Why should we live?

[jighuiynmei]

There’s this generalized saying about suicide: “suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem”. But what if it’s not a temporary problem. What if you have absolutely no purpose or will to do anything anymore. Nothing is enjoyable and all you feel is suffering and dread. You have no one in your life who matters, not a single person no friend, no family member. To elaborate on having nothing to live for, I mean like absolutely nothing. You resent society and lost any desire to exist in it let alone work and function in it. There’s grown a void so deep in you that it’s not about any one tragic life situation. It’s not about being discouraged by the future exactly either. You just lose all entire purpose for existence. And this is my situation personally right now. I’ve been debating as to why I shouldn’t commit suicide and no one really helps. They say just keep talking to people. And then that person tells you to talk to someone else. And then that person tells you to talk to a therapist. And then the therapists I’ve spoken to in my experience seem to just say make friends and talk to them or just judge me very hard . I really at this point am at a loss for any answer to this question. Life in its entirety just seems so meaningless. Even if I were to stay alive and help someone , wouldn’t they all just eventually die anyways? What’s the use in prolonging it if they no longer have the will to or can’t afford to? I just really don’t understand anymore. If anyone has an answer I would like to try and understand, or it really might just be the end. Thank you.

 

[lost_in_a_fairytale]

I understand what you mean. I dont have an answer I'm afraid, but I'm not saying suicide is the answer.

I really relate to the "tell someone else" part. That's so frustrating. Everyone just pushes you onto someone else who pushes you onto someone else. It's so isolating.

I really hope you feel better soon, I know how horrible it is

 

[Thauoy]

I don't have any advise. I am just sending you Hugs.

 

[ElleV]

There’s this generalized saying about suicide: “suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem”. But what if it’s not a temporary problem. What if you have absolutely no purpose or will to do anything anymore. Nothing is enjoyable and all you feel is suffering and dread. You have no one in your life who matters, not a single person no friend, no family member. To elaborate on having nothing to live for, I mean like absolutely nothing. You resent society and lost any desire to exist in it let alone work and function in it. There’s grown a void so deep in you that it’s not about any one tragic life situation. It’s not about being discouraged by the future exactly either. You just lose all entire purpose for existence. And this is my situation personally right now. I’ve been debating as to why I shouldn’t commit suicide and no one really helps. They say just keep talking to people. And then that person tells you to talk to someone else. And then that person tells you to talk to a therapist. And then the therapists I’ve spoken to in my experience seem to just say make friends and talk to them or just judge me very hard . I really at this point am at a loss for any answer to this question. Life in its entirety just seems so meaningless. Even if I were to stay alive and help someone , wouldn’t they all just eventually die anyways? What’s the use in prolonging it if they no longer have the will to or can’t afford to? I just really don’t understand anymore. If anyone has an answer I would like to try and understand, or it really might just be the end. Thank you.

I know exactly what you mean, it is like individuals can’t/won’t acknowledge what you are feeling. Individuals say you can talk to them but they are not really listening or they tell you to talk to someone because they don’t want to listen. I feel individuals out a timeline on how you feel and think it is easy to feel happy or like you have a purpose again. I know I can’t stay in this world.

 

[Lara_C]

There’s grown a void so deep in you that it’s not about any one tragic life situation

You just lose all entire purpose for existence

Life in its entirety just seems so meaningless.

I really at this point am at a loss for any answer to this question

I think we need to look deeper in the inner void to find what is missing from our awareness and experience of living - what would make life seem like something treasured.

 

[ElleV]

I don’t always think it is to do with something missing, sometimes things in life which create the thoughts and there is nothing that will make it better.

 

[KindaOtiose]

Hi. Welcome to the forums. This is my take on it - your argument is predicated on two points:

• The problem is truly (and I mean truly) unsolvable.
• It isn't worth living through the problem.

