A Solution to a Pointless Life: Spiritual Self-help for Personal Development

By Albert Amao Soria Ph.D.

This book empowers the reader to awaken his inner power by providing psychological and metaphysical tools for improving their life. Humans should undertake the power dwelling in them and become active co-creators of their personal and social environment. The book is a necessary component in a materialistic post-modern consumeristic society. It focuses on removing the self-loathing ideas imposed by religious organizations and mass media. Moreover, it offers a plausible and coherent theory that answers the old-honored predicament of finding the true purpose of human existence.

Blending ideas from philosophers with the popular wisdom of native folklore, Occidental and Oriental sacred scriptures, sociology, metaphysics, philosophy (existentialism), and modern quantum physics, this book reveals that humans should actively participate in the awakening of their consciousness.

Having no purpose in life can lead people to a deep psychological depression called existential anxiety. Thus, ignoring the role of man’s importance in the drama of the universe, the lack of a myth or meaning could be tragic and detrimental. Since the dawn of civilization, humans have taken for granted or assumed that they had an inherent purpose in life by being born, which turned out to be a big fallacy. In addition, humans have been brainwashed and domesticated by false ideas creating a herd mentality by the ruling elite. Under these circumstances, how do we humans find authentic meaning in what seems to be a senseless life? Modern philosophy has become increasingly abstract and separate from human beings, unable to offer positive guidance to ordinary people.

Finding a purpose in human existence is the primary motivational force for human existence.

The ultimate purpose of human existence is to become a conscious god.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Apr 20, 2023
• ISBN: 9798823006316

Albert Amao Soria Ph.D.

Albert Amao S. is a sociologist, social theorist, and cultural critic with extensive studies in comparative religion, metaphysics, philosophy, depth psychology, and Hermetic Qabalah. He lectures widely on metaphysical subjects and Hermetic Qabalah. He is a national speaker for the Theosophical Society in America. Among the spiritual self-help books include Awaken the Power Within (Tarcher/Penguin), Healing without Medicine (Quest Books), and The Apocalypse of the Aquarian Age (AuthorHouse). He regularly contributes articles to international New Age magazines: Nexus Magazine and New Dawn), which are headquartered respectively in Australia and New Zealand.

Book preview

© 2023 Albert Amao Soria, Ph.D. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 07/07/2023

ISBN: 979-8-8230-0633-0 (sc)

ISBN: 979-8-8230-0632-3 (hc)

ISBN: 979-8-8230-0631-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023907020

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Unless otherwise noted, the biblical quotations are from New International Version (NIV), copyright @ 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

"To the unknown

God."

(Acts 17:23)

OTHER BOOKS BY ALBERT

AMAO SORIA:

- Beyond Conventional Wisdom

- The Dawning of the Golden Age of Aquarius

- The Birth of a New Consciousness and the Cycles of Time

- Healing Without Medicine: From Pioneers to Modern Practice

- Awakening the Power Within

- The Apocalypse of the Aquarian Age

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preamble

Part One: Does Human Existence Have a Purpose?

1. European Existentialism And American New Thought

2. Existentialism in Latin American Culture

3. The Absurd Theory and the Suicide Question

4. The Purpose of Human Existence

Part Two: The Quest in Oriental Religions

5. The Theory of Theodicy in World History

6. The Gilgamesh Epic and the Pursuit of Immortality

7. The Vedas, the Upanishads, and the Bhagavad Gita

8. Jainism and Buddhism as Spiritual Existentialism

Part Three: The Quest in the Judeo-Christian Tradition

9. The Serpent of Temptation and the Search for Wisdom

10. The Book of Proverbs and the Fear of the Lord

11. The Book of Ecclesiastes and the Futility of Human Endeavor

12. The Book of Job and the Meaning of Suffering

Part Four: The Quest for Self-Exploration and Self-Discovery

13. The Search through Myths and Stories

14. Traveler, Life Is a Pathless Land

15. The Awakening of a New Human Consciousness

16. CONSCIOUSNESS Is All There Is

Epilogue

Endnotes

Bibliography

About the Author

PREAMBLE

According to the principles of quantum physics, it is suggested that our reality may be virtual. Esteemed theoretical physicists like Max Planck, Eugene Wigner, John Archival Wheeler, and Thomas Campbell, among others, postulate that the universe’s very existence relies on consciousness. They propose that we inhabit a universe that is not material in nature but is a mental universe. Moreover, the concept of nonlocality asserts that objects can instantly influence each other, and our beliefs and intentions shape our perception of reality. It follows that our personal reality is potentially programmable.

