For the last decade, I have been playing with many different versions of

• Creating a vision

• Identifying goals

• Naming benchmarks

• Designing action plans

• Living a Happy Life

I've taken courses, read books, written books, designed courses, and coached hundreds of individuals on

• optimizing productivity

• designing routines

• time & stress management

• physical well-being

• nutrition

• overall mental health.

All the skills and strategies I've learned and coached people to do are incredibly helpful and continue to have an enormous impact on my life and the lives of my clients.

Despite these things, I've continued to experience and notice with clients that there is still an underlying sense that something is missing or that more is necessary.

Over the past few years, I have focused more intensely on exploring and understanding what living with meaning and purpose means. Cracking the code of meaning and purpose seemed like it would help fill this apparent void.

One way I've tried to address this for myself and my clients is to identify the "why" behind one’s actions. Simon Sennik famously put the idea of “your why” on the map in 2010 through his famous Ted Talk, “How Great Leaders Inspire Action.” He shared that a person’s purpose, cause, or belief, what he called their “why,” drives them.

This was a game-changer for many people. They stopped focusing on what they were doing and started focusing on why they were doing it.

The "Whys" that I've aligned myself and my clients with include:

• to become the best version of yourself

• to provide for yourself and your family

• to know a sense of financial freedom

• to contribute to the community, society, or the world

• to leave a meaningful legacy

• to live a long, healthy life

• to live in alignment with your passions, interests, or talents

• to heal from past traumas, conquer fear, or gain closure

• to live life to the fullest so there are no regrets

• to form more profound, more meaningful connections with others

• to love, be loved, and make a difference

Although these incredible WHYs and worthy pursuits helped satiate the yearning, they were temporary and continually left people unsatisfied. For myself and many of my clients, an underlying restlessness or anxiety would appear, resulting in asking:

• "Is this the right why?"

• "What if it's the wrong why?"

• "What if there is a better "why" that I don't see?"

This led me to wonder if a more sustainable "why" or meaning and purpose existed.

One that didn't need to be periodically reinvented.

One that all other whys could operate under.

One that would satiate all humans.

I was looking for a Meta-Why.

I hypothesized that the underlying cause of anxiety, restlessness, and angst was not just the absence of a why, but it was the absence of the why.

The Meta-Why, or what I will refer to as a Meta Purpose, was the missing piece.

Your Meta-Purpose is the purpose that all other purposes oritent and align to.

It answers the question of all questions:

• What is the meaning of life?

Your life purpose is the container for all other goals, objectives, and purposes. It gives your life ultimate meaning.

What you identify as your ultimate purpose will determine your overall life experience. This experience can range from love, hope, and inspiration to disconnectedness, numbness, hopelessness, despair, and loneliness.

In Part I of the Meaning Crisis, I will share, through my journey, the many different philosophies that offer answers to this question. I will share my experiences, the basic axioms and principles of the most common perspectives, and my list of the pros and cons of each.

In Part II of the Meaning Crisis, I will pull apart some of the key concepts, compare and contrast each of the philosophies and walk you through a thought process that led me to the meta-purpose that I landed on. The one that I believe can give you the most fulfilling life and unite us as a sisterhood and brotherhood of humanity.

"When you pour your infinite self into something finite, you will be unfulfilled. Fulfillment is the result of pouring your infinite self into the infinite."

It Does All Come to An End

As many of us can attest, pursuing worldly things is never-ending. There are infinite things to know, experience, create, and explore. The problem with these infinite worldly things is that our worldly experience is held in a finite reality.

This finite reality is that our life on this planet ends on the day we die. Everything that we have done and accomplished in this world vanishes. Most, if not all, of us will be forgotten within a few decades of our death. I don't say this to be morbid but to point out the facts.

An estimated 109 billion people have lived and died in human history. A generous estimate is that a few hundred million people are remembered today. That means that 99.82% of people who have lived and died have been forgotten.

No wonder we are so anxious to know what the purpose of life is?!?

But Why?!?!

