“Meaning of life is to give life meaning”

[Perhaps you dislike something which is good for you and like something which is bad for you. Allah knows and you do not know.] chapter 2 verse 216 quran

Just last week I typed this same thing in a different way to myself about how the value of a life is often made out as though it is predicated on the amount of pleasure/happiness experienced, when the truth is that even the most painful/sad life is worthy of being fully experienced - because all lives hold innate value, happy or not. The point is to be in it as fully as possible and integrate the lessons from it by remaining curious and open to recieve what we are given. The way we falsely equivocate ourselves and the world to our own thoughts and feelings in response to or about pain/bad and pleasure/good, is what causes suffering. If we had no resistance to what is happening inside and outside of us in accepting it for what it is, while still making the choices that we are drawn to make intuitively, we would always recognise that we are safe no matter what happens - in that we are not our thoughts, feelings, bodies, etcetera.

I disagree that such a question is a "narrow-minded" question. It is one of the most profound questions out there. Why? Because our parents, society, religions - all point us to believe that karma exists, even if they are using words other than karma. But if karma exists - why do good things happen to bad people and vice versa? It is a deep question and the right question to ask.

How do you know that the person who gave away his last piece of bread wasn't also the person who wailed and complained and was revolted by the injustice of his fate? I suspect they are often the same. I've seen a smaller version of it too often.

I have never assumed that something bad couldn't happen to me, or to my children. I never believed that I or my precious children should be exempt. But to assign a 'meaning' to someone else's suffering is banal, even vulgar. If some people suffer and believe their suffering to have (spiritual) meaning then that's their personal truth, and it's to be respected. But making a dogma of our personal truths and applying it to the lives of others is not remotely respectful. In my experience there are multiple spiritual truths, and none of us has access to them all. My beloved daughter was murdered by her partner. I have never once thought, "Why her? Why me?" But that does not take away the agony. I understand that many people yearn for a profound reason that might explain the appalling things that happen on this beautiful planet. But there was no 'meaning' in my daughter's death, and there could be no 'good' outcome, such as that described in the story, which after all, involved thousands of other young men being killed in battle.

Amidst the noisiest world u whisper the wisest words🎉to keep the soul afloat i must listen to u..🎉

Are you for real? I’ve been looking for an answer to this question for a long time. Today, you validated some points that I needed to hear. This was a gift from universe. Thank you!

I don’t understand tbh some people harm others innocent naive people and get so far in life . I was a good girl all my life and got bullied so bad abused and abandoned by my family, experienced homelessness my health got so bad for a while my bullies who hurt me in all kind of ways live an amazing life they bought cars houses at 26 while I’m starting from the scratch. It’s not fair and society keeps telling me to be a good person and that they’ll receive karma . Bad is when you inflict pain and take advantage of something and destroy in order to get better or feel better

The horse / son lucky/unlucky story is from Chinese philosophy (Daoism) and specifically from the Zhuangzi (I think!) I've been following / studying Daoism for a few years and now you are bringing me into Western philosophy in a way I've never been able to do before. Thank you!

I was exactly thinking the same thing earlier and said to myself maybe I should be bad like them so I won’t be hurt… although it’s not in my nature or one of my principles I live by, I’d rather prefer to be hurt than hurting but anyway we are all human and human is known to be weak before his emotions, challenges, life etc

"The meaning of life is to give life a meaning. You must not dare to ask life to give you what its meaning, you must answer that. You don't ask. You answer."

The original is a Chinese Fable:

i'm very thankful that youtube recommended this to me. This changed my perspective

I found your channel a couple of days ago and I watch your videos every day. In one of the most difficult times in my life, lacking safety on every possible level - I turn inside to find meaning. My mind is a clear sky and then turns into a thunder the next moment, till I put together myself again and climb a bit higher up that mountain. I am not hoping for a top with a great view, I am focusing on learning to climb and maybe even on finding it enjoyable.

I don't know how I stumbled onto this video , but I'm glad I did, this was amazing especially that story!

Thank you for making a video on this exact topic! This is something I discuss all the time & helps me reel my awareness back into my being. I used to have such a narrow view on things going on. Now viewing through an ‘everything is neutral’ lens has gifted me so much peace of mind. All experiences are just that, experiences for the consciousness to experience. Love the channel 🫶🏻💕

Thank you for this. I love how calm it is, like I am sitting next to you

4:49

thank you for this , i was looking for an answer couple of days ago tryna figure out the spiritual or secret meaning to illnesses and misfortunes that happens around me to innocent people, to children!!!