Food For Thought

Men and women have been asking questions for ages, probably since day one. What is the meaning of life? Why am I here? Is this all there is? Common paths followed in search of answers or meaning include science, religion, meditation, philosophy, and psychedelics.

Some seekers give up, unsatisfied; some keep searching even after discovering Truth. Humans have always been curious animals, and require Meaning or Purpose. We frequently feel despair at the apparent lack of Meaning and Purpose, or at the uncertainty surrounding the answers we do discover - very few Answers are presented on stone tablets.

We want answers, but do we need answers? Like a game or a chore, life may be quit at any time, but as far as we know, unlike a game, one cannot change one's mind and start again. One choses to play or not play. Assuming one choses to stay, required tasks (eating, sleeping, cooking, cleaning) remain, regardless of ultimate purpose, if the tasks even have an ultimate purpose.

Suppose there was a Meaning or Purpose for existence, and it was well-known, absolute, indisputable: One must do X because T. Some people will accept T, others will reject T. Regardless of if one accepts or rejects T, T is an imposition; one is a slave to T, or T is seen as an obstacle to get around.

Can a Truth be presented that is absolute and indisputable? How can one be sure? Even death and taxes have loopholes (talk to your accountant or clergyman).

One may agree or disagree with T. Additionally, regardless of whether one agrees or disagree with T, one may like or dislike implications of T. The only Truth that makes sense is one of free choice, and that freedom negates any power T has. If T is absolute and indisputable, then we are slaves to T.

In fact, things would not be much different today if stone tablets did come down from the mountain. There are those who know Truth, at least their version of it. Some have chosen to quit life because of their understanding of the Truth. Others have changed their lives. Most, however, probably continue along the same rutted path, asking the same questions: Is this all there is?