“Meaningless! Meaningless!”
says the Teacher.
“Utterly meaningless!
Everything is meaningless.”
(Ecclesiastes 1:2, KJV)
Are
you feeling lost and unfulfilled in life? Discovering your purpose in a seemingly
meaningless existence can be daunting, but it’s not impossible. With the right
mindset and tools, you can unlock your true potential and find true meaning in
your life. Don’t settle for a life without purpose - take the first step
towards a more fulfilling life today.
Have
you ever wondered about the reason for your existence and how you ended up
where you are now? Apart from religious beliefs, the most crucial question for
any sentient being is “Who am I?” and “What is my purpose in this world?” And
where do I fit in this world?” However, adding another vital question to this
list is essential: “Why do you want to live under these conditions?”
The
question of whether life has meaning when it has no purpose is one that many
people have pondered. Albert Camus famously posed the question of whether life
is worth living, given its absurdity and incongruences. He wondered if the
desire to live is an unconscious or conscious impulse, an innate instinct, or
an external force. Others, often religious leaders and theologians, believe we
are placed in this world for a specific reason. This question leads to a
dichotomy between the will to live and the will to die. The crucial point is
that we are here, moving, acting, and existing. This is the ultimate concern.
At
some point in our life, we would confront the meaning of our life, especially
when facing personal struggles. Some philosophers and scientists who focus on worldly
knowledge and technology argue that life is meaningless, originated by chance and
necessity, and will continue this way. Similar ideas were expressed by thinkers
such as King Solomon and Arthur Schopenhauer. The virtual reality theory
suggests that our lives could be predetermined and that we may be trapped in a
matrix-like existence, similar to the Platonic Cave. While there may be some
truth to these ideas, the question of the purpose of life remains unanswered.
The
concept of self-awareness dates back to ancient times when humans began to
reflect upon and give meaning to their experiences in an attempt to understand
the world around them. The wonders of the universe, such as the sunrise,
sunset, and countless stars in the sky, left them in awe, and they felt that
their understanding was inadequate in explaining these phenomena. As a result,
they attributed religious significance to them.
In
his book A History of Religious Ideas, Mircea Eliade argues that consciousness
cannot exist without attaching meaning to man’s experiences and impulses. The
discovery of the sacred is closely linked to the consciousness of a meaningful
world;[1]
for ancient people, being human meant being religious, as everything they did
was considered holy. Eliade concludes that awareness of the sacred is an
essential part of consciousness, not merely a stage in its development. [2]
The
beauty of life resides precisely in probability and apparent randomness because
it gives humans the capability to exert their creative power to make their
lives meaningful. We are already here on planet Earth; we cannot withdraw from
it, claiming that life has no meaning.
The saying “Knowledge is Power, and
Ignorance is Bliss” is common. This leads us to question whether it is better
to live in blissful ignorance or seek wisdom through personal experiences to
lead a more meaningful life. Many people tend to focus solely on fulfilling
their physical and sensory needs, like eating, working, sleeping, and engaging
in recreational activities that satisfy their senses, neglecting their
spiritual needs. As the Master of Nazareth once said, “Man does not live by
bread alone...” Thus, humans need not only physical nourishment but also
intellectual and spiritual sustenance.
Modern
science has revealed that we live in an immaterial universe. Quantum mechanics
has emphasized that atoms consist of spinning immaterial energy vortices, which
are essentially pure light that appears and disappears. This discovery has led
scientists and philosophers to confirm the metaphysical principle that the
entire universe is an expression of universal consciousness. While humans are
but a small fragment of this consciousness, we possess the power to shape our
social circumstances.
According
to quantum mechanics, reality is fluid and shapeless until observed by
consciousness. At that point, the various possibilities collapse into one
specific outcome. This happens when consciousness, through awareness and
intention, selects a particular manifestation from the latent probabilities.[3]
It is crucial to be aware of our social environment to
shape the course of events in our lives effectively. The more aware we are, the
better equipped we become to shape our future consciously. Unfortunately, many
people lack knowledge about self-control and the process of conscious
co-creation. This leaves them feeling disoriented in their daily lives,
believing that external forces govern their experiences. The key to regaining
control is to have a clear purpose and a thorough understanding of the process,
which helps us protect ourselves against randomness and chance. Therefore, we
must thoroughly know our goals to remain in control and shape our experiences.
The ability to exercise free will is dependent upon
one’s level of awareness and self-control. Free will entails conscious choice,
which is only possible when one is mindful of the options available at a
particular moment. If there is no awareness, then the capacity to independently
choose a specific action is null. Tom Campbell, a physicist at NASA and
consciousness researcher, believed that consciousness arises from the
capability of choice and free will. He defines consciousness as “awareness that
makes choices.”
Various religions and philosophies have approached the
question of the meaning of life from different perspectives. Buddhism’s first
noble truth asserts that life is inherently filled with suffering. The Jewish
faith contends that human misery stems from Adam and Eve disobeying God’s
commandment. Christians believe suffering is a means to redemption and a better
life (heaven), while other religions advocate for resignation and humility.