The above gives solid grounds to understand the mechanism of how thoughts, intentions, and burning desires became crystalized as factual things. This concept also explains how strong-willed people achieve their selfish goals and aims.

As humans, we possess the innate ability to control and shape our own destiny. It is our unique gift to create and influence our social environment and future. This concept is substantiated by scientific evidence which aligns with the current spiritual trend, suggesting that humans hold the power to create and shape our world.

The issue of why there is so much suffering, misery, and evil in the world is a complex one. It’s important for people to recognize their inner strength and use it for good, rather than being influenced by negative programming from social media. Unfortunately, the greed and self-centeredness of those in power often lead to the suffering of others. Additionally, certain political and religious organizations have convinced people that they are insignificant and powerless, which can result in low self-esteem and feelings of helplessness. Many people are also caught up in materialism and consumerism, which can create a false sense of fulfillment. I call this the mirage effect - a life based on illusions and false beliefs.

The truth is that humans must free themselves from the world of illusions that keep them enslaved to the world of mirages; nobody will do it for them. Plato’s allegory of the cave aptly illustrates this existential enigma.

This book proposes a plausible and coherent theory that addresses the age-old question of finding an authentic purpose for human existence. What is humanity’s role in the drama of the entire universe? What is the underlying message of religions, philosophies, and metaphysics? In the past, questions regarding the meaning of human existence, freedom, fate, and God’s existence were confined to the domain of religion. Only religious organizations were permitted to provide answers to questions about the purpose of human existence. This work blends the ideas of existential philosophers with the popular wisdom of native folklore, as well as Occidental and Oriental sacred scriptures, sociology, metaphysics, and modern quantum physics. It examines the above questions to conclude that humans have a fundamental role in the awakening of collective consciousness and the evolution of human consciousness.

Since the beginning of civilization, humans have strived to find meaning in life and make sense of their existence. The absence of purpose in life can lead to a profound psychological depression known as existential anxiety. Thus, ignoring humanity’s role in the drama of the universe, the lack of a myth, a purpose, could be tragic and detrimental. Psychiatrists Carl G. Jung and Viktor Frankl believed that the root cause of neurosis in modern humans is the inability to find a purpose in life - a sense of our existence. The ancients resorted to myths, legends, and stories to give meaning to their lives, as these narratives allowed them to endure and provided a reason for living in this world.

Some people take their existence for granted and never delve into its meaning; they live indifferently, mesmerized by what the external world can offer. They comply with their daily routines and pleasures, unaware of the purpose of human existence. In contrast, for others, things happen for a specific reason, and they act as though they have a meaningful mission to accomplish.

The issue is that, since the dawn of civilization, humans have taken for granted or assumed that they had an inherent purpose instilled in them by being born, which turned out to be a big fallacy.

Under these circumstances, how do we humans find authentic meaning in what seems to be a worthless life? In addition, modern philosophy has become increasingly more abstract and separate from the experiences of human beings. Instead of providing orientation and guidance, contemporary philosophy has become increasingly complex and abstract and out of reach for most people.

It has been said that life is meaningless. The question then arises, Is it worth living in a world devoid of inherent meaning? What is it that keeps humans enduring life? What inner force compels humans to excel in a world devoid of meaning? What is the motivation for humans to confront life’s challenges? What is the innate tendency to seek immortality? What is the role of humans in the drama of the whole world? Is there more to life than working, eating, procreating, and eventually dying? These are the queries that this work undertakes to explore and find a plausible answer to.

C. G. Jung has asserted that the world is standing on the verge of spiritual rebirth, meaning that we are at the dawn of a collective awakening. Thus, humans ought to assume the power dwelling in them and be active creators of their personal and social environment for the betterment of humankind. This book aims to provide readers with the means to navigate this transition to a new world. It focuses on modern spiritual self-help, a necessary component to counteract materialistic and consumerist societies that have lost their spiritual roots.

