For me the meaning of life is to be the best I can at whatever I choose to do. Continuous growing and improvement.Walter | ||
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| DanTheMan | Re: what is the meaning of life?? | |
one thing which kept me trapped as a JW far longer than necessary was the FEAR that if I left and no longer believed, my life would be empty of meaning and futile and ultimately end in a meaningless death. I could not find any meaning in the world apart from the view JWs had imposed upon me Well said, I relate to those words. The JW notion of there being nothing outside of Jerhover's Organization is a powerful tool that keep 'em in the fold.I'm still trying to find some meaning. Tonight I went to a soccer game (Columbus Crew) and I see all the faces in the crowd who know nothing of my life, I know nothing of theirs, and never will. I study faces and marvel at the incredible complexity and diversity of the human family. There's so much I don't know, there's so much I haven't experienced.Religious fundamentalism with its accompanying anthropomorphized omnipotent god and promises of immortality is such a comforting balm for people like me who have grandiose notions of their own importance. For me the struggle is finding meaning and satisfaction in life without the certainty and grandiosity that JWism gave me. It is so humbling, it is tough to take, and I often despair over my pitifully unimportant and uncertain life. But I am better off for getting real instead of holding on to that fantasy. | ||
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| frenchbabyface | Re: what is the meaning of life?? | |
Well kyria ? No wonder you are a writer !!! | ||
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| DFWnonJW | Re: what is the meaning of life?? | |
yeah, what the French lady said. | ||
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| Robdar | Re: what is the meaning of life?? | |
not intellectual meaning -- but a living, vibrant and unspeakable "meaning" when there is silent, nonjudgmental and open presence with whatever the universe is presenting at the moment. It could be doing the dishes, watering the garden, driving down the road or petting one of the cats. Doesn't matter That was a moment of zen......Nice. | ||
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