The truth of the matter is there is no inherent “meaning
of life.” It is up to individuals to make their own lives meaningful. The
problem arises when people assume that a higher power or someone else will
provide them with a purpose for their existence, which is a flawed assumption.
Instead, the more appropriate question to ask is whether the struggles and
pains that humans experience in life hold any significance. Moreover, it is a
misconception that life must be free of hardship and suffering. In fact,
spiritual growth and self-development are often the result of enduring pain and
adversity. That is why many spiritual teachers contend, “Suffering is the path
to wisdom.”
According to the Master of Nazareth, “The Kingdom of
heaven is within you.” It is up to each individual to create their reality
rather than the other way around. However, in order to tap into this inner
power, one must first become aware of it. Otherwise, external influences such
as the mass media and social or cultural circumstances will shape our reality
unconsciously. My book, “Awaken the Power Within: In Defense of Self-Help,”
offers compelling evidence that “All the power that ever was or will be” lies
within one’s grasp. Spiritual masters and mystics of all faiths have long known
this truth. For instance, the early Catholic Church father, Clement of
Alexandria, stated that “he who knows himself knows God.” This statement is
self-explanatory.
I have a theory that could help answer the age-old
question about the purpose of human existence. The physical reality, which is
considered “Maya” or “illusion,” serves to test our ability to distinguish
between life’s dichotomies, such as what is beneficial or detrimental to our
personal growth.s Thus, it gives us the opportunity to tap into our creativity
and inner potential rather than being controlled by external forces. As homo
sapiens, our aim is to strive for progress, bettering ourselves, we improve our
collective consciousness. These ideas are central to my book, Awakening the
Power Within, which explores the notion that life comprises a collection of
experiences contributing to our consciousness expansion.
Although life may seem devoid of inherent meaning,
humans have the faculty to assign meaning to our experiences. Doing so sharpens
our intelligence and helps us gain wisdom, ultimately developing our
potentialities and making us akin to gods. It’s important to break away from the
herd mentality and prioritize individuality while recognizing the
interconnectedness of life and sharing love with others.
Precisely, as discussed in my book A Solution to a
Pointless Life, religions are noble myths created to give life meaning and
aid in the early stages of human consciousness development. The purpose of
existence is to increase awareness and expand consciousness, eventually leading
to Homo Deus (man-god) status. Let’s remember what the Serpent of Wisdom
advised to Adam and Eve: “You shall be like God” (Gen. 3:5)
Science has yet to answer specific questions, such as
where ideas come from and the role of free will. This raises a philosophical
paradox: Do humans have free will to determine their future destiny? Based on
my experience, I affirm that humans have free will to some degree. However,
biological conditions, level of education, family, and social constraints
impose limitations. As humans develop their power of self-control and
awareness, they gain more ability to exert free will. Wisdom acquired through
experience and education, whether academic or self-taught, along with the
practice of meditation, reflection, and further learning, enhances our capacity
for free will.
Free will is closely linked to our ability to exercise
self-control, maintain awareness and accumulate experience. To put it in simple
terms, a person who has developed these personal attributes can be compared to
someone standing atop a mountain with a clear view of the vast “field of life.”
On the other hand, someone who lacks these abilities can be compared to someone
standing at the base of the mountain, with a limited view of what lies ahead
and at the mercy of the blind forces of destiny.
Again, the purpose of human existence is to give
meaning to a meaningless life, to enhance awareness, and to expand
consciousness. Those who develop these personal attributes have the ability to
control the negative consequences of external influences and use good times for
their well-being and success.
We must recognize that we can shape our own reality,
but we must first become conscious of this ability. Otherwise, we may fall
victim to external influences such as mass media and societal norms. In my
book, Awaken the Power Within, I delve into the idea that we hold all
the power we need to create our reality.
I
propose a thesis that could potentially answer one of the most fundamental
questions of human existence. As individuals (unit of consciousness), our task
is to work towards progress and the well-being of all human beings in order to
evolve our collective consciousness. Every single action we take has an impact
on our species. Rather than being controlled by external forces, we have the
opportunity to develop our inner potential and creative power through this
physical reality. The underlying idea is that life is a series of experiences
that provide us with wisdom, ultimately leading to the expansion of our
consciousness. This, I believe, is the true purpose of human existence. Let it
be done.
Albert Amao Soria, Ph.D.
Resources:
-
“Does Live Have a Purpose?” Blogger.com/Midwest Book Review: https://midwestbookreview.blogspot.com/2020/02/blog-post.html
-
“Regain the Power Within You.” Wordpress.com: https://albertamao.wordpress.com/
- Albert Amao Soria, Awaken the Power Within, Tarcher/Penguin,
2016
- Albert Amao S., A Solution to a Pointless Life, AuthorHouse, 2023
