What is the meaning of life?

Robert Byrne once wrote, "The purpose of life is a life of purpose." His quip says much in few words. I could say the same about meaning and be done with it. But there’s more to the picture:

Many people believe (as I once did) that everything we do reflects our search for (pursuit of) happiness. But we seek something far deeper. I believe that every heart seeks a sense of meaning, purpose and connection.

Meaning: A life that makes sense, that seems worthwhile, that counts for something.

Purpose: An aim, a goal, a practice or profession — a form of service suitable to our talents, interests and values.

Connection: An authentic and deep connection with ourselves, with others, and with the Transcendent.

In the novel Zorba the Greek (a tale about the joy of living), one character says to another, "If you could dance what you just said, I might understand." I feel the same way about the question of "meaning." Meaning is not something to be neatly packaged or contained. Life doesn’t have one constant meaning for everyone. In fact, from a transcendental perspective, nothing means anything — life simply arises out of Mystery.

The statement that "nothing means anything" could be taken for some dreary existential philosophy (i.e. "if nothing means anything then I might as well kill myself.") But actually, this statement is quite liberating. Because we are free to make up our own meanings. And we do, every day, every moment.

So the proper question to ask may be not "What is the meaning of life" but rather, "What is the meaning of your life?"

What enlivens your spirit? What uplifts your heart? What are you willing to work towards and to sacrifice for? What gives your life purpose and joy? These are more useful questions that speculating about "the" meaning of life.

I have found (and created) meaning in my own life through teaching — sharing what I learned with others. One day I realized that no matter how much I improved myself, only one person might benefit. But if I could influence other people in a positive way, that made my life count for something.

Some people search for satisfaction through self-gratification — amassing money and collecting things and experiences, sights, memories. But the most fortunate among us discover that deeper meaning and purpose and connection are found through service — making a positive difference in another person’s life. The surest way to happiness may ultimately come through helping others find joy, success, love.

In the meantime, we can enjoy our own adventures — feel the wind in our hair and celebrate the blessing of having this human experience here on planet Earth. How odd and unlikely that we should exist at all! And how amazing that we are given a life, and experiences, and people and pleasures and surprises and challenges to help us grow stronger and wiser.

Just as there is no one meaning for all, neither is there a best teacher, book, religion or martial art, or best music or work of art or path or exercise or dietary system — only the best one for each of us at a given time.

Life is an experiment. There is no meaning but the one we create. Wherever we step, the path appears beneath our feet.