Meaning of Life, Eternity Views Evolution and Life on Earth H.

Schwab

Meaning of Life

Eternity Views Evolution and Life on Earth

Concluding Observations
@ H. Schwab
061215 072017-II

Section 1 : Origin

1.1. Transcendental Origin of Existence and the Meaning of Our Lives

Following are concluding thoughts to the rational, philosophical, and theological search of my
mind and soul as presented in the various essays on this website www.schwab-writings.com.
These thoughts were written down late in my life in an ultra-religious view meaning in a view
beyond the human religions of historical origin but, since written by a human, still
anthropomorphic.
What could these conclusions then actually be? Dont many of us ask at the end of their
lives what the meaning of their life was? But few of us then look beyond the horizon of their own
immediate life. We do, however, live in a much greater world, within the existence of our whole
universe and the infinity and timelessness beyond.
Thereby, these concluding thoughts are not written, like most religions and philosophies,
in a view from a human out to the world and God, but in the opposite direction, from God, the
Ultimate Spiritual Essence of Existence, back or down to Earth and us humans.

Behind our existence, behind all existence, there must have been an Existence-Causing,
Ultimate Essence. Hence, prior to anything "existing", this must have been a spiritual
phenomenon and not physically existing. What else can we call it in our human words?
We can rationally approach its understanding only by the fact that it caused existence as
we know it and by analyzing such existence as our universe even though there may be others as
well.
This Ultimate Essence is certainly beyond human understanding.

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(A fish cannot understand the spirit of a bird a bird cannot understand the spirit of a dog
a dog cannot understand the spirit of a human a human cannot understand the abstract
spirituality of God, the existence-causing Ultimate Essence).

Was this Ultimate Spiritual Essence of Existence, which we here call Eternity, or
God, or whatever else we call it always alone absolutely alone in solitude in all eternality
and emptiness, whatever that was before time and space occurred? always in solitude, alone?
Why?

Did that lead to creating something something real now with the dimensions of
time and space something to watch, to observe, to take an interest in our universe possibly
others, many others?

What would that mean for our role, purpose, or task within this creation here on our small
Earth? The smallness, the form and the functioning of our Earth is increasingly explained to us
by the natural sciences.

How can we then or should we give meaning to our lives here fulfill our lives if
permitted by fate?

Time and space occurred only when and through the creation of something existing, as
we know the term either in our universe or in any other one before or besides us when
something changed in time and was different in then-originating space at a here from
a there in what became thereby what we call existence, a reality in time and space.
Without those differences, the phenomena of time or space did not exist. Both phenomena, time
and space, were once new and became measurable.

We only know existence within time and three-dimensional space. Somewhere, however,
existence could offer more, less, or different dimensions than are offered in our universe.

Outside of our universe (or another universe) time and space dont exist and neither
before nor after this or another universe.
Both phenomena, time and space, once were something new and became measurable.
Without those differences between before and after and between here and there time and
space would not exist. Outside of our universe (or another one) time and space do not exist and
not before or after this or another universe.

What does that mean for our understanding of Eternity, the Great Spirit, God, Allah?
What does that actually mean for our human thoughts of an afterlife, of our souls after
death, of a paradise or a hell? Can they really still be expected to exist? How could that be?
Or, more likely and rationally indicated, do they not exist at all?

Does that put even more emphasis on the meaning of our temporal human life, our purpose,
direction, goals, accomplishments, and what we can still contribute to this existence during the
remaining time of our actual lives here on Earth?

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Our created universe is, to the extent that we can observe it, relatively small and young
when seen against the dimensions of eternity. If the size of our Milky Way galaxy is seen as a
mere pinhead within our great universe, as one sees one of the many stars or galaxies on the nightly
sky, then our whole universe has only a 300-meter diameter (if it had expanded from the moment
of its creation, some 13.5 billion years ago, at the maximum speed possible in this universe, the
speed of light but possibly having expanded less, see the curvature of space under the influence
of gravity as demanded by relativity theory, see the "black holes" in our universe) and is only
4 months old for us, if 1,000 of our years on Earth are seen as merely a second in the time of the
evolution of our universe (but possibly less old on fast-moving parts of the universe, see the core
of the relativity theory)!
Why so small and why so young with emptiness (actually spacelessness) and
timelessness beyond our universe?
What else would Eternity have created and with what purpose there?

The planet we live on, our dear Earth, is only one tiny planet among billions in our galaxy,
which we call the Milky Way, which, in turn, is only one of many millions or billions in our
universe!
Are there several universes now or at different times? Do the same laws of nature
apply within all galaxies and universes everywhere and would natural evolution then turn out
to be similar everywhere? Or is creation possibly quite multifaceted in this universe and, more so,
among all the other universes if there are others?

Now comes the important question: Did the creation of our universe merely occur for the
pleasure of God, as ancient monks taught us to think after all their historical pious
contemplations and as I was told at a monastery school which I attended?
Should we, therefore, want to bring joyful pleasure to the ultimate Spiritual Essence of
Existence, God, the Eternity, the only observer from far beyond our small universe to
Eternity, God?
Go and plant a beautiful garden!
Behave well!
Reduce suffering and bring more opportunities in life fairly to all!
Contribute a bit of joy and warmth at least to the small area of the world around you!

Creation as we know it and are allowed to participate in can be wonderful!

We can be deeply grateful to be allowed to exist, to journey on Earth for the short duration
of our lives possibly also to be allowed to leave again!

1.2. Addition: What after our death?

We, all of us, will have to die. That is the way all life was created to make room for the many
later evolving and, possibly, better generations.
Will we still stand in front of God after our death?
Scientifically seen, this still standing in front of God could be by means of the science-
demanded conservation of information in our universe even in the remaining and ever-

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expanding radiation after the collapse or fading of our material universe, many billions of years
from now as certainly expected by modern science!
Or will we remain merely as some bits of memory without the dimensions of time and
space after we possibly have left both of those dimensions when we passed away an eternal
afterlife then meaning the absence of time and space? That would provide us with profoundly
deep peace and harmony as we depart (and as I am grateful to once have sensed in a near-death
experience!).
What a most comforting thought that could be for so many of us!

