Meaning is part of the creation of the mind. Inherently, life has probably no meaning that can be fathomed. However, biological beings seem to be driven by survival instincts. Nature appears to be very raw when it comes to reproduction and food choices.
Via the brains, these mysterious organs of humanoid organic beings, impressive minds and imagination have been developed. They create mindscapes in which their properties of reality, of the persona, of their cultures and civilizations are rooted.
These mindscapes are all conceptual and descriptive and are intellectual and sensual interpretations of perception, of recognizing and creating repetitive patterns.
As (not just) the body is vulnerable to transformation and transience, also the creatures of the mind are in an ongoing struggle for survival. And like biology developed survival mechanisms, so did the mind.
Meaning, purpose and their sibling hope are powerful creations to endure and cope with the unknown, impermanence, hardship, demise, loss, impending doom, and finally death.
The brain seems to create its operations and interpretations on a fabricated timeline from an assumed past out of memory to an imaginary future out of imagination. Apparently, we live in “the now”, but even this is but an idea, an interpretation.
The only space where life does unfold is unknown, and as soon as it’s known, as soon as it becomes attributed properties, it’s a concept, a story – that can be believed in, or not. That might find resonance, or not.
What is apparently known is not truth, but a fascinating demonstration of how the mind creates volatile and vivid artificial entities and realities, from an apparent individual up to whole civilization constructs.