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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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14

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

8

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".

7

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

Yes

6

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. 😛

6

This is beautiful and definitely resonates with me!

5

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
5

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.

5

❤ Joseph Campbell ❤

Qualia Level 8 June 23, 2018
4

‘What is the meaning of a flea?’

-Joseph Campbell

4

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

4

I love this!!!

Duke Level 8 June 23, 2018
4

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

4

I like this quote.

4

Smart!!

Etre Level 7 June 23, 2018
4

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

3

Existence of any living creature boils down to what will you do next... and why.

3

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.

3

so wise.

3

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.

3

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

Joseph Campbell was my hero.

2

The meaning of life is that it ends.

2

Campbell was brilliant in ways that many aren’t. I think happiness and belonging are often confused with meaning and purpose. A healthy experience of life goes great lengths toward achieving real contentment.

2

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.

2

Nice quote.

t1nick Level 8 June 23, 2018
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