The Ultimate Unknown

Why are we really here? What is the meaning of life?

Those are two questions I pondered for the first time during meditation recently. See, I always used to take what others told me on this topic at face value, and never stopped to wonder for myself. Why? I’m not sure, but maybe it’s because I was happy with the answers I had.

All of my past intellectual pursuits of spirituality have shown me that the following is our reason for existence:

We are spiritual entities that originated from the Divine (aka, the Creator, God, the Universe, or insert any other name that feels comfortable here), and took on a human form to experience the trials and tribulations of living on this planet. Supposedly this planet offers the greatest challenges imaginable, and helps our spirits ascend very quickly, which is the definitive goal. All of the challenges we face offer us lessons on unconditional love, which is what we need in order to ascend.           

As I was meditating this weekend, however, my inquiry took me down this path:

If we originated from the Divine, and some would say that we are Divinity in human form, wouldn’t that also mean that we are Divine intelligence and love? If so, wouldn’t we have already started off ascended? Or underneath it all, aren’t we already what we’re striving to become?  

What benefit is there to having a human body? I don’t know about you, but if it’s true that we came from something all-powerful, omnipresent, and omniscient, I have to question why we’re hanging around in these ill-fitting monkey suits and banging our way through life? It seems like a cosmic waste of time. And what about our brains? I couldn’t help but wonder why, from a spiritual standpoint (not a medical one, because I get that), we need brains to begin with. If we emanate from an all-knowing creative force, how on earth could these paltry little thinking caps – which don’t even function at 100% of their capacity – measure up to the Divine intelligence that supposedly flows through each of us?

Then I began to question how our spirits and brains are connected. Does one drive the other? (And if so, I’d have to assume that our spirits drive our brains.) That got me thinking about people who have had out-of-body and near-death experiences. If someone has had an out of body or near death experience, often they describe themselves as having looked down upon their human forms and having been very aware of what was happening to them at the time. I’ve even heard some people say that once they regained consciousness, they were able to tell the people who were attending to them what was being talked about in the midst of such an event. One woman told her surgeons word for word what all of them were discussing while they operated on her anesthetized body. How on earth does that happen? I mean, when someone has an out-of-body or near-death experience, their brains are unconscious, right? If so, how are they able to process with seeming full awareness what’s going on around them if it’s not their brains doing the processing? (Can you tell that this was a fun meditation?!)

After I worked my way through that line of questioning, I started wondering about the validity of out-of-body and near-death experiences to begin with (please bear with me here). Even though I’ve always been a supporter of this type of thing, who am I to say that these experiences are real? How would I know? How could any of us know? Isn’t it possible that all out-of-body and near-death experiences are the result of chemical misfirings in the brain? There’s so much we don’t know about how our brains work that it seems limiting to label those experiences as being “X” instead of “Y.”

That led me to question if we can ever know anything for certain, which is a theory I’ve embraced before. This time, however, I wasn’t just asserting it after hearing someone else talk about it. I was applying it to this crazy mode of meditative inquiry I found myself entwined in. What I ended up realizing is that none of us has proof of anything in this world beyond a thought that we think. “I think, therefore I am.” The only proof for the things we think would be another thought. So really, there’s no deductive method for proving anything in life beyond the thoughts that we think. Therefore I had to conclude that I could never know the answer to the questions I originally asked: Why are we here? What is the meaning of life?

When I came up against this wall in my meditative inquiry, it’s as if I entered an abyss and crossed the threshold into the ultimate unknown.

 

What do you think? Have you ever thought about these questions before, and if so, where did you end up in your reasoning?

Comments

[Jay Schryer]

I love your mind, Megan! I love the way you think, and that you're thinking about *this* in particular. This is really deep, and I love that.

I spend a lot of time thinking about these things, and not just in meditation. I had a near-death experience after a car accident at age 19. Since that time, I've been nearly consumed by the questions that it raised...questions such as the ones you've asked here.

My own personal belief is that we are here to experience life. The goods and the bads, the ups and the downs. I could write an entire post about this, but the short version is this:

God (or whatever word you want to use) can't directly experience the physical world. If God can do anything, then it can never fully trust it's experiences. If you bang your knee against the bedframe in the middle of the night, it hurts. It hurts because you have no power over the pain. God, on the other hand, can make the pain go away in an instant. In fact, God can make it so that the pain never occurred. Likewise, God can never really know what it means to feel alone, or scared, or sad.

So, he created mortals, and he put a little spark of himself in each of us, and sent us out into the world to experience life. At the end, that little piece (our soul) goes back and joins with God, giving Her/Him/It a glimpse of what life is like.

[Megan Bord]

Hi, Jay!

I love that youre always the first commenter; it is truly such a joy to read your good thoughts on everything I write. So first and foremost, thank you!

I like the way you framed that up, and way back when I first started on my spiritual path, I read something like that, and it felt good. My mind certainly appreciates that type of logic, anyway. Granted, Im still in that no-mans land of realizing I cant know ... until I know. (Does that make sense?!)

Gosh, how I would just LOVE to sit down with you some day and hash this stuff out over a steaming cup of hot chocolate and a Rice Krispy treat (because thats what Im in the mood for right now!).

Be well, my friend, and thank you so much for sharing such a cool perspective here today.

