Topic started by Ellen (@ c-66-177-115-58.se.client2.attbi.com) on Tue Apr 8 13:14:15 .
All times in EST +10:30 for IST.

Is a person's attitude and inner world all that is required to live a meaningful life?

Responses:

• From: No one (@ gay.lib.unf.edu) on: Tue Apr 8 18:49:32 EDT 2003
  
  Does your meaning increase with age?
  
  
• From: stg (@ 12.151.162.25) on: Wed Apr 9 06:47:21 EDT 2003
  
  Meaningful means different things to different people, its very subjective. There are people who want to create and innovate, some want to do daring things, some want to reach the pinnacle in sports, some want to do a honest work and some to want to live lika bum and some like to be parasites.
  
  
• From: Raghu (@ 217.158.120.226) on: Wed Apr 9 08:17:06 EDT 2003
  
  Ellen,
  
  Q) Is a person's attitude and inner world all that is required to live a meaningful life?
  
  A) yes, for a materialistic world we live in, but this world is not real but an illusion, so until, we all realise the true meaning of life, no body will be able to live a meaning full life, in other words, no matter how gooder person u r, u will never life a meaning ful life, as no body ever knows the maening of life !
  
  
• From: Raghu (@ 217.158.120.226) on: Wed Apr 9 08:18:24 EDT 2003
  
  oops it should be read as,
  
  >>in other words, no matter how wonderful person u r, u will never live a meaning ful life, as no body ever knows the maening of life !
  <<
  
  
• From: Ellen (@ c-66-177-115-58.se.client2.attbi.com) on: Wed Apr 9 09:10:20 EDT 2003
  
  Raghu,
  
  
  How do you live meaningfully if you say that life is only an 'illusion'? Are alluding to hindu philosophy of samsara?
  
  I think it more optimistic to believe that there is meaning in life, perhaps a personal one as well a one of a greater magnitude for all mankind. However, it is the second one that is hard for us. For mostly all religions, I think the greater meaning of life comes from the belief in an eventual freedom from suffering and vice.
  
  I just thought something interesting...the difference between Christianity and Hinduism is that in Christian beliefs, not all must realize the true meaning of life. Some reject the gospel and others accept it; those who accept receive everlasting life. In Hindu beliefs, it is mistaken to think one is alone and it is great misunderstanding to disregard one's past lives and the future lives as well, in this world in which all living things are connected. And thus, it does seem all-or-nothing and perhaps a bit fatalistic. I think both belief systems have pros and cons.
  
  
  I think it really difficult situation when it is hard to see which perspective is the objective reality. As far as I can tell, most people hold beliefs they were raised in and not by reasoned choice and investigation of every single belief system out there and then decide, oK, this is the truth as far as the evidences lead me to conclude. Yeah right!
  
  ..while others think it complete when they state the meaning of life in terms of the world right now.
  
  
  I am very much in search for the meaning of life and I don't think I can stop with the notion/belief that it is impossible to know and so don't try! It is a real source of quiet anguish.
  
  
• From: Manu (@ 205.211.141.1) on: Sun Apr 13 13:42:48 EDT 2003
  
  Dear all,
  
  I would like to share my learning with you all. Every individual is a unique in personality. So none of the religion or faith or constitution or teaching is perfect for any individual. My views for meaningful life are as follows:
  
  Learn from behavioral pattern of billion of cells in our body. How interestingly they support each other to live together. Now assume the society as a huge body, so we know what to do now.
  
  Learning attitude helps more than a teaching. I love to learn everyday from any possible source.
  
  Keep a great self-esteem, and never turn to anyone who keeps discouraging you rather you keep a watch on your self.
  
  Try to find out all the secretes about our life. Keep and live a spiritual life.
  
  I don’t say I have achieved all that what I want, but I know what I want.
  
  Emotionless love, self-appreciation and learning my own life are the key points for me.
  
  My friends, my honest saying is that no one can teach you meaningful life, but you have to find and make your life as meaningful.
  
  With love
  Manu
  
  
  
  
• From: ellen (@ c-66-177-115-58.se.client2.attbi.com) on: Sun Apr 13 22:34:22 EDT 2003
  
  emotionless love?
  
  
• From: Shakthi (@ 203-195-199-244.now-india.net.in) on: Sat Apr 19 00:57:56 EDT 2003
  
  you satisfy ur need, aim and ambitions i guess u lived a meaningful life.
  
