The meaning of life

Reason To Believe

After reading the following yesterday in a discussion group I felt myself falling down the rabbit hole of that great question what is 'The Meaning of Life'?

Daily Reflections
September 02, 2012
FINDING “A REASON TO BELIEVE”

The willingness to grow is the essence of all spiritual development.
-As Bill Sees It, p.171

A line from a song goes, “ … and I look to find a reason to believe … ” It reminds me that at one time I was not able to find a reason to believe that my life was all right. Even though my life had been saved by coming to A.A., three months later I went out and drank again. Someone told me: “You don’t have to believe. Aren’t you willing to believe that there is a reason for your life, even though you may not know yourself what that reason is, or that you may not sometimes know the right way to behave?” When I saw how willing I was to believe there was a reason for my life, then I could start to work on the Steps. Now when I begin with, “I am willing … ,” I am using the key that leads to action, honesty, and openness to a Higher Power moving through my life.



Key words: Reason, Believe, Willing(ness)


I ponder the words 'Reason' and 'Believe'. There seems to be a tension between the two words. One reason seems to demand scientific scrutiny the other asserts the need for acceptance of an idea that cannot necessarily be validated. To believe is to trust without absolute proof. Why would the scientific mind ever concede to do this? The reading talks about willingness. It almost tempts us to suspend reason and take up belief for the sake of coming to some kind of contentment with our own lives.
Why?
The answer must be in our genetic programming to 'LIVE'. To hold onto our own temporary existence in this material state for just a bit longer.... one more day. 

Although this Springsteen song 'Reason To Believe' is  considered cynical, I don't agree. It's dark but it is not devoid of hope.

We are conflicted between the compulsion to live and the doubt that our lives have any meaning worth living for.

Why? What is the point?

An interview I heard with a reformed Nihilistic atheist gave me something to think about. He had become convinced that Life has NO meaning (In or of itself). He resolved that the 'Purpose' (Reason) of life is to actually Give Meaning to Life. 

More Food for thought:





Another fallback answer is the Hitchikers guide to the Galaxy standard... 42 which it turns out has some quantum physics rationalizations that actually support it, completely by coincidence which is so improbably it could power intergalactic space travel of a mouse in a space suit for a millennia. 

OK, looks like I've run out of time. I had intended to fill this post with tons of curious but purposeful musings about 'why' we or more accurately 'I' am here. The bottom line is just as God is rumored to have said via the burning bush. "I am that I am". Which offers no actual 'reason', 'meaning' or purpose. 

So... I deduce that since, we (all living things) are programed to live (procreate, perpetuate self) above all else, we must either be content with that simple fact (since discontentment leads to distress, which leads to reckless abandon and possibly hopelessness and death) or we must 'find' meaning. If we are not content to accept a simple explanation and follow blindly the faith of our fathers and the myths of our religion we must assign meaning that satisfies the pit within our own souls. A life of service is actually a pretty reasonable position to take. Choose for yourself who or what you serve. 

Try to laugh, smile.