[Nadia - Happy Lotus]

Hi Megan,

Cool post and I think it is awesome that you were so open about how your meditation went.

Like Jay, I had a near-death experience when I was 15. It changed my life around in the sense it made me aware of time and how this journey can end in a second.

That said, I never was one of those people who struggled over the existence of God/The Universe/The Force or whatever term someone likes to use. For me, it was a given that there was something higher at work here. What I wanted to know was how could I make the most out of being alive.

The great thing about spirituality is that it gives us a lot of information on what makes a good life but it is up to us to make the most out of what we are given. The how is more important than the why.

Your post also brings to mind a chapter in one of the Hindu Holy Books called the Bhagavad Gita. In the book, Krishna tells Arjuna that if he were to see God in all its power, he would not be able to handle it. I never forgot that because I often think it represents an important point. God/The Universe/Force does things for reasons that we will never know and maybe we are not supposed to know. What we do know is what we have and it is up to us to decide what we do with it.

There is so much more I would love to say but then this comment would be really huge. :) I hope we can talk more about this sometime soon!

Hugs to you!

[Karl Staib - Work Happy Now]

I've asked myself this question and thrown myself into the abyss as well. I've realized that shooting out mental thoughts in the dark only got me more lost. I tried to simplify my question.

I ask myself what makes me happy? Almost every time it came back to the concept of helping others. When I make someone else happy it makes me happy. So that's what I'm here to do, make other people happy.

[Megan Bord]

Hi, Nadia!

Thanks for your fantastic and thought-provoking comment! Now, my mind wants to play devils advocate and say that the how is actually motivated by the why. The two cant be separated. We take holy texts at face value, and let others inquiries serve as foundations for our own beliefs. I guess during my meditation I was trying to storm the castle, so to speak, and reconcile how anyone could ever know anything about why were here, or even how we ought to live. It seems presumptuous.

I really value your perspective, though, especially since youve had a near-death experience and have been on the brink of nothingness (or was it more like the eternal?). Either way, I find all of it fascinating and absolutely incomprehensible at the same time. It seems that there must be a greater intelligence at work in this world, doesnt it? And like you, I strongly believe in the concept of God, miracles, instant manifestation, and the like. When I let my mind go beyond my beliefs, though, it was pretty wild.

As you said, maybe we dont need to know and we can just do with what we have before us - less inquiry, more living!

Id love to talk about this more, too. Thanks for adding a great layer of richness to the post!

[Megan "JoyGirl!" Bord]

Hi, Karl!

I think that's a very admirable place to land, and like you, I find that somehow when I help others, my happiness expands. And maybe like Nadia said, the "why" is unimportant. I can settle for my experience, instead.
Thanks for sharing and leaving a great comment!

[Jodi at Joy Discovered]

Hi Megan,
This does sound like a fun meditation! I agree, all we have are our thoughts and beliefs. I think after a while we're as sure as we can be about certain beliefs and so we rest our case, so to speak, and shift our questioning to other pursuits. My belief about why we're here is that we are ascending by putting all our divine theories into practice. Living unconditional love, forgiveness, non-judgment, in the midst of non-stop human challenges certainly helps a spirit grow and expand. I think we're here to expand spiritually. I think that yes, we are a part of the divine and we're perfection therefore, but figuratively, not literally. In human form we have to expand beyond our ego and learn to function exclusively out of love, and never with struggle. That's quite a challenge! Anyway, those are my two cents but I can't really know this for sure, either!

[Tim]

Hi Megan:

I enjoyed reading this deep post...so much to ponder. I went through a period of time about 10 years ago where I began to doubt everything I believed from my Catholic upbringing. I also questioned everything from a Christian perspective. I prayed and meditated that I would get some sort of answer...and ultimately I did get an answer that clarified things for me. Perhaps this is a perfect topic for a blog post of mine...but I've been very hesitant to share this with anyone.

In any case, I always (kiddingly) ask myself and others "What is the meaning of life?" and I'm not sure I have any answers. I also know what you mean about those near death experiences and have wondered if it is more chemical or spiritual. I've never had one, but I'm leaning toward spiritual.

But, as much as I found certainty and answers to some of my questions, there is still so much that I'm not sure about. Thanks again for a very thought-provoking post!

[Alexys Fairfield]

Hi Megan,

My, you have elaborate meditations. I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't have to meditate from your meditations.

Ah, the old meaning of life question. I used to ask that very question to the people I interviewed. They used to squirm in their seat, contort their face and several of them could never form an answer. It was a real ice breaker.

I think you answered the question in writing, "aren’t we already what we’re striving to become?"

Yes, we just don't know it until we spin and spin and spin, then one day when we stop spinning we realize, we are already there. But we have to spin to know; we can't skip that step because in the spinning the dust settles on the illusions.

We use 100% of our brain, except people who have had brain injuries. There is no scientific evidence to suggest that we use less of our brains. That statement may have been started with a misquote of Albert Einstein.

Simply put, the meaning of life is to have meaning in life and the only way to do that is through love.

Awesome post my friend!

[Evita]

Hi Megan

I loved this!

And I am so happy that Jay commented, because I will never forget the beautiful comment he left regarding this topic on one of my posts.