1.3. Another addition: Is it actually a pleasure to watch existence?

Did the Ultimate Spiritual Essence, Eternity, God, actually create existence, as we
know and experience it, merely for His own pleasure, as early monks formulated it?
Is the world we live in here on Earth actually something to observe with pleasure?

Every living being, humans included, is relentlessly attacked by bacteria, viruses, parasites,
and predators (also by humans), and is aging and suffering! That is how nature works!
Is it a pleasure to see a small child suffer from deformation or disease or in an accident?
Is it a pleasure to observe how many people fail in life and suffer?
Is it a pleasure to see an old person suffer from cancer or deep loneliness?
Is it a pleasure to see wolves hunt for graceful deer, lions tear apart beautiful gazelles, and,
actually, all animals fear instant death by a predator all the time while they actually feed
themselves on other living beings, at least on plants?
Every living organism on Earth is made to live for only a very, very short time (on a cosmic
scale) then given to aging and death for many a sad or cruel one!
It is not a pleasure to see political dictators or misguided religious leaders let their
subjects suffer or kill them most cruelly in battle, by their secret police, by some religious
inquisition or jihadism, or by not allowing them any rational or medically relieving care not
being stopped in their evildoing by a transcendental force intervening from above.
Are the desperate cries of all the many suffering ones not being heard above??

Different tribes on Earth have always led and do always lead wars against each other
while each side often prays to the same God for its own victory! That is the way it was in European
history and is now so intensely seen in the fighting between Sunni and Shia Muslims, between
sects of those, or between Muslim jihadists and the West.
Historically, European churches, especially when being end-points of pilgrimage trails,
show many votive tablets indicating deep thanks for favorable divine response to prayers for
help.
But where are the many, many reminders that would be needed for urgent prayers not
having been heard and tragic consequences then suffered?
Is our religion only one of the winners in life?

Is watching this kind of existence on Earth not similar to watching variously armed
gladiators fight for survival or innocent Christian martyrs being killed in the ancient Roman
Colosseum arena, as Roman emperors actually did watch this for their pleasure?

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One can be very scared and saddened by this view of the world and of an Eternity of a
Creator where no loving Father can be found above whom our soul so oft longs for!

1.4. An additional important thought: We experience the Evolution of existence!

Especially important is the significant difference between the Roman Arena and our actual
world!
Our universe was created with the phenomenon of the dynamics of change showing an
evolution not only in astronomical and geological observations but, more importantly, right
where we are, here on Earth, in nature as well as in human society during our observable lives!
Could it be that Eternity God is watching Earth, not for His pleasure but, given the
excitement of such evolution, is watching or observing Earth for His interest, whatever that
means to see what is coming out of that evolutionary experiment presenting material, mental,
and also emotional evolution in our part of our universe or anywhere else?
Our universe was started at the time of the Big Bang, 13.5 billion years ago, simply by the
occurrence of an enormous amount of energy at one spot. With its expansion and cooling, this
was leading to the appearance of a few specific, material, subatomic building blocks (see the
string theory) and a few specific forces (and principles) of nature acting on them following
specific laws of nature (including quantum mechanical uncertainty).
Most important in the phenomenon of this creation is the fact that these original building
blocks could, in time, combine to form ever larger and ever more complex new building blocks
finally gaining self-caused motion life a mind emotions, visualizations, science,
inventiveness, language, and ethics cultures!

What a grandiose universe to observe this is, specifically here on our Earth!

This view would lead to the conclusion that such an evolution is not predetermined in its
outcome and that God does not foresee everything in the future which would render meaningless
such watching or observation of material existence and evolution in our or any other universe.
But an assumption of a not-predetermined evolution would make divine intervention in
cruel developments that much more desirable.
The absence of divine intervention can truly be seen as the darkest mystery of
existence!
Why do tsunamis surprise poor fishing villages on the oceans shores? Why did the World
Wars start in civilized Europe? Why did Hitler mysteriously escape several assassination attempts
and the Holocaust occur? Why do all the very bad things happen, which later fill history books
but are already reported in detail by the newspapers every single day?
God, have mercy upon us!!!

Yes, there is also light, as well as happiness, warmth, and beauty in this world to be grateful
for! May they ultimately prevail!

What can we do and what should we do with our lives in this world?

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1.5. The Intelligent Design Theory (IDT), wonders and miracles

Scientists always noticed how amazingly complex, but also surprisingly practical, efficient, and
innovative many parts of higher organisms are structured, even though they originated in a
relatively short time during the natural evolution.
This resulted in the question if it was not actually the Creating Essence after all, which
not only caused the original creation and determined its potential for evolution, and then let
everything freely proceed, but whether this Creating Essence possibly still added later
occasionally, or even very often, some very good construction ideas. That was called the
Intelligent Design Theory.
Just look at the construction of the eye or the ear in detail!
Or one should look at the uniqueness of some other living beings of some exotic insects
(for example, Glyptapanteles wasps) to the special forms of some mammals (for example,
anteaters) or already beginning with a virus!

The essay Intelligent Design Theory on the website www.schwab-writings.com

discusses in detail the question of a possible later intelligent design input into ongoing evolution
by the Creating Essence (or even many and still on-going inputs) as seen from the point of view
of the sciences and of theology.

The conclusion is that a faith in ongoing divine inputs or interference with natural evolution
cannot be justified especially since one must see that those new design inputs have often led to
the most cruel consequences, especially for the prey of the supported organisms.

The alternative view would be that the ongoing divine interferences with evolution always
were to the benefit (or were they also often to the disadvantage?) and the support (if not
elimination) of the specifically impacted species of living organism? One has to see both directions
of impact!

