What are you doing with your life? A simple question. In this case, a question to be taken both literally and metaphorically. A question prompting reflection. What are you doing in this life, Niles North?
Living in a goal-oriented society that constantly emphasizes the future, people find themselves repeating the cycle of pinpointing a destination and striving to reach one objective after another. Due to this process of seeking tangible goals to accomplish, many individuals have not been able to determine the intrinsic purpose that serves as the driving force for their thoughts and actions. Although it is unnerving to think about what exactly a single being can contribute to their world, it’s even more unsettling to think about the limited time humans have to create and fulfill these spiritual ambitions.
This idea begs the question of which path people would be more inclined to take after this limited time runs out. If there was life after death, would people choose to cease to exist or would they choose to exist for eternity?
Unpacking this pragmatic question, the first approach that a majority of people take is to think in terms of how this materialistic world is structured. Because humans are conditioned to live in a society with technological innovations, the conclusion drawn when contemplating another space of existence is to compare it to this same world.
“I would choose to live forever because there are always new inventions. It wouldn’t be boring,” Richard Thielsen, science instructor, said.
Other schools of thought also contribute to the discussion when religion comes into play along with understanding that the human mind is not designed to fathom the capacity of eternity or the unknown. With the limitations on human brains, people constructed time and built this world based on known information in order to comprehend the outer workings of life. However, there are possibilities of existence that have not been uncovered. Perhaps existence after this isn’t manifested in a human form as this life; perhaps it is just a dot alone as a being isolated from the existence of all other beings.
“If you look at it from a religious standpoint, heaven is perfection; it’s a perfection that we don’t have the capacity to understand. Why would you want to leave perfection? However, there could always be the possibility that life after death can be your consciousness alone, surrounded by darkness,” Sammy Schein, senior, said.
Ankur Joshi, math instructor, expressed a different view describing, “We can’t control the universe. If we try to control the universe, we’d go insane. Ceasing to exist is what we strive for with nirvana. If there is continued life after death, I’d be exhausted.”
Although the question at hand is dense and can be viewed as depressing, people can take solace in knowing that happiness can manifest in times of an existential crisis.
“Are my cats with me? If my cats are with me, I would choose to live forever. That would make me happy,” Amanda Hussain, English instructor, said.
Considering the connection between this life and the state of being thereafter, many individuals also view eternal living as a reward for overcoming the materialistic obstacles presented in this world.
“I think for my own sanity, knowing that there is something after living in this world and knowing that we don’t just end gives me hope that there is a point to all this and my purpose isn’t empty,” Ajmal Ahmed, senior, said.
With this in mind, I ask you again: Niles North, what are you doing in this life? No matter what your personal beliefs are, immortality in this world does not exist. You are born, and you will leave in some form at a certain time. However, this realization cannot be taken in a way that generates fear. Instead, use your limited time to create a purpose and strive to see it completed. Whether that purpose be standing in solidarity in a community or uncovering your individual potential, do and be.
Featured image credits to Pexels
