The meaning of Life can be found among the infinite variety of expressions and forms that are associated with It.
It can be found when a child is born.
It can be found when a lioness protects a baby deer.
It can be found through the sight of only one visible star in a cloudy sky at night.
It can be found in the generosity of a drunkard.
It can be found when a mother forgives her daughter's killer.
It can be found when a man sacrifices himself to save a complete stranger.
It can be found as the sparkle in a child's eye.
It can be found through the smell of the morning dew.
It can be found as the dance between the Moon and the Sun in an eclipse.
It can be found sung to God by illiterate villagers.
It can be found through an elephant's shedding of tears for its dead calf.
It can be found when rain falls in summer.
It can be found when the Sun shines in winter.
It can be found in the lonely silence of space.
It can be found as the tears of a child.
It can be found through the unconditional love possessed by a dog even when abused by its owner.
It can be found as the righteous roar of thunder.
It can be found in the gentle swaying of an oak tree.
It can be found as the laughter of a child.
It can be found by our ability to learn from past mistakes.
It can be found as the majestic view gained standing on a mountain-top.
It can be found through the charity of those already poor.
It can be found as hope in situations which appear hopeless.
It can be found chirped by birds at dawn.
It can be found when the defeated rise to claim genuine victory.
It can be found when a fish successfully swims upstream even while struggling against the tide.
It can be found as the divinely inspired insanity of a man living on the streets.
It can be found by the courage of a disabled man who is ready to overcome all obstacles.
It can be found when a boy softly kisses his father on the nose.
It can be found as the colour of a flower.
It can be found when two people fall rise in love.
It can be found through inward freedom in spite of outward slavery.
It can be found when the blind see.
It can be found when the deaf hear.
It can be found when the lame walk.
It can be found when the mute speak.
It can be found when the dumb know.
It can be found everywhere.
It is found everywhere!
Rise in love. I like that. Very nice, very nice. I'm experiencing that right now. Takes me totally out of my element. Otherworldly feeling. Indescribable. Can only be felt/experienced/known.
Rise in love. I like that.
I like it too. I never liked the sound of 'falling in love' anyway, I'd rather RISE in love and ascend to Heaven. 
Otherworldly feeling. Indescribable. Can only be felt/experienced/known.
Yup, it's definitely an otherworldly feeling. It can also be unworldly, too. I've always felt that we should strive to embody the ethos of being in this world, but not of this world. All of the greatest things in life are ineffable, they (like you've already mentioned) can only be felt/experienced/known. I'm so glad that you're on the same wave-length as me! 
Even with all the forms and expressions you've listed, I'm still at a loss to know why my life is so important...
Maybe I'm ignorant... or blind to some sort of seemingly invisible purpose waiting for me... It just gets harder and harder each day to find any happiness in my life. 
Even with all the forms and expressions you've listed, I'm still at a loss to know why my life is so important...
Your life is so important for the same reason that ALL life is so important - because it is the supreme opportunity for all beings to engage in their own unique type of self-expression and enrich the Infinite Whole of which they are a part.
Maybe I'm ignorant... or blind to some sort of seemingly invisible purpose waiting for me... It just gets harder and harder each day to find any happiness in my life.
I don't think you're ignorant. I don't think you're blind either. I often feel the same way as you do. We share the same basic struggle, though the specific details of our struggle may vary. But I firmly believe, in my heart of hearts, that what you seek - you already are. Could it be that it's getting harder and harder each day for you to find any happiness in your life because you are seeking happiness in things that are external to yourself?
Wow Rishi, I've never really thought about it like that.... I've always tried to look on the bright side, but when I do or when I feel I can achieve something, something else always seems to hold me back or get in my way.
Happiness rarely exists within my family. I'm always the one trying to keep everyones spirits up but their negative energy silently drags me down with them. Its awful and I try to find a way around it all. I'll often try to reinvent myself thinking it will stop the pain by keeping things fresher. But your right Rishi, its not the real me and the new found freshness quickly goes south... I guess I can only accept myself for who I am... and somehow not let all the tension and negativity around me eat me up...