Does this also mean that the appearance of ethics among humans (and other animals that
live in packs) was meant specifically for us (or those)?
Are we comfortable with hacking down extensive wooded areas and depriving all the other
animals living there of their source of food and shelter? How do we actually treat all horses, cattle,
chicken, and other domestic animals?

Race tolerance is also something quite new in our social evolution!

A wonder is a phenomenon defined and of importance in some religions and is a

requirement for the sanctification of a catholic person.
Wonders are seen in the healings against all medical expectation after intense payer by
divine intervention or in the acts reported from the life of Jesus thereby impacting natural
evolution.
Numerous pious people in need travel long distances in pilgrimages to Lourdes in France
or Fatima in Portugal, where holy visions had occurred and wondrous healing had
occasionally been reported. Most pilgrimages, however, do not bring results.

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This healing by faith led to the founding of the Church of Christ Scientist, which teaches
the curing of diseases not by medical doctors, but by prayer and resulting divine intervention.

In any event, Gods interference with human suffering is seen from time to time upon
personal prayer or upon interference of a saintly person with God in requesting His help and
would have to be seen as divine interference with natural evolution. Science and rationality have
found some psychological explanations for such wonders but not totally clarified all pious
minds or the Catholic church.

A "miracle is a phenomenon and linguistic term quite similar to a wonder, but also used
commonly in not-religious situations or events. In other words, a miracle is an event that
happens against all probability and expectation an does not find explanation or is simply a verbal
expression of surprise.

There are the events described as extrasensory perception, which clearly border on being
seen as miracles beyond the common natural sciences, but seldom as religious wonders. The
most touching such events were the occasional taking leave apparitions of soldiers just killed
during wartime (most famously during World War II in distant places). In such reported cases,
the wife of the just killed soldier, at her secure home, suddenly sees her soldier husband standing
silently in front of her then disappearing again. Thus, she learned that he had just been killed.

My own mother, some 80 years ago, was in harmonious company at her home when she
suddenly declared that her husband, my father, must have had a bad accident. She remained very
excited until the phone call came a couple of hours later announcing that accident, but that my
father had barely survived and now was in good care at a hospital.

Extrasensory perception has been scientifically researched but never explained. It does
not enter the discussion of divine interference with evolution.

What image of God would result from all of that?

Can one address God, and does God respond to our cries for help?

Observation indicates that both are nor clear and only selectively observed!

What remains is our great thankfulness if our life passes bearably or even quite positively
with some joy and warmth and so much beauty to observe in nature and art!

Thus, the question of IDT and wonders is not fully resolved but we generally remain with
a view of the world without IDT and an open opinion about wonders!

However, we always urgently pray for divine interference against the most cruel threats!

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Section 2: Evolution
2.1. What does evolution actually bring to the world?

We do not know how many universes already occurred or existed before or alongside ours.
If they started and, subsequently, also changed size, form or content, then they had an
evolution, too.
We do not know how many evolutions of actually living nature have already occurred on
other planets in our own universe. If there are other forms of higher existence on other planets,
they must also have formed through an evolution as those planets formed out of dust, first being
very hot, then cooling and, finally, allowing life to form on them over time.
We do not know what such other evolutions have resulted in. Just look at the variety of
cultures, languages, or religions and the progress of science and technology that evolved on Earth!
So far, we do not know of any learning of one evolution from another more advanced one
somewhere else in our universe (as we have international learning here on Earth), to save trouble
or time in reaching a better world (or, merely, to gain power).
Eternity could not want to observe the same evolution on various planets over and over
again, possibly billions of times!

On Earth, basic life occurred billions of years ago and became ever more complex
through evolution and also through various surprising periods of natural extinctions of most
forms of life, with new and more advanced ones succeeding. Finally, animals occurred more
advanced ones with every additional extinction with ever-increasing capabilities and with some
elegance.
Ultimately, the mind occurred primitive at first in animals but with enormous capabilities
in humans in intelligence and emotions leading to sensing values in our lives and leading
to visualization and language, permitting and supporting sophisticated, organized thought and
innovation!

On Earth, evolution brought an unforeseen danger!

Following the basic system of evolution, all organisms multiply too much and beyond
the availability of supporting environments with some minor variations in their offspring. That
is the mysterious trick of evolution because those among the newest organisms that were better
adapted to the conditions of their lives survived and multiplied more, the others suffered more,
were crowded out, faded away.
If one among the various individuals of a new generation of a certain type of organisms or
animals is qualified to raise 3 youngsters in each generation (while the other youngsters starve, die
of disease, or are eaten by predators) and another only slightly different one is qualified to
successfully raise 5 youngsters in each following generation, then, after only 4 generations, the
one less gifted species could have 81 successors and the new and better gifted one could have
625 successors, thus crowding out the first species and forming a new one in such a short time.
Mate selection by females based on indications of strength or feeding capability of the
males was the other selection criterion and one that often became (and still can be) quite
misleading! Watch out, you maidens!

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The human population grows rapidly. Soon and in many parts of the world this growth
will exceed favorable survival opportunities. Yet, contraception or other methods of birth control
among humans are still most irresponsibly rejected by some religious and political leaders!
Wake up! What catastrophe will evolution otherwise have to bring? Who will survive?

2.2. What could humans contribute to this evolution?

Humans became the organisms here on Earth that not only observe and understand, but
also forcefully and skillfully intervene in the course of their own life, of history, and of evolution.
Our attempt to act upon the world we observe is meant to change it in our favor.
Can we actually contribute positively to evolution?
What does Eternity possibly expect from us or would observe with pleasure?

What does human history indicate thus far?

With the evolution of the mind, emotions occurred and, with emotions, values of
good or bad, presenting a new dimension in the evolution of existence, ethics, as we call it!
This ethical behavior allowed the upbringing of the next generation through sacrifice and
guidance by their parents. Ethical behavior (meaning not primarily selfish) allowed for
efficient group action as to kill larger hunting targets or defend against nasty neighbors then,
later, to implement larger and larger irrigation projects eventually leading to large communities
with their hierarchical structures and governance which then, too often, was of most doubtful
value for the whole community (see bad leaders, rogue states, violent or suppressive religions, and
similar destructive or violent organizations!).

