The Dual Quest for Inner and Eternal Meaning
Within each of us lies a source of profound life force that unfolds through constant self-development and the striving for a higher good. At the beginning of this journey, a person discovers the meaning of life within, embarking on a sincere search for the true self that becomes the very foundation of his existence. Our efforts in self-discovery and creative self-expression help reveal that unique energy which transforms personal experience into a source of living power.At the same time, there is a perspective in which life’s purpose is connected with the aspiration towards objective, higher values. A person who consciously directs his life towards the understanding of eternal truths and serves the greater good unequivocally gains an energy that infuses his being with life. Such aspiration not only fills life with profound meaning but also transforms each moment, giving one the sense of being part of something grand and perpetually beautiful.Ultimately, the value of life is manifested in a harmonious blend of inner efforts and the pursuit of the eternal. Without an internally experienced meaning, life turns into an empty existence, devoid of depth and incapable of inspiring not only oneself but also those around us. Our destiny is to create this meaning ourselves through continual self-improvement, creative energy, and the pursuit of the highest truth. It is in this union of inner energy with objective values that we discover the true wealth of human existence.
What do you believe is the meaning of life and why do we exist?The answer to the question of life’s meaning, according to the presented materials, is multifaceted. On one hand, life’s meaning is understood as the inner fulfillment that a person must create for himself, directing his efforts toward the search and realization of the deep truths of his existence. For example, one of the sources states:"Because the meaning of life is not given—it is created. Everything—'prefabricated,' everything existing outside and independent of our will and of our life in general, is either dead, foreign to us, or only suitable as an auxiliary tool for our life. But the meaning of life must be the meaning of our very life, it must be within it, belong to it, it itself must be alive. … The meaning of our life must be within us, we ourselves must reveal it through our life." (source: link txt)This emphasizes that the meaning of life does not come from outside; it emerges from within the individual through diligent self-exploration, inner creativity, and self-cultivation.On the other hand, life’s meaning is connected with directing human existence towards the highest goal, absolute good, and truth. One text expresses the idea that life gains meaning precisely when it freely and consciously serves the eternal and life-giving good:"Life becomes meaningful because it serves, both freely and consciously, the absolute and highest good, which is eternal life, the life-giving basis of human existence and its true completion, and which is at the same time the absolute truth, the light of reason that permeates and illuminates human life." (source: link txt)Thus, these materials suggest that human existence acquires its value when it is filled with deep internal activity and directed toward the highest, objective values—whether that be the understanding of truth, the service of the eternal good, or the striving for unity with a higher reality.It is also worth noting that the meaning of life is seen as the foundation of human existence. Without a meaning that is lived internally, a person may lose connection with his own being, rendering his life a meaningless, unbearable existence. As one of the sources points out:"A person can only live a life filled with meaning. When life has no meaning […] it becomes ontologically unhuman, therefore unworthy of a human being and consequently unbearable." (source: link txt)In summary, the meaning of life lies in instilling one's existence with genuine value through self-awareness, creative activity, and the pursuit of higher goals, thereby directing it towards an eternal, fundamental truth. We exist to discover this meaning within ourselves—a meaning that not only defines our personal existence but also fills it with a deep, purposeful life.