The drive to understand our meta-purpose begins at birth. Curiosity and exploration of the world is instinnctual. It is why, since we have been able to talk, we have had an innate obsession to ask one simple question, over and over again . . . "Why?"

Anyone who has raised or been around young children has experienced the incessant drive for children to ask WHY.

• Why is the sky blue?

• Why do we need to be nice to people?

• Why can't I do what I want?

• Why do people get sad?

• Why do I have to go to bed?

• Why do leaves fall off trees?

• Why can't I fly like a bird?

And no matter what clever answer you can come up with to any of these or hundreds of other questions, they are ready to follow up with, "Well, why is that?"

This restlessness that we all show as young children to understand and to know WHY is relentless. And that restlessness is never satisfied with the answer I used to give my children, "Because it just is!"

The innate desire to know and understand why everything is the way it is is the desire to know our Meta-Purpose.

I explored several philosophical perspectives that attempted to uncover our Meta-Purpose. Although many philosophical perspectives exist, I will focus on the three major categories of philosophical thought that are most relevent in our culture.

1. Non-Theistic Spirituality

2. Atheism

3. Theistic Spirituality

Although so much can be shared and discussed about each, I will highlight the key aspects of each.

We will start with Non-Theistic Spirituality.

Non-Theistic Spirituality: “The Universe”

Non-theistic spirituality is a form of spiritual practice not centered around worshiping a deity but instead emphasizes personal development, mindfulness, ethics, and self-understanding. It is not concerned with belief in a creator god but rather with living a harmonious, ethical, and enlightened life. Practices may involve meditation, reflection, and contemplation to help individuals realize their inner nature and connect with the deeper truths of existence. Buddhism is generally considered a non-theistic spirituality but there are many.

On my journey, I found this to be a comfortable spot because of my early adversity to religion and the impression it gave me of God. There is no talk of "God" but instead provides more comfortable terms like:

• the universe

• creation

• source

• the divine

This was the ethos of the personal development organization I was involved with for a decade. I have written in-depth about my experiences with this organization in previous newsletters, "From Darkness to Light" and "I Got Tricked Into Running Away From God. "

In this newsletter, I will share how my experience with this organization helped me understand the good and the bad of non-theistic spiritual philosophy and how it answers the Meta-Purpose question.

When I began working with this organization, I found it extremely helpful. The self-reflection, mediation, and contemplation of my belief structures, emotions, and thoughts were enlightening. I also learned to center myself through specific breath practices and the movement of energy through my body.

I noticed things breaking down when the concept of morality surfaced. In this philosophy, almost anything seems justifiable. It seemed like you made up the rules as you went along. You were positioned as the ultimate authority. The core ideas that circulated were to be unattached to everything and make decisions based on whether or not they "felt aligned."

These incredibly ambiguous reference points, which one was supposed to navigate independently, were so daunting that people often sought the guidance of the community's more "enlightened" individuals. This was a frightening proposition, especially since I was considered one of the more enlightened individuals in the community. It also proposed a more significant issue.

The major problem with this strategy was that when you reach the top of the Enlightenment hierarchy, the question becomes: Who is that person going to for guidance? Who is keeping them in check? The answer, of course, is nobody.

This is why this often becomes a breeding ground for megalomaniac narcissists to position themselves as having all the answers and creating cults - which is exactly what I realized had developed around me.

Although it is not true that all non-theistic spiritualities turn into cults,the highest percentage of cults, if not all cults, are non-theistic.

The other piece that was not helpful was that no clear meta-purpose was offered as a container to operate inside. The general purpose of non-theistic spirituality was to become "enlightened." This was attained when you lived completely aligned with your "Higher Self." A state identified as the experience of love, peace, and bliss. A state that was very easy to deceive oneself that you are in and justify all decisions. This meta-purpose is ambiguous and dangerously left open to way too much interpretation.

In fact, the leader of the organization I was involved in often told us that we had no purpose, which I always found odd. However, he always reminded us that the noblest purpose was to spread "global enlightenment" through his organization.

