Relationship from beginning to end
todayisthebestdayofmylife
When you think about it carefully everything is about relationship. In fact, it is nearly, if not impossible, to define meaning without invoking a relationship. If we think purposeful living is about being the best parent, spouse, friend we can be. We not only live with this goal and purpose in mind, but those may give us a sense of meaning. then our sense of meaning. One way or the other we will at some point be led to take into consideration some type of relationship. If we think purposeful living is about achieving a goal then we in a sense create a relationship to that goal.
Think of how we use the word ‘meaning’ linguistically. We may ask, “what is the meaning or purpose of that?”, suggesting that there appears to be something unknown, contradictory or even out of place about the character of a certain thing, idea or belief. When a person says "I do not understand what he or she 'means' by that" it is because we sense what they are saying is in some way out of some context or disconnected. Another way we may hear it used would go something like, “I’m not sure I know what all of this means?” Or “I wish I could figure out what they’re getting at, what the hell they’re talking about?” The fundamental idea here is that communication requires a relationship to what preceded and what is the context from which the conversation generally flows in order to 'mean' something. We come to understand everything by how it relates to everything else, by its origins and purpose in its connection to everything else. Everything is connected from beginning to end by some kind of relationship.
This is not to say that everyone, or even group of people necessarily contextualizes their conversation in the same way. One individual strongly believes that emotion is inherently integral to a dialog, another simply thinks it just confuses issues, and 'means' less in the overall picture. Put differently, communicating without emotion is appropriate for most circumstances, but, real and effective communication integrates emotions into the overall context.
In life, sometimes things just don’t make sense. Other times we just do not know or have the intellectual tools on how to make sense out of ‘it all'. The implication again is that something does not seem to fit into the overall picture and is disconnected and without a justifiable function. Some things just do not make sense unless there is a connection, a relationship to a broader context. That in the end the effort or goal is at very best in question, out of focus and the overall picture lacks coherence. things seem out of focus - unclear. Sometimes that larger context could be deeply personal, and we lack the ability to mentally make the relationships necessary to create a coherent picture in the communication process.
Male - female and cross cultural, generational communication is notoriously riddled with misunderstanding, for several reasons, but one being, the differences in how language is contextualized. It is not so much that males and females can have different worldviews and brain chemistry that differs, but, that the sexes are rarely successful in negotiating the differences in a context that is coherent for both parties. This likewise holds true in cross cultural communication and at the heart of much conflict. If we can come to see the full relational implications of everything it will enhance our communication avoiding much suffering and purposelessness.
We might find ourselves in a sense testing our thoughts on the basis of how they fit into an overall agenda. Where does the thought or action fit in its relationship to itself, its immediate environment and perhaps even creation itself? What is my role in it all? Where does my life fit into the grand scheme of things? How do my relationships, friendships, family, business lead me to place of deep satisfaction and overall purpose? In Almost all cases when seeking the ‘meaning’ or purpose of something, even a belief in our own lives, it all seems to come down to relationship in an overall context.
When considering the function and purpose of our inner world of thoughts we can ask questions like; how does ‘it’, my thinking, decisions, actions reinforce what came before?
Does this inward process of my thoughts & meditation help change or build on perceptions and beliefs. Is it a catalyst for cause and effect type dynamics?
Does it teach me anything about itself or anything else?
Let’s consider it in even more practical terms. Look at all the things we surround ourselves with, and how we borrow money to own and spend our precious time working to make money to pay off. How about our brains and the educations we pursue, the careers we choose, our friends and how we spend our time? In the end does any of this stuff, our relationship to these pursuits, move us closer to the assurance that we are we are living in, or moving towards, that which has meaning? Perhaps, we should ask ourselves, am I at least getting closer to that point that I know every day I live has purpose, and that purpose will bring me to a place of an overall sense of meaning.
Sadly it is very common that religious even spiritual people can possess a model for living that has little relevance to the world they exist in. If we think about it carefully much of the world’s religions are caught up in expending enormous amounts of energy, time and mental focus on teachings, ritual and a myriad of traditions that have little practical use in shaping history or even the individual lives of adherents in a practical way, in a way that gives our immediate life purpose and substantially enhances both learning and one’s life goals. The problem is not that many of the beliefs, doctrines and practices are in error but that they, on the surface, seem to have little to do with modern life and its challenges. Because of this lack of contextual relationship they simply do not 'mean' much. They serve little purpose in the individual's pursuit of meaning.
