In a recent thread on climate change, which I can't locate, someone posted a link to the following excellent essay from the NYT:
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/06/o...l-warming.html
What I found most interesting was the casual bomb in the middle of the article, that we have discovered the meaning of life (not 42):
"Historically, we’ve tackled the biggest challenge — that of meaning, and the question of how to live a life — through the concept of “practice,” in the form of religion, cultural tradition or disciplines like yoga or martial arts. Given the stark facts, this approach might be the most useful. Practice has value independent of outcome; it’s a way of life, not a job with a clear payoff. A joyful habit. The right way to live."
I think he should have included the arts (music, writing, painting, dance, crafts, etc.) under types of practice.
Anyhow, I don't think I have seen this particular philosophy stated so succinctly before.
I agree. Contentment and peace of mind are found through developing and honing skills in an area that is of intrinsic interest to you. Not "I'm going to write a novel this month!" but, I am going to write every day.
My regular practices are dance, nature walks and study, French language, painting, and writing. It's satisfying when I can translate a previously difficult passage, learn a tricksy new dance, write a satisfying paragraph, observe nature on a deeper level.
Does practice make your life meaningful?
I was also interested in rereading (from another thread) David Foster Wallace's speech "This is Water."
https://fs.blog/2012/04/david-foster...this-is-water/
Particularly where he mentions that you must worship something greater than yourself or fall into despair. There is truth in that as well.
I see these as two sides of a coin that makes a whole; practice brings meaning to individual life + choosing to believe in goddess/god/ethos brings meaning to the world.
(I'm not a person of faith; I know I am choosing to believe what I do. I defined myself as an atheist for a long time. It's more fun, magical, and inspiring to believe in Gaia, Earth Goddess, and, surprisingly, less effort