  Osama has lived a meaning ful life for his own.
  so has binladen
  or bush
  or sadaam
  
  totally relative concept.
  
  Meaning ful life should have no regrets about urself from urself
  
  
• From: Roshan (@ 203.115.13.90) on: Sat Apr 19 02:42:03 EDT 2003
  
  Shakthi, In other words self stisfaction isn't it?
  
  
• From: Shakthi (@ 203-195-199-246.now-india.net.in) on: Sat Apr 19 14:07:46 EDT 2003
  
  roshan,
  
  hmm yeah self satisfaction.....
  
  lol (not that i was beatin round the bush)
  
  what i meant was
  
  self satisfaction.......along with 'I care a damn' attitude, is required.
  
  wonder how many of us are like that
  
  world is full of hypocrites
  
  
• From: manu (@ 205.211.141.23) on: Sat Apr 19 14:18:14 EDT 2003
  
  Hai Ellen,
  
  Emotionless love mean not to expect any thing from that love.
  
  Emotions, whether it is on love or war, is worst kind which easily divert us from our purpose. Purpose is not common as many religions teach. Everyone has different purpose. Our spirit and mind should accept our purpose; I mean that our purpose shouldn't be decided by someone else.
  
  I wish you to enjoy your life.
  
  Manu
  
  
  
• From: Nobody lamenting (@ dhcp-161-62.cslab.unf.edu) on: Mon Apr 21 20:28:32 EDT 2003
  
  Hey Manu,
  You are really nice, a beautiful person.
  your character is radiant. I wonder if you have the wisdom of the sages or if you are an old person. I wonder how you are so bountiful in the good perspective. I am just some passerby, not really feeling like I find home in earth and social spheres.
  
  I am tired of frivolousness. I am tired of dissension. I want love, peace, happiness, and rest and finding comfort in my worth. Hey, I am a student (literally) and I am a searcher of meaning, but really, I haven't found much meaning in how humans interact, esp. that of opposite sex and me. All the socializations, frivolities!
  
  
  
• From: fridge (@ netcache6.is.co.za) on: Tue Apr 22 06:38:45 EDT 2003
  
  
  
  whilst searching for the meaning of life one may tend to miss it totaly, You cannot put the meaning of life into a nice definition or a philosophical passage and place it in an old book to be studdied, Life happens and one can be in it or stand by watching the show.
  
  some qoutes anyway
  """When a defining moment comes along, you define the moment,
  or the moment defines you.
  - Kevin Costner, "Tin Cup""""
  
  
  
• From: Neck (@ ) on: Sat Jul 5 16:46:44
  
  Fraudster
  
  
• From: Ramadas (@ dclient217-162-115-14.hispeed.ch) on: Sun Jul 6 03:13:03 EDT 2003
  
  Somebody tell me what is meant by "meaningful life"?
  
  
• From: stg (@ 12.151.162.22) on: Sun Jul 6 05:50:33 EDT 2003
  
  ramadas,
  
  Its something for you to find out for yourself. So you know whats meaningful to you or you now decide whats meaningful and then channel all your energies to that which takes you near that meaning. All standards are set by you for you and meant to be achieved by you.
  
  
• From: *rak* (@ an7.emirates.net.ae) on: Sun Jul 6 07:12:29 EDT 2003
  
  Arent a "meaningful life" and the "meaning of life" entirely different things ??
  
  
• From: Shreeya (@ cpe000795e64b7f-cm014300002669.cpe.net.cable.rogers.com) on: Sun Jul 6 21:44:14 EDT 2003
  
  *rak* you pose an interesting point. Yes they are different but the two phrases go hand in hand.
  the "meaning of life"is different for different people. Therefore depending what "life" means to you as an individual only u can determine whether or not u have lived a meaningful life..
  
  
• From: Seshadri (@ 51.144.202.62.dial.bluewin.ch) on: Mon Jul 7 11:02:22 EDT 2003
  
  I supppose 'meaning of life' and living a 'meaningful life' are different things.
  
  The former is the search for the purpose of existence - of all life in general and of our own life in particular. One has to delve into the areas of philosophy and different theories can be evolved.
  
