Is Our Only Worth Defined By What We Can Do For Others?

[Hemera]

It can't possibly be our only purpose for existing- otherwise it would render people born with learning difficulties and others who have no concept of serving others as having no worth or purpose at all! Although they may be serving others indirectly through the way they are - their very existence may help others fulfil their purpose.

I don't think it's about self-interest either, although there's certainly a lot of that and life is to be experienced. I think individual purpose can be about going deeper within and living our lives in accordance with higher values such as faith and love, both towards ourselves and in relationships with others. It doesn't have to mean directly serving others unless one is called to do just that. Just my thoughts.

[iamthat]

Originally Posted by Flexi-Girl

Is our only purpose for existing to serve others? What's wrong with living for one's own self interest? . On the surface it seems distasteful, but the more I think about it, I feel it may be a more genuine and honest way to be.

The nature of the mind is desire, based on self-interest.

The nature of the Soul is service, based on a lack of self-interest.

We can spend our entire life living for our own self-interest, but when we look back on such a life will it be genuinely satisfying? What have we gained?

We may have accumulated a lot of material possessions but we will lose them all at the moment of death.

We may have had all sorts of interesting and fun experiences, but at some point we realise that such experiences are limited.

If we identify with the mind then we are motivated by desire. And no matter how many desires we satisfy, more desires will arise.

If we identify with the Soul we are motivated by the impulse to serve, whatever form that service may take.

The question is, which will make us happiest? Which will be more fulfilling?

Peace

[utopiandreamchild]

Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.
Love utopia

[Flexi-Girl]

Thank you everyone for thoughtful posts I am taking time to reflect on your points.

[Flexi-Girl]

Originally Posted by John32241

However .if you see your self in terms of physical reality then there is not that mutual benefit you speak about. You then become unbalanced.John

I find when I do something that is mostly beneficial for others, I often feel depleted or diminished. I have noticed this when I make donations, or volunteer, or dare I say, help people. Even if the cost to myself doesn't appear detrimental on the surface, I still wonder what the point of all that was. I gave up time, money, or labor, and got nothing of value in return. Something inside of me goes unfulfilled leaving me feeling worse than if I had done nothing.

That's not to say I still wouldn't help someone in need.

[hallow]

Originally Posted by Flexi-Girl

I feel it may be a more genuine and honest way to be.

you have a good point. If you're genuine about being helpful others can really see through it and most often seem less appreciative. I always tell people, don't be what you're not.

[Flexi-Girl]

Originally Posted by Hemera

It can't possibly be our only purpose for existing- otherwise it would render people born with learning difficulties and others who have no concept of serving others as having no worth or purpose at all!

I suspect everyone no matter their circumstance has value to give, though it may take some time to uncover.

I think we are all worth just as much so both important to nurture that (ourselves) as well as other people's worth, everyone's worth.

[Justin Passing]

@Flexi-Girl - I find that pursuing my own self-interest often encourages me to act quite selflessly. My goal is to live a good life, a life I enjoy. If my actions hurt others this invariably causes trouble, which I don't like. Exploiting people, taking advantage - things like that complicate and ruin my life. Helping others, being supportive feels good and lines up with my goals. They're actually selfish acts I perform for my own benefit. Curiously, living in service to others can be quite selfish.

From the sounds of things your service to others isn't serving you, and to me that means you should stop. Something's wrong. You're either doing it wrong or you're doing the wrong things. For one thing, it should not drain you spiritually. You can't give what you don't have.

As for your worth being defined by what you can do for others, I think not. Personally, I think the best thing we can do is heal ourselves. To grow spiritually. To become a good person and live a good life. If what you're doing doesn't do that you should stop and do something that does. It may seem selfish but it's not really.

Just my two cents obviously.

[Flexi-Girl]

Thank you @Justin Passing for your keen and helpful insight. I believe in my heart this is a signal of something bigger than the sum of it's parts. I haven't figured out what I am doing wrong entirely. Much of my contributions have left me bereft of meaning, and I am not so sure my contributions have been appreciated, even upon fulfilling other's requests. I wish I could fully articulate the problem. Unfortunately it's not entirely clear what it is. I have a sense of disconnect, of betrayal, and longing.