Life has the meaning you give it

“When I was on the other side with the Light, I asked: 'What's the plan?' And very lovingly the Light said: 'there never was a plan. There is no plan. There never was.' Then I asked: 'What is the meaning of life, then?' And the Light told me that 'we are the ones that add meaning to life. That is your gift to the universe. Whatever meaning you give to the events, people and your life is your gift to the universe. We are the ones who add meaning and purpose to life.' I then asked the Light: 'What is the best religion on planet earth, then?' And the Light told me very lovingly, 'I don't care.' That was incredible grace. Religions love me and leave me, philosophies love me and leave me, but what remains is you and me.” (Near-Death Experience of Mellen-Thomas Benedict)

I caught up with an old friend from graduate school when I was in Philadelphia. Unfortunately he doesn’t care much for my writings even though he is an author himself. As a trained mathematician and economist, when I tell him about Synchronicity and Oneness, I cannot reach him. Yet, he is as spiritual as they come. When we walked over to his favorite lunch place he greeted many neighbors by name and there was so much love in these little encounters. Isn’t that what most folks do, giving meaning to what they experience in their own special way? My religion is love, my mission, and the daily God conversation I am privileged to experience. My friend has his, in his wife, in his children, in the community he cares for and the books he is writing. Are we really any different?

While our conversation over lunch didn’t go so well, we had the most amazing experience just as our lunch was coming to a close. Out of a sudden a thunderstorm came down in such a fury that all the restaurant customers got a flood watch warning all at the same moment. Unable to move, we ordered coffee and tea and spent half an hour just hanging out together as in the olden days. As we left the restaurant half an hour later the sun came out and Philadelphia presented itself in the best light possible. I understood that God wanted us to hang out a while longer to once again see eye to eye, and the smile on his face seemed to suggest that he gave a similar meaning to this unlikely occurrence. Be it as it may, God was present in the meeting of two old friends that day.