5 Steps To Find The Deeper Meaning Of Life

Do you want to know the meaning of life? Are you struggling to find answers to lifeโ€™s challenges? Hereโ€™s how to find lifeโ€™s meaning by asking deeper questions.

Socrates, an ancient Greek philosopher, believed that we are personally responsible for examining and understanding our own lives, a basic tenet behind his philosophical argument to โ€œknow thyself.โ€ 

He believed that the unexamined life, the life of those who knew nothing of their real selves, aspirations, and actions, was not worthy to be lived because it was devoid of real meaning. The concept of the unexamined life also includes the unexamined relationship, the unexamined marriage, the unexamined job or career, the unexamined retirement, the unexamined business, and so forth.

โ€œI Know Nothingโ€

The only true wisdom is knowing you nothing.

Socrates believed that the wisest person is the person who is most aware of his or her own ignorance. In this regard, he believed that it was best to start by stating โ€œhe knew nothingโ€ in recognition that he was open to learning new insights. Humbly, he recognized that there were limits to his own knowledge. This is the key to finding the deeper meaning of life.

Read Top 3 Tips To Create A Meaningful Vision In Your Life

Be Willing to Ask Questions

If we are unwilling to ask questions, we are unwilling to learn and grow. Many people are unwilling to do so as they think asking questions, or saying โ€œI donโ€™t know,โ€ might lessen their power or make them look weak. The opposite is actually more accurate. Asking questions leads to strength, deeper understanding, and wisdom. The more questions we ask, the more we are able to learn, and the more creative we can become.

It is difficult for us to know ourselves when we are afraid of or avoid asking questions. Perhaps we donโ€™t want to acknowledge our illusions or perhaps we donโ€™t want to see that we need to change; so we just leave it alone, remaining a prisoner of our thoughts in our metaphorical cave. 

Perhaps we are so busy just running on the treadmill, trying to survive, that we donโ€™t want to allocate time to step back and ask the bigger questionsโ€”or perhaps we are so busy challenging others that we donโ€™t make the time to look within and challenge ourselves! 

The unexamined life is not worth living.

Donโ€™t Rush to the First Answer

Socrates was famous for teaching people how to think, not what to think. He believed that new insights come when we focus on asking more and deeper questions to find deeper meaning, and importantly, not settle for the first answer. 

He encouraged people to go through a systematic process of questioning their assumptions. Socrates challenged people to give reasons for their beliefs, and if these beliefs did not hold up to rigorous cross-examination, if they were proven false or inconsistent, then he believed these people should be open to letting go of these beliefs and consider alternative points of view to find the deeper meaning of life.

Read Ancient Wisdom Revealed: 5 Hidden Magical Knowledge That Can Transform Your Life

Many of us arenโ€™t aware of the assumptions we make behind what we believe. Our beliefs may have simply been passed on to us through others. We must think for ourselves and not simply accept the opinions of others without examining them. And, in some cases, we may need to โ€œunlearnโ€ some of our (limiting) beliefs to find the deeper meaning of life. 

Donโ€™t be Trapped in Only One Side of the Situation

For example, when confronting conflict at work or in our personal lives, it is best to stop and ask questions such as the following: โ€œHow is the other person looking at this situation?โ€, โ€œIn what ways, could the other personโ€™s perspective be more accurate than mine?โ€, โ€œHow big an issue is this in the overall scheme of things?โ€, and โ€œHow important is it for me to be right in this situation?โ€

Be Willing to Embrace New Information

In my experience when mentoring individuals for both personal and leadership development, Iโ€™ve encountered, all too often, situations when people, albeit with the best intentions, choose simply to ignore valuable new insights and instead carry on with false beliefs concerning their personal and/or work life. Asking questions helps us to determine if we need to let go of certain beliefs or situations that no longer work for us.

To find yourself, think for yourself.

Life is an odyssey or journey of experiences that teach us who we really are. Every person we encounter and every event or situation we experience, good or bad, gives us the opportunity to know ourselves better and to know what gives our life meaning. 

Read 3 Key Questions To Ask Yourself To Help Make Any Decision

When we ask more questions and examine our lives like Socrates encouraged us to do, we begin to gain more clarity about our place in the world and what unique talents and insights we can share with the world. As we explore who we are, we can go beyond the limits of who we are allowing ourselves to be and expand into our fuller selves, helping us, ultimately, to live with more meaning.

Are you ready to find the deeper meaning of life?


