A debate on the most important questions in life???

July 3rd, 2008 by Jonathan

Who Am I? How much money is enough? What is love?

I published a post containing, Tips on living a better life in 2008, which sparked serious debate over number 28, “God heals almost everything”. I was pleased this post had such passionate responses. I allowed all negative and positive comments fly while watching the debate progress. Few chose the middle ground, but those comments were my favorite. What I loved most about the post was learning insight from its publication.

Photo found on Vi.sualize.us

Notably, the following seemed to strike a cord with me:

Comment by JM, “It’s as though #28 ruined the day for everyone who read it. I’m agnostic or atheist or I don’t really know what, but it’s really irrelevant. I’m just blown away by the negativity that one comment can provoke in people who are logging on to a website based on “enlightenment.” My personal advice would be to “F&$# lighten up.” But perhaps more sage advice would be what a* Buddhist monk once told me when I struggled with one of the teachings: “Ignore that teaching. If it is a roadblock to accepting the good parts in the other passages, then you must discard it. Maybe one day you will feel differently about it, maybe not, but don’t let it get in the way of the parts which are helpful to you.” That’s my two cents. Feel free to get angry, I won’t.”

Photo found on Vi.sualize.us

So as a follow up I’m asking the following questions in hopes that my readers will continue this debate and learn from each other. What are the most important questions in life? Are they about religion, happiness, freedom, love, etc? Can any answers true satisfy, or are the answers shape by ones experience? Have you found any answers? What?

To start off, I listed questions to get the ball rolling. I hope you will share your knowledge, love, hate, wisdom, or anything you feel like ranting about. I will allow everything to be published.

Photo found on Gods Emerald’s

Questions???

What is the meaning of life?
Where Did I Come From?
Who Am I?
Where Am I Going?
How much money is enough?
What is love?
Is there a Supreme Being and is his name really God?
How far does space go? Is there life on other planets?
”What is the meaning of life?
How much is it?… Are you married? Will there be an open bar?
“What kind of job will I have in the future or even right now”? “Where will I live?” “Who will I marry?”
“WHAT DOES GOD WANT ME TO DO WITH MY LIFE?” “What do I want to do with my life?”
“What are the most important questions I need to figure out to be happy?”
“What is happiness and how do I achieve it?”
“Why is an all-knowing God not naturally known by His human creation?”
Is there real proof that God cares for you?”
What is life all about?”
“Is there life after death?”
“Why does God allow pain and suffering?”
“Can we know God?”
Does God choose sides?”
Does God want freedom?
Why does God let war happen?
Whom should we pray for?
Is my life significant?
What really matters in life?
Why should I get up in the morning?
Is there life after death?
DO I have free will?
Why are we here?

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26 Responses to “A debate on the most important questions in life???”

Jonathan

Author,
For me the first question I had to figure out in life that was of any importance was: “Who am I” The answer only came to me when I separated myself from everything and everyone I knew in life. I traveled to Europe alone on a backpacking journey and felt this true undeniable feeling of freedom. I found my own voice once I was free and realized how I wanted to live my life. I wanted to chase all my dreams no matter how big or small.
The second question that was looming in my heart was: “Does God Exist?” Yes, I believe he does, but it is a different God for everyone. What I can tell you about mine was a special experience I encountered in North Spain at the Cathedral of Saint James. I felt this undeniable presence with me, it’s hard to describe, but I knew with all certainty that their was some higher form of life, and that I was part of it. I felt the presence of my Father who passed away when I was young with me, the feeling was beautiful, safe, and enlightening all at the same time. That was all I needed to know….

The finally questions I had to answer were: what do I want to do with my life, what is my purpose here? The answer was simple enough. I wanted to be happy, to love, to travel as much as possible and to share my experiences with others. So I decided to become a writer, it doesn’t matter whether or not my dreams of being an international bestseller and award winning screenwriter become reality. What matters is, this is what I want to do with my life because I believe it will make my happy to fight for these dreams.