Does evolution still miss an important step the formation of benevolent and also efficient
government, be it political or religious for the avoidance of all the suffering that humans bring
to each other in daily life and society often culminating in cruel suppression or wars?

There are actually various systems or types of ethics or of ethical behavior. Most
surprisingly, their opposites also exist, in counter-ethics (not sufficiently studied by neurology,
psychology, philosophy, or theology thus far)!
There is the above-indicated naturally evolved system of ethics, as having been formed by
natural evolution through millions of years with higher animals formed by nature and only
later, in hindsight, recognized and formulated by leaders or religious priests. This system of
ethical behavior and thought provides naturally for the selfless care of offspring, for friendship
between a few self-selected individuals, and for self-sacrificing dedication to family, clan, or
local society all of this providing group coherence to define and solve the tasks of a larger
society but with emotional counter-ethical rage and revenge disrupting all goodness
when provoked.
There are the ethics of structured society, with emphasis on loyalty and obedience to the leader,
courage to do what is asked of you, trustworthiness, discipline, and the value of honor and
the reverse in betrayal requiring punishment, shame and shunning exclusion, or need for
satisfaction all of these prevailing in military and other large organizations, also, very
importantly, in business enterprises. Most people want to belong to a structured group, to feel
"at home" there.

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There are forms of religiously defined ethics, first found in the laws of Urukagina, then Jesiah,
then more humanely defined by Jesus as in the Beatitudes of the Sermon on the Mount
see the essay on Biblical Beatitudes on this website www.schwab-writings.com. These
religiously defined ethics were sooner or later directed by priests, leading the definition of
ethics back to beliefs in a specifically defined God or Allah (if not to the dominance of those
priests), sometimes also including laws governing diet, circumcision, and clothing all
superimposed by demands resulting from the structure of their respective communities and
their religious leadership, as in military structures. Their opposite is seen in sin, guilt, in
occasionally unbelievable cruelty (e.g. the Aztecs, then the Catholic inquisition,
condemnation of nonbelievers, who were to be killed with impunity as is now done in the
Muslim world).
There are the ethics of rational societies with civic or human rights and of the business
world since the time of the Romans strictly founded on ever more, and changing, written
laws with the opposite in searching for loopholes and in cheating.
Finally, there is the minor form of ethics in helpful speech (called courtesy), as in saying
please, thank-you, or excuse me which, in its offensive opposite, can be quite
damaging. Humor may be seen as being on the border of ethics with its inversion in
ridiculing somebody.
The philosophy of ethics attempts to provide a rational understanding of this complex field
of human mental engagement. Contradictions are being analyzed as the preference for the
greatest good for most people versus absolute ethics valid for each one or for justification of
actions only by their ethical outcome (see the bombing of cities to end wars). So far, however,
the need to analyze the variety of ethical systems (see above) or their interaction and, mainly,
their respective counter-ethics has been neglected!

In practical life, we all can change instantly from behaving according to one system of
ethics to another system for example, when driving home from business, where we try to
maximize profit within legal constraints, then getting emotional when irritated in traffic, finally
being the benevolent parent during an evening at home or when young men drifting through life
decide to patriotically join the military (in the past, they were put into monasteries to become
monks) or become radicalized and find a type-2 ethical home in a jihadist group!

Ethics improves the world which then supports more ethics in a very slow, upward
spiral through evolution.

What else do humans contribute to this world?

Primarily, one must mention progress in the sciences and technology and their application
to practically everything from kitchen products to skyscraper buildings or rockets to the moon,
or computers with the Internet. This progress has been leading to, or was based on, a deeper
understanding of how our existence functions from physics, chemistry, and medicine to
psychology, relativity theory, and quantum mechanics.
It is fascinating to observe this progress retroactively through the study of history (as it
may have been observed from above) from Thales of Miletus or Pythagoras to the enormous
aqueducts of the Romans, later to Galileos telescopes and Newtons beginning of physics, the
accelerating 19th century, to progress then driven by World Wars I and II, to computers and the

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internet, and our time of accelerating STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics).
What may occur next?
Is Eternity observing Earth with fascination?

A not understandable gift by creation occurred in evolution through the appearance of

the emotional assessment of beauty, first developed in some animals, then in humans
specifically in some of our better societies on Earth, which we call cultures. Poetry occurred, as
did music to touch our souls as in the Ode to Joy with Schillers poetry and Beethovens
music offering joy as the crowning goal of life on Earth! Read the text in a good translation
and listen to the music in a moment of calm! This Ode became Europe's anthem!
There also occurred the even less understandable gift by creation to the highest forms of
life, specifically to us humans, in the sensing of humor. Laughter can solve many problems,
letting us appear more human to each other (but, therefore, laughter is avoided by those who want
to project their highest dignity, as emperors, dictators, and supreme religious leaders).

In sum: Should we humans be are we humans able to reliably follow some system of
ethics in order to at least partially generate a somewhat better world with a little less suffering
and with some better opportunities fairly for all?
Where will the progress of science and technology driven by financial interests lead us?
The large number of privately funded charitable organizations in America and Europe and
their public support gives some hope!
Should we not, actually and openly, strive for more harmony, joy, and warmth in this world
possibly even for a bit of humor to spread basic joy?
Is the generation of economic well-being, mainly reduction of suffering and increase of
opportunities fairly for all, of a not only economically and technically but, mainly, ethically and
aesthetically better world the purpose and possible fulfillment of our lives and expected
contribution to the evolution of existence as to be observed and possibly expected by
Eternity?