References

*For more information on this subject, see: Alex Pattakos and Elaine Dundon (2017). Prisoners of Our Thoughts: Viktor Franklโ€™s Principles for Discovering Meaning in Life and Work, 3rd edition. Berrett-Koehler Publishers; Alex Pattakos and Elaine Dundon (2015). The OPA! Way: Finding Joy & Meaning in Everyday Life & Work. BenBella Books.


Written by: Elaine Dundon
Originally appeared on - Psychology Today
Republished with permission
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Last updated on:

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At first glance, the injunction to be humble does not sound very attractive. It seems to be in conflict with our current valorization of self-esteem and self-worth, and to contradict the ubiquitous personal development advice that we should celebrate our achievements and take pride in ourselves.

But humility does not mean meekness, and neither does it equate to weakness. In fact, this ancient virtue has nothing to do with adopting a self-effacing or submissive doormat mentality and is not to be mistaken simply for low self-esteem.

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5 Steps To Find The Deeper Meaning Of Life

Written By:

Do you want to know the meaning of life? Are you struggling to find answers to lifeโ€™s challenges? Hereโ€™s how to find lifeโ€™s meaning by asking deeper questions.

Socrates, an ancient Greek philosopher, believed that we are personally responsible for examining and understanding our own lives, a basic tenet behind his philosophical argument to โ€œknow thyself.โ€ 

He believed that the unexamined life, the life of those who knew nothing of their real selves, aspirations, and actions, was not worthy to be lived because it was devoid of real meaning. The concept of the unexamined life also includes the unexamined relationship, the unexamined marriage, the unexamined job or career, the unexamined retirement, the unexamined business, and so forth.

โ€œI Know Nothingโ€

The only true wisdom is knowing you nothing.

Socrates believed that the wisest person is the person who is most aware of his or her own ignorance. In this regard, he believed that it was best to start by stating โ€œhe knew nothingโ€ in recognition that he was open to learning new insights. Humbly, he recognized that there were limits to his own knowledge. This is the key to finding the deeper meaning of life.

Read Top 3 Tips To Create A Meaningful Vision In Your Life

Be Willing to Ask Questions

If we are unwilling to ask questions, we are unwilling to learn and grow. Many people are unwilling to do so as they think asking questions, or saying โ€œI donโ€™t know,โ€ might lessen their power or make them look weak. The opposite is actually more accurate. Asking questions leads to strength, deeper understanding, and wisdom. The more questions we ask, the more we are able to learn, and the more creative we can become.

It is difficult for us to know ourselves when we are afraid of or avoid asking questions. Perhaps we donโ€™t want to acknowledge our illusions or perhaps we donโ€™t want to see that we need to change; so we just leave it alone, remaining a prisoner of our thoughts in our metaphorical cave. 

Perhaps we are so busy just running on the treadmill, trying to survive, that we donโ€™t want to allocate time to step back and ask the bigger questionsโ€”or perhaps we are so busy challenging others that we donโ€™t make the time to look within and challenge ourselves! 

The unexamined life is not worth living.

Donโ€™t Rush to the First Answer

Socrates was famous for teaching people how to think, not what to think. He believed that new insights come when we focus on asking more and deeper questions to find deeper meaning, and importantly, not settle for the first answer. 

He encouraged people to go through a systematic process of questioning their assumptions. Socrates challenged people to give reasons for their beliefs, and if these beliefs did not hold up to rigorous cross-examination, if they were proven false or inconsistent, then he believed these people should be open to letting go of these beliefs and consider alternative points of view to find the deeper meaning of life.

Read Ancient Wisdom Revealed: 5 Hidden Magical Knowledge That Can Transform Your Life

Many of us arenโ€™t aware of the assumptions we make behind what we believe. Our beliefs may have simply been passed on to us through others. We must think for ourselves and not simply accept the opinions of others without examining them. And, in some cases, we may need to โ€œunlearnโ€ some of our (limiting) beliefs to find the deeper meaning of life. 

Donโ€™t be Trapped in Only One Side of the Situation

For example, when confronting conflict at work or in our personal lives, it is best to stop and ask questions such as the following: โ€œHow is the other person looking at this situation?โ€, โ€œIn what ways, could the other personโ€™s perspective be more accurate than mine?โ€, โ€œHow big an issue is this in the overall scheme of things?โ€, and โ€œHow important is it for me to be right in this situation?โ€

Be Willing to Embrace New Information

In my experience when mentoring individuals for both personal and leadership development, Iโ€™ve encountered, all too often, situations when people, albeit with the best intentions, choose simply to ignore valuable new insights and instead carry on with false beliefs concerning their personal and/or work life. Asking questions helps us to determine if we need to let go of certain beliefs or situations that no longer work for us.