True spirituality, in its most basic sense and in my humble opinion, should be as equally relative to everyday living and challenges is it is deeply rooted in the depths of consciousness and the experience of transcendence. Without a fundamental connection to the reality of our everyday life, our inner most thoughts and deepest beliefs will fail to transform our relational behavior. Unfortunately, much of the so-called spirituality we see exemplified in a modern context, often has little connection to our sense of purpose and meaning. Spirituality, religion, beliefs in transcendence must be consistent and rational and capable of coherently integrating into our daily lives. As enticing as healings near death experiences, revelations or clairvoyance and supposed instances of supernatural intervention may seem, there should always at the core remain a universal truth that we can all glean a meaning from.
This is not to say that everyone, or even group of people necessarily contextualizes their conversation in the same way. One individual strongly believes that emotion is inherently integral to a dialog, another simply thinks it just confuses issues, and 'means' less in the overall picture. Put differently, communicating without emotion is appropriate for most circumstances, but, real and effective communication integrates emotions into the overall context.
In life, sometimes things just don’t make sense. Other times we just do not know or have the intellectual tools on how to make sense out of ‘it all'. The implication again is that something does not seem to fit into the overall picture and is disconnected and without a justifiable function. Some things just do not make sense unless there is a connection, a relationship to a broader context. That in the end the effort or goal is at very best in question, out of focus and the overall picture lacks coherence. things seem out of focus - unclear. Sometimes that larger context could be deeply personal, and we lack the ability to mentally make the relationships necessary to create a coherent picture in the communication process.
Male - female and cross cultural, generational communication is notoriously riddled with misunderstanding, for several reasons, but one being, the differences in how language is contextualized. It is not so much that males and females can have different worldviews and brain chemistry that differs, but, that the sexes are rarely successful in negotiating the differences in a context that is coherent for both parties. This likewise holds true in cross cultural communication and at the heart of much conflict. If we can come to see the full relational implications of everything it will enhance our communication avoiding much suffering and purposelessness.
We might find ourselves in a sense testing our thoughts on the basis of how they fit into an overall agenda. Where does the thought or action fit in its relationship to itself, its immediate environment and perhaps even creation itself? What is my role in it all? Where does my life fit into the grand scheme of things? How do my relationships, friendships, family, business lead me to place of deep satisfaction and overall purpose? In Almost all cases when seeking the ‘meaning’ or purpose of something, even a belief in our own lives, it all seems to come down to relationship in an overall context.
When considering the function and purpose of our inner world of thoughts we can ask questions like; how does ‘it’, my thinking, decisions, actions reinforce what came before?
Does this inward process of my thoughts & meditation help change or build on perceptions and beliefs. Is it a catalyst for cause and effect type dynamics?
Does it teach me anything about itself or anything else?
Let’s consider it in even more practical terms. Look at all the things we surround ourselves with, and how we borrow money to own and spend our precious time working to make money to pay off. How about our brains and the educations we pursue, the careers we choose, our friends and how we spend our time? In the end does any of this stuff, our relationship to these pursuits, move us closer to the assurance that we are we are living in, or moving towards, that which has meaning? Perhaps, we should ask ourselves, am I at least getting closer to that point that I know every day I live has purpose, and that purpose will bring me to a place of an overall sense of meaning.
Sadly it is very common that religious even spiritual people can possess a model for living that has little relevance to the world they exist in. If we think about it carefully much of the world’s religions are caught up in expending enormous amounts of energy, time and mental focus on teachings, ritual and a myriad of traditions that have little practical use in shaping history or even the individual lives of adherents in a practical way, in a way that gives our immediate life purpose and substantially enhances both learning and one’s life goals. The problem is not that many of the beliefs, doctrines and practices are in error but that they, on the surface, seem to have little to do with modern life and its challenges. Because of this lack of contextual relationship they simply do not 'mean' much. They serve little purpose in the individual's pursuit of meaning.
True spirituality, in its most basic sense and in my humble opinion, should be as equally relative to everyday living and challenges is it is deeply rooted in the depths of consciousness and the experience of transcendence. Without a fundamental connection to the reality of our everyday life, our inner most thoughts and deepest beliefs will fail to transform our relational behavior. Unfortunately, much of the so-called spirituality we see exemplified in a modern context, often has little connection to our sense of purpose and meaning. Spirituality, religion, beliefs in transcendence must be consistent and rational and capable of coherently integrating into our daily lives. As enticing as healings near death experiences, revelations or clairvoyance and supposed instances of supernatural intervention may seem, there should always at the core remain a universal truth that we can all glean a meaning from.
Re-framing the question
clayfirecurator.com
It is very much about how we frame the questions;
“Who am I?”
“Do I really know myself and am I honest about who and what I am?”
“What do I really believe about my purpose?”