Although my experience was with this one example of non-theistic philosophies, the same themes are common across most, if not all, non-theistic traditions. The most popular example of non-theistic spirituality is Buddhism, from which the organization I was involved borrowed many practices and concepts.

Although Buddha was a much better individual to be at the top of the moral hierarchy than the leader of the organization I was a part of, it still doesn't change the fact that Buddha does not answer to a clearly defined higher authority.

CONCLUSION: NON-THEISTIC SPIRITUAL APPROACH

PROS

• the techniques and modalities of meditation, reflection, and contemplation can be very helpful as a way to navigate the day-to-day challenges of life

CONS

• too much individual freedom inside of right and wrong

• ambiguous target of "enlightenment" as the meta-purpose

Atheism: Just Intellect

If God and esoteric terms like the universe are not your thing, then some of the concepts of Atheism may resonate. Safe to say, after my early experiences with Catholicism and non-theistic spirituality, I was about done with anything esoteric. I reached the point that I wanted nothing to do with the idea of God, the universe, enlightenment, or spirituality.

This made the idea of atheism very appealing. I found that many aspects of Traditional Atheism made sense. Apart from the foundational absence of belief in deities, there are two other significant axioms of Atheism that I found intriguing:

• Everything can be explained by evidence, reason, and critical thinking rather than faith in revelation.

• Argument for secular morality, which strives for universal moral standards based on reason and shared human values. This distinguishes it from moral relativism, which argues that morality isn't universal.

I loved the idea that the meaning and purpose of life can be discovered by following evidence, reason, and critical thinking and not based on made-up, irrational, and fabricated mythology.

SIDE NOTE: It is important to point out that this perspective presupposes that all religious ideas are invented, irrational, and/or fabricated mythology. We will explore this in Part II.

It also made sense to strive to identify a universal moral standard that humanity could orient to. The idea of moral relativism never made sense, especially after my experiences with the personal development organization. Giving people the power to determine what they believe is right or wrong (eating from the tree of good vs. evil) seems like it could lead to the fall of humanity.

These fundamental ideas eventually evolved into the New Atheism movement in the early 21st century, particularly in the aftermath of events like the 9-11 attacks. This movement was led by four individuals known as "Four Horsemen of the New Atheism." Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens, Richard Dawkins, and Daniel Dennett. They highlighted some important issues.

Not surprisingly, after the terrible events of 9-11, they tried their contention on religion, which I felt was a valid concern.

Their overall critique of religion was the view that it is a source of harm, division, oppression, and conflict. They were very vocal about their opposition to Religious Fundamentalism, highlighting issues like religiously motivated terrorism, anti-science sentiments, and human rights violations.

Now, although there is truth in what they are saying, their proposed solution of eliminating all religions and the idea of God is an overcorrection in my estimation.

It would be analogous to saying we should do away with all cars because a loved one died in a car accident because of a design flaw in the car. Maybe all cars aren't created equal, and we should distinguish between the cars and determine, by evidence, reason, and critical thinking, which makes the most sense to drive.

"Killing God" is a bad idea; just ask Nietzsche.

GOD IS DEAD

The German philosopher Frederick Nietzsche famously wrote in his passage: The Madman,

"God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him.
How shall we comfort ourselves, the murderers of all murderers."

This was his commentary on the decline of Christianity as the central authority on morality. Although he criticized Christianity, he saw the danger of its decline.

He named six potential dangers of "the death of God."

All of which have manifested and are still prevalent.

1. The Rise of Nihilism

2. Moral Relativism and Chaos

3. The Danger of Herd Mentality

4. The Emergence of Nihilistic or Totalitarian Ideologies

5. Existential Loneliness

6. The Risk of Escapism & Hedonism

That pretty much sums up the state of the world today!

That said, Nietzsche's proposed solution was similar to the Atheists'. He proposed that we must create the ideal ourselves, which he called Ubermensch. This "superman" was someone who transcends nihilism, creates their values, and lives authentically.

I think it is safe to say we have failed miserably at doing this, and the negative effects of "God's death" are compounding on itself.