To find yourself, think for yourself.

Life is an odyssey or journey of experiences that teach us who we really are. Every person we encounter and every event or situation we experience, good or bad, gives us the opportunity to know ourselves better and to know what gives our life meaning. 

Read 3 Key Questions To Ask Yourself To Help Make Any Decision

When we ask more questions and examine our lives like Socrates encouraged us to do, we begin to gain more clarity about our place in the world and what unique talents and insights we can share with the world. As we explore who we are, we can go beyond the limits of who we are allowing ourselves to be and expand into our fuller selves, helping us, ultimately, to live with more meaning.

Are you ready to find the deeper meaning of life?


References

*For more information on this subject, see: Alex Pattakos and Elaine Dundon (2017). Prisoners of Our Thoughts: Viktor Franklโ€™s Principles for Discovering Meaning in Life and Work, 3rd edition. Berrett-Koehler Publishers; Alex Pattakos and Elaine Dundon (2015). The OPA! Way: Finding Joy & Meaning in Everyday Life & Work. BenBella Books.


Written by: Elaine Dundon
Originally appeared on - Psychology Today
Republished with permission
Steps Deeper Meaning Of Life pin

Published On:

Last updated on:

— About the Author —

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Up Next

5 Unconscious Fears That Are Stopping You From Moving Forward

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Ever felt stuck, like you’re circling the same spot in life no matter how much you try to move forward? You’re not lazy. You’re not broken. But something invisible seems to be standing in the way. These are the unconscious fears that hide under your habits, slip into your self-talk, and shape your decisions without you even realizing it.

And no matter how many to-do lists you check off or mindset books you read, it doesnโ€™t budge. So what are these fears that hold us back?

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Before focusing on how to wake up early, letโ€™s take a look at the perks of being a morning person. If you manage to get up with the sun, you can:

Get a jump-start on your busy day full with errands and chores

Ditch the anxiety that comes with getting late for work or other appointments

Have enough time to go through your tasks for the day and plan accordingly

Feel relaxed and enjoy the morning while you commut

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Spiritual modesty isnโ€™t about putting yourself downโ€”itโ€™s about seeing the bigger picture. The importance of humility goes way beyond being โ€œniceโ€ or polite. So what is humility, and what can it actually do for us? From better relationships to sharper thinking, its benefits might just surprise you.

At first glance, the injunction to be humble does not sound very attractive. It seems to be in conflict with our current valorization of self-esteem and self-worth, and to contradict the ubiquitous personal development advice that we should celebrate our achievements and take pride in ourselves.

But humility does not mean meekness, and neither does it equate to weakness. In fact, this ancient virtue has nothing to do with adopting a self-effacing or submissive doormat mentality and is not to be mistaken simply for low self-esteem.

<

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Hereโ€™s the part no one really talks about: being an eternal optimist is exhausting.

But it also has some good parts like it helps you bounce back, believe in second chances, and find meaning even in mess.

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You don’t have to be an extravert to connect with strangers.

Key points

Even if you are an introvert, research suggests some painless ways to meet new friends.

People like others who are like them, so look for important values you share with others.

It helps to make yourself useful.

Not all locations are equal when it comes to meeting other people like you.

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What Is Guilt Really? 4 Ways To Let Go Of It

What is guilt, really? Is it a moral compass, a learned response, or something deeper rooted in identity and accountability? Letโ€™s explore with David Prucha.

How guilt can protect us from a feeling we like even less.

Key points

Guilt can feel like hope, it offers the illusion that change is still possible.

Powerlessness isnโ€™t failure; itโ€™s a boundary that protects our energy.

Letting go of guilt allows rest, which prepares us for when action truly matters.

Up Next

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Thereโ€™s nothing quite like waking up and feeling good, rested, clear-headed, and evenโ€ฆhappy. But for many of us, mornings feel more like a slow crawl out of a fog. If youโ€™re waking up groggy, or in a bad mood, the solution might not lie in your morning coffee or alarm clock. Instead, it starts with the things to do at night!

Your night time habits play a huge role in how well you sleep, how rested you feel, and how emotionally balanced you are the next day. In fact, studies have shown that simple changes to your sleep routine can boost your mood, improve focus, and even reduce stress levels when you wake up.