“What are the treasures of my heart?"
“What do those I love the most believe about me?”
“Who am I?”
“Do I really know myself and am I honest about who and what I am?”
“What do I really believe about my purpose?”
“What are the treasures of my heart?"
“What do those I love the most believe about me?”
Hidden or knit in a very integral way to almost all of these questions is the fundamental belief that there is not just a design in creation for the personal and collective pursuit of meaning but that this meaning is for lack of a better explanation in some manner transcendent. In other words, there is more to life than just living, what we see, hear and touch and do with our brief existence on Earth. Ancient wisdom traditions often alluded to the notion that there is a reality just beyond our reach. Thus the reason why the pursuit of meaning has been traditionally contextualized religiously. The modern scientific endeavor now offers much in the way of what ‘objective reality’ actually is and little concerning what is beyond that which is viewed at the end of a microscope, telescope or spinning at near the speed of light in a particle collider. Many of us, particularly in the West, have a great respect and trust in the institution of science, however, there remains something lacking in the scientific worldview that ancient wisdom traditions offer.
So the questions ends up sounding like;
“Is there a purpose?" An inherent design in all of creation and to my life as well?”
In a cosmos/creation that is so improbably fine-tuned for life, what might be the most plausible purpose of man from the designer’s (God’s) perspective? What do I actually believe concerning the question of God and whether or not there is an ultimate meaning in life?
On a more personal level we might want to raise is the questions, have I lived up to my capabilities my actual potential?
Most of us will sooner or later feel compelled to frame the question of meaning in this manner.
So the questions ends up sounding like;
“Is there a purpose?" An inherent design in all of creation and to my life as well?”
In a cosmos/creation that is so improbably fine-tuned for life, what might be the most plausible purpose of man from the designer’s (God’s) perspective? What do I actually believe concerning the question of God and whether or not there is an ultimate meaning in life?
On a more personal level we might want to raise is the questions, have I lived up to my capabilities my actual potential?
Most of us will sooner or later feel compelled to frame the question of meaning in this manner.
Meaning is best defined relationally as its definition possesses a very intrinsic, multi-faceted, collective personality. Yet, ironically it is best understood and defined from a very individualistic, personal perspective.
Meaning in this context is an understanding, an embracing, a coming to terms with our personal choices our relationship to our own being, family, friends, community and what we can learn about creation its design and purpose and its creator if we so choose to believe. Contextualizing our pursuit in this manner is not the answer in itself, but rather, will hopefully be a tool to possessing a clearer understanding concerning the purpose of our daily activities and life goals. Our reach for a deeper explanation of meaning that embraces more perspectives and the stories and struggles of others will only make us more complete and genuine.
“You will know them by their fruits.”
Meaning, in its traditional sense, might imply a deeply personal manner - peace with our past, and our present world. However, it may not always mean our choices will lead us to financial prosperity, comfortable living or even safety. Many will not be satisfied with the status quo but choose to step out of the comfort zone to come as close as they can to that deeply rewarding place in which there is at least the assurance that we rise in the morning with purpose. That our life breath is not wasted on the pursuit of our own gratification and what does not last.
Is it possible for us to acquire ‘the meaning of meaning’ through rigid intellectual academic approaches? If so, why after all the years and centuries of inquiry into this fundamentally important question of the human condition have we not acquired at the very least a working principled definition of meaning? It would be as if the greatest engineering and software wizards in computer science created the most efficient and powerful computer and could find no productive use or practical purpose for it! When we create things we almost always do so with a notion or design for what purpose it will serve. Clothes keep us warm, protect us and for some give a sense of modesty. Buildings protect us from the weather and provide a sense of privacy. Cars, trucks, boats, planes and trains move us and our things from one place to another. Books, computers and the internet are designed to deliver and move information. It is odd that we should think that something as complex and exquisitely designed as a human with a brain possessing the wonder of consciousness has no purpose!
“You will know them by their fruits.”
Meaning, in its traditional sense, might imply a deeply personal manner - peace with our past, and our present world. However, it may not always mean our choices will lead us to financial prosperity, comfortable living or even safety. Many will not be satisfied with the status quo but choose to step out of the comfort zone to come as close as they can to that deeply rewarding place in which there is at least the assurance that we rise in the morning with purpose. That our life breath is not wasted on the pursuit of our own gratification and what does not last.