I haven’t figure out the next question, but I am still searching…

Jul 3rd, 2008 5:32 pm
Rudy

I think the most important questions concern progress, both for the individual and civilization as a whole. This would be in the same category as “Where Am I Going?” Questions such as

“How can I be better/how can I make this better?”

“How can I leave the world a better place than when I arrived?”

“Is there a better way?”

My personal philosophy is to be better today that I was yesterday; to always strive for improvement and growth, to always be open to knowledge and experience, and to be willing to share what I have learned.

Actually, who am I kidding - the most important questions is obviously

“Will there be an open bar?”

Jul 3rd, 2008 10:13 pm
Shilpan | successsoul.com

Great posts. To really understand answer to these questions, one has to ponder deep down in his/her consciousness to find out their being. Answer lies hidden somewhere.
Shilpan

Jul 3rd, 2008 10:44 pm
topsurf

The most important question for me is who I really am, am I being all I can, and what is my purpose. You have a great post that really opens up your mind and gets you thinking. Great Job! I look forward to reading more.

Jul 4th, 2008 5:49 am
DaMan Conners

We can answer the question for ourselves but for others there will always be other answers. Some say living in the moment. To know what life is all about we would have to know how we got here, how the universe was created and so on. Since I am a mere mortal and know I will never know some things, I think enjoying life as much as possible is the most important thing. Every day above ground is a good day as they say and I’m here to laugh and enjoy as much orf my time as possible.

Jul 4th, 2008 8:37 am
splash

Check out http://www.mormon.org. The website can help answer a lot of these questions.

Jul 4th, 2008 9:17 am
Adrian

My main question seems to be “Who am I?” and from that comes “Is there a God?” “Is there life after death?”. I was raised Catholic and my first doubt in faith came with the idea that if God knows everything how do we have free will? I recently had to write a life purpose and ambition for my Eagle Scout, and that I know can be a difficult question for some, but I answered with ease… okay I BSed it but there was a general idea. I don’t know what I want to do with my life, but I’m not going to wonder forever, so I just picked something with a few different options. If I don’t enjoy it, my job isn’t my life it’s how I sustain my life.

So yeah, my questions are: Who am I? Is there a God? Why do I have to capitalize God? Is there life after death? Is it reincarnation or a meeting wit a high being?
I don’t know my answers, they change.

Jul 4th, 2008 10:02 am
Matt

Questions such as these and others are what gives life purpose. If it were possible to hold the key to all knowledge would there be any further point to life were you to attain it? Isn’t the the pursuit and discovery more important than the answer?

As point of intrigue (and not necessarily one I subscribe) to but in the interests of debate I thought I might put this forward, as Shakespeare wrote, “All the world’s a stage, the men and women meerly players.” To extrapolate this, probably further than it was intended, you could ask the following:

Is any of it actually real?

Jul 4th, 2008 3:45 pm
David Johnson

What is the meaning of life?

There isn’t one.

Where Did I Come From?

Your parents.

Who Am I?

You

Where Am I Going?

Towards death.

How much money is enough?

Depends on what you want it to be enough to do.

What is love?

A biochemical need/learned response

Is there a Supreme Being and is his name really God?

No and no.

How far does space go?

Roughly 15 billion light years in every direction.

Is there life on other planets?

Probably. Almost certainly, in fact.

What is the meaning of life?

Again, there isn’t one.

WHAT DOES GOD WANT ME TO DO WITH MY LIFE?”

No gods, thus it’s kinda up to you.

What do I want to do with my life?

I haven’t got a clue - again, kinda up to you

What are the most important questions I need to figure out to be happy?

The ones that keep you from being happy.

What is happiness and how do I achieve it?

Different for every person

Why is an all-knowing God not naturally known by His human creation?

Ummm, because there isn’t any such creature.

Is there real proof that God cares for you?

No. There isn’t even any proof that there’s a god(s)

What is life all about?

Successfully reproducing.

Is there life after death?

Probably not.

Why does God allow pain and suffering?

See: “God, non-existence of”

Can we know God?

