This document discusses finding meaning and purpose in life. It poses questions about where humans came from, their purpose, and where they are going. It argues that meaning in life is not found through pursuing pleasure, fame, wealth or power, as these often lead to negative consequences like emptiness, addiction and depression. True meaning is found through developing life goals and values centered around bringing goodness to others through caring, charity, community involvement and overcoming challenges with perseverance. Faith can also provide meaning by giving life infinite significance beyond material concerns or death.

1. What is the meaning of life?
Curated/Created by Javed Mohammed
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2. Does this describe you?

3. Or this: Challenges ahead?

4. 3 Questions
• Where did we come
from?
• Why am I here (Purpose)?
• Where are we going?

5. What is the purpose in life?
•Is it to have a fancy career, become rich and famous?

6. What is the purpose in life?
•Is it to experience perpetual pleasure?

7. What is the purpose in life?
•Is it to acquire power and control others?

8. Think About It …
• What sort of activities do you enjoy? Why?

9. What are your goals in life
Go ahead write them down.

10. My primary goal is
to be a great climber

11. My primary goal is
to travel the world

12. My primary goal is
to raise my daughters

13. I’m working on world peace,
thank you very much

14. But the pursuit of pleasure, power
often results in:
• An Empty Feeling
• Boredom
• Anxiety
• Obesity
• Addiction
• Bankruptcy
• Depression
• Rehab Centers
• Suicide

16. So are you saying I don’t need
money, control in life, etc etc?

17. Nope, just saying perspective and
balance

18. YourLife Mission Statement
• Ask what is lacking in
your life right now?
• What values are most
important to you?
• Go ahead write it down

19. The Necessity of Faith
“… only in faith can we find
the meaning and possibility
of life.”
Faith gives “an infinite
meaning to the finite
existence of man; a meaning
that is not destroyed by
suffering, deprivation or
death.
Tolstoy, A Confession (1879)

20. NO, NO
• No God
• No necessity of God for
meaningfulness
Meaning OF life
cosmic purpose
[need God]
Meaning IN life
having your own plans, goals,
ultimate aims
[don’t need God]

21. Religious Skepticism

22. Religion and Spirituality can and do
coexist

23. But aren’t the worlds conflicts
caused by religion?
Not really, it is extremist utopian interpretations of any faith

24. Religious Commitment

25. Religious Engagement

26. Religious/Social Conservatism

27. Religious Struggle

28. I thought life is about the pursuit of
happiness?

29. Actually happiness is a byproduct
of bringing goodness into others
lives, family, friends, community

30. Caring of others

31. Charitable Involvement

32. “Money can buy everything” is a
myth

33. I am powerless,
“There’s nothing I can do”

34. Never underestimate what
the Defiant Human Spirit can
accomplish

35. Happiness often entails suffering

37. Many times in life we face setbacks
and we wonder

38. Sunrise? Or, Sunset?

39. Only time and perspective will let
you know

40. Sunrise!
30 Minutes Later