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Anyone, at least once, has questioned what would be the purpose of our life on Earth and why we were created. The problem is that many, recognizing the complexity of the path to finding an answer, and abandon the journey before even starting. When we were children, we spoke as children, thought as children, and reasoned as children (ref. Corinthians 13, 11) but if we have now become adults, we must act as such. Finding the answers to questions like this, considered by philosophers existential, is an adult “business” that must be administered with great care. All religions, without exception, through the experiences of the past help us to understand this very “meaning of life”, but that’s not all, because even when it may seem that the Scriptures are not able to provide us with a clear and immediate direction, they show us the simple and peaceful way to arrive healthy and strong at our desired destination.A pre-determined course is always easier than one of its own, as it has already been tested and beaten by others in the pastA pre-determined path is always easier than one of its own, since it has already been tested and beaten by others in the past. These “others” are not just any people, but our fathers and mothers who love us and therefore only wanted our good for the future. So the destination is never the only part of the journey that matters, and so finding these fundamental answers in the Holy Books, makes this journey we are taking enjoyable and fulfilling.
For the believers of the Abrahamic religions, the first five Texts of reference are the Torah, a word that etymologically means “law”, but also “instruction” and “guide” as it directs us towards the knowledge of our purpose on earth. Only by knowing what work will bear fruit will it enable us to choose good activities and banish the useless ones.
The story in Genesis establishes the destiny of all humanity by stating:
28 GOD blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
(Genesis 1, 28)
If one meditates carefully on this verse, it can be understood that the CREATOR’s greatest act of Love toward humanity is not simply having established this great destiny for humanity, but having empowered every man and woman to understand their central role in the Creation.
Land Administrators
But to subdue the whole world and govern it is not an easy task, and so after having created the first believer (“adam” from “adamah” as ground or earth) his companion Eve was also generated, and from them the whole lineage of the Children of GOD. To them, however, rather than being required a simple “conquering of the world ” is prescribed to operate a righteous administration of the Creation. This is the true purpose that gives meaning to the life of humanity on Earth.
Of course, for each of us there is a different task and often smaller does not mean absolutely less important. The measurement units are established by men, but for GOD even the smallest of daily gestures can be great if done in love, and recognizing that we are part of a larger plan.
Uplifting and refining the whole of nature, including animals, plants and the earth, is our ultimate goal. Everything has been put at the service of humanity so that the Divine Image present within each enlightened person (Psalm 82, 6) will shine and spread.
Managing and improving Creation, starting with oneself, and then the whole of nature, including animals, plants, and soil, all of which has been put at the service of humanity to shine forth the Divine Image present within each enlightened person
And to be enlightened means to be full of light, that is joy, satisfaction, peace, all characteristics that do not depend from the outside (from what we materially possess), but from what we have inside.
So before a human being can have an effect on the “administration of the world”, they must first be able to regain possession of themselves, and this passes through the knowledge of their soul and the lowering of their ego. Performing actions that enhance our soul, that accord with the teachings of the Holy Scriptures, primarily the Golden Rule, the core of every true religion. GOD has created every single person on earth imposing this duty, a clear directive, and the punishment (or better “consequence” as it is caused only by ourselves) for anyone who does not use their infinite potential, will be their unhappiness and dissatisfaction.
When a human being is committed in promoting love, following the Commandments, repairing the World and increasing his or her knowledge (in Arabic: علم) he or she is touched by the essence of the Divine and is filled with light. This is what makes us truly happy, because we finally understand our purpose, the only one that can fill our lives completely.
A common goal then, and one that brings us closer to the destiny of everyone else on Earth, even if it differs according to our infinite facets throughout life. There is no need to become an ascetic in order to promote these virtues, because more than an hermit, it will be the ordinary person who, in daily life and in society, will succeed in changing the future of the World. It is not necessary to overturn one’s existence, but only to work in favor of the good in order to understand more and more those “Signs” that GOD sends us to continue to guide us. These Signs are mentioned in the Quran:
189 And GOD’s is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. And Allah is Possessor of power over all things. 190 In the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day, there are surely Signs for men of understanding. 191 Those who remember GOD standing and sitting and (lying) on their sides, and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth: Our LORD, Thou hast not created this in vain! Glory be to You! Save us from the chastisement of the Fire.
(Quran 3, 189-191)
GOD created this world and mankind in order for His work to be accomplished, and the people of believers must actively participate, not through something beyond human understanding, but through visible and concrete works. The more we work the more income we will have, the more time we devote to our families the happier our old age will be, the more we help our neighbors the more we ourselves will be helped, and so on, this is one of the thousand keys to understanding existence that the Scriptures provide us with.
Temptation
But the temptator does not give up from his goal, to demonstrate to GOD the inferiority of humankind, and for this reason he continues to try to make us fall: “Do you believe the fairy tale of Creation?”, “Do you really think GOD created you for such a great purpose?”, “Everything is random in this World, better enjoy this short life with pleasures”. Temptations that exist today and that already existed from immediately after creation. The biblical account continues in Chapter 3 with the temptation of the forbidden fruit, Adam’s sin and subsequent exile from the Garden, that is, from peace. The serpent, synonymous with the inclination to evil, persuades man to ignore the mission of his soul in exchange for momentary pleasure. Adam plunges humanity into a constant struggle between its good and evil inclinations. And this is the process of creation that continues, Divine energy constantly pulsing through creation, but if we stray from our purpose, we allow sin to create an insensitivity to that Divine Presence within each believer. And when Divinity is no longer manifested and felt by creation, GOD turns away from His creatures, and in this state the created being is in distress, though often not understanding the reason for this distress.
A specific purpose
Each soul has a specific purpose in addition to a general purpose referring to the entire creation. Creating enough space in one’s souls for GOD to dwell allows a person to see the “signs” and “opportunities” sent from Above. This is the purpose of one’s soul’s descent to earth, but we must choose to operate for good:
All is in the Hand of Heaven except the fear of Heaven
This profound quote coming from the Rabbinic tradition reminds us that although whatever happens to a person comes from Heaven, the choice to walk the Way of Good (i.e. “heaven/good” as opposed to “earth/evil”) belongs only to the living creatures. This is the limit of free will. One can easily understand what a tragedy it can be for any being to disregard the mission of their soul on earth, because by doing so, one makes the soul descend into this vain world, without allowing it to rise to heaven and reach its goal. The right thing to do, therefore, is to try to make the most of the soul’s stay on earth by maintaining a lifestyle that conforms to the law and therefore to love and justice.
Conclusions
To pave the way for the gradual achievement of our destiny has always been the unceasing work of the great men and women of the past until today, each one determined and aware of their responsibilities. If we dedicate ourselves to improving ourselves, we will improve not only our own happiness, but also that of our families and neighbors. Of course, it is necessary to study in order to better understand the Holy Scriptures that unite us with the Divine Wisdom, but nevertheless, works remain the main thing to do, because the ultimate purpose of study is to lead to action, to the execution of the purpose of creation, to build a Dwelling House for the Divine in this world.
References
- McNamara, Martin (2010). McNamara, Martin (ed.). Targum and Testament Revisited: Aramaic Paraphrases of the Hebrew Bible: A Light on the New Testament (2nd ed.). Wm. B. Eerdmans. ISBN 978-0-80286275-4
- “Hasidism“. jewishvirtuallibrary.org
- Augustine of Hippo, The providence, Pavia, Arcari publisher, 2003