Nope. No god

Does God choose sides?

Nope. No god

Does God want freedom?

Nope. No god

Why does God let war happen?

No god

Whom should we pray for?

No one. On pair of hands actually *working* beats a million clapsed in prayer.

Is my life significant?

Long term, nothing is.

What really matters in life?

Define “matters” here.

Why should I get up in the morning?

Because otherwise you’ll be late for work, get fired, and life will be even *less* comfortable and enjoyable than it is now.

Is there life after death?

No

DO I have free will?

Yes. Doesn’t really help, though…

Why are we here?

Because the physics of the universe allow it.

Jul 4th, 2008 8:43 pm
Kavita Kampani

What are the most important questions in life? Is it………………

1. What is the meaning of life?
That you are alive.
2. Where Did I Come From?
Same source, from where all living things originate.
3. Who Am I?
A living substance.
4. Where Am I Going?
Nowhere.
5. How much money is enough?
Depends from individual to individual.
6. What is love?
A wonderful feeling.
7. Is there a Supreme Being and is his name really God?
We , ourselves are Supreme Being , you can give any name.
8. How far does space go? Is there life on other planets?
Space is infinite. Yeah, there should be life on other planets too. Things change, may be one day, there also starts a cycle of life with a strand of grass, or is it already there, who knows?
9. ”What is the meaning of life?
Life is to live till the time you are alive. Its upto you , whether live happlily or crib.
10. How much is it?…Are you married? Will there be an open bar?
I m married.

11. “What kind of job will I have in the future or even right now”? “Where will I live?” “Who will I marry?”
Whatever will happen in future will happen, at present doing my job wonderfully. I will live where I am living now. Married.
12. “WHAT DOES GOD WANT ME TO DO WITH MY LIFE?” “What do I want to do with my life?”
I dont want to do anything with my life. I will live each day and would accept whatever comes my way.
13. “What are the most important questions I need to figure out to be happy?”
If I will start figuring out questions, I wont remain happy anymore. Because, it would lead me to find the answers, expectations, fulfillments, cravings……….all this leads to sorrow not to happiness.
14. “What is happiness and how do I achieve it?”
Happiness is the state of mind. To achieve happiness, live in now with whatever you have, wherever you are. Happiness can never be achieved, if it depends upon people, things, circumstances, then happiness is short-lived and conditional. To remain happy, accept everything as it is.
15. “Why is an all-knowing God not naturally known by His human creation?”

16. Is there real proof that God cares for you?”
God is inside you. If you care for yourself, means God is caring for you.
17. What is life all about?”
To live it as per individual wish.
18. “Is there life after death?”
What is death? I donno. The substance, which is the source of our life moves from our body to another place, thats it.
19. “Why does God allow pain and suffering?”
God is not allowing any pain or suffering, its very normal and with everyone. Some people take it as pain and suffering, others take it lightly. Individual perspective.
20. “Can we know God?”
Yeah, see a flower bloom, see a child smile, see yourself happy.
21. Does God choose sides?”
Do you choose sides?
22. Does God want freedom?
Do you want freedom?
23. Why does God let war happen?
Its not God letting war happen, its we, the people, who are letting the war happen.
24. Whom should we pray for?
Whatever you feel is a suitable candidate.
25. Is my life significant?
Yes, ofcourse.
26. What really matters in life?
NOthing, everything changes and after some time looses its significance or come back to initial stage. See water cycle, water vapour, evaporation, clouds, rain, water…..
27. Why should I get up in the morning?
To welcome a new day.
28. Is there life after death?
Answered
29. DO I have free will?
Yes
30. Why are we here?
To complete one cycle of life.

Jul 5th, 2008 12:02 am
Frederick Zappone

Money and the right attitude about money is the answer to 99% of the problems in this world and that’s why money is most important to me.

Money is a symbol of our most powerful inner selves. Keep in mind that the thing we call money is nothing more than a piece of paper that in and of itself has absolutely no power at all. When we feel powerless or ineffective around money that is because we have projected our power, our spiritual power into money and become a victim of money rather than its master.