Wow Rishi, I've never really thought about it like that.... I've always tried to look on the bright side, but when I do or when I feel I can achieve something, something else always seems to hold me back or get in my way.
Happiness rarely exists within my family. I'm always the one trying to keep everyones spirits up but their negative energy silently drags me down with them. Its awful and I try to find a way around it all. I'll often try to reinvent myself thinking it will stop the pain by keeping things fresher. But your right Rishi, its not the real me and the new found freshness quickly goes south... I guess I can only accept myself for who I am... and somehow not let all the tension and negativity around me eat me up...
Heck yes! Same wavelength, bro! We're very similiar, as I have noticed throughout the years. And Shibuya...i'm going to refrain from repeating what Rishi has so eloquently put out, but react in agreement. Be who you are and find the happiness that resides inside you. Don't let others tell you what should make you happy and make you quesion if you really are happy. We're all going through this...and we're all going through it together. You are my brother as I am yours. 
Human beings are one family.
It's the truth man, it's the truth.
It's the truth man, it's the truth.
I know. 
Heh, this topic reminds me of the Iron Maiden Song "Blood Brothers". It simply takes a look at all the negative things that are going on in the world and asks "Why?" Why do it when in reality, we are all brothers. Song kinda takes a cynical route (But its reflecting on the state of the world, so that's kinda necessary), while still looking at the importance and beauty of life even though the song remains pessimistic. That doesn't keep it from being beautiful at the same time. Yes, I'm totally using this thread to expand my IM fanboyism
And if you're talking a walk through the garden of life
What do you think you'd expect you would see?
Just like a mirror reflecting the moves of your life
And in the river reflections of me
Just for a second a glimpse of my father I see
And in a movement he beckons to me
And in a moment the memories are all that remain
And all the wounds are reopening again
We're blood brothers
We're blood brothers
We're blood brothers
We're blood brothers
And as you look all around at the world in dismay
What do you see, do you think we have learned?
Not if you're taking a look at the war torn affray
Out in the streets where the babies are burned
We're blood brothers
We're blood brothers
We're blood brothers
We're blood brothers
There are times when I feel I'm afraid for the world
There are times I'm ashamed of us all
When you're floating on all the emotion you feel
And reflecting the good and the bad
Will we ever know what the answer to life really is?
Can you really tell me what life is?
Maybe all the things that you know that are precious to you
Could be swept away by fate's own hand
We're blood brothers
We're blood brothers
We're blood brothers
We're blood brothers
When you think that we've used all our chances
And the chance to make everything right,
Keep on making the same old mistakes
Makes untipping the balance so easy
When we're living our lives on the edge
Say a prayer on the book of the dead
We're blood brothers
We're blood brothers
We're blood brothers
We're blood brothers
And if you're taking a walk through the garden of life.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgC3uyjgmn0
If you want to see it. Yeah, I kinda derailed, but the thread made me think of this song sorta. Tell me what you guys think, if anything.
Also, trivia time! Steve Harris (Bassist and Founding Member) wrote this song, and while on the tour for the album that this song appeared on, lost his father while on the tour. So, they honor this song in his name as part of the lyrics mention someone remembering their father and such.
Wow Hukos! *high fives and gives kudos for your extreme fanboyism* Haha! Those lyrics are really great, though. I'll have to give that song a listen...right...now! *clicks*
To me, the meaning of life is to experience enlightenment.