In many aspects, it is true as you say...we really don't know anything for sure.

However, I learned something awesome from Tom Campbell and how he came to know about about OOBE's and the nature of life and this Universe, is by doing his own experiments. Going within and changing your focus of consciousness can take one into other dimensions - into other realms. And if we allow ourselves to go that route, we can discover for ourselves what is "real" and what isn't. Ultimately, as he said, and this really resonated with me - "we make up what we want to see, feel, experience, etc." - this is why there is no one absolute way to view this.

As for life and all, my take on it is that we are divine, but in order for us to know our divinity, we need to experience the opposite. Light does not know it is light, unless there is darkness. And at each level of every choice we make each day, we get to choose how we want to express ourselves.

Lastly, there need not be pain here - this is not something I am telling others to believe, but something that I have discovered myself and thus today hold as my own truth. We can come and experience whatever we want here, but it can be constant joy, just like for others it can be constant pain, and yet others a mix of the two.

Ultimately, go within, find your own truth and trust your self. That is perhaps the best advice I can ever give anyone on how to make sense of it all.

[suzen]

Hi Megan!
Marvelous meditation experience and the questions, oh those questions! Yeah, lots of bones to chew on there! And I've spent many years questioning, reading, studying, researching in both scientific and spirituals realms for answers, or at least clues.

While all that was time well spent, I came away with a bit more knowledge of a few things, but no answers to those nagging questions. And they DO nag, don't they? Boy Monkey Mind has a blast - in fact, as I read your post, I was thinking your monkey was on the loose! I think its totally normal to go thru all the questions - and we all come up with the same DUH I dunno in that abyss you spoke of.

I guess over the years I've come to realize I need to simplify by making up some answer so I'd stop Monkey and his banana schpeel. I told Monkey I'm here to love and serve in whatever loving ways I can the others that inhabit this planet.

Seems to have shut up the questioning. Until I read your blog, I can't remember the last episode of those haunting questions I've had! You know I'm all about conserving what waning energies I have left so this is just another (lame) attempt to do that I guess.

The study of the brain tho - yikes - I am still hooked on that. I'd highly recommend Joe Dispensa's book Evolve Your Brain and some of Lynn McTaggart's books on energy fields.

[Wilma Ham]

Hi Megan.
I too have thought and thought about the reason for living and how come we are making such a mess of it.
I have read over an over again that our mind cannot solve these problems, we need to go to our heart for answers about life and FEEL it.
For me I have decided that like SuZen, I am here to be love in action and to enjoy creation. I am not to solve the why, as indeed I am not capable to see the whole picture. I am part of a bigger divine creation and thus there are things I will never know and I do not need to know. (that took a bit for my controlling mind to accept).
There is a great director at work, I am just part of the orchestra. I am neither the composer nor the director, however I can still put a lot of love and uniqueness in my performance.
I am focused on living as grounded as I can, because in the end that is what counts.
Hugs to you and that mind of yours, Wilma

[Tess The Bold Life]

why we’re hanging around in these ill-fitting monkey suits and banging our way through life?

This line is hilarious. I just love you write and make us think.

My opinion: No we can't ever know anything except the present moment.

Everything we think we know is based on our past or past experience which no longer exists!

There is a line in A Course In Miracles that states "we don't know what anything is for!" I think it's true. We can analyze, guess, assume, etc but we can't "know." We can't explain the unexplainable.

That's why it's so important to live in the moment. Then we just have to "be" and how difficult we make that!

I do buy into your we're here to learn how to love unconditionally. I think we knew when or before we were born but we forgot:)

Great thinking. Great post.
God I hope I'm more than my thoughts!

[Stacey Shipman]

Oh good, I'm not the only one! And I just love your descriptive writing! Yes, I probably ask those questions once a week, and like Karl said, I, too, get thrown into an abyss and have to bring myself back.

The question ends up becoming: What's the point? By that I mean, if I'm not having fun, helping others, what's the point? If I'm stressing, for what? In the end I want to go not having spent my life stressed, but instead having spent my life doing something meaningful.

When I was younger my uncle took me, my sister and cousin out for ice cream. In those days he always had a video camera. We shot a video where he asked us, our backs turned to him,"What is the meaning of life?" And we turned around licking our ice creams cones, big smiles on our faces and said "Ice cream!" Sounds good to me.

[Jillian]

Good morning Megan,

I'm not sure where to begin with your post. What I believe and what I see don't always gel.

What I would like to ask of all of you is that while you are in your meditation contemplating our existence could you please pray for Thomas Walsh. Thomas is 14 and he became good friends with my nephew on the ski racing course.

He was diagnosed back in May with Ewing Sarcoma, with mestastasis to the lungs. He has been vigorously fighting a battle to overcome a disease that seems to have no cure. Please help him overcome his battle. He has so much life to live.

The parents have sent out a request for guidance on how to help him cope with his amazing desire to survive.

Please visit them on their website and give them your valuable input https://www.carepages.com/carepages/Thomasgettingbetter/patient.

Thank you so much, I believe in the power of positive thoughts and prayers and I know that your connection to the Universe could help Thomas.

