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Sri Santhanam

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Do you think that living life in the moment is the purpose of life or is it to forget the purpose of life?

Survey to anyone - What is your purpose in life (apart from family)? Do you think that life can be lived without finding some meaning to our activities? Do you think that living life in the moment is the purpose of life or is it to forget the purpose of life?

Added after comment from Colleen - Religion is usually a way for people to find the purpose of their life or meaning in life. Essentially all religions aim to direct their followers towards doing something purposeful and meaningful and I have lived my life without religion and found that I could not be happy. Even if I did not follow my religion well or know much about it, certain aspects of religion were important. But problem with using religion to give meaning to life is that religion can be highly misleading too!! And sometimes it is dangerous. And for purpose of making the conversation relevant to all who want to participate I am not sure if discussing religion would be a good idea.
But as suggested in one comment - spiritual practices can be the nomenclature used instead of religion and without specifying which religion u r following.
I thank the commentators on their intelligent conversations and suggestions.

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  • Ed Schulte 50+

    • +1
    Mar 19 2012: from

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qE1dWwoJPU0


    So suddenly you discover that essentially, at the most essential level, the essence of who you are is consciousness, but consciousness isn’t something that you can say “ah, there is!!” Because consciousness cannot become an object to itself, it is the eternal subject. The “I am that I am,” of the Old Testament. When God is asked for his or her name….. God says, “I am that I am” that is the essential identity of all BEings.

    So when we talked with the present moment, we talk about different levels of the present moment from sense perception, to the feeling of aliveness in the inner body, to the realization that, ultimately, what we call the “present moment” and the “light of consciousness” are one and the same thing.. Because that is the thing that always remains. That consciousness, you can sense it as yourself right now, the presents that you are. Even beyond your physical presence. And that is the



    alertness, that is the “realization” that is sometimes called “awakening.” And that is the place also of “stillness” when you get out of the mental noise and that is the source place of creativity. That is intelligence that is non-conceptual, it is primordial intelligence and if you touch that in yourself then, at 1st just glimpses, as brief realizations, and then gradually integrated into your daily life. Then you can live from that place, the source, and not only be a more productive Human being, but also, a more peaceful Human being, because then you no longer contribute to the conflict in this world. Because the conflict is only created by those whom humans we do not know that level within themselves. They do knew not know who they are.

    • Sri Santhanam

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      Mar 19 2012: You are touching on religion and it would be interesting to see where you are going with your point. But unfortunately, religion is a deep subject (you have also made other deep points) and somehow I feel would require too much knowledge of a religion quoted to know what you mean. But in essence even I agree that without religion and deep understanding and connection with at least one religious point of view one cannot satisfactorily answer the question that I have put forth. Another note: I kind of disagree with your explanation because it really does not help us in our day to day living for us to follow. But you also have to be commended for attempting explanations which have depth. Maybe you can refine your idea to an easily understandable form.

      • Ed Schulte 50+

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        Mar 19 2012: Sri

        no actually it has nothing to do with "religion" unless in the context of the original use of the word....which was "return to origin" or "re-linking"

        and you will see/hear/feel the context if you watch the video ...what I posted is simply a quick quote from it...The Title of Tolle's talks is

        “What it means to live with Meaning,
        purpose and wisdom in the digital age.”

        which suits your opening hook ...so I posted the response

        Be Well Be Present

      • Mary M. 100+

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        Mar 19 2012: Sri, why do you say that without religion and deep understanding and connection with at least one religious point of view one cannot satisfactorily answer the question you put forth?
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        Colleen Steen 500+

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        Mar 19 2012: Sri,
        It would have been beneficial to put your statement above in your introduction, and you can edit your introduction now to make it more clear.

        If you honestly believe that "one cannot satisfactorily answer the question", "without a religiion", you are limiting the question quite a bit, and it would be good for all participants to know that.

        You write..."But in essence even I agree that without religion and deep understanding and connection with at least one religious point of view one cannot satisfactorily answer the question that I have put forth".

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