“What meaning does life have for you?”
That
was the question Will Durant wrote and sent to prominent people in different
walks of life in the 1930’s. The list
included Mahatma Gandhi, Albert Einstein, George Bernard Shaw, Will Rogers and
H.L.Mencken among others. The responses were included in a book with the title: On The Meaning of Life.
The answers were obviously different. They included
faith in something beyond what we know, able to work in an area one is
passionate about, such as art and writing and creativity, doing things for others
and society, desire to share and appreciation of nature. Some thought that
there is no purpose in life unless we find one for ourselves. One advised Will
Durant not to think too much. Most approached this question with optimism and
humility.
George Bernard Shaw answered: “How the devil do I know? Has
the question itself any meaning?” Will Rogers answered: “The whole life is a
“racket”, so get a few laughs, do the best you can, take nothing serious…. live
your life so that whenever you lose, you stay ahead.”
Some of the most interesting thoughts were those of a
prisoner who was spending life-sentence in the Sing-Sing prison. His remarks suggest
that he was a thoughtful man, who had read a lot and had thought about life in
general. Why he was chosen for this task is not clear. But, here are some of
his remarks.
It (meaning of life) “depends upon my ability to recognize
its (life’s)great truths and learn by the lessons they teach me. In short, life
is worth what I am willing to strive to make it worth”. In discussing what Durant has written about Truth, he says: “Custom and tradition have caused us to confuse truth with our beliefs”. Later he says: “Confinement in prison does not cause unhappiness, else all those who are free would be happy. Poverty does not cause it, else the rich all would be happy”.
“That life was accidental is a theory I am willing to
accept; but it does not follow that it need be meaningless”.
“In the knowledge that I am an inalienable part of this
great, wonderful, upward movement called life, and that nothing, neither
pestilence, nor physical affliction, nor depression – nor prison- can take away
from me my part, lies my consolation, my inspiration and my treasure”. Profound
thoughts indeed.
My personal thoughts follow.
The meaning of life in general is different from the meaning
in one’s life. In general, life does not seem to have any purpose or goal
except to reproduce. Why would so many species of plants and animals appear and
disappear in large numbers in repeated cycles? Therefore, each one of us must make meaning
out of our lives.
Tolstoy came to the same conclusion. He says that work,
family life and nature gave meaning to his life. This is probably true for most
people.
The answer to the primary question will also depend upon
one’s stage in life and circumstances. For me, at this age and stage – Being
and bringing Peace, being useful, and sharing effort, knowledge and wealth give
meaning to life.
How does one develop meaning in life? Some avenues are the
same as what gave meaning to Tolstoy’s life – working on things that is of
interest to you or that are helpful to others, spending time with family and
friends and enjoying nature. But those are not adequate by themselves without adding
values and virtues (dharma).
Connecting with other lives and with the universe are great
avenues which will force us to develop values and virtues. In addition, we (the
isolated me, the wave) need to connect with the whole (the cosmos, the ocean).
I cannot understand the function of a part without understanding the whole from
which it came. The cosmos will be there without “me”; but this “me” cannot
exist but for the cosmos.
Other questions suggested by Will Durant worth thinking
about are: What keeps you going? What help, if any, does religion give you? What are the sources of your inspiration? What is the goal or motive force for your toil? Where do you find your consolations and happiness? Where in the last resort does your treasure lie?
Of course, one need
not think about these at all to be happy. But, I am more with Plato when he
quoted Socrates as saying “An unexamined life is not worth living”.
3 comments:
The words of the Life Time Prisoner are more vivid and valid. He seems to have acquired courage of conviction and an internal strength to evaluate his situation in this positive manner. So, all of us, in our un-comfortable experience in life can take solace and comfort from this. This is my learning from this posting. Thanks.
A brilliant post with very profound thoughts. After all, this is the most important question that faces any of us and all of us.
Agree with all your personal views, which if I may say so, are as profound as those of the famous people you have quoted.
Nost of us, if asked about the ultimate objective for each of us would probably respond that we wish to be happy. Your post encourages the thought that seeking meaning might be an even higher objective.
Wonderful post.
Thanks for your comments. In addition to the primary question on the meaning of life, other questions raised by Will Durant listed in the penultimate paragraph are also worth thinking about.
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