Regarding orienting to a Meta-Purpose, there is none offered inside of atheistic philosophy. Atheists focus only on worldly meaning and purpose, suggesting that there is nothing more than our earthly experiences - rendering them ultimately meaningless.

CONCLUSIONS ON ATHEISM

PROS

• promotes reason, critical thinking, and being connected to evidence-based reality and science

• strives for a universal moral ideal that supports humanity's well-being

• the world and universe have order, natural laws, and processes

CONS

• believes that human intellect alone can come up with the ultimate moral ideal

• tendency towards delusional capacity and arrogance

• No meta-purpose at all

Holding Pattern . . .

Okay, so to this point, I've entertained two Godless philosophies to find the meta-purpose of life. Neither seemed to get the job done, which had me spinning. I felt like I needed a place to rest and reflect. Lucky for me, I found one: Agnosticism.

When I found Agnosticism, at least temporarily, it felt safe to hang my hat. It was the perfect holding pattern until I figured out where I wanted to land. I entertained both ideas of Agnosticism: Atheistic and Theistic.

Agnostic Atheism is not believing in God or gods but admitting that one cannot prove the nonexistence of God.

Agnostic Theism is believing in God or gods but acknowledging that the nature or existence of God is ultimately unknowable or beyond human comprehension.

Neither was particularly useful when finding the meta-purpose, but it helped me take a few deep breaths.

Theistic Spirituality: God Lives

The final philosophical positioning I will share is Theistic Spirituality. Below are some of the major principles that Theistic Spiritual philosophies share:

• Belief in the Divine

• Personal relationships with the Divine

• Sacred texts and teachings (oral or written)

• Ritual and worship

• Moral & ethical framework

• Emphasis on faith and devotion

There are three major categories of Theistic Spirituality

1. Abrahamic Traditions (Christianity, Islam, & Judaism)

2. Indic Traditions (Hinduism, Jainism and Sikhism)

3. Indigenous & Folk Religions (Shinto, African, and Native)

The good news is that all of these traditions have a meta-purpose narrative. I will first highlight each tradition's positive axioms and then compare their meta-purposes.

Indigenous & Folk Religions

The main ideas behind these traditions are the interconnection with nature, the focus on community, and the holistic worldview. The world is seen as alive with spiritual energy. Spirits are believed to inhabit animals, plants, rivers, and other natural elements. Nature is held as sacred and worshipped. This is where the many gods or spirits can manifest.

Ancestral worship is also practiced. Ancestors are often seen as intermediaries between the spiritual world and the living, offering guidance, protection, and blessings.

Some rituals and ritual specialists are highly regarded and play critical roles in guiding the community and mediating with the spiritual world.

The main purpose and goal seem to orient to harmony with nature, continuity of the living and spiritual world, and participation in the cycle of existence through birth, death, and renewal through reincarnation.

PROS OF INDIGENOUS & FOLK RELIGIONS

• reverence and connection with nature

• deeply connected community and respect for elders

• has a meta-purpose of maintaining harmony in the cycle of birth, death, and reincarnation

INDIC TRADITIONS

Hinduism and Sikhism are two of the major Indic religions originating in the Indian subcontinent. While they are distinct in beliefs and practices, they share some common traits due to their cultural and historical proximity. Here are the key commonalities between Hinduism and Sikhism:

• Emphasize the law of karma, which states that actions have consequences that influence one's future life. They believe in samsara, the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, and aim for liberation (moksha or mukti) from this cycle.

• Believe in a supreme, formless reality: Hinduism's philosophical schools refer to this as Brahman (ultimate reality). Sikhism calls this supreme being Waheguru or Ik Onkar (One Universal Creator). Both stress that this reality is eternal, omnipresent, and transcendent.

• Emphasize spiritual practice through meditation and devotion. In Hinduism, this can be bhakti (devotion), yoga, and chanting. In Sikhism, Naam Simran (meditation on God’s name) and devotional singing of kirtan are central practices.

• They have deep respect for their sacred texts. Hinduism treasures the Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, and others. Sikhism reveres Guru Granth Sahib, considered the eternal Guru and a guide for spiritual and ethical living.