Money is not the root of all evil in this world, the lack of money is..

I have a great article up on my LAW OF ATTRACTION web site titled: “I’m in it for the money, you should be too, here’s why.” To read the article, click on the link below and go to the message section of my site:

http://groups.google.com/group/PPAC

Frederick Zappone

Jul 5th, 2008 8:00 am
Mert

Can we continue blogging life after death?

Jul 6th, 2008 7:46 am
Shirazlady

I think the most important thing that comes from your questions, is that no matter whom we believe in, or what, I hope we all strive to bring unity and peace among each other. Not just by word. I happen to believe in God, but perhaps in a different way as I am not in any demonation. I accept people for who they are, where they are, and what they choose to be. So peace to all that read this!!
Also as to what really matters in life?
Living each day to its fullest! In the moment!
Shiraz

Jul 7th, 2008 5:46 pm
Heidi

In response to Fredrick, I disagree with your statement that money is the solution to 99%, however, my grandfather had an adage “if it can be solved with money it’s not a problem.” The problems that can’t be solved with money are serious health problems, and friendships.

I beleive the question of what is my purpose? defines it. Having a purpose in life, some goal is critical to living a worthwhile life. Even atheist need a purpose. Their purpose may be to try and convey their belief to others but it is still a goal and a purpose for living, love is a purpose, to care is a purpose, God’s will is a purpose for those that follow.

God Bless for the believers, and hope in the human race for those who don’t,

Heidi

Jul 11th, 2008 12:28 am
john

Breath slowly the air that surounds you, the air that you so generously share with others. Think about the air and how it fills you and enables you to live. This is life, this is the meaning and this is you.

Jul 14th, 2008 8:18 am
ImaNicePerson

We believe the most important question is…Can I find happiness in my life? We all want to be happy, and our ability to find happiness hinges on our ability to focus on the good things which have happened in our life. We all have ups and downs. We all have moments of brilliance and moments of shortcomings. We believe our ability to be happy is determined by our ability to focus on the “good” things which have occurred in our life, and our ability to treat the misfortunes as learning experiences instead of reasons to be unhappy. We all set goals in life, and we reach some and fall short of others. As we become older we begin to soul search as to our fulfillment we have achieved during our lives. Our goals generally change as we mature, find careers, have children, and as we reach the “Golden Years”. When we understand we can’t get everything in life we desire yet we all have plenty to be thankful for…. we have the found the elements needed to find happiness and fulfillment in our lives.

We also believe money buys things but not happiness. To us love and friendships are most important as these are products of our personalities and our dealings with society. If people like us for who we truly are….these people are important to our psyche in realizing we have good things to offer to this World. Have a Nice day.

ImaNicePerson.com

Jul 14th, 2008 8:48 am
Seapalm

John - what a beautiful thought. Thank you.
Here’s one for you - instead of seeing yourself breathing, see the universe as breathing for you - like an ocean’s waves, or the clouds in the sky - the universe moves into and through you as a symbol of your connection to the larger sphere and hence, you are alive and continually supported by the unseen.

The questions that work for me are: How can I be of service? How can I help? How are you? and Why? which is by far my favorite but probably not the most important.

Questions that lead me beyond self and out of separation help the most when trying to connect with the silence, the centeredness, the purity of universal spirit. Like the Dalai Lama, I see kindness and compassion as a vehicle for transformation or enlightenment. Not to say that it is easy to stay in that frame of mind, but what is life without challenges? ; )

Oct 8th, 2008 6:12 pm
Josh

Why ask questions?

Oct 29th, 2008 12:52 am
R

“Am I happy?”

Once you’ve realized your happiness, does it really matter what the other answers are?

If the answer is no, no matter what it is that may be causing you grief, you must understand and repeat to yourself;

“this too, will pass.”

Nov 7th, 2008 2:56 pm
William Sanders

The more we realize how little we know, the more wise we become.

I dont think any of my answers are right or wrong. Just my opinions. Share yours with me if you can.
My answers.