  One (practical) theory I came across is - each one of us acts as a 'carrier of human genes' for a few decades, aiding in carry over from generation to generation. This may be a very materialistic, mundane view of the 'meaning of life'.
  
  But, it very well fits the truth.
  
  Living a 'meaningful life' has to do with optimum utilization of one's talents and potential for the maximum benefit to humanity and simultaneously, for the thorough enjoyment and fulfilment at personal level.
  
  All gifted persons are aware of the heights of happiness achieved when one is able to utilize talents for producing the maximum possible enrichment/impact to the society.
  
  Hence, the accent is on carrying out high quality work, becoming higher and higher, year after year.
  
  This quality, combined with humane values like creating pleasantness all around, spreading cheer, being of service to the needy and to the unfortunate etc, gives a meaningful life.
  
  
• From: Rohit (@ webcacheh02a.cache.pol.co.uk) on: Mon Jul 7 15:14:31 EDT 2003
  
  Life with purpose can be considered as a meaningful life, without purpose there is no meaning to life. People may aks what purpose? And finding asnswer to that question may become the purpose for many;-))
  
  
• From: Rohit (@ webcacheh02a.cache.pol.co.uk) on: Mon Jul 7 15:18:36 EDT 2003
  
  Correction ;-))
  
  Life with purpose can be considered as a meaningful life, without purpose there is no meaning to life. People may ask what purpose? And finding answer to that question may become the purpose for many;-))
  
  
• From: Pavalamani Pragasam (@ dialpool-210-214-9-28.maa.sify.net) on: Tue Jul 8 01:36:09 EDT 2003
  
  Seshadri has hit the nail on the head. It cannot be explained more clearly or more correctly.Meaning of life ,it is true, is existence- a physical fact. Making it meaningful is the speciality of man, endowed with intellect unlike other existing creatures on earth.Wipe a few tears of fellow human beings, bring a smile to a miserable person's face, cause a humane trend to continue, take the initiative to solve a common problem- in short, get involved in human interaction avoiding frivolities.It almost crystalises to the concept of charity in its true sense.Need not be the kind professed by Mother Theresa.A softening of the heart, even in a small way is sufficient. It is a friendly, accomodating disposition towards fellow beings, without grudges, without petty jealousies and trivial considerations which matter most for living a meaningful life.Such an attitude smoothens the path to happiness, opens our eyes to real facts and shows ways to how best to make ourselves of service to our neighbours, society and the world.Being of service to others inexplicably soothes one's own soul. Happiness is a perfume you cannot sprinkle on others without getting a few drops on yourself.
  
  
• From: jog (@ 203.200.149.134) on: Tue Jul 8 09:01:16 EDT 2003
  
  hi manu,
  I liked your first post very much. There's something in it that makes for good living :)
  
  
• From: Jog (@ 203.200.149.134) on: Tue Jul 8 09:04:53 EDT 2003
  
  1) A quest for knowledge. It should be knowledge for it's own sake. Knowledge that clears up things in the world.
  2) A sincere longing that everyone in the world attain the highest good and peace.
  3) Understanding that EVERYTHING will pass - nothing is permanent.
  
  
• From: *rak* (@ an1.emirates.net.ae) on: Wed Jul 9 06:06:08 EDT 2003
  
  shreeya,
  what if, In one man's quest 4 meaningful life.. like in the case of terrorists who believe in their idealogies... he treads on many other lives. Do u call that meaningful existence.
  At the same time, we cannot expect all actions of everybody not to affect one another... so I feel, we all go along our ives and expect the meaningfulness to be there.. whatever V do... rather than do something 2 get that meaningfulness.
  
  
• From: LOL (@ 1cust199.tnt34.dfw9.da.uu.net) on: Tue Jul 22 21:23:00 EDT 2003
  
  WHY DO U ALWAYS HAVE A * AROUND YOUR NAME, ARE U A GIRL, THE NAME DOESNT SOUND LIKE IT
  
  
• From: Hope (@ c64121.upc-c.chello.nl) on: Tue Apr 27 15:32:24
  
  well actually the meaning of life is quite simple.
  Everybody knows the meaning of life.
  The question just has an aura of mystery.
  
  
• From: Hope (@ c64121.upc-c.chello.nl) on: Tue Apr 27 15:34:40 EDT 2004
  
  Existence does not explain ain't the answer but
  it is close.
  
  

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