Is it possible for us to acquire ‘the meaning of meaning’ through rigid intellectual academic approaches? If so, why after all the years and centuries of inquiry into this fundamentally important question of the human condition have we not acquired at the very least a working principled definition of meaning? It would be as if the greatest engineering and software wizards in computer science created the most efficient and powerful computer and could find no productive use or practical purpose for it! When we create things we almost always do so with a notion or design for what purpose it will serve. Clothes keep us warm, protect us and for some give a sense of modesty. Buildings protect us from the weather and provide a sense of privacy. Cars, trucks, boats, planes and trains move us and our things from one place to another. Books, computers and the internet are designed to deliver and move information. It is odd that we should think that something as complex and exquisitely designed as a human with a brain possessing the wonder of consciousness has no purpose!
Target points
- Everything in existence is understood relationally.
- This fact forces us to consider and comprehend the question and experience of meaning in relational terms.
- Relationship in its pursuit of meaning sense implies reflection on our own thoughts, dreams, passions, beliefs.
- Relationship is also about our personal encounter with other individuals; family, friends.
- Relationship is a fact of reality a fundamental principle in the ability to identify and comprehend truth.
- Relationship is unavoidable in the pursuit of meaning.
Coming soon:
Born into the world and a worldview
Regardless if we acknowledge it or not we are all born into a worldview for better or worse. Two thousand years ago the Apostle Paul referred to it as the spirit of the times I call it the ambient paradigm of the times. By default if we do not seek out and embrace our worldview we will inevitably get sucked into the one that prevails in the place and time that we live.
How a purpose driven life can rob us of meaning
We all along with our created or accepted worldview's lead a life of purpose. We sleep, awake, eat, drink, work and build on a model of norms that has been given us. But, is the meaning of life just doing things? Even doing them well? Rick Warren was correct when he opened his book with "It is not about you" yet, sooner or later, most if not all of us will reflect on our life and ask what is it all for?
The Psychology of meaning
What does the study of psychology and the many modern findings and theories teach us about the importance of meaning and its pursuit?
Healthy & sick trees (healthy trees, dead branches, dying leaves)
The beauty of the metaphor of a tree extended to many aspects of our struggle. Growth, seasons, environment, fruitful living, etc. are all considered.
A time for meaning & the meaning of time
"Time is the coin of life." How we spend it says something about what we value most and in the end what will end up of our most moments in the story of our life.
The language of meaning
How language shapes our perceptions about meaning and purpose of life.
Parsimony complexity and meaning
Meaning is a deeply complex subject. Yet, there is a subtle and beautiful simplicity hidden in its nature that a child could understand.
Birth order and meaning
Because meaning is relational one of the most significant factors in our attitude towards it comes from our childhood experiences and birth order as well.
Science and meaning and the science of meaning
Both the problems of the scientism and its negative perception of meaning, and the many great findings of science and how it is contributing to our pursuit of meaning.
The meaning of individual & collective purpose
Many of our struggles come not just as a result of our individual choices, but, simply because we share a collective history that likewise is struggling and suffering in its quest for purpose.
Born into the world and a worldview
Regardless if we acknowledge it or not we are all born into a worldview for better or worse. Two thousand years ago the Apostle Paul referred to it as the spirit of the times I call it the ambient paradigm of the times. By default if we do not seek out and embrace our worldview we will inevitably get sucked into the one that prevails in the place and time that we live.
How a purpose driven life can rob us of meaning
We all along with our created or accepted worldview's lead a life of purpose. We sleep, awake, eat, drink, work and build on a model of norms that has been given us. But, is the meaning of life just doing things? Even doing them well? Rick Warren was correct when he opened his book with "It is not about you" yet, sooner or later, most if not all of us will reflect on our life and ask what is it all for?
The Psychology of meaning
What does the study of psychology and the many modern findings and theories teach us about the importance of meaning and its pursuit?
Healthy & sick trees (healthy trees, dead branches, dying leaves)
The beauty of the metaphor of a tree extended to many aspects of our struggle. Growth, seasons, environment, fruitful living, etc. are all considered.
A time for meaning & the meaning of time
"Time is the coin of life." How we spend it says something about what we value most and in the end what will end up of our most moments in the story of our life.
The language of meaning
How language shapes our perceptions about meaning and purpose of life.
Parsimony complexity and meaning
Meaning is a deeply complex subject. Yet, there is a subtle and beautiful simplicity hidden in its nature that a child could understand.
Birth order and meaning
Because meaning is relational one of the most significant factors in our attitude towards it comes from our childhood experiences and birth order as well.
Science and meaning and the science of meaning
Both the problems of the scientism and its negative perception of meaning, and the many great findings of science and how it is contributing to our pursuit of meaning.
The meaning of individual & collective purpose
Many of our struggles come not just as a result of our individual choices, but, simply because we share a collective history that likewise is struggling and suffering in its quest for purpose.