[Jillian]

I think this is the better URL to Thomas's website. You have to sign in first

https://www.carepages.com/carepages/Thomasgettingbetter

[Megan "JoyGirl!" Bord]

Hi, Jodi!
I loved reading your comment – it appealed to me in so many ways. We’re as sure as we can be… I think you put that really well in your opening statement. I also resonated with your idea about why we’re here. Reading your words feels so right to me, and is aligned with what I’ve been learning for the past seven years. It was just interesting to sit and question what I believe, and come up against a nothing-answer, as it were.
The idea of expanding beyond our ego, learning to function exclusively from love but never with struggle. Wow… You said a mouthful there – an inspirational one, mind you – but a mouthful nonetheless (and summed it up in one sentence!). Jodi, I always appreciate your take on things, and this comment is one I’ll refer back to often. Thank you so much.

Hi, Tim!
Thank you for taking time to read and comment, and when you do write your blog post on this topic, I’ll definitely want to read it. Being recently caught up in this question, I’m finding it’s very enjoyable to speak with others who also have an opinion. What a marvelous conversation has been happening with all the comments already --- more to sit with, I suppose! I’m grateful for your good time and energy, and again, anxiously await your own thesis on this topic!

Hi, Alexys!
Every comment I’ve received has given me a slightly different perspective, or way or looking at my life, and I’m so grateful. Your comment was yet another! I love how you said this, “...until we spin and spin and spin, then one day when we stop spinning we realize, we are already there. But we have to spin to know.” You’ve eased my mind, that’s for sure! I now feel that even though I came to a non-answer, it was such a necessary process in order to move forward. Thank you for the way you presented your views on this subject; it was wonderful to read!

Hi, Evita!
The idea of Tom Campbell doing his own experiment on the one hand sounds fascinating – like, “YES! That’s the way to ‘prove’ something to ourselves.” Of course then my brain decides that, “No, even experiments can’t be trusted because it’s still our mind that processes the information and serves it up to us through thought, which relies on other thoughts to validate itself.” Then of course, when you wrote, “’we make up what we want to see…’” and “…there is no one absolute way to view this.” THAT really struck a chord. Suddenly I had the wiggle room I needed to embrace the idea of someone doing their own experimentation. Gosh, I’m so intrigued by this!
I’m also happy you pointed out the idea that in order for us to know thing, we have to witness its opposite so that meaning can be imbued. Context is everything, from what I’ve learned so far.
Lastly, the idea that pain is unnecessary – that’s something more books should be written on in my humble opinion. At the very least to give people hope and move them toward the more positive end of the living spectrum.
Thank you so much for your thought-provoking, and soul soothing comment.

Hi, SuZen!
From my monkey mind to yours, good morning! I laughed and then immediately thought, “That’s brilliant!” when I read your comment about how you made up an answer so that your monkey mind had something to chew on. It was a good answer, too! (Like what Jodi said so eloquently in her comment.)
Those books – thank you! I’m going to see if the library has what you mentioned. These brains of ours are fascinating things, aren’t they?!

Hi, Wilma!
After my meditation (and how much my head was spinning!), your comment about going to the heart for life’s meaning feels very, very good. In the past when I’ve turned to my heart, things have always flowed beautifully. I’m so used to meditating with or on (that sounds funny) my mind. I should look up some heart-based feeling meditations on Jan Lundy’s site.
I love how you worded this part of your comment, “…I am just part of the orchestra. I am neither the composer nor the director, however I can still put a lot of love and uniqueness in my performance.” I guess ultimately, if I rest with my beliefs that there is, indeed, a greater power at work here which is both composer and director in the largest sense, I fall in line with your thinking. Brilliantly put!
And thank you for the hugs to me as well as my mind. My mind definitely needs it! (smile)

Hi, Tess!
Thank you for appreciating my humor – you put a big smile on my face when I read your comment.
Ah, and the way you brought me right back to the present moment – the only thing that’s real. Even if we can’t all agree on what “real” is, the present moment is truly all we have. My mind even gets behind that theory! I should have known you’d have a wonderful take on this subject, and my goodness, I’m so very grateful, Tess.
And if you end up being no more than your thoughts, you’d still be way ahead in this game! (smile)

Hi, Stacey!
Ha! Nope, you’re not alone, but once a week? My goodness. I’m very tired just reading that line. I like how you keep yourself focused on living a meaningful life for you by asking the questions you listed. I do the same thing, only rather than asking the questions, I make the statements, “I want to have fun! I want to help people. I want to feel good every day and make a positive difference.” Then I see how the things I’m doing measure up to that.
As for ice cream being the meaning of life, I think I have a new blog post idea!
Thanks so much for coming by and commenting. I’ll think of you tonight when I have a pint of organic ice cream for dinner!

Hi, Jillian!
It would be a privilege to pray for Thomas. Consider it done, and consider the word spread to others. Thank you for suggesting we all do this.
Love and peace to all!

[Positively Present]

Great post on such an important topic. Like most people, I struggle with these questions, trying to find the answers. I never really seem to, but learning to live in the present has really helped me not to worry too much about them (in a good way). I still think about it, of course, but I don't stress about it, which is progress in my opinion!

[Megan Bord]

Hi, Positively Present!

I loved how your post today tied in with this --- and how you and Tess have both reminded me to be in the NOW. Why do I forget that? Im not sure, but I so appreciate the awesome reminders from fellow joy-gurus like you. Thank you!

