I think life is meant to be endured, not enjoyed.

[Nithavela]

The meaning of life is to eat as many other beings as possible.

At least that's what the board game "Evolution" taught me.

 

[ananda]

I could not disagree more. For me, life is paramount. As far as I can tell, to transcend life means to die or to be functionally removed from existence . I am hoping to live eternally. One may wish to transcend a corruptible life like we now experience but if the alternative is to become non existent or even just to lose one's individual identity, I do not find that better than even this corruptible existence. Conscious awareness is preferable to anything I can imagine.

What's the purpose of living eternally?

 

[grasping the after wind]

What's the purpose of living eternally?

Does it need a purpose? I suppose the purpose would be the exact same one as whatever the purpose of living temporarily would be.

 

[ananda]

Does it need a purpose? I suppose the purpose would be the exact same one as whatever the purpose of living temporarily would be.

What is that purpose, in your view?

 

[grasping the after wind]

What is that purpose, in your view?

My view on the purpose of living is completely dependent upon my religious belief system. so from my perspective, the purpose is to be loved and to return that love.

 

[ananda]

... the purpose is to be loved and to return that love.

... to what end, however?

 

[grasping the after wind]

... to what end, however?

That is the end. There is no further purpose than that. It is sufficient in itself.

 

[PreviouslySeeking...]

Since I can only be sure of this life; my life is to be enjoyed, amongst other things.

If I don't enjoy more than I endure; I probably won't hang around.

 

[ananda]

That is the end. There is no further purpose than that. It is sufficient in itself.

If that's the end, it doesn't seem purposeful to me ... but thanks for sharing.

 

[Larniavc]

"Life isn't just to be endured, it's to be enjoyed."
Gordon B.Hinckley

Some of you have probably heard this quote, but I have a very hard time believing that we should enjoy life. There are many unfortunate and sad moments in our lives , and many of us give in to pleasure and fantasies. These things make me question this quote. I'm starting to realize that Life is mainly to endure, not to enjoy at all, and only God can get us through life, if we trust in His word and endure.

So which viewpoint on life should we believe in?

What's with the dichotomous thinking?

I say enjoy the good bits and endure the hard bits.

 

[Gene Parmesan]

I'm unaware of any inherit meaning of life. I'm inclined to believe that there is none except for the meaning that we give it. I'm going to go ahead and enjoy the crap out life whenever I can and try to help my comrades do the same.

 

[grasping the after wind]

If that's the end, it doesn't seem purposeful to me ... but thanks for sharing.

Do you have a more purposeful purpose in mind?

 

[ananda]

Do you have a more purposeful purpose in mind?

As far as I understand it, the purpose in life is to seek out the end of dukkha (aka suffering, discontentment, displeasure, etc.).

 

[grasping the after wind]

As far as I understand it, the purpose in life is to seek out the end of dukkha (aka suffering, discontentment, displeasure, etc.).

Death would surely do that. The purpose of life could very well be death. By dying, one may well have achieved one's purpose. Not a purpose I am all that interested in pursuing but a purpose one will serve whether interested or not I guess. It begs the question , If death is the purpose of life what is the purpose of death? Now I am not suggesting that you personally have said the purpose of life is death but death would fill the bill of ending the things you have mentioned.

 

[ananda]

Death would surely do that. The purpose of life could very well be death. By dying, one may well have achieved one's purpose. Not a purpose I am all that interested in pursuing but a purpose one will serve whether interested or not I guess. It begs the question , If death is the purpose of life what is the purpose of death? Now I am not suggesting that you personally have said the purpose of life is death but death would fill the bill of ending the things you have mentioned.

In my observation, death brings new life.

 

[grasping the after wind]

In my observation, death brings new life.

Is death then the purpose of life? And what is the purpose of death? Is the purpose of death, life? If so why is that loop more purposeful than what I proposed and how does such a loop end those things whose end is what you say is the purpose of life? ? Or would total annihilation be a more purposeful purpose as it would end completely and forever the things you propose that it is life's purpose to end.

 

[ananda]

Is death then the purpose of life? And what is the purpose of death? Is the purpose of death, life? If so why is that loop more purposeful than what I proposed and how does such a loop end those things whose end is what you say is the purpose of life? ? Or would total annihilation be a more purposeful purpose as it would end completely and forever the things you propose that it is life's purpose to end.

The problem seems to be conscious attachments to that loop keeping us in that loop, and endlessly experiencing dukkha as a result.

 

[grasping the after wind]

The problem seems to be conscious attachments to that loop keeping us in that loop, and endlessly experiencing dukkha as a result.

Then how does life achieve it's purpose? Total annihilation?

 

[ananda]

Then how does life achieve it's purpose? Total annihilation?

We seem to be kept in the loop until we learn how to detach from it.

 

[grasping the after wind]

We seem to be kept in the loop until we learn how to detach from it.

What makes you think such a thing is possible to learn?