Religion Magazine

What is Meant by the Meaning of Life?

By Albert Wagner @albertwagner4
A More Meaningful Life For Fulfillment
That is the name of the blog that these posts are part of.
What, though, is meant by a meaningful life? 
It is being asserted in these posts that the things that lead to a meaningful life are in the back of the mind for most people, but they tend to get caught in the routine of daily life.

According to the Free Online Dictionary one definition of meaning is the intention to communicate something that is not directly expressed.

It is something that is not directly expressed, since there are many ways to look at it and it is not something you can touch, feel, etc.  The posts in this blog make an effort to express how adding meaning to your life can enhance it.  It is far from perfect, though.

When a person speaks about the meaning of life what are some of the common questions that come to a person's mind?

  •  What are we here for?
  •  Where did life come from and is there an ultimate reality?
  •  What is the significance (value) of life?
  •  What is the reason for being alive?
  •  Why not just forget about finding the meaning of life and be happy?

What is meant by the meaning of Life?
From Everstockphoto.com
These are some common answers.  Of course there is more than one way to look at it.
This topic can be approached primarily from either a philosophical base or from a spiritual base.  These posts focus on the spiritual base. 

Looking at things from a metaphysical standpoint is an option.   One could answer some of these questions with a science background.  However, using the definition above, one could also look at "communicating something that is not directly expressed."

In previous posts it was mentioned that the Bible is not a science book and should not be viewed from this perspective only.


A Spiritual Meaning Of Life
From a spiritual base, which is Christian in these posts, there is a perspective on the meaning of life that makes sense.  It is acknowledged that one could interpret things differently.  
From the Christian perspective the meaning of life includes things such as:

1. Seeking divine salvation through Jesus Christ.

2. Elevating our compassionate response to suffering.

Other views branch out from these thoughts, such as:

* The Mormons believe that the meaning of life is to gain knowledge and experience.

The information to learn is not something a person can directly express.

*  Many authors have stated that a way to look at the meaning of life is in looking at  overcoming challenges.

How this makes life more meaningful is not something that is not directly expressed.

The best way to directly express them, in the author's opinion, is through the Bible.

According to Revelation 4:11 in the Bible,


Everything exists for God's pleasure

It has been said God has everything he needs and does not feel happiness like humans do. However this is worded in a way for humans to understand.  A better translation might be:
Everything exists to bring glory to God.One way to look at is that meaning in life comes from looking to God because God is the source of everything.  It makes sense to look at the source of something for meaning.  In addition to that, being with God is your destination, if you are a Christian believer.

Or, according to the Principle and Foundation of St. Ignatius of Loyola:


"The human person is created to praise, reverence, and serve God Our Lord, and by doing so, to save his or her soul. All other things on the face of the earth are created for human beings in order to help them pursue the end for which they are created"

These posts encourage people to think about the larger picture of their life on earth and beyond.  Thinking about the larger scheme of life can help being more meaning to your life.  


How does it bring more meaning?


It is difficult to directly express.


You might also be interested in:
The Bible: A Different Perspective
The Meaning Of Life
Author:  Albert Wagner

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