[Tess The Bold Life]

Megan,
You're the best! And I love that title you mentioned. You rock!

[Peggy]

Talk about a mind tug toy! I'll probably have to read this again for your words to sink in... :-)

But it does remind me of a poem by AA Milne: Cottleston Pie

A bird can fly but a fly can't bird...ask me a riddle and I'll tell you why...

Why does a chicken I don't know why...ask me a riddle and I'll tell you why.

...who said Winnie-the-Pooh was just for kids??

Awesome post Megan!

[Erin]

We definitely are spiritual beings having a human experience. Life seems to be filled with great mysteries. I love that part. We may never know all the answers, but I know there is joy in each day especially when we lend a hand to others and make this world a better place because we were here. Inspiring thoughts today, thanks.

[Jillian]

Thank you Megan!!

[Paul Maurice Martin]

I asked those questions too, and for a long time. Eventually, the way it shook out for me was that I realized I'm essentially a statement and not a question.

[Brad]

Hi Megan,

Long time no talk to. Intuition leads here today for its unknown reasons.

"What is the meaning and purpose of life?" is certainly one of the oldest questions, isn't it? As you observed, we can each only know that which is in our own experience. So, these are only the musings of one fellow sojourner.

The Kabala and Kybalion relate the concept of the involution by God into material existence. Both propose that the ultimate creator (the Ein Soph or The All) is unknowable. Therefore, the intentions and reasons of the creator are also unknowable.

For intellectual satisfaction, one might consider the description of the "process" as presented by Theosophy or describe in the Kybalion -- a Chain of Evolution that begins from the densest planes of matter and continues back to the highest vibration and merger with the Source. By that reasoning, our eternal souls are here to learn, here to express the highest nature that we can currently conceive. And, to prepare for our next state of being.

But, to bring it a bit back to down to earth, one might consider this. When there is only one awareness (only God), then there is no differentiation. Without differentiation there can be nothing else. More poignantly, there can be no Love without one to be loved and one to be loving. I think if I were God, I'd prefer the existence of something over nothing.

The struggle with the abyss, is the struggle to come to terms with our power and responsibility as creative beings. We wish to remain in the comfort of a world of fixed rules. But, when we discover the universe and our freedom, it takes away the comfort of that support. It is from that time, that we determine our own meaning and purpose for this incarnation.

Thus one must agree with the many commentators, and with this observation:

"I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve."
-- Albert Schweitzer

Best Regards,
See ya on then next go-around.

[Megan "JoyGirl!" Bord]

Hi, Peggy!
I know… this was a tough one to write, and I wasn’t sure I could make good sense of it (yet in my meditation it made perfect sense!). Thanks for giving it shot; if I’d read this on the wrong day, I would have gotten through the second paragraph and then closed my browser to let my eyes rest!!
Now, as for that poem, I LOVED IT! I hadn’t heard that poem in decades, and thanks to you, I felt like a kid again today. Awesome!
Tons of love to you, my friend!

Hi, Erin!
What you said in your comment is just what I talked with a friend about today over coffee. If I can wake up each day and serve another being, my day will have been well spent. When we give to others, we give to ourselves. I’m so glad you left a comment; thank you!

Hi, Jillian!
He’s been in my thoughts and prayers all day, and will continue to be. I keep whispering to him in my mind, “You’re strong; heal your body!” God bless him.

Hi, Paul!
Oh my gosh, another fantastic comment, and so well put. “I am a statement…” Thank you so much for showing me another way. Love and joy to you!

Hi, Brad!
It has been awhile; thanks for stopping by and commenting!
As always, I love reading your thoughts on such a seemingly complex subject. What you presented both impressed and inspired me. For a moment I thought, “If I keep attracting such smart people into my life, I may never need to figure out the reasons why for myself!” (smile) And where you concluded is where the Universe seems to keep leading me: serve others, be love. I can’t swing a dead cat but that’s the message that I hit!
Many thanks for the good energy you put into this today, and for adding more richness to this already phenomenal conversation.
Be well!

[wendy]

Now that I'm in my crone years I have learned never to take anything at face value. Particularly spiritual texts. I don't understand people who say "well, it is written here or there or wherever so it must be true". Naw - how do you know that the writer is right?

So I hear ya when you say that the answer can never be proven. And don't you think that whatever was "truth" hundreds of years ago (the earth is flat) cannot be true today? Everything changes. The earth changes. People change, so thoughts and "truths" change too.

Why are we here? I have no idea. I don't think I'll ever figure that one out. What is the meaning of life? That's a toughie too. I think somehow it's got to do with love. Somebody else said unconditional love. Learn to love everyone. That's a tall order, but if it ever happens, then war and crime will be eliminated. Wouldn't that be nice?

Sorry, I'm not very profound, but I certainly appreciate where you are going with this. Sometimes these thoughts just tug at you until you figure things out (or not).
Hugs

[Megan Bord]

Hi, Wendy!

I love the simple way you stated your thoughts on this topic - so clear, so unassuming. Unconditional love does seem like a tall order with these needy minds of ours, doesnt it? I love the idea it represents, though. I try. I really, really do.

Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on this topic, and making me smile. Love joy to you!