Now let me counter both of those points:

• It is possible to treat whatever mental health problems you are currently having and it is possible to find meaning in life. Although it may seem impossible now and although you may never fully solve your mental health issues, it is possible to at least treat your mental health issues to where it is bearable and you can live a happy life. There are members on this forum who came with crippling depression however now are living relatively happy lives and are glad they are living.
• Even if the problem is truly unsolvable and untreatable (which it probably isn't) it may still be worth living life anyway. Consider the life of a nihilist (who argue life is without purpose) - just because they have a similar outlook on life as you currently have, doesn't mean they can't find pleasure in life. A nihilist could still enjoy life whether that enjoyment comes from something as simple as watching films or finding a new passion. This may not be able to be applied to you and this isn't to trivialize whatever you're going through - I know, and truly, truly appreciate how horrible and bleak the world can seem, and how pointless your existence can seem at times, however the point is it may still be possible to enjoy your life, even if you can never fully cure your current mental health issues.

You also make the point that death is coming to all of us, so what is the point of delaying it. I would counter with, correct, death is all coming to us sooner or later, however you don't have to die now, so why not stick around and try to fight whatever mental health issues you are facing. It will be hard, may seem nigh impossible at times, but you have nothing to lose.

This perspective takes a generally positive outlook. It is hard for me to write my points without knowing more about your specific situation; what has led to you feeling like this, any mental health issues you have etc. I can only hope what I just wrote makes some sense and isn't just nonsense.

I hope things can get better for you soon. Looking forward to hearing more from you. Sending hugs .

 

[may71]

But what if it’s not a temporary problem

Sorry that you're feeling so bad.

In most cases, there's a way to make things better so that you feel glad to be alive. Therapy can be great if you've got something that you really want to tell a therapist, or if you're going to learn something from them. Aside from those things though, therapy often has little to offer, so it's not for everyone.

My personal experience is that therapy was either mildly helpful, or just made things worse.

There are plenty of other treatments out there for depression, so it could be that if you try a few, you'll find one that works.

 

[gecis]

Why? That is a great question that has been bothering mankind for millennia. See, the more you dig into it the more it becomes apparent that life has no meaning. Maybe it is never supposed to have any meaning. Looking for a meaning is the thing that takes you away from what life is. The body you have is unapparelled in nature. It is like a finger print. Not two are the same. It is an extraordinarily intelligent organism and it never asks the question "why".

It is your thought that wants to analyze and figure out what life is. What is a thought? Where do our thoughts come from? Surprisingly if you look deeper, you will realize that everything you think you are is a thought. Your past experiences, conditioning etc etc. Thought likes to hold on to the past and always projects the future based on it. It wants eternal happiness without one moment on unhappiness. It is a protective mechanism which wants all, and if it doesn't get what it wants then it wants destruction. Even if it gets what it wants, it wants that to last forever. It wants permanence. But surprise surprise, there is no such thing as permanence in nature. The only thing permanent is the life energy (which we will get to in a bit)

This same thought functions exactly the same way from micro (singular, you) to Macro (world wide)

Here's where this game of life becomes a cosmic joke. The actual reality is, the thoughts that dictate your life and consume tremendous amount of your energy is actually not you. What you are is just pure life energy. Like an animal out there, which never asks the question what the meaning of life is. It just functions from moment to moment. It does not care or think about what society thinks or does for it. The human organism has almost no needs. The only things it needs is shelter and food. Even food doesn't have to be fancy. And reproduction, not as a means of pleasure but as a means to reproduce itself just like any other living organism.

The entire universe and all its contents are one unitary movement. You are not separate from things around you. I am not saying some romantic stuff. It is the fact. Its your thought that gives you an illusion of separation. Why do you think people look at astronomy to predict ones future? It is because the planetary movements and all living organisms are one unitary movement. These bodies are hijacked by this knowledge, conditioning and bundle of memories which all center around a "self Image" and that's all that is, an image. Not real.

So the reason all religions are against suicide is because, when you are taking your life, it is your thought/ "fear" a dead thing taking away something living. How this illusion of separation happened which is also known as "Self consciousness" is anybody's guess.

Truly, really nature does not see any distinction between you or the people responsible for your misery. It is one singular unit. Your thoughts are "materials" non living, the bodies have a natural clock and when the clock runs out, they breakdown in their constitutional elements and continue to feed other forms of life in the soil. For nature there is no such thing as death!

The question is then what really are you? The real you is that true intelligence that beats your heart without you thinking, makes this body work like clockwork. It is the pure energy of life. And that energy has no beginning nor end.