2.3. What has been the contribution to the guidance of mankind by the great religions?

In the search for guidance on its journey through existence on Earth, to possibly accomplish
a positive evolution, mankind looked to God and searched in religions for guidance. But why
have the great religions of mankind failed to provide better guidance to avoid all the horrors in
the world during historical times? Did God not speak (merely letting the experiment of evolution
in our universes existence run its course), or did mankind not listen correctly? Or does the
problem lie in mankind not following the benevolent religious rules? Would a return to strict
religious fundamentalism resolve all problems, as many Muslims now believe in a reversal of
evolution and in ending the divine experiment of evolution in our universe? Unlikely and
dangerous, too!
It is always easier to criticize other religions than ones own, the religion one believes
in. That is also the way the followers of other religions feel.

The Hindu religion originally resulted from the deepest searching thoughts of mankind and
not from any hallucinatory vision of a religious founder. But they evolved, or deteriorated, into a

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variety of sects with a multiplicity of anthropomorphic religious deities or concepts some

appearing as superstitions. This may result in overlooking the depth of original Hindu thinking
and searching.

Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam all three resulted from hallucinations of their
founders, as the rational mind would define it actually reading Gods will or merely reflecting
their own within their culture at that time.
Buddhism allows the follower to reach the sensation of enlightenment from intensive
meditation, then leading to the believed state of an ultimate nirvana of mind and body. A critical
view could overlook the beneficial effect of liberation from materialism and self-centered thought
of a Buddhist attitude. This allowed Buddhists to develop a culture of monasteries where monks
searched for enlightenment and nirvana but actually lived on contributions by the working
population while the rulers of their countries continued to fight for expansion of the area of their
dominance now leaving China with the greatest colonial empire on Earth, including some
Mongolian territory, all its western Uigur territories, Tibet, and, as now demanded by them, the
South China Sea.

Many Christians find salvation in the vision of Christs resurrection from the grave and
ascension into heaven witnessed by only a few followers and propagated by St. Paul after his
vision. In this approach, some Christians see their faith in those miracles as a way to reach paradise
simply through faith. The most important contribution of the young Jesus of Nazareth, however,
the preaching during his short life, is put in second place his most humane teaching of a life of
Christian love and service to ones fellow men in personal modesty, through merciful help, as
a peacemaker, and in attempting to have a clean heart (see the essay on the biblical Beatitudes
on the website www.schwab-writings.com).
Christians had their own period of not always peaceful missionary activity in Germany and
Europes East, of crusades and colonization in the Americas. Worse than that were the periods of
the Inquisition and the burning of all infidels and witches. The Pope continues to prohibit all
forms of contraception, leading to great suffering in the poorest countries where his commands are
obeyed while failing to inhibit vast political misuse of power and corruption, especially in
Catholic countries.

Muhammad experienced from time to time (over a dozen years), while ascetically
contemplating in a remote cave, the vision of an angel as a messenger from God with revelations
to communicate to his followers. These individual visions were without a specific structure, each
pronounced in a multitude of individual verses which followers may take out of context and
pursue single-mindedly, sometimes not to the best of the world (see the designation of apostates,
which then have to be killed, as also the followers of other Muslim sects simply declared as
infidels.
It can easily be overlooked that Muhammads first great accomplishment was the
restructuring and management of the town later called Medina. Several family clans fought there
violently, the rich abused the poor, and women held a degraded rank in society. He made all
citizens equal (as in our modern democracies), restrained their abuses (harems had to be limited to
only four wives), and, most importantly, granted previously degraded women some important
rights as in inheritance ownership and the right to divorce. Later in his life, however, large-scale
conquest and warfare changed Muhammads visions and personality in an increasingly dangerous

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way see some of the most cruel verses contained in the last visions he had during his life (when
following the actually valid Nldeke-sequence of the Surahs, not their sequence in the Quran)
see the essay Can Islam Shine Again? on the website www.schwab-writings.com :
Surah K 8 = N 95, V 12 (13)
Surah K 4 = N 100, V 89-91 (92)
Surah K 33 = N 103. V 60-61 (62)
Surah K 9 = N 113, V 5 (6)

Islam still needs a reformation and adaptation to actual conditions in the modern world.
By now, Islam is the center of all horrible violence in our days, from the Taliban to Al
Qaeda and DAESH/ISIL. What is so basically wrong with Islam and the Quran, their holy book,
that this can occur unopposed by most of the Muslim clergy? Why can Islam not direct all
youthful, idealistic activism into a more benevolent direction, as the Peace Corps once did for
example, under the words which actually are the first of most Surahs, merciful and beneficent?

None of the three greatest religious founders actually wrote a book of practical guidance
for the following religious or political governance of the world which, most likely, would have
to be adapted to local cultural and human conditions and adapted from time to time to evolving
civilization. At best, Moses 10 Commandments, Jesus Benedictions of the Sermon on the
Mount, and Muhammads Farewell Sermon could be seen in this context.

Mankind has not found a valid source for guidance in its journey through the evolution of
existence in our universe here on Earth.
Should we not primarily attempt to contribute positively to evolution to let it appear more
interesting if not enjoyable for the Great Viewer, Eternity, to observe from above?
Does it make sense to seek we actually must seek an understanding of the ultimate
Creative Essence of Existence, from which our universe and existence came, whatever name we
give it, Eternity, God, or Allah? Hopefully, this could provide us with better guidance or
direction (if not meaning) for our own lives in the course of natural and cultural evolution as we
experience it and to which we could contribute.

2.4. Actual observation of Evolution on Earth:

How did the evolution on Earth actually progress after the appearance of higher organisms (as us,
the humans) with higher values, ethics, many religions, aesthetics, and humor?

The actual observation of evolutionary progress on Earth does not correspond to the mental
progress of human society. As in a wave pattern, positive periods of rational progress fade into
periods of emotional and political instability, too often into violence and wars, before new
rationality and progress returns.

Following are observations how recent evolution progressed on Earth after the appearance
of science and technology, higher values, ethics, many religions, aesthetics, and humor?