[Bob Weisenberg]

Here is my best short answer:

"The Meaning of Life--Who Cares?" http://wp.me/PlUox-pG (complete with a don't miss photo of roller-coaster riding monks.)

For the longer answer, the rest of my website http://YogaDemystified.com

Thanks for the thought provoking blog.

Bob Weisenberg

[Megan Bord]

Hi, Bob!

Thanks for the links; Ill have to take a look! You have me intrigued with the rollercoaster riding monks. (smile)

Be well joyful!

[Liara Covert]

This is the sort of self-questioning I explore and invite readers to engage in in my new paperback Cosmic Synchronicity. This will be available in December 2009. I resonate whole-heartedly with your wavelength. Everyone is gradually awakening to answers inside the true self.

[Andrea]

Hi Megan,
Interesting blog, but I have to admit I see human intelligence and cognition on a little more practical side, maybe its because I'm a psychology student. The way I see it, God created all kinds of beings on this earth, and humans are just one of many beings. God also created us to evolve into very complex creatures, and what makes us so very complex is our cognitive abilities: to plan ahead, to think, to create meaning out of our experience. These abilities also can hamper us and create suffering when we attach to our thoughts and to the meanings we create. So yes, our intelligence does have its many advantages, and God wanted us to have it, but it also creates suffering. So the elimination of suffering comes from realizing that our thoughts are not really our reality. Our intelligence is a gift from God but not Godly in itself. Simply being alive--living, breathing, being--is the miracle that God has created for us, not thinking.

[Lance]

Megan,
The meaning of our life and existence here. I find that hard to really grasp in those moments when I do think about it. This is especially true when I have those moments where I'm taking this deep within myself.

What I do know, though, is that within my core - I believe very much in a God who loves me. I find this interesting that you bring this up this week. Two days ago, I was working with a group of about 30 middle school students - to try and explain what the Holy Spirit is. I find this whole concept very difficult for me to grasp - yet felt called to do this. And it really had me thinking, as I was preparing - as to what is at our core. And for me, part of that realization was also that I don't have to have all the answers, that the mystery behind it is all okay. It's not that I don't question it all - because I do. It's that I'm okay with not fully understanding it all - and for believing that there is this Higher Power, that cares very much. I suppose you could say - how do I know that. And the answer is - that I don't. I do believe it, though. Oh, there are moments where I struggle with that belief too. Where I question and doubt. When I connect with my core, though, when I get to that spot within me - that connects to something which is very hard to explain - I feel a sense of calm.

Megan, this really has been so good to read. Your words, and the words shared from the heart by you and everyone in the comments - are touching and deeply meaningful to me.

[Evelyn Lim]

Good for you in being able to articulate your self-inquiry and put the questions down into writing. In the process of going through mine, I didn't think that anyone would care to read some of the questions I asked myself. You wrote so poignantly that it was easy for many bloggers to respond.

My self inquiry had taken me on a lot of adventures. Interestingly, I have had OBEs and what appeared to be past life experiences and have written about them previously on my site. While it is hard to conclude or prove anything, these experiences have brought me a greater sense of peace. Also, I realize that no amount of talk can help convince another person about these experiences until you go through them yourself.

I have no doubts that we are far more intelligent than we know ourselves to be. Tapping into universal divine consciousness has enabled to help heal my clients from across the globe energetically without a face-to-face interaction.

[Jan]

Hi Megan,
Yes, I have often. But now I am at a stage in my life where I am living into the Mystery of all of it. Somehow, somewhere, I gave up the need to know. Perhaps my Eastern leanings really kicked in. For me,it's about being here now, fully present, aware and awake to what is in front of me. How do I respond to that with love, peace and integrity?

Truthfully, I don't think we can know the answers to the questions you pose. It's all conjecture because it is tied up with the brain. So why tie ourselves up in knots about it? The fact is we are here, so what would we like to do about it? Just my humble "out of the box" thoughts...I wish you a glorious day wherever you find yourself.

[Zeenat{Positive Provocations}]

Wow My Joyful Angel,
Arent you a joy to read :)
I love your chain of thought...and love how you were able to put into words. That was a rocking meditation for sure ;)
You know I used to ask this question a lot..to myself and to my teachers. In time..after all the answers i got and researched...I came to a conclusion that we should jut BE. Be who we are to the best of our ability. In just being we open avenues of deeper meaning and spiritual connections..which we wouldn't normally if we let our monkey brain keep jumping. The answers just come to you...and as some of my teachers have said...the answers are not necessarily describable...you just feel it and you know!
So my sweet angel, just BE and FEEL. Simple yet hard to wrap your finger around :)
LOts of love to you.
p.s. I was just thinking while writing this comment-what if you, jay, lisis, lance, nadia, suzen and me..among many other beautiful blogging souls actually physically met. OUr thoughts meet so often...but what if we truly met???My god that would be positive energy personified!!wow...thinking about it makes my spirit fly :)

[Megan "JoyGirl!" Bord]

Hi, Liara!
I love that your next paperback is on this topic, and moreover that I just had a feeling you’d completely understand the inquiry I found myself engaged in last weekend. Thank you for commenting!