This book is based not only on theoretical elaborations but also on personal experiences tested in real life. The interpretation of these experiences is endorsed by depth psychology, metaphysics, existentialism, sociology, et cetera. I am talking from the inside, as a person who underwent considerable difficulties and hardships in life. I was born in an impoverished family and an adverse social environment. Beginning in early childhood, I went through many tests and trials to finally get a Ph.D. in Sociology.

I propose exploring the purpose of human existence under three conceptual headings: first, based on current philosophical and scientific knowledge; second, on folklore or popular/conventional wisdom; and third, on the sacred scriptures of major worldwide religions.

We celebrate life because it is the most beautiful learning opportunity. It allows humans to develop their inner potential. We celebrate life because it has no preestablished purpose; it is a blank page that humans must write. It gives humans an extraordinary chance to exercise their creative power. We celebrate life because the meaning of human existence is found only in human endeavors toward the betterment of the human race. We celebrate life because the purpose of life is to unfold and expand human consciousness.

We welcome uncertainty because it breaks routine and boredom, providing wonder and mystery. Outer daily spectrum phenomena are in the process of becoming, and the human mind offers a specific form through their thoughts. Life is the battlefield for the unfolding of consciousness through experiences. Humans are the only deities walking on the planet Earth.

Finally, this work is the culmination of a quest for spiritual awakening and self-exploration and a search for the meaning of human existence. It started with my book Healing Without Medicine, followed by Awaken the Power Within. They constitute a trilogy of social theory and cultural criticism in conjunction with the current work.

Albert Amao Soria, PhD

New Jersey, USA.

PART ONE: DOES HUMAN

EXISTENCE HAVE A PURPOSE?

1. EUROPEAN EXISTENTIALISM

AND AMERICAN NEW THOUGHT

At the end of the nineteenth and the beginning of the twentieth centuries, something extraordinary happened in the Western civilization. Europeans saw the birth of existentialism, and in the United States of America, at the same time, a new practical philosophy emerged known as the New Thought movement. These two schools emerged to answer the question, Does human existence have a purpose? And if it does, what is it?

Existentialism is a broad school of thought that attempts to find a logical and plausible answer, outside the confines of religion, to the predicament of being in this world, individual freedom, self-determination, the significance of suffering, and responsibility for our lives. Colin Wilson defines existentialism as a philosophy that asks the kind of questions that were once regarded as ‘religious’: questions about the meaning of human existence, freedom, and the existence of God.¹

The general consensus is that existentialism is a philosophy of pessimism. British author Colin Wilson has distinguished between the old existentialism, characterized by a pessimistic viewpoint, and the new existentialism, branded as positive, optimistic, and life-affirming.

However, I propose to transcend this dichotomy of the old and new existentialism with the concept of the will to create. Any act of creation starts with an intention, which is always directed toward a target or a goal to accomplish something, which in turn provides meaning and purpose.

The power of self-determination and self-control is conducive to the will to create and offers humans the right to create their reality consciously. The human capacity to create is confirmed by quantum physics. Our consciousness inhabits an intentionally designed virtual algorithm responsible for creating our reality based on our beliefs and intentions.

Indeed, it is up to humans to make the most of their lives and take charge of their destiny rather than complain about it, which worsens the situation. We are already here; there is no way to return; we should work our destiny with whatever nature has provided to us to become better human beings. Let’s bear in mind that according to the Bible, the name of God is I Am, the creative and secret power of humans.

Many philosophers and existentialists believe that existentialism appeared after the Second World War. However, the truth is that modern European existentialism came into being to answer questions reserved solely for the religious domain. With the advent of scientific advancement, religion was handicapped in its ability to provide coherent answers to questions about the meaning of life, the role of humankind in the world, and the existence of suffering. Hence, modern existentialism results from the Judeo/Christian religion’s loss of influence on people. Wilson stated that existentialism was a philosophy of man without organized religion.² He further asserted that "existentialism . . . could never have come into being in an age of religious faith. It is a post-Christian philosophy. The Medieval man believed that life was meaningful because God had created man, and Christ had redeemed him; this was the meaning of life" (emphasis mine).³

Wilson thinks that the existentialism of Kierkegaard, Heidegger, Sartre, and Camus has reached a blind alley (cul de sac), and they are stuck in it. He further asserts, As Dostoevsky saw quite clearly, the man himself must become God—or a god.⁴

However, true existentialism is more than an ideology of lamenting the absurdities of life and the sense of mortality. It’s a philosophy of freedom and becoming, which, in that sense, involves achieving the medieval alchemist’s goal, the magnum opus. That is the attainment of the superhuman condition to which humans are destined.⁵ This provides a clear plan to pursue and solves the lack of meaning and purpose.

