The Purpose of Life

February 22, 2008

Probably one of the most common questions asked, assumed, guessed and by some supposedly known and not known is the question ” What is the Purpose of Life “

Here are my thoughts…

I guess it’s how a person defines purpose

What is purpose?

According to the all knowing Wiki, soon to take the place of God or Oprah :) they say..

” Purpose in its most general sense is the anticipated aim which guides action ” or some might say, which gives meaning.

So what is the purpose of Life?

For many we base our purpose from External teaching which leads us to things like, i.e Find out what God wants, Lead a Good life, Be kind, Love, Make a million, Make a name for yourself, live each moment to the fullest, ,Choose yourself..

Each person will determine and at times judge the importance of another persons views of Purpose based on their own highest values ( things they feel are important )

I think a good place to start, is to ask what is Life,? for without understanding that, well…

Its like a placing a foreign object that no one can recognize in a middle of a table surrounded by 4 people, and asking them ” What do you think its purpose is “

One might pick it up and say.. I could hammer with this
One might move it around and say… I could use this as a book end
One might check it out and say.. I could sell this and make money
One might say.. I could use this to hold the door open

They could all be wrong, but on one hand

Would it matter?
Who would it matter too?
Why would it matter?

It all comes back to what is it?, What is life?

Some may say life is our basic senses, Touch, Sight, Taste, Hearing, Smell.. and even the 6th sense..( thoughts, feelings ) which is worked out moment by moment

And from a day to day existence, these are what we work with on a physical plane, but they in themselves are not necessarily what life is…

The bible, like many other religions and beliefs refer to life as ” Breath “, The breath of life, the Breath of the Divine, or as the Hawaiians call it Ho’oponopono

Life in essence is what is behind everything, its the source and by far indescribable, for the moment we try to describe it, we have placed a limitation on what it is.

In some ways I would submit that “to me” Life / purpose is ” letting go “.. ..as some have put it ” To Let Go and Let God ” let go of the need to know, the need to be right, the need to have the answer, the need to be in control

Certainly being mindful of this is a moment by moment thing as its easy to keep slipping back into the desire to be in control and know.