Understand this, don't take my word. Go out research it, then it will hit you that how extremely silly all our life's so called problems are. They mean nothing. Because they are nothing.

Once you get this, then you will not try to live life, neither will you try to be happy. Your psychological fear will fade away. You will function harmoniously with the things around you, not with any agenda, but because you know the truth. Once this happens life takes place. Once you let go off all desires and function harmoniously with the people around you, you'd be surprise then how things will start falling in your lap.

Let go of trying to live life or understand life. The one that is asking all these questions is the thing that's taking us away from it. Wish you best!

 

[jighuiynmei]

Why? That is a great question that has been bothering mankind for millennia. See, the more you dig into it the more it becomes apparent that life has no meaning. Maybe it is never supposed to have any meaning. Looking for a meaning is the thing that takes you away from what life is. The body you have is unapparelled in nature. It is like a finger print. Not two are the same. It is an extraordinarily intelligent organism and it never asks the question "why".

It is your thought that wants to analyze and figure out what life is. What is a thought? Where do our thoughts come from? Surprisingly if you look deeper, you will realize that everything you think you are is a thought. Your past experiences, conditioning etc etc. Thought likes to hold on to the past and always projects the future based on it. It wants eternal happiness without one moment on unhappiness. It is a protective mechanism which wants all, and if it doesn't get what it wants then it wants destruction. Even if it gets what it wants, it wants that to last forever. It wants permanence. But surprise surprise, there is no such thing as permanence in nature. The only thing permanent is the life energy (which we will get to in a bit)

This same thought functions exactly the same way from micro (singular, you) to Macro (world wide)

Here's where this game of life becomes a cosmic joke. The actual reality is, the thoughts that dictate your life and consume tremendous amount of your energy is actually not you. What you are is just pure life energy. Like an animal out there, which never asks the question what the meaning of life is. It just functions from moment to moment. It does not care or think about what society thinks or does for it. The human organism has almost no needs. The only things it needs is shelter and food. Even food doesn't have to be fancy. And reproduction, not as a means of pleasure but as a means to reproduce itself just like any other living organism.

The entire universe and all its contents are one unitary movement. You are not separate from things around you. I am not saying some romantic stuff. It is the fact. Its your thought that gives you an illusion of separation. Why do you think people look at astronomy to predict ones future? It is because the planetary movements and all living organisms are one unitary movement. These bodies are hijacked by this knowledge, conditioning and bundle of memories which all center around a "self Image" and that's all that is, an image. Not real.

So the reason all religions are against suicide is because, when you are taking your life, it is your thought/ "fear" a dead thing taking away something living. How this illusion of separation happened which is also known as "Self consciousness" is anybody's guess.

Truly, really nature does not see any distinction between you or the people responsible for your misery. It is one singular unit. Your thoughts are "materials" non living, the bodies have a natural clock and when the clock runs out, they breakdown in their constitutional elements and continue to feed other forms of life in the soil. For nature there is no such thing as death!

The question is then what really are you? The real you is that true intelligence that beats your heart without you thinking, makes this body work like clockwork. It is the pure energy of life. And that energy has no beginning nor end.

Understand this, don't take my word. Go out research it, then it will hit you that how extremely silly all our life's so called problems are. They mean nothing. Because they are nothing.

Once you get this, then you will not try to live life, neither will you try to be happy. Your psychological fear will fade away. You will function harmoniously with the things around you, not with any agenda, but because you know the truth. Once this happens life takes place. Once you let go off all desires and function harmoniously with the people around you, you'd be surprise then how things will start falling in your lap.

Let go of trying to live life or understand life. The one that is asking all these questions is the thing that's taking us away from it. Wish you best!