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Specifically, why was evolution to a better world so slow, too often cruelly interrupted
and endangered by counter-movements or, in human society, by destructive wars? Could better
guidance capability for mankind and, mainly, better governance capability on Earth have helped?
Conditions on Earth are still rather negative for too many people, as ignorance and poverty
occur, combined with personality weakness and political corruption continues and always new
wars. What is wrong with evolution? Does the divine experiment with evolution work well? Did
the world get better and become more pleasurable to observe by Eternity?

Or must another extinction on Earth be preferred by Eternity and continuation with

still higher living beings, as happened before?

To better understand mental or ethical evolution, one could analyze the evolution up to our
time in the West, of ancient Mesopotamia after Urukagina, or of the Middle East after Muhammad.

In the West, original Christian ethics led to ending the cruelties of Roman arenas, as in the
Colosseum (after Christian martyrs were the last to be killed there for the glory or pleasure of
emperors and Roman gods)!
But the following period of peace within the Roman Empire was short. Very soon,
religious wars began at first, and after some hesitation, only defensively against the attacking
enemies of the Christians supposedly for the pleasure of God.
Later, however, wars were conducted between Christian subgroups. The formulation and
imposition of a common Creed for all Christians under Emperor Constantine in 325 CE at Nicea
failed. The last and especially cruel intra-Christian war in Europe was of 30 years duration in
Germany, ending with another plague around 1650 AD.
During all those Christian centuries, mighty rulers and nations felt free to conduct wars
against each other for territorial expansion or material benefit. Especially cruel were the First
World War and the actions of the ensuing political dictators, leading to the Second World War and
all the ideological movements (from Hitler to Stalin to Mao Tse Tung to Pol Pot and more!)
when many millions of people were tortured and killed also by the most cruel bombing of civilian
areas in times of political conflict in Europe lately beginning with the bombing of London and
other British towns, culminating in the firestorm bombing of Dresden and, more so, the atomic
bombings in Japan.

Now it is the Muslim world that leads the cruelest fighting and killing, all in the name of
the same Allah as seen by their different religious sects today, mainly between the Sunni and
Shia and between subsections of those.
Why is their holy book, the Quran, so inadequate in clearly guiding Muslims along a
benevolent path as was at times the Bible in guiding Christians?! (See the essay Can Islam
Shine Again on this website www.schwab-writings.com, citing mainly the four most violent
verses in the Quran perpetuating Muslim violence if not overcome one day by a reformation of
that faith ending the Quranically justified violence which should be demanded by the world
before Islam is accepted as a common religion in our midst).

Equally dangerously, new dictators replace democracy in a growing number of countries

a general in Egypt, Putin in Russia, Erdogan in Turkey, Assad and his brother in Syria, the
Ayatollah in Iran, the increasingly dictatorial president Xi of China, Duterte in the Philippines,

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and, worst, Kim Jong-un in North Korea. What a threat to humanity is that in the age of atomic
bombs, VX poison, and other mass destruction weapons!

In a higher view of mental evolution on Earth, one can observe how a wave of new
philosophies or religions appeared from about 600 BC to the time of Jesus and, more than 600
years later, to the origin of Islam. See the origin and progress in religious/philosophical thought in
ancient India, by Confucianism and Taoism in China, Buddhism in India and China, also by the
development of the Scriptures of the Jewish Old Testament, and, finally, the rational philosophies
of Greece after 600 BC, with rationality in world view being revived in our time.

In central Europe, mental development occurred in the Scholastic era of dialectical

analysis of thought and scriptures, then the Renaissance of broad innovation and intellectual
research and the Enlightenment with emphasis on rationality. In political organization,
democracy (already ancient in rural areas of the world) came into important public existence (first
in Switzerland in 1291 AD, then in the United States in 1776.

Almost as if in a contrasting response to rationality, various movements with emphasis on

emotions, mainly fundamentalist religions, and the formulation or implementation of emotional
values (some romantic) occurred in the 18th and 19th centuries.

In more recent times, some eras of mental evolution with actually greater impact on human
life than the above-mentioned historic ones have occurred, though they remained as yet unnamed.
Possibly as a consequence of the Renaissance, more rational observation of nature and technical
development began in the West (as already initiated by the Greeks, with Thales of Miletus). With
the help of Galileo and his telescope, modern astronomy opened the world of deep space. Newton
opened the mind to a view of the world in terms of physics. Consequently, technology progressed
and steam power was invented lifting some burdens from mankind, but also starting the concept
of unemployment, as among the weavers, and leading to rationality in economic thought and
policy. Transportation changed to railroads, the automobile, and airplanes. The world became
smaller and more interconnected. Human well-being improved and so did the desire for
even more! Medical knowledge and the development of improved medications progressed
especially well!
Politically, the improvement of ships and navigation led to the development of trade
connections between the West and the Far East, to the discovery of America, then the control of
most of the world by means of European colonies.
The world became still smaller with the invention of telegraphy and radio and television.
Warfare became more dangerous with modern weapons!
This led to the formation of, first, the League of Nations, then the United Nations and the
European Union.
Now, after the horrors of World War II, a still newer phase of human evolution has occurred
(also not yet named) with the rapid expansion of the sciences and technology in all areas. Space
exploration led to limited space travel, though, mainly, to the development of excellent
telescopes. This development allowed the discovery and viewing of billions of galaxies all the
way to the limit of our universe at about 13 billion light-years distance and the expectation of
myriad life-supporting planets out there. Molecular biology explained the origin and functioning
of life and let medical knowledge progress, especially after the finding of antibiotic materials (first

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penicillin). Of special interest was the discovery of genetics, not only explaining much of
biological evolution, but also possibly allowing mankind to influence and control its own evolution
where dangers of abuse are already being seen! Artificial intelligence looms on the horizon.
In technology, the transistor, digital technology, and the Internet appeared, with steadily
increasing computing power and instantaneous connection (free of cost) for all! Thousands of
apps have appeared to alleviate every need and for everybody to use. No youngster (or old
person) wants to be seen or live without an iPhone or iPad!

