What is life? A dream? A great illusion? The analogue of a computer simulation on a cosmic scale? A divine zoo? A gift? An accident? An absurdity? Or ...

Is it an experiment? A training camp? A carnival? A risky adventure? An action and mystery novel full of comedy, romance, and tragedy that we're all trapped in—or perhaps, that we each can help write?

Is it an extravagant test? A noble gesture? A celebration of possibility? A celestial play of primordial fire? A chance at, and a dress rehearsal for, the truly unimaginable, yet to come?

Could it be: Outward Bound for souls? A spiritual garden and surrounding wilderness for the highest form of growth? A place set apart where you can choose to crawl or fly? Is it much more or much less than it seems?

What, then, after all, is life?

PostedJanuary 2, 2017

AuthorTom Morris

CategoriesAdvice, Wisdom, Philosophy

TagsLife, meaning, existence, philosophy, wisdom, Tom Morris, TomVMorris

Some things that may be of interest. Click the images below for more!

First up: Tom’s new Silver Anniversary Edition of his hugely popular book on The 7 Cs of Success!

The New Breakthrough Guide to Stoicism for our time.

Finally! Volume 7 of the new series of philosophical fiction!

On stage in front of a room full of leaders and high achievers from across the globe.

Maybe, my favorite book of all time. Published in 1905, it's a charming and compelling tale about the power of the imagination and simple kindness in dealing with great difficulties. You'll love it. Click the cover to find it on Amazon!

My favorite photo and quote from the first week of my new blog:

My barn having burned down, I can now see the moon. - Mizuta Masahide

I'll Rise Up and Fly.

When I was young I thought I could fly. If I ran just right I'd rise into the sky and go over the yard and the house and the trees until, floating a bit, I'd catch a good breeze and neighbors would see and squint into the sun and say "Come here and … — When I was young
I thought I could fly.
If I ran just right
I'd rise into the sky
and go over the yard and the house and the trees
until, floating a bit,
I'd catch a good breeze
and neighbors would see
and squint into the sun
and say "Come here and look
at what this kid has done!"
I'd continue to rise,
and with such a big smile,
my grin could be viewed
at least for a mile.
And, even today
I think, if I try,
the time may yet come
when I'll rise up and fly. (TM)

My Favorite Recent Photo: A young lady named Jubilee gets off to a head start in life by diving into some philosophy!

Great new Elizabeth Gilbert book on creative living and the creative experience.

The back flap author photo on the new book The Oasis Within.

Something different. Paola Requena. Classical guitar. Sonata Heróica.

Two minutes on a perspective that can change a business or a life.

On the beach where we do retreats, February 16, 2018, 77 degrees. Philosophy in shorts and a T shirt done right.

So many people have asked to see one of my old Winnie the Pooh TV commercials and I just found one! Here it is:

Long ago and far away, on a Hollywood sound stage, I appeared in two network ads for the wise Pooh, to promote his adventures on Disney Home Videos. For two years, I was The National Spokesman for that most philosophical bear. This is one of the ads. I had a bad case of the flu but I hope you can't tell. A-Choo!

Now, for something truly unexpected:

Five Years ago, a friend surprised me by creating an online shop of stuff based on my Twitter Feed. I had forgotten all about it, but stumbled across it today. I should get this shirt for when I'm an old man, and have my home address printed on the … — Five Years ago, a friend surprised me by creating an online shop of stuff based on my Twitter Feed. I had forgotten all about it, but stumbled across it today. I should get this shirt for when I'm an old man, and have my home address printed on the back, along with, "Return if Found." Click to see the other stuff! I do love the dog sweaters.

Cat videos go philosophical. The now famous Henri Le Chat Noir, existential hero. Click image for the first video I saw and loved.

Another Musical Interlude. Two guys with guitars, one an unusual classical seven string, one a bass, but playing chords.

I memorized the "To be or not to be" soliloquy from Hamlet months ago, and recite it nearly daily. It's longer than you think, and is a powerful meditation on life and motivation, fear, and the unknown. To find some good 3 minute videos of actors pe… — I memorized the "To be or not to be" soliloquy from Hamlet months ago, and recite it nearly daily. It's longer than you think, and is a powerful meditation on life and motivation, fear, and the unknown. To find some good 3 minute videos of actors performing these lines, click here. Watch Branaugh and Gibson for very different takes.

This is a book I read recently, and it's one of the best I've read in years on happiness and success. Shawn helped teach the famous Harvard course on happiness, and brings the best of that research and more into this great book. Click on it. I think… — This is a book I read recently, and it's one of the best I've read in years on happiness and success. Shawn helped teach the famous Harvard course on happiness, and brings the best of that research and more into this great book. Click on it. I think you'll like it!

A favorite performance of the great Brazilian bossa nova song Wave, by Tom Jobim. Notice Marjorie Estiano's fun, the older guitarist's passion, the flutist's zen. Marjorie's little laugh at the end says it all. That should be how we all feel about our work. Gladness. Joy.

I happened across this great book on death and life after death. Because of some uncanny experiences surrounding the death of her father and sister, this journalist began to research issues involving death. Her conclusions are careful and well docum… — I happened across this great book on death and life after death. Because of some uncanny experiences surrounding the death of her father and sister, this journalist began to research issues involving death. Her conclusions are careful and well documented. If you're interested in this topic, you'll find this book clear, fascinating, and helpful. A Must Read! For my recent conversation with the author on HuffPo, click here.

Henri discovers the first book about his unique philosophical ponderings. Click image for the short video.

My favorite website to visit nearly every day. Maria Popova may read more and write more than any other human being on earth, and her reports are always amazingly interesting. This is really brain candy, but with serious nutritional benefits as well… — My favorite website to visit nearly every day. Maria Popova may read more and write more than any other human being on earth, and her reports are always amazingly interesting. This is really brain candy, but with serious nutritional benefits as well. Visit her often!

One of my newest talk topics is "Plato's Lemonade Stand: Stirring Change into Something Great." Based on the old adage, "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade," this talk is about how to do exactly that. Inquire for my availability through the c… — One of my newest talk topics is "Plato's Lemonade Stand: Stirring Change into Something Great." Based on the old adage, "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade," this talk is about how to do exactly that. Inquire for my availability through the contact page above! Let's stir something up!

A frequent inspiration. Monday, 30, April 2012. Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli perform "Time to Say Goodbye." Notice how they indwell the lyrics, and still manage to relate to each other so demonstratively.

My friend Bill Powers writes on how to handle the technology in your life and stay sane. A beautiful meditation on how we've always struggled with the new new thing, and sometimes win. Recommended!

Above is a short video on finding fulfillment in anything you do, that was taped a few years ago. I hope you enjoy it!

This is a beautiful and difficult book on the odd relationship between repeated failure and eventual success. It's full of great stories and moments of meditation. You will find yourself teasing out the insights, but they're powerful and worth the w… — This is a beautiful and difficult book on the odd relationship between repeated failure and eventual success. It's full of great stories and moments of meditation. You will find yourself teasing out the insights, but they're powerful and worth the work.

One of the best books in the past year or more, G&T is a wonderful look at how givers can rise high. Grant is the youngest tenured professor at Wharton and its most popular teacher. Here, he shows why! A really good book.

What is Life?