Hi, Andrea!
What you wrote in your comment is aligned with how I’ve viewed the world – and my existence – for the past few years. That view, though, came from things I read that felt right, spiritual experiences I had that seemed to take me out of body for moments at a time, dreams, synchronicities, etc. The nature of my inquiry simply led me to question what I thought I knew, and showed me that I can’t ever know. Yet that’s not a practical way to live! So instead, I cling closer to what you’ve described. And by the way, I visited your blog and really like it. I hope you’ll have more posts coming up; I’d love to read your words on a more frequent basis.
Be well and thanks for your time and energy!

Hi, Lance!
I found your story of trying to explain to middle school students what the Holy Spirit is fascinating. I wish I could have been there listening in! I’m not sure I would have been able to take on such a task. You consistently “wow” me, Lance.
I like how you described your understanding of the mystery behind life – that you question it, recognize the answers can’t necessarily be known, and yet beyond a rational answer, there’s a calm reassurance you get from touching the space between questions. Faith is so much a part of who I am, and blind faith keeps me moving forward in the name of love.
Thank you for adding such richness to this conversation – a conversation that has taken on an energy all its own from the great responses received. I feel very blessed to know that I can make such an inquiry of myself, and then have such a wonderful variety of answers reflected back to me through the awesome folks in this blogosphere.
Blessings and joy to you!

Hi, Evelyn!
I do love the writings you have on your site about your incredible past experiences. Any time I’ve read them, I’ve been moved – they stir my heart. Perhaps, as others have said and as you, too, pointed out, it’s not about thinking. It’s about feeling. Thought, while useful in its most mechanical sense, doesn’t offer the freedom or pervasiveness that feeling does. Often I feel things so deeply that I cannot put words to it – it’s simply beyond cognition. Much like life wraps itself around us, so, too, does my ability to feel.
I loved reading your comment and letting the energy of your words sink into me. Thank you so much!

Hi, Jan!
“Living into the mystery…” I like that! And as Tess and Dani said, the present moment is all we have, and that’s where the rubber meets the road, so to speak. Your comment about meeting each moment with love, peace and integrity strikes me as incredibly – and simply – wise. Thank you so much for lending your wisdom to this conversation. Be well and joyful!

Hi, Zeenat!
I’m so glad you thought this was a joy to read, and that it made sense! Like some of the other comments I’ve read, the idea of dropping the inquiry and settling into “being” feels very right. I’m not sure I’ll be rushing into any other deeply reflective meditations any time soon. (wink) Be & Feel. I can do that! And like you, I do imagine that meeting our other awesome blogging friends would be out of this world fantastic! Gracious… I believe many of us are on the path to manifesting that, and I for one cannot wait! I love how you think!
~ Love to you, my good friend ~

[Katie West/The Levity Coach]

Megan. I loved this post for its honesty, its truth and its depth. Thank you for sharing.

I have always believed that this world is an illusion and is a practice in itself of understanding the inexplicable oneness. There is no division whatsoever. Being here is a meditation,a practice for me to remember this. Like Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey Archetype...letting the tricksters fall away
so that the supreme truth can be realized with or without physical limitations.
Mmmmm...thanks for jumpstarting my Saturday.
Peace
Katie

[Connie McKibben-Bea]

Hi Ms. Megan...I sure do miss you. I am not always confident of the direction I am headed; however, I am truly convinced that God has a purpose for me and all of us. What that is I'm not always sure, but when I am in the moment and feel that I am in His will, there is a peace and purpose to almost everything I do. Things just seem to fit into place. That doesn't happen all the time and more often than not I am curious about what to do next, but it is comforting to me to know that we areloved and cared for beyond what we can imagine. One of my favorite verses..."For I know the plans I have for you, "says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11
Love and miss you girl. Connie

[Jannie Funster]

No one really knows how electricity works either, well I mean they do understand its properties and how it can be harnessed, but much like what's inside subatomic particles, electricity is a big mystery too.

No one really understands how a baby's body knows how to take it's first breath.

No one understands why some say wearing white after Labor Day is gauche.

The more I wonder why or how we all are here, the more I think it's gotta do with love, cause I find love quite a good thing.

And that's the extent of my brilliance today, Megan

:)

[Joy]

Wow Megan. You sure cover a lot in meditation! The big questions, why are we here and what is the meaning of life? Whew....
My two cents..we are Divine intelligence and love and we start off/are ascended. It's what we choose to do with those that alters our path. We are here to spread love, and by living authentically and honestly we inspire others to do the same.
I am reading "The Chocolate Cake Sutra" by Geri Larkin. Her theory is we are all awakened--it's not something we strive toward or for, it's something we already are and just need to accept. (Using the word "just" makes it seem so effortless, when in my reality it's as easy as being open, yet as complex as remaining open). As we accept, the depth changes.
As an aside, I quick looked up the title in case you'd like to read it and accidentally yahoo'd "Chocolate Sutra" which wasn't on the same wavelength at all--astounded at what I found! :)

[Megan "JoyGirl!" Bord]

Hi, Katie!
Thank you so much for your kind comment, and for taking the time to read and respond to my inquiry. I like your viewpoint that this world and life are all just illusion, and that the day-to-day is actually a meditation. You’re the first person I’ve heard say that, and I think it’s pretty grand! I’m grateful for what you’ve given me to think about tonight.
~ Namaste ~

