Purpose Of Life

Life means whatever we say it means. This is something each individual must define, and meaning is found through reflection and observation.

Purpose, on the other hand, is Universal. And I believe the purpose of life is as follows:

Self-Discovery and Self-Knowledge At our most basic level, human beings are observers. For this reason our core life purpose must be about knowing who we are and watching our life unfold.

Often this involves a process of discovery and learning. Sadly most people bump their way through life without the slightest idea of who they are and what they want.

By making a knowledge of self the highest priority, one can easily put the rest of life into perspective. The chaos becomes stillness when we realize there is no need to decipher it, only a need to recognize it in ourselves.

Self-Expression The life experience is a vehicle through which each one of us should live out his or her highest values. This, I believe, is the pinnacle of “right living”.

It’s worth emphasizing the true nature of values here: I’m not referring to the values we are given by our parents, school teachers, the media, politicians, and collective society. I’m talking about the stuff that really matters to us.

Few people, when asked directly, can tell you what they truly value above all else. They’ll dutifully recite such basics as “family, my country, love” and so on. It takes an intentional effort to find what we really care about, and that’s why self-discovery comes before self-expression.

Once we know what ideals and experiences matter to us above all others, we can use life as a means for expressing and enjoying these values.

Transformation When Necessary Change is a part of the cosmic order. For most of us great transformation must take place during the course of our life in order for us to see who we are or become what we want.

It’s the process of change that matters. The progress is secondary.

Constant Expansion The Universe continues to expand. And as the literal breath of creation we too must continue to grow and expand.

That which makes us happy literally causes our energy to expand. While the things that sicken and depress us tend to constrict our beings at the energetic level.

So life is about knowing who we are, finding out along the way, or intentionally becoming what we want. And it’s about doing the things we love, with the people we love, and always seeking (or accepting) happiness and growth.

For more discussion on this topic be sure to check out my article on finding your life purpose; this post will look in-depth at how to find your own unique sense of purpose and destiny.