# What is the meaning of life?
I dont even know the meaning of the question….

# Where Did I Come From?
From the love of my parents.

# Who Am I?
A young confused man.

# Where Am I Going?
Wherever I choose to go. I choose to be great.

# How much money is enough?
there isn’t enough money.
the only thing that will be enough is the wisdom to spend wisely and the will to follow through.

# What is love?
i dont have a clue.
i lied.

love is caring. caring for yourself, caring for others.
love is alot of things. its postive energy.
love has many meanings, comes in many forms.

love can be indescribable but
you will always remember how it feels to love the person you love.
you will always remember what it feels like to love someone or something.
you will always remember how it feels to be loved by someone else.

# Is there a Supreme Being and is his name really God?

I’ve never met this supreme being in person.
What we name a supreme being isn’t important, whats important is that he exists or not.

# How far does space go? Is there life on other planets?

It goes as far as I think it goes… and thats not very far.
Organisms? Definantly. Intellegent life possibly.

# ”What is the meaning of life?
Already answered.

# How much is it?…Are you married? Will there be an open bar?
I should’ve deleted this stupid question. Or atleast I dont get it.

# “What kind of job will I have in the future or even right now”? “Where will I live?” “Who will I marry?”

Hopefully my future job is something that i enjoy.

Ultimately I don’t care where I live, I wouldn’t prefer to have a solid home because I like to travel. Any place though where I have my privacy would do.

I wish I knew who I would marry. As of now I don’t even know anybody I would consider marrying. Unless they were giving me $5000.

# “WHAT DOES GOD WANT ME TO DO WITH MY LIFE?” “What do I want to do with my life?”

I think if there was a supreme being that wanted me to do something with my life. It would be to live it.

What I would like to do with my life? To be able to earn a living and support a family doing something I enjoy in life. I want to experience everything life has to offer. I want to be able to live my last years accepting the fact that im going to die and realizing I’ve done everything I’ve needed to do.

# “What are the most important questions I need to figure out to be happy?”
To many questions… the most important is
How can I accept and embrace my flaws.

# “What is happiness and how do I achieve it?”
Happiness is a positive energy.
The quick way is to smoke weed.

# “Why is an all-knowing God not naturally known by His human creation?”
Idk. Maybe because he doesn’t exist.

# Is there real proof that God cares for you?”
possibly, jesus did die for our sins. however this is a story told over thousands of years. i really dont know what to take literally and what not to.

# What is life all about?”
sex :)… more seriously ~ i believe life is about several things.

its about living your life - experiencing things.
sex

# “Is there life after death?”

technically no. nothing else lives after we kill it. plants, bacteria. does something have to be able to think or has to have a “soul” to be able to keep living after death. i think nothing really “lives” after death.

however memories and feelings for someone that has passed can live on long after death.

# “Why does God allow pain and suffering?”
because we need pain and suffering to learn, if we could never experience pain or suffering we’d all die. because we’d never learn anything. think about it, even animals feel pain. you need it to survive.

# “Can we know God?”
i dont think so. it seems like a yes or no thing to me. either everyone should know he exists or no one should.

# Does God choose sides?”
apparently , look at the middle east.

# Does God want freedom?
yes and no. if we were truly free to do whatever we want most of us would die possibly all. without society to govern how we function as people, towns, cities, states, countries wouldn’t be able to function. before there was alot of people even the smallest tribes has some form of society, its a defense mechanism against nature. we have it so easy today that we couldn’t possibly imagine what life would be like without what we have today.

Imagine life without electricity.

Now. Imagine life without fire.

# Why does God let war happen?
who is god to stop wars? god? ….wait…

# Whom should we pray for?
whatever we want

# Is my life significant?
numerically speaking yes.

# What really matters in life?
i think i answered this in some form already….

# Why should I get up in the morning?
to eat.

# Is there life after death?

# DO I have free will?
Yes and No. Everyone is born with free will.
However if you let someone modify the way you think then no internally.