Enlightenment is realising that all souls are equal sparks of the Divine. Enlightenment is realising that you don't have to externally seek inexhaustible happiness in the diverse objects of this world, because you are happiness. You are undiluted bliss. Nothing can disturb your bliss unless you yourself choose for it to happen. Enlightenment is realising that you cannot do ANYTHING in this entire universe and beyond without it somehow affecting this entire universe and beyond. Enlightenment is realising that you are eternally alive. Enlightenment is realising that words such as 'love', 'joy', 'beauty', 'freedom', 'justice' and 'truth' are essentially synonymous terms. Enlightenment is the realisation of the essential oneness of everything. Enlightenment is realising that those who are unkind, selfish and talkative are actually teachers worthy of our respect, because they sub-consciously teach us to be kind, selfless and silent. Enlightenment is realising that all things are conscious (and hence alive) and are full of intelligence (although sometimes this intelligence is subtly expressed). Enlightenment is the echo of silence. Enlightenment is the heartbeat of the sky. Enlightenment is the path travelled by the north wind. Enlightenment is remaining unaffected by both pleasurable and painful circumstances. Enlightenment is the act of being actively calm and calmly active. Enlightenment is the harmonious combination of child-like innocence with adult-like maturity. Enlightenment is the underlying unity behind all duality. Enlightenment is the complete removal of ignorance, the root cause of evil. Enlightenment is the be-all and end-all of existence. Enlightenment is the summum bonum of all existence. Enlightenment is pure realisation of Reality in its infinite facets.
Wow Hukos! *high fives and gives kudos for your extreme fanboyism* Haha! Those lyrics are really great, though. I'll have to give that song a listen...right...now! *clicks*
Most metal bands have a perception of having terrible lyrics, but that's mostly untrue, especially with Maiden (They're just abstract, take a bit of thinking to understand). Most of them are War = Evil (Pretty much any war song they've done, especially on their last album), History, Mythology (Not as prevelant as their war and history songs, more like a few songs here and there, but not too heavy, mostly constructive criticism regarding religon,), Literature (About half their discography 😛 I find it funny when people think metal bands are nothing but idiots when IM probably reads 10x as many books in a year as these critics will have read in their lifetime). And quite a few mention what is the meaning of life and all, and other related themes.
See why I love them so much?
Let us rejoice in the miracle of life!
Wow Hukos! *high fives and gives kudos for your extreme fanboyism* Haha! Those lyrics are really great, though. I'll have to give that song a listen...right...now! *clicks*
Most metal bands have a perception of having terrible lyrics, but that's mostly untrue, especially with Maiden (They're just abstract, take a bit of thinking to understand). Most of them are War = Evil (Pretty much any war song they've done, especially on their last album), History, Mythology (Not as prevelant as their war and history songs, more like a few songs here and there, but not too heavy, mostly constructive criticism regarding religon,), Literature (About half their discography 😛 I find it funny when people think metal bands are nothing but idiots when IM probably reads 10x as many books in a year as these critics will have read in their lifetime). And quite a few mention what is the meaning of life and all, and other related themes.
See why I love them so much?
Yea...misconceptions and misrepresentation is dumb. I don't really know what I think of when I think of metal bands. Lots of heavy guitar and mad drumming. Screaming to a degree. *shrugs* But seeing your breakdown of IM seems really interesting. I do see why you love them so much. And yes Rishi...the miracle of life. *cheers*
LOL! Fantastic!
The meaning of life
There isn't one. =)
The meaning of life
There isn't one. =)
There is. =)
I'm a nihilist in a sense (Technically I consider myself to be an existentialist but I think that's related to Nihilism anyway... but whatever)... and I still think there's a meaning to life (Just not a preset one). Rather, life is whatever you think it is. If you think the meaning of life is take a **** at 3AM everyday, then goddammit, that's the meaning of life!
I'm a nihilist in a sense (Technically I consider myself to be an existentialist but I think that's related to Nihilism anyway... but whatever)...
Well, there are various forms of nihilism and one of these forms is existential nihilism. Existential nihilism argues that life is without meaning, purpose or intrinsic value.
and I still think there's a meaning to life (Just not a preset one). Rather, life is whatever you think it is. If you think the meaning of life is take a **** at 3AM everyday, then goddammit, that's the meaning of life!
