Response to quote 1
Sometimes life is unbearable. As humans however we want to prevail
or have a reason to continue. Without some type of reassurance throughout life
that there is more to come than becoming dust life would be hopeless and
meaningless. To continue with the pointless exercises of living would lead one
to think ever more on the end to come. Advancement and community would become a
hassle and not worth the time. We as humans have a quest for significance
because without one life ceases to seem real and becomes pointless, devastating,
and cruel beyond imagination.
To help
us along our journey to complete our quest we create stories that imitate our
life so that we can choose the outcome. By being able to choose the outcome we allow
for an image of what might be so can focus on the here and now. The average person
answers a child’s questions through a story. These stories become myths as they
are passed down from generation to generation. They also help give meaning to a
seemingly pointless situation or existence.
Every
person in the world has a different experience of what life is. In expressing
our life story we not only allow others to see our lives but begin to
understand ourselves in a new light. Myths help to explain the unknown void of
death. With an alternative we have hope for a new and better existence. As
humans we need all the hope, for the impending end that all living beings must
face, that we can get.
Believing
in an afterlife provides a foundation for a reason to live and live well. As
the world is now flooded with stories and books it is hard to decipher one from
another. Some books help me to face a truth in my life. Non-fiction stories
that tell of how one person faced a situation allow me to solve a problem. Having
significance to life allows me to get through disappointments and to ignore
those comments that offend me because of having faith in a better life to come.
Devoting my life now to others is possible as my belief of the life after death
gives me hope for an eternity of joy. The joy I will later have gives me more
joy when I am able to make another smile. The myths I believe in give me a glimpse
of eternity and understanding of universal mysteries letting me know now who I
am and who I will become.
Do you think the hero's journy myths really immitate our lives? I disagree. The stories seem to not immitate but to tap into a bigger source than one person's existance. The stories are more universal, the interpretations of the individual are taloried. Also, if we do choose the endings to our hero's myths, wanting them to be a projection of our ouwn futures, why do so many of them end horribly? so many stories end in death (phisical or no) without some sort of rebirth. they sacrifice themselves and the sacrifices are thrown back into their faces. Who want thier sacrifice, their whole transformation to be in vain?
ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting take on the quote. I was especially intrigued by the portion where you state: "By being able to choose the outcome we allow for an image of what might be so we can focus on the here and now." This is a thought provoking statement. So often we are reminded to live in the present and pay no mind to separate times, past or future. What some people don't always realize is that on occasion one needs a secure view of the future in order to appreciate or even acknowledge the immediate, the here and now.
ReplyDeleteHowever, to provide contrast, I would utter a small challenge to the notion that a knowledge of a certain beyond is universally conducive to the appreciation of the present. I mean, all you need to do is view anyone oppressed by religion. To bring up a pertinent situation, one could refer to the plight of the gay community in terms of their harassment from a large proportion of the religious sect. These people have had their rights ignored and on occasion confiscated because of a perceived lower standing due to their supposed standing in the afterlife that others happen to believe in.
Think on these things meow.
Excellent and insightful. 10/10 from the Cave.