# Why are we here?
I dont have a damn clue, but im glad beautiful women are in the world. Maybe the reason I like them so much is the reason why I’m here… think about it

Jan 12th, 2009 3:29 am
Dragos Roua

I love the idea of this post and I also enjoyed some of the comments. I don;t think questions are important. Questions are a form of experiencing the universe, but only one form. Kids only start to put questions around age of 3, when they're drained other way of direct experiencing the universe. You can fulfill your path by fully experiencing your present moment, by being there and letting yourself into the flow. Not only it will shed some light over some of these questions but it might be that many of them will simply vanish in front of this powerful flow of life.

Apr 23rd, 2009 12:17 am
MommyMystic

Ha ha, well this certainly is interesting! I have to say I started out very intellectual/philosophical in my twenties, and my original pull to spirituality was along those lines. But I've moved away from that, because 1) I don't really trust my rational mind anymore and 2) Life is more fun without all the pondering. So I'm more about moments and experience now.

Apr 23rd, 2009 5:41 am
Jonathan E.Y.D

Thanks Dragos, I am glad you enjoyed the post and felt inspired to add a little something to the mixx. Cheers

Apr 24th, 2009 10:17 pm
Jonathan E.Y.D

Thanks Lisa,

I try to "be about the moments and experience" as well. But my pondering mind is tough thing for me to lay rest. For me, I try to find the balance between pondering and being. ^_^

Apr 24th, 2009 10:21 pm
Geetha

I feel all these questions are triggers for going from a limited to an infinite mode of existence. Its my understanding that all of us arrive at our understanding to these questions in our own pace and time. For a timepass its interesting to go thru the answers given by others but each of us have their own understanding on them. As for me I am just letting go grasping everything from an intellectual view. I now feel free from the limited thinking field I was in and though I dont deny the phase of such questioning and answer finding but beyond these is a realm which opens you to a life of living in infinite space. I find myself unable to express clearly but I was tempted to attempt triggered by this intense debate.

May 2nd, 2009 10:35 am
JR Cline

All these questions are age old questions that haven't been answered by the best of those who play in this area. I'll two in my two cents worth here and there, but remember, you get what you pay for. roflmao

What is the meaning of life? 42
Where Did I Come From? My ride or me?

Who Am I? I am Ralph and the label is not the thing.

Where Am I Going? No where in this moment. I'm sitting and typing.

How much money is enough? What is required in the moment.
What is love? The co-conspirator with hate.
Is there a Supreme Being and is his name really God? The name is not the thing. Make up your own mind based on the evidence.

How far does space go? It doesn't go anywhere. It just is.
Is there life on other planets? Don't know, haven't been there.

What is the meaning of life? 42

How much is it?… Are you married? Will there be an open bar? The questions of the moment.

“What kind of job will I have in the future or even right now”? “Where will I live?” “Who will I marry?” The questions of the moment.

“WHAT DOES GOD WANT ME TO DO WITH MY LIFE?” “What do I want to do with my life?” Isn't that the the two sides of the same question?

“What are the most important questions I need to figure out to be happy?” There is nothing to figure out. Just be happy.

“What is happiness and how do I achieve it?” Have an open heart, open mind, and open ears. You are happy you just don't know it.

“Why is an all-knowing God not naturally known by His human creation?” He isn't known?

Is there real proof that God cares for you?” Is there air?

What is life all about?” 42

“Is there life after death?” This is a nonsensable question. Death is the cessation of life.

“Why does God allow pain and suffering?” Does God? Or do we?

“Can we know God?” Open ears, open mind, open eyes, open heart

Does God choose sides?” Are there sides to choose?

Does God want freedom? How can an all knowing all powerful being want anything?

Why does God let war happen? Does god?

Whom should we pray for? Whomever we choose.

Is my life significant? Only to you.

What really matters in life? 42

Why should I get up in the morning? If you stay in bed too long you get bed sores.

DO I have free will? Only you know the answer to that.

Why are we here? 42

Jun 17th, 2009 9:42 pm