Asking the Big Questions(ˈkwesCHən)

Asking the Big Questions(ˈkwesCHən)

By Steve Pavlina

When I was younger, I decided that I didn’t want to reach my deathbed(ˈdeTHˌbed) feeling like I’d missed the whole(hōl) point of this life. I realized that in order to avoid that problem(ˈpräbləm), I’d have to create a connection between exploring(ikˈsplôr) the big questions and my everyday life.

What Are the Big Questions?

The big questions are yours to discover and explore. Here are some of mine:

What is the nature(ˈnāCHər) of this reality(rēˈalətē)? How does it actually work?

Is this reality objective(əbˈjektiv) (a world of objects and energy(ˈenərjē) that I inhabit(inˈhabit) as a physical(ˈfizikəl) being with consciousness(ˈkänCHəsnəs)) or subjective(səbˈjektiv) (a dream-like world where consciousness is primary(ˈprīm(ə)rē,ˈprīˌmerē) and everything sensory(ˈsensərē) is a simulation(ˈsimyəˌlāt) within this greater consciousness)?

What will happen to me when I die?

How long might I be able to extend(ikˈstend) my life here, and in what form?

Can I trust this universe(ˈyo͞onəˌvərs)? And what does it mean to trust or distrust(disˈtrəst) the universe?

Is the universe itself conscious in some way?

What is intimacy(ˈintəməsē)? How deep can intimacy go with another person? How well can I know someone?

What exactly am I? Am I this body with a consciousness? Am I this consciousness that contains a body(ˈbädē) that I can animate(ˈænəˌmeɪt)?

Why do I seem to be present(priˈzent,ˈprezənt) and aware(əˈwe(ə)r)?

Why am I here?

Who are the best people for me to connect with while I’m here? How will I recognize(ˈrekigˌnīz,ˈrekə(g)ˌnīz) them?

How can I merge the objective and subjective lenses to make better decisions(diˈsiZHən)? And can I consistently(kənˈsistənt) practice(ˈpraktəs) the ability to use both lenses in key situations(ˌsiCHo͞oˈāSHən)?

How much time is wise(wīz) to spend learning for myself vs.(versus -səz,ˈvərsəs) sharing with the world? Does sharing with the world matter? Am I just sharing with myself when I do that?

Do people communicate(kəˈmyo͞onəˌkāt) energetically(ˌenərˈjetik) somehow? When I get inspired(inˈspīrd) by article ideas that practically(ˈpraktik(ə)lē) write(rīt) themselves, why do they feel like transmissions(transˈmiSHən,tranz-) that I’m receiving(riˈsēv)?

How shall I use my remaining(riˈmāniNG) time here, especially(iˈspeSHəlē) if I don’t know how much is left?


https://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2017/10/asking-big-questions/