Has the world become one great network or unit? (But all the new, modern dictators
attempt to keep themselves separated Putin, Erdogan, Assad, Khameini, Duterte, Xi, and mainly
the so very dangerous North Korea what does not function there?)

But will a new phase of rationality and progress again be followed by a relapse into a phase
of highly emotional imbalance as the World Wars followed the 19th century?
North Korea threatens, protected by China (which, thereby, wants to damage America), in
a triangle connected with Iran and Russia.

We actually do live in exciting times of evolution on Earth possibly also interesting to

observe from above! But has it actually become a better world, one more pleasant to observe,
be it by us or by Eternity from above?

This mental development of mankind in rationality led to the question whether one could
still accept old beliefs in an almost anthropomorphic God and resulting divine guidance. The
binding and guiding forces of earlier human society resulting from traditional religions faded, and
church membership declined in this new era of scientific rationality (poorly substituted by
communism in China now maintained only in order to retain national unity and the power of the
ruling class, as in Vietnam and other dictatorial states).
Consequently, reliance on old values and rules faded, too. With decreasing guidance for
the young, consumption of addictive drugs increased (now almost a tragic epidemic with many
victims). Some searching young people joined extremist (and violent) movements (lately the
Muslim jihad), where they found a new home and meaning for their lives together with the
appearance of some dangerous, and nationalistic dictators, this may have become the counter-
movement to the great era of advances in science and rationality during the 70 years following the
last World War.

Actually, each historical phase of mental progress has had its negative counteraction. The
Scholastic period was followed by religious wars. The rationality of the Renaissance was
countered by subsequent religious wars of great cruelty. The Enlightenment led to emotional
counter-movements Rousseau, then the Rosicrucians, the widely famous Freemasons, and,
finally, the Napoleonic Wars, enthusiastically supported by the French population as Germans
supported Hitler, the Russians now Putin, and the Turks Erdogan.
The phase of modern rationality of the 19th century was followed by the two emotionally
supported World Wars, then the ideologies of Communism and National Socialism, with their
horrible dictators and crimes against humanity.
The newest phase of the all-invasive sciences and the Internet brought mental clarity to
previously underdeveloped areas of the world but some political and religious leaders then feared

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losing control. North Korea, Zimbabwe, and, most destructively so far, Syrias ISIS are attempting
to bring the totality of their leadership or the controlled following of Allah under their personal
control by means of politically restrictive systems, presented as a blessing to their nations but
also as a violent burden (if not atomic or VR poison danger) to the world as demonstrated by the
current wave of millions of refugees and millions more would come if they could escape.

Besides those mental developments in the course of evolution on Earth, there now occur
some dangerous side effects of our evolution: global warming, ocean acidification, the never-
ending and rapid population increase in some parts of our Earth, the epidemic use of addictive,
mind-numbing drugs, and the appearance of continuously-adaptive cure-resistant diseases!

The reduction of global warming and ocean acidification would require international
cooperation (see the failure of cooperation among fishing communities leading to the depletion of
fish stock resolved only by the Environmental Defense Funds [EDFs] concept of regional
community formation among fishermen). Unfortunately, such EDF-sponsored cooperation cannot
be fully expected on the present international level (of the UN) yet.

Population increase requires contraception as a countermeasure still opposed by

important political forces, the Pope, and Muslim religious leaders on the basis of misinterpreted
religious principles as if God had wanted a catastrophe on Earth by way of overpopulation.
Such an increase in population is based partially on increasing life expectancy, also
requiring a solution for the increasing problem of caring for the elderly.
Does an extreme and unbalanced population expansion mainly in the underdeveloped areas
of the world lead to a form of down-breeding for mankind? What could that lead to?

The epidemic of addictive drugs was approached by fighting the production of drugs
merely increasing their price, leading to artificial substitutes and supporting criminal suppliers.
The attempt to reduce consumption through education has not shown success either. New ideas
are urgently needed!

The appearance of ever new treatment-resistant diseases is, possibly, the greatest challenge
to the sciences, and to international cooperation!

The reduced acceptance of religion in the life of modern people of our time results in the
problem of lacking orientation, especially in the young generation, which still searches a way
through life especially when no other rational or philosophical direction can be seen. Then,
addictive drugs too often destroy their lives. Another temptation appears in political or religious
movements offering a new spiritual home, worst for jihadist in the destructive ISIL caliphate.

A life for modern art (including music and dance) is a weak substitute (offering only limited
life-supporting income for very few) which also counts for most types of the sports, which in
turn, are effective financially only during the young years.
Some modern religions appeared during the last hundred years (and before), but mostly for
the financial benefit or fame of their founders.

A positively leading, rational, and generally accepted philosophy is still needed for us!

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2.5. Now, a positive view of the Evolution of Existence:

Existence is not all problematic, destructive, and full of suffering.

Let us be grateful that, during the journey of our life, we can participate in this endeavor
of existence here on Earth where, besides all very sad suffering, there also is some evolutionary
progress of human thought and behavior, also with joy and warmth to experience or share, and
beauty to see!

May a new period of evolution in mental progress occur, bringing continuation of a positive
evolution of existence here on Earth! May this bring relief to mankind and to all of suffering
nature!

Europe has the Ode to Joy as its anthem an expression of hope!

In an overall view covering millions of years, natural evolution was quite positive and so
was the evolution of the human mind and society.

Does that permit us to perceive Eternity, the Great Spirit, in a positive light as it has
created the preconditions for this evolution and lets it, hopefully, progress further, while
observing it benignly?

Can some transcendental guidance, support, and, occasionally, some intervention be hoped
for? also in our times?
Please!!!
in halting some of the worst dictators, in preventing some of the worst bombings, and
in clearing the minds of the ISIL and other jihadists! ... and to avoid the worst accidents, diseases,
and birth defects!!!