Hi, Connie!
You have been on my mind for two weeks straight, and seeing your name here both surprised and delighted me. Thank you!
I loved the verse you quoted, and like you, do believe in a higher power that guides and nurtures my life. This meditation, though, gave me the first chance I’ve ever taken to look beyond what I’ve been told or accepted as truth, and actually question truth until I was left with nothing. That being said, I sort of immediately snapped back into my everyday existence where a greater intelligence steers my day-to-day and I’m good with that (relieved, actually!). But my gosh, to sort of run to the edge of the cliff and look out onto nothing and everything all at once… It moved me enough to write about it, and gratefully gave me a chance to connect with such beautiful souls, including you, on how life is viewed. Thank you so much, my dear friend, and you must know that I’ve missed you, too. I trust all is well, and you’re being treated as the star that you are. So much love & joy to you!

Hi, Jannie!
Ah, yes, the wonderful electricity example. Thank you for putting that out there! The white after Labor Day, well, I totally get the reasoning behind that. (wink)
I hear you on the goodness of love, though, and really liked how you boiled it down and added a shake or two of humor. I believe you’ll be given extra points on the other side for making all of us laugh! Brilliant, indeed!

Hi, Joy!
You’ve piqued my curiosity, I’ll say that much (Yahoo, here I come!)!
I relate to what you’ve written and liked how you said, “…it’s as easy as being open, yet as complex as remaining open.” I’m fascinated when I watch myself traverse the ups and downs of living in this very human body, with this very human brain. (Although as Suzen pointed out, it’s more monkey mind than anything else!) There are days when it all makes perfect sense and I’m open, even, to the seeming contradictions. Still other days, I struggle to make sense of anything and feel very closed off. But I maintain faith in an intelligence that’s far greater than my own, because it just feels right. So many people talked about the feeling aspect of living, and when I’ve quieted my mind down enough, that’s what I go back to.
I’m grateful for your good comment. Lots of love and joy to you!

[Chris Edgar]

Hi Megan -- part of what you described is like a form of meditation I use, which is to notice something that I perceive in the world and say to myself "the light sends a signal to my eyes. The eyes send a signal to the brain. The brain sends a signal to me." And when I reach the "me" point of the chain of thinking, my mind becomes blank, and I get the sense that, like many advaita vedanta teachers say, I'm perceiving my true nature -- nothing that can be perceived by the mind. So that is my idea of my true nature right now -- a non-idea. :)

[Megan Bord]

Hi, Chris!

I hadnt heard of that type of meditation before, but I like it, and it seems aligned with where I ended up last weekend. Thank you so much for sharing it!

email_header.png spacer.gif spacer.gif spacer.gif A new comment from “Chris Edgar” was received on the post “The Ultimate Unknown” of the blog “Its All About Joy!”. Comment:

Hi Megan -- part of what you described is like a form of meditation I use, which is to notice something that I perceive in the world and say to myself the light sends a signal to my eyes. The eyes send a signal to the brain. The brain sends a signal to me. And when I reach the me point of the chain of thinking, my mind becomes blank, and I get the sense that, like many advaita vedanta teachers say, Im perceiving my true nature -- nothing that can be perceived by the mind. So that is my idea of my true nature right now -- a non-idea. :) Commenter name: Chris Edgar Commenter email: chris@purposepowercoac hing.com Commenter URL: http://www.purposepowercoaching.com IP address: 67.188.117.192 Authentication: None Enjoy!

[Hilary]

Hi Megan - good to see you over in my neck of the woods - thankyou!

Your post opens up all kinds of doors - and I must come back and read the comments .. my mother said she came back from death after her strokes .. I'm pleased she did - maybe God's reason was for me to be here. Meditation is one of the things I would like to start.

However I know our Healing Touch Therapist knows when things are happening to those she is close to - death etc .. I am certain she'll know more about my mother at that time, than I will ever do .. so there is something

How we express it, or work it out I don't know - but I loved your way of putting it .. my cloth cap has no thoughts of value to add (for now!). I see you used thinking cap!

Go well - Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

[Kaushik]

You're amazing that you can go through these self-inquiries and articulate with clarity.

My journey has been different. It' more about expanding awareness and letting go.

This quiet space is remarkably intelligent and self-satisfied.

Thanks for sharing so clearly.

k

[Megan "JoyGirl!" Bord]

Hi, Hilary!

I rather enjoyed visiting your neck of the woods --- especially when the topic of conversation not only intrigued, but educated me.
Thank you for coming here and sharing your thoughts; I love your energy and openness. The comments received from everyone were really spectacular, so if you do come back and read through them, I think it'd be worth it.
Lots of love and joy to you!

Hi, Kaushik!

I think learning to let go more completely will be my next step. Again, I loved your last "list" style post, which documented quite nicely the journey many of us have found ourselves on.
Be well, and thanks for your comment and positivity!

[Jeff Goins]

Great blog topic. I think that we are here to play a part in a larger story.

[Megan "JoyGirl!" Bord]

Hi, Jeff!

Thanks for coming by and commenting, and I like what you said. It gives the idea of life a neat perspective --- we're all actors taking part in something much bigger than ourselves.
Be well!

[JB]

The meaning/purpose of life?

- to experience it.