Hi there, thank you for taking time out of your day for this long and insightful response! I really do see and agree with most of what you’re saying. I understand that questioning life in itself is silly and that everything is in fact meaningless, as well as the concept of meaning. And correct me if I’m wrong, but you said we are just always co-existing energy, and right now just conscious energy, though we are not our thoughts and self-consciousness is a manmade unrealish thing? I agree that we are not our thoughts, and that we are coexisting energy. And sure if we are all one existing thing, and not separate from each other, I can see how it would be meaningless to kill oneself. However if both living and dying are equal to each other, equal in the sense of their co-existence to one another, then wouldn’t it not matter if we killed ourselves? Our energy would still exist. Just we could lose that self-consciousness aspect and human experience. I don’t know if it’s possible for modern humans to live 100% non self-aware or conscious, and if you do live this way, I would love to hear how and what you fill your thoughts with all the time. But I guess the final point you were trying to express is that to just function harmoniously , and not questioning life is the key? I guess I’d just like to ask you how do you function harmoniously? Especially if you have to live in a society, and work in that society to earn money to be able to afford food to function. But due to life experiences you’ve grown to resent and despise society. You no longer have the will to work for them or in it, but to live as a human you have to. Of course I could live as a nomad or something in the woods off of berries or something, but that just seems like so much extra effort for absolutely no reason. It seems like a rough dragging out of the inevitable. Sorry if I don’t make any sense or go in circles. I guess the main thing I’m trying to ask isn’t the reason or meaning in why we should live, but the reason why we shouldn’t ? Like what harm is there in not living as a human if our energy will exist anyways? Why not commit suicide? If everything doesn’t matter then why does suicide matter?

Thank you so much.

 

[jighuiynmei]

Sorry that you're feeling so bad.

In most cases, there's a way to make things better so that you feel glad to be alive. Therapy can be great if you've got something that you really want to tell a therapist, or if you're going to learn something from them. Aside from those things though, therapy often has little to offer, so it's not for everyone.

My personal experience is that therapy was either mildly helpful, or just made things worse.

There are plenty of other treatments out there for depression, so it could be that if you try a few, you'll find one that works.

Thank you for your response and advise. I’m not sure if this is a depression or mental illness problem anymore for me personally. I think I just wanted to know why others are against suicide, and choose to live. Why should we find treatment I guess? I wish you the best though on your journey and thank you again.

 

[jighuiynmei]

Hi. Welcome to the forums. This is my take on it - your argument is predicated on two points:

• The problem is truly (and I mean truly) unsolvable.
• It isn't worth living through the problem.

Now let me counter both of those points:

• It is possible to treat whatever mental health problems you are currently having and it is possible to find meaning in life. Although it may seem impossible now and although you may never fully solve your mental health issues, it is possible to at least treat your mental health issues to where it is bearable and you can live a happy life. There are members on this forum who came with crippling depression however now are living relatively happy lives and are glad they are living.
• Even if the problem is truly unsolvable and untreatable (which it probably isn't) it may still be worth living life anyway. Consider the life of a nihilist (who argue life is without purpose) - just because they have a similar outlook on life as you currently have, doesn't mean they can't find pleasure in life. A nihilist could still enjoy life whether that enjoyment comes from something as simple as watching films or finding a new passion. This may not be able to be applied to you and this isn't to trivialize whatever you're going through - I know, and truly, truly appreciate how horrible and bleak the world can seem, and how pointless your existence can seem at times, however the point is it may still be possible to enjoy your life, even if you can never fully cure your current mental health issues.

You also make the point that death is coming to all of us, so what is the point of delaying it. I would counter with, correct, death is all coming to us sooner or later, however you don't have to die now, so why not stick around and try to fight whatever mental health issues you are facing. It will be hard, may seem nigh impossible at times, but you have nothing to lose.

This perspective takes a generally positive outlook. It is hard for me to write my points without knowing more about your specific situation; what has led to you feeling like this, any mental health issues you have etc. I can only hope what I just wrote makes some sense and isn't just nonsense.

I hope things can get better for you soon. Looking forward to hearing more from you. Sending hugs .