Section 3 : Conclusions

3.1. What are our individual Goals in our Existence as part of the Evolution?

What is our individual task or goal in this world?

There actually is not a single goal for our lives (as most religions or ideologies present),
but three different goals to balance.

There also is a rising on three levels of goals as we are able to progress in our lives. This
results in the following matrix ranking human goals and values in three dimensions and on three
levels:

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Relating to self Relating to community Special gift of life

Mental Growth Caring Service & Charity Joy of
Highest Personality Formation Building a Better Society Art, Nature, Life
Level: Growth Harmony, Service in Culture
Security and Dignity Positive Significance in Pleasure,
Median Reserves, Freedom Society, Action Potential Sports,
Level: Wealth Power Entertainment
Basic Survival, Food, Help and Joy for Basic Aesthetics
Level: Shelter, Procreation Family and Clan

Our goals as relating to ourselves: Nature expects that each living organism develop its
potential as best it can first in the often demanding fight for survival, food, shelter, and
procreation. Opportunities must be pursued wisely! With success in life, there is the natural
desire to establish some reserves, providing freedom, also wealth which may be a shallow
goal in itself. At the highest, there is ongoing mental search, education, exploration and
personality formation, also in higher skills.

Our goals as relating to our community: Humans, as other animals living in packs or family
units (as wolves), are expected to care for their immediate family or clan, even bring joy.
Beyond that, they try to reach significance in that group, possibly leadership and power
which can relate to vanity. At best, there is the striving for caring service, charity, and building
of a better society in harmony.

Our goals relating to the special gifts of life in sensing aesthetics and joy: Basic decorations,
rising to often shallow pleasure and entertainment, and reaching culture and emotional
fulfillment at its best.

In the dimension of our personal lives, suffering and dysfunction too often prevail over
beneficial progress or joyful existence often extending to a sad ending for ourselves equally or
even more burdening when reaching a loved one.

Therefore, our greatest effort must go into the reduction of suffering and to increasing
opportunity fairly for all where the sufferings own capability and, mainly, their own
responsibility and effort for improvement of their own life must be strengthened rather than only
temporary hand-outs be provided.

It is inadequate to concentrate on the problems and sadness in this world. We must instead
concentrate on the positive and beautiful. Only then can we do more to augment the positive in
existence! Then, the positive and beautiful will come more to the fore in our own lives and for
the benefit of all.

May that be our call for a fulfilled life and bring more joy to all!

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3.2. The expectation of Eternity for our path, Conclusions:

What does Eternity expect to observe when viewing our life on Earth?

How can we understand and please Eternity, God?

What can we contribute to creation? What is the meaning of our lives?

The appearance of existence, as it occurs, brought much ongoing violence, destruction, and
cruelty.

In the long run, however, a fascinating evolution toward greater complexity appeared,
finally leading to the human mind, emotions, language, ethical values, and culture augmented by
the sensation of beauty of nature, art, joy and emotional warmth even some humor.

Could, or should, that indicate the direction expected by Eternity to be taken by us humans,
those now living on Earth?

Historic leaders have seldom left guiding directions for human society.

Moses 10 Commandments and Muhammads Farewell Sermon indicated practical rules

for decently living together in close society.

Neither contained guidance for education, for caring service or charity beyond taxation, or
any contribution to culture, nor the importance of emotional joy or warmth.

Jesus may have left idealistic guidance in the selection of the eight Beatitudes included
in the Sermon on the Mount as reported by Matthew (specifically in four of them open to proactive
application, see the essay on the Beatitudes on the website www.schwab-writings.com) but
not including any practical guidance to society.

In our time, however, societys priorities are in practical well-being and security the
internal and external one.

As guiding values (besides well-being and security), education, charity, and culture rank
highest in our society with the need for self-control becoming more important as in countering
the epidemic expansion of drug abuse.

The need for social balance of society remains but often only in the background with
the need to move the reduction of corruption or monetary influence on politics into the foreground.

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3.3. Here is the conclusion of this writing:

Beginning with always the greatest admiration of and reverence for Eternity, God,
Jahweh, Allah or the Essence of Creation, which will always remain mysterious to us:
Most importantly, arriving at the ultimate mystery and question of existence and our
lives, we cannot actually understand the spiritual essence, Eternity, that brought forth the
creation of real existence as in our universe with all of its cruelty and suffering and with all
of its beauty and joy.
We do not experience how our prayers or cries for help are heard or being responded
to. Yet, from the depth of our hearts and minds we long to resonate with this Spiritual
Essence, to provide a positive contribution to its creation, to please Eternity.

Even if too often we do not experience the recognition of our cries for help by God
or Gods intervention or can recognize divine guidance without contradiction, there still
should remain for many of us much gratitude for a bearable or good life and joy about the
world!
What is our human mission here on Earth?

We should be less destructive among ourselves or in nature and contribute actively to a better
world on Earth each one of us where we are!

On the level of our human society:

Find solutions to the major problems of Global Warming, overpopulation,
drug addiction, and incurable diseases!
Improve the quality of all political or religious governance everywhere on Earth
Improve our personal and societys security and economy
in the soundness of all parts and of a balanced structure of human society,
with reasonable income opportunities and some freedom for all!

In our personal lives:

We must develop our potential as all organisms in nature must
as humans, through learning and striving as best we can
as we long to perceive and wisely pursue all opportunities in our lives
We must, as social beings, provide caring service to our families, clans, or mankind
and also to nature!
We must attempt to reduce suffering and increase opportunity fairly for all
by direct help where needed
better, by strengthening the own effort of the suffering ones.
We can develop culture
by enjoying beauty in the arts and warmth in human contact

Most importantly, may there be, and may we share, more joy and emotional warmth in our
lives! and, maybe, a little bit of humor, too?
Let us start working for a better world right now!
And beware we may be watched! see the beginning of this essay!
aaa-A-Writings/c-pt/Meaning of Life-EternityLife-Rev- 07-20-17-II

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