One thing that I feel very grateful for is that as a Baha'i, I actually know the "meaning of life" and it is really very simple. It boils down to two things - to learn to know God (read His writings, reflect on their meanings and meditate upon them) and to worship Him (love Him by putting what we know into action - prayer, compassion, humility, detachment). That answer makes complete sense to me. Although there are only those two things, it really amounts to a lot of work and in my opinion is enough to keep me challenged for a long time to come. ;-)
Here are some writings from the Baha'i Faith on the purpose of life...
"I bear witness, O my God, that Thou hast created me to know Thee and to worship Thee." (Baha'u'llah, Prayers and Meditations by Baha'u'llah, p. 313)
"The purpose of God in creating man hath been, and will ever be, to enable him to know his Creator and to attain His Presence. To this most excellent aim, this supreme objective, all the heavenly Books and the divinely-revealed and weighty Scriptures unequivocally bear witness. Whoso hath recognized the Day Spring of Divine guidance and entered His holy court hath drawn nigh unto God and attained His Presence, a Presence which is the real Paradise, and of which the loftiest mansions of heaven are but a symbol." (Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 70)
"The Purpose of the one true God, exalted be His glory, in revealing Himself unto men is to lay bare those gems that lie hidden within the mine of their true and inmost selves." (Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 287)
What do you believe to be the meaning of life? Please share your own thoughts, quotes and experiences from your spiritual journey!
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6 comments:
I of course have much to say...but I have to sum up because I have so many other things I need to accomplish and I promised I would get a good night sleep too....soooo
The meaning of life is to overcome fear in order to return to the perfect state of oneness. I said it to a friend tonight, to truly know your home you must leave and return to it. That is what life is, the journey back to oneness so that we may fully appreciate and understand it. (for me "god" dwells in my own christ/buddha nature so the trick is that "god" is not OUT there but rather IN here...overcome the ego and rediscover the self)
Yeah that's the brief version :) LOVE THESE JUSTIN
I agree with you 100% - it goes back to the detachment post. This is what is so cool about having these discussions IMO, we can all bring pieces of the Truth. Here is another Baha'i writing basically saying what you just said Aminda... "O SON OF BEING! Thy heart is My home; sanctify it for My descent. Thy spirit is My place of revelation; cleanse it for My manifestation." (Baha'u'llah, The Hidden Words, From the Arabic #59, p. 17)
Look what I found Aminda! I thought you would like this one.
"Humbleness, truthfulness, and harmlessness,
Patience and honour, reverence for the wise.
Purity, constancy, control of self,
Contempt of sense-delights, self-sacrifice,
Perception of the certitude of ill
In birth, death, age, disease, suffering, and sin;
Detachment, lightly holding unto home,
Children, and wife, and all that bindeth men;
An ever-tranquil heart in fortunes good
And fortunes evil, with a will set firm
To worship Me- Me only! ceasing not;
Loving all solitudes, and shunning noise
Of foolish crowds; endeavours resolute
To reach perception of the Utmost Soul,
And grace to understand what gain it were
So to attain,- this is true Wisdom, Prince!
And what is otherwise is ignorance!" (Bhagavad Gita (Edwin Arnold tr))
For me, the purpose of life is to honor God in all that I say and do. Although I feel there are times I fall short, I do purpose in my heart to be faithful to my calling.
Here are the passages in my Bible that speak to me about my purpose. It is from the Holman Christian Standard Bible.
Micah 6:8
He has told you men what is good and what it is the LORD requires of you:Only to act justly,to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God.
Isaiah 56
1 This is what the LORD says:Preserve justice and do what is right,for My salvation is coming soon,and My righteousness will be revealed.
Jeremiah 22:3
This is what the LORD says: Administer justice and righteousness.Rescue the victim of robbery from the hand of his oppressor.Don't exploit or brutalize the alien, the fatherless, or the widow. Don't shed innocent blood in this place.
That's awesome Christy - "For me, the purpose of life is to honor God in all that I say and do."
I think your definition and mine are exactly the same basically. I believe that in striving to know God and worship Him, I am honoring Him and doing my best to bring His Will into every action I take in this world. Because of my love for Him, I am dedicated to developing all the virtues I know He wants me to build within myself. Like you said - "Only to act justly,to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God."
Justin,
I am oftened both surprised and comforted by our silimar beliefs. I enjoy reading your thoughts. I hope you continue to share.
Much love,
Christy
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