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"People say that what we’re all seeking is a meaning for life. I don’t think that’s what we’re really seeking. I think that what we’re seeking is an experience of being alive, so that our life experiences on the purely physical plane will have resonances with our own innermost being and reality, so that we actually feel the rapture of being alive."

Joseph Campbell

Donotbelieve 9 June 23
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38 comments

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1

It has been said, "Life is best understood looking at it through the rear view mirror".

I think young people seek experiences but older people want to know what it means.

my experience is a lot of angst & questioning life's meaning in my younger years, while now i simply enjoy the moment - no depth required.

@LetzGetReal : It's not at all fear based. It is about the meaning of life and what matters.

@LetzGetReal, @walklightly : You say you're now living a life without depth?

@dare2dream, i live the moment; depth, width, the height of reality or the length of truth: who knows? or even cares?

but i can see from your chosen moniker that we approach life from quite different angles, & that's ok. i prefer the sensual experience to the dream.

@walklightly : The dream is meant to be an inspiration. 😉

5

Life itself is meaningless. What makes life interesting is the purpose you put into it.

Yes

9

When I close my eyes for the last time I want to be sure I've really lived my life.

3

This probably won't be popular, but from an evolutionary point of view, everything we do is what our genes compel us to do in order to get the genes into the next generation, so successful mating and survival of our children is what motivates us even if it isn't perceived as such. "The Selfish Gene"

we are certainly more than hormone- &/or gene-driven biological mechanisms.

1

Indeed. For me, it's those fleeting moments of joy, or having a delightful chance conversation with a stranger. The random, strange and unexpected are foundations in my life.

my life thrives on similar events, & i love the uncontrollability about it.

2

‘What is the meaning of a flea?’

-Joseph Campbell

0

The meaning of life is 42 . Do you know where your towel is ?

1

Beautiful quote. Thank you sharing!

3

❤ Joseph Campbell ❤

Qualia Level 8 June 23, 2018
1

I think most of us are seeking to make our own life meaningful to us and to achieving happiness.

6

Yep. I get that. Feeling alive has its own meaning.

And the 'Tuck Everlasting' quote always comes to mind - "You don't have to live forever. You just have to live".

3

Smart!!

Etre Level 7 June 23, 2018
3

I like this quote.

2

Joseph Campbell was my hero.

3

This is beautiful and definitely resonates with me!

3

I stopped wondering why i am here and just try to enjoy being.

1

Nice quote.

t1nick Level 8 June 23, 2018
1

Good point..,I was a fan of Joseph Campbell, studied his works but cannot remember anything clearly now! But, i learned a lot from him.

3

I love this!!!

Duke Level 8 June 23, 2018
4

I usually quip at theists by mentioning since their god has benevolence their life has no meaning as it's already known before they were a twinkle in their parents eyes.

I go on to argue that we atheists are the correct ones as we don't attempt to sully such plans with pleas in the forms of prayer, and vain bribery in the form of tithe.

As George Carlin put it "What's the point of having a divine plan if every two-bit-schmuck with a two dollar book can come along and fuck up your plan?"

Then again, this quote puts it quite succinctly, and I may have to borrow it. 😛

2

I think facing obstacles and challenges and overcoming them is a huge part of it.

1

so wise.

1

If you as an individual can make the lives 7 people in he course of your life a little happier, you've done all right.
If we a s a species can do this for one another things could get a little happier all round.
Unfortunately as a species and as individuals, humans tend toward being arseholes both by chance and intent and worse tend to see being such as a virtue to be aspired to.

1

Interesting point. Existentiallism is an encompassing. In psychology, Maslow's hierarchy of needs covers most the self needs by his second tier. It's when we get to a higher sence of existing that we can then supercede the ego and work towards the larger ideas of community, and global issue. Beautiful quote though.

2

I always did like Joseph Campbell.

I came to the conclusion that the meaning of life is up to us to decide on an individual level. It kind of runs that same line. How a person "feels alive" differs from one to another which is what leads me to believe it really is an individual ideal and decision.

I honestly believe this is so many religions fail. They try to get everyone on the same page, make everyone comply to the same life and rules. That just isn't real and leaves way too many people feeling empty and lost.

AmyLF Level 7 June 24, 2018
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