Hi there thank you for your optimistic insights! I guess to clarify and elaborate, my suicidal desire isn’t about any one mental health issue or traumatic life event. I do agree with you that those things are eventually treatable. What I was moreso trying to ask is not so much that I can’t ever find a meaning in living, but I just don’t understand why even we should find any meaning. You mentioned a nihilist person example which I can see how some might live for small pleasures like that, but personally and logically, if I weigh the pros and cons of the choice to continue to live, it seems very weird to chose to live. I don’t think small pleasures hold any importance or value nor do I have any desire to experience them personally. In addition, I can barely afford to live, but that’s really besides the point of me just not caring to anyways. To drag it out living, and just see what happens seems so just pointless to me, any happy or okay event or life experience just I really don’t see why it’s worth living to experience. Sorry if I go in circles here or make no sense, but I guess the question is why do you want to enjoy your life and exist consciously? And for background on my specific situation I’m not sure what mental illness I have or had had, I haven’t been diagnosed with anything other than anxiety, but right now I would say I’m just depressed more than anxious. And for life situations, I’ve recently gotten out of my first relationship. It was absolutely crazy and physically and mentally abusive and traumatic, I almost died several times. My family disowned me because during that relationship I got pregnant and had an abortion and they just see me as a disgrace now. I’ve never had friends, and I don’t really care to have friends now but at times I guess that affected me in some ways growing up. After my abusive relationship I went to court and hospitals and realized how corrupt and crazy our legal system, and medical system is. It affected me more than it should have because I’m a forensic science student, and studied for a good chunk of my life to work with those kind of people. Dealing with a bunch of random people in hospitals, and therapists, and police, and attorneys, and such really caused me a lot of resentment and dislike towards society overall , which I know is a huge generalization, and this may just be a super negative stance, but I guess I just grown to hate most people, of course there are good ones out there, a lot of the people on this site seem awesome like you. But still, in my heart I just hate most people, maybe it’s a form of self defense I don’t know. And to continue to live in a society where we have to function with others just seems like pointless and dreadful you know? I’m sorry this is so long and I probably make no sense. Thank you for reading though and taking time out of your day to write me.

 

[jighuiynmei]

I don’t always think it is to do with something missing, sometimes things in life which create the thoughts and there is nothing that will make it better.

That’s true, thank you for your insight.

 

[Paisley]

For me personally, the reason that I have chosen to live is to try to make the world a better place than it was when I got here. The fact that we're all going to die doesn't really factor into my viewpoint. Reducing suffering is my conclusion as to what the point of staying alive is. I at least want to try and leave a positive impact of some sort on what will be surviving on after I die, both creatures and the environment, and that means I have to be alive until I reach a natural death so that I can keep at least trying to fix what I see to be broken for as long as I possibly can.

So, I cannot identify with nihilism because I believe that the inevitable looming presence of the death of all things doesn't in any way negate those thing's value or importance.

 

[jighuiynmei]

I think we need to look deeper in the inner void to find what is missing from our awareness and experience of living - what would make life seem like something treasured.

That’s true, surely there could be something that fills the void. I guess I just lost any desire to find it, or moreso any reason to?

Thank you for your insight and response !

 

[Lara_C]

II guess I just lost any desire to find it, or moreso any reason to?

Peace? Joy? Love?

 

[jighuiynmei]

I know exactly what you mean, it is like individuals can’t/won’t acknowledge what you are feeling. Individuals say you can talk to them but they are not really listening or they tell you to talk to someone because they don’t want to listen. I feel individuals put a timeline on how you feel and think it is easy to feel happy or like you have a purpose again. I know I can’t stay in this world.

It’s really comforting that you know what I mean, I’m glad that you understand, though of course course not glad that you’ve also had that bad experience! Definitely I agree that we are put on a timeline. I don’t know all what you’re going through but you seem like a lovely person. & You saying you can’t stay in this world , I completely understand. Finding a purpose and happiness again is a journey that shouldn’t be measured in time, for everyone it is different. & Staying in this world can seem really unbearable when you lose all purpose or start to resent the world. I wish you the best on your journey

 

[jighuiynmei]

I don't have any advise. I am just sending you Hugs.

Thank you!

 

[jighuiynmei]

I understand what you mean. I dont have an answer I'm afraid, but I'm not saying suicide is the answer.

I really relate to the "tell someone else" part. That's so frustrating. Everyone just pushes you onto someone else who pushes you onto someone else. It's so isolating.

I really hope you feel better soon, I know how horrible it is

Thank you for your response! It’s a really weird question, I think maybe for everyone the answer is different. But It’s comforting to hear that you agree how isolating that situation is. Thank you for your well wishes, and I hope you feel better too, and I’m so sorry you’ve had similar horrible experiences and or thoughts .

 

[Daphna]

Why should we live? Because we have a purpose.

Aren’t we going to die anyway? Yes

What’s the point? To live life to the fullest before our inevitable end.