What Is the Purpose of Life?

We all have a predetermined destiny, but our purpose in life is a matter of personal choice.  We came to life and followed a path driven by forces in the universe, but we also carry consciousnesses to choose the purpose of our own lives.

Our Lives Just Happen - Driven by the Forces in the Universe. Our birth and life experiences have been driven by the forces in the universe, just like rain drops fall when air can't hold them any longer. There isn't a purpose for rain to fall, it just happens. Sometimes I reflect on the animals we raise on the farm. Do they ever wonder what is the purpose of their lives? Do they try to escape their fate? There is a reason for us to raise them, but from their perspective, there isn't a reason to come to this world and suffer; their circumstance is a result of our will.  As human beings, our situation is much better, but similarly, our lives are a result of the interaction of the forces in the universe external to our consciousness. Life just happens.

We Need a Purpose to Live For!
What is the purpose of Life - We cannot escape this question, and need to find the answer. There are two types of answers: one believes our consciousness will live on after life, so today is a preparation for the after life; and the other one believes the consciousness ends with us, so this life ends in itself.  Apparently the first belief makes it easier to live on, however is there really an afterlife?

The existence of an after life cannot be totally clear to people who are living, although there are signs of afterlife.  Even if we believe in an after life, we are still trapped and struggling in this life. So my resolution is to approach my own purpose in life as a compromise of both - doing things that benefit both this life and afterlife.

Life is Like a Stock Chart, of Karma
On the surface, life is impermanent. It is constantly changing.  However, the accumulation of Karma is continuous, and Karma determines our future. If we accumulate positive Karma, we will have a brighter future, for both this life and the afterlife. Karma is the energy our thoughts and our behavior created, which we carry on with our consciousness.

So the purpose of my life is to cultivate positive Karma, what is yours?

Next Topics
What is Karma?
How to Cultivate Positive Karma?