I think that Life expresses itself in an infinite variety of expressions and forms, which, by extension, could include an infinite number of meanings - at least in a relative sense anyway. 'Meaning' is such a subjective and nebulous word anyway. A part of me is inclined to believe that Life has meaning only if we imbue it with meaning and yet another part of me is EQUALLY inclined to believe that Life, in an absolute sense, does indeed inherently have meaning - ONE MEANING - which unifies ALL Life as One Coherent Whole. What is that meaning? I do not know. Perhaps no-one will ever know. Perhaps 'It', by its very nature, is unknowable - for the sheer depth of this mystery can hardly be fathomed by ANY of us.....
I'm a nihilist in a sense (Technically I consider myself to be an existentialist but I think that's related to Nihilism anyway... but whatever)...
Well, there are various forms of nihilism and one of these forms is existential nihilism. Existential nihilism argues that life is without meaning, purpose or intrinsic value.
and I still think there's a meaning to life (Just not a preset one). Rather, life is whatever you think it is. If you think the meaning of life is take a **** at 3AM everyday, then goddammit, that's the meaning of life!
I think that Life expresses itself in an infinite variety of expressions and forms, which, by extension, could include an infinite number of meanings - at least in a relative sense anyway. 'Meaning' is such a subjective and nebulous word anyway. A part of me is inclined to believe that Life has meaning only if we imbue it with meaning and yet another part of me is EQUALLY inclined to believe that Life, in an absolute sense, does indeed inherently have meaning - ONE MEANING - which unifies ALL Life as One Coherent Whole. What is that meaning? I do not know. Perhaps no-one will ever know. Perhaps 'It', by its very nature, is unknowable - for the sheer depth of this mystery can hardly be fathomed by ANY of us.....
I meant that like this: Life only has meaning if you attribute meaning to it. No one will do that for you. If you fail to do this, then there is no meaning to life.
Also, second paragraph Rishi, as I said before, I disagree on there being an inherent meaning to life. Meaning only has meaning when meaning is attributed to meaning. You get what I mean? XD
And I feel the idea of never knowing what it is would be kind of sad, but necessary in a sense. I feel great joy in learning new things, and the thought of never learning it would dissapoint me, but at the same time; should we ever learn everything in the world, then there would be nothing more to learn. :S
I feel great joy in learning new things, and the thought of never learning it would dissapoint me, but at the same time; should we ever learn everything in the world, then there would be nothing more to learn. :S
I also feel great joy in learning new things and the thought of never learning about a possibly inherent meaning of Life (or anything in general) would also disappoint me. Yet I also feel as though this cosmos, this Maya, is truly infinite in its extent and we, encased in our current physical bodies, are confined to certain boundaries. I'm a firm believer of reincarnation though and I'm also a firm believer that we can also release ourselves from the cycle of ongoing birth and death. If one liberates oneself from such a cycle, then I guess everything learnable is learnt - perhaps even merely remembered (omniscience might be our natural state of being).
Until such a thing occurs though, it's the law of eternal unfulfillment! 
No, the meaning of life is NO LONGER BEING A MOTHER ****ING DUCK!
No, the meaning of life is NO LONGER BEING A MOTHER ****ING DUCK!
No, that's just ONE of the meanings of life!
Indeed good fellow, indeed. But how many people will see this topic now that Marble Garden is tucked away within the realms of the forum jump button?
well my own philosophy of the meaning of life, is to live your life to the fullest you can.
have dreams and follow them even change them at one point, invent create leave your mark on the world and do good by passing down knowledge and experiance all that life has to give you, from the beauty of nature to the joy of technology, fall in love and be loved, explore new places and make new discoveries to enlight the world, share your talent for music and art... there's so much humans can do and feel happy about.
humans arent like animals and plants, each human has the ability to better the world for other people. we're all like knitting this huge sweater together and need to live our life fully to contribute to a better future for the generations behind us till one day absolute peace and love take over every heart. that's what i think we were supposed to do, make earth perfect.
So in other words, the meaning of life is to give your life meaning?
wow sounds cooler when you said it turtle.
Probably something along the lines of what TTG said.