• stress that all humans are spiritually equal: Hinduism advocates that the divine resides within everyone (the Atman or self). Sikhism explicitly rejects caste discrimination and teaches the equality of all people, regardless of gender, caste, or creed.

The Indic tradition contains many great philosophical perspectives. These perspectives provide great axioms for life and present a meta-purpose.

The Indic traditions state that the purpose of life s to live in a certain way (laid out in detail) that allows you to exit the cycle of birth, death, and reincarnation and merge with the supreme formless reality—Brahman or Waheguru.

PROS OF INDIC TRADITIONS

• your actions on earth have consequences after death

• orient to a supreme being - an ultimate reality

• actions are oriented to be aligned with truth, justice, and harmony

• moral principles like compassion, generosity, respect for all life, interconnectedness, and seeing divinity in all beings.

• the divine resides in all humans

• has a meta-purpose - to exit the cycle of life, death, and reincarnation to integrate back into the supreme being

ABRAHAMIC TRADITIONS

The Abrahamic traditions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—share a common heritage and numerous theological, ethical, and cultural elements. These faiths, which trace their origins to the patriarch Abraham, exhibit shared principles and unique distinctions. Here are some of the similarities

• belief is one, all-powerful, omniscient, and benevolent God

• relies on holy scripture as a divine revelation and moral guide

• God communicates with humanity through chosen prophets

• central virtues include justice, compassion, honesty, charity, and respect for others

• covenant relationships between God and humanity are a recurring theme

• there is a judgment day that will determine whether you spend eternity in heaven or hell

The major difference between these three traditions is how they relate to Jesus Christ and, therefore, the sacred texts they orient to.

Christians believe that Jesus was the Messiah and Son of God. The Bible, Old and New Testaments are their holy scripture.

Jews believe Jesus was a teacher, not the Messiah or divine. They use the Torah, The Old Testament, as their holy scripture.

Muslims believe Jesus was a great prophet and messenger of God. The Qur'an is believed to be God's final and complete revelation to their most holy prophet, Muhammad.

PROS ON ABRAHAMIC TRADITIONS

• orientation to one supreme being

• identify with an ideal morality dictated by God

• actions on earth will have consequences after death

• has a meta-purpose - to have eternal life with God in Heaven

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

All of these philosophies can be infinitely explored. Their complexities and dynamism are inexhaustible. I am clear that I have only presented my 20,000 overviews of each, and everything I’ve presented can be discussed and dissected ad nauseam—and has been for thousands of years.

I intended to start this exploration by understanding each's major tenants and principles and sharing them with you as a starting point for exploring them in greater depth, which I intend to continue to do.

That being said, below is a summary of my pros and cons of each philosophical perspective.

SUMMARY OF MY PROS OF EACH

SUMMARY OF MY CONS OF EACH

FINAL THOUGHTS

I want to discuss one more philosophy prevalent in our society. It is what I call the Spiritual Buffet Philosophy.

This is when you choose ideas from different philosophical traditions and create your own. Like a buffet, you take what you like and leave what you don’t like.

I don’t consider this any different than moral relativism and making yourself the authority.

In Meaning Crisis Part II I am going to explore

• Why moral relativism is a bad long-term solution

• The need for authority and the potential dangers of this

• How to marry reason and faith

• Abrahamic traditions in more depth

• The Ethos of Christianity

• Why Catholicism may be the best option

I hope sharing my journey with you was as helpful to you as it has been to me. I am still learning and exploring all these ideas and gaining a deeper understanding of all perspectives.

My mission continues to focus on orienting and moving to truth.

Not “My Truth” by The Truth.

I appreciate you coming along for the ride.

On that note, I’d love to hear your thoughts on what you’ve read in my newsletters.

How have the things you’ve read in this and other newsletters landed for you?

Please share in the comments below, if you have any questions or feel like I am misrepresenting or missing something you feel is important.

I look forward to continuing the journey of exploration with you.

Yours in Vitality,

Matt