The Meaning of Life

The Manifesto once again has a guest blogger. Today's ponderings come from the Blogging Orangutan.  Enjoy!

Life; it is an unparalleled state, beyond quantification or explanation. In the average lifetime, you couldn’t cover even a fraction of what creation holds for its members. The expansiveness of life is so grand, that it leaves many with questions. What is this? Why is that, this way? Over time, we’ve grown up; moved beyond basic questioning; populated the Earth. During this period, we’ve come to the biggest question of all: why? Why are we here? What is our purpose? Does life have a meaning? These questions have given way to answers. Mind you, these answers aren’t always the same.

For some, the answer was explained away with magic’s; powers lowly mortals couldn’t comprehend. The days of polytheism are well documented. However, there are those of the time who believed in nothing but the dirt they’d turn into, one day. These are the ever-present fatalists, of the world. Then, the rise of monotheism came, and Judaism was born. Years later, in the Indus valley, the Hindu’s breathed their first answers; and so continued the many comings and goings of religion. Many would follow.

After this, the Romans would rule, for a time; their polytheistic background controlling the main stage in the west, while Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism battled it out, in the East; all main-stream religions. And of course, the rise of Christianity would follow. But, not six-hundred years later, the word of Allah would arrive, on scene. This has been a nice history lesson on some of the more widely followed religions, but perhaps unnecessary. We’ve gotten away from the topic; which is life.

What is the true purpose; the real meaning, of life? Is life a trial; our audition tape? Is it a test to see if we’ve been good enough to get into some pearly palace, in the sky? What if we break a few rules? Like or do the wrong things? Will we be damned to some fiery underworld ruled over by an evil and horned cretin? Perhaps. What about Nirvana? Mayhap we wish to go there? Or we wish to reincarnate back into Brahman; experiencing the joy of our reunion. But do we know these will happen? Are we so faithful; so sure of such things? So willing to sacrifice the most pure from of self-thought that we give our lives for it; wishing it is true?

No confirmed explanation has been given, save for the deathly gaze upon those now passed. It is not a comforting gaze, to be sure. Still, many are certain of their answers. So certain, that they give there lives for it, instantly. They jump at a chance to see their answer verified. However, not everyone has the right answer; how can they? If I answer with X, and you answer with Y, then who’s right? We cannot both be correct. So; we push. We shove. We fight. Fight to enforce our answer on the other; fight to make sure we’re right. But, here’s the question: Are we? Are we right? Perhaps we are; but, then again perhaps not. Maybe, the other person is right. Maybe they’re wrong, too.

Now, we’re left with two people, who may both be wrong. But, we’ve gone and enforced our beliefs; killed the other. So, you kill the person; and(since we’re potentially wrong in our beliefs) it was over what; an opinion. Does that mean I should start killing those who like green, best? I mean, after-all; they’ve got an opinion that is different, than my own. That MUST justify killing them. But, maybe not. Indeed, if I’d simply tolerated them, and allowed them to think what they wished, rather than forcing my own belief down their throat, they might still be alive. The meaning of life may be outlined in the bible; in the teachings of Allah, and Mohammad; in the Sanskrit language of the Indus Valley peoples; but certainly not in the killings of those whom you disagree with. That comes only from the anger of the righteous; an anger that hurts all around it.

As long as we have tolerance for the answers of others; the choices and beliefs they have, we will have the closet thing to peace, around. While many might disagree, or interpret differently, the fact remains: Humans are social beings; flawed and social beings. We will make many mistakes. We will die. These are things we must all accept. But while we’re here, we can certainly strive to be friends. Strive to understand each other. Strive to live; not to hate. Strive to love; not fight. Finally, while we may not strive to die, we should strive to understand that it will happen; we should not fear it, but embrace its inevitability. Embrace it, and spend our lives doing just that: Living. Life is wonderful, and precious; spending your time being fearful will only hinder you.