Existentialism is the opposite of the deterministic theories that negate any freedom of human action. In this sense, this branch of philosophy can be incredibly liberating rather than pessimistic and bleak. It allows you to consciously create your destiny, blaze your path, and accept the total weight of your freedom despite your biological heritage and social circumstances.

As indicated above, parallel to the birth of modern existential philosophy in Europe, the United States of America saw the dawn of the New Thought movement. Rather than passively accept external reality, the American New Thought thinkers believed that humans are creators of their existence and destiny via their thoughts, feelings, and emotions. New Thought is a new way of understanding the world and humanity’s position in it. It has been appropriately called an American practical spirituality. The beauty of this American practical philosophy is that it empowers humans as the creators of their reality and circumstances in life. The fundamental postulate of New Thought is that an individual can change his reality by changing his frame of mind. New Thought ideology originated Positive Thinking and motivational programs for enhancing human potential; applying these metaphysical principles as inspirational tools have been proven to be of extraordinary value to achieving success in all areas of life, as I elaborate in the paragraphs below.

The European existentialists disregard humanity’s spiritual dimension and ignore that humans were created in God’s image and likeness. That is, the ultimate essence of humans is to be creators via their thoughts. The New Thought movement propounded a change in the way of thinking; they regarded thoughts as the primary and fundamental basis for creation rather than depending on external, changing phenomena. The New Thought’s basic postulates can be summarized as follows:

1) The "I Am is the master key in metaphysical and occult philosophies. I Am is the first axiom of existence indicated in the Bible (Exodus 3:14). Then, Descartes discovered the secret formula of existence in the expression, I think, then I am aware. It can be said that I Am" is an individualized awareness of the Universal Consciousness.

2) European existentialism undermines humans’ creative capacity. Humans were created in the image and likeness of their Creator with the same powers as his Creator on a lesser scale. The New Testament gives the key to understanding this. John 1:1 said: "In Principio erat verbum (In the Beginning was the Verb). The creation of the universe started with the intention and purpose: Let there be light, and there was light." (Genesis 1:3). To speak is to create. Thus, similarly, knowingly or unknowingly, humans create as they speak. This is evident when they pronounce the name of God—for example, I am performing such and such task. Hence, creativity is to express God-power in the physical realm. By nature, humans are consciously or unconsciously creators of their perceptual reality.

3) European existentialists do not consider the power of creative imagination and the power of beliefs. Contemporary theoretical quantum physicists and philosophers agree that the universe is mental⁶, a universal thought. Everything visible was initially invisible, and humans brought everything into actuality through their imagination (thought forms). Emotions and beliefs give flesh and bones to thought forms, causing them to crystallize in the physical realm.

4) European existentialists ignore humans’ inner power for personal growth and self-determination. All these considerations will be fully expounded hereafter.

Difficulties and suffering are stepping stones for personal growth and gathering experience. With all its apparent contradictions and absurdities, life provides an opportunity for self-fulfillment and spiritual attainment. A clear example is the United States, the land of opportunity and freedom, where anybody can achieve their dreams if they sincerely devote time and effort to attain their goals. The following is a quotation from my book Awaken the Power Within, which seems very appropriate to be mentioned here:

The notion of self-improvement, personal freedom, and prosperity dates back to the creation of this country [the United States] by our forefathers; it can be traced to Ben Franklin’s do-it-yourself pragmatism. A sociological analysis of the history of America reveals that, unlike the European and foreign monarchies of the past, where wealth, social rank, and nobility titles were inherited, the United States of America is a country of self-made men and women. Since its creation as a nation, America has been viewed as the land of freedom and opportunity. Creativity, inventiveness, and hard work are the basis of American progress and development. This can be verified by the fact that many men with humble origins have become presidents, and other men and women have become millionaires from scratch.⁷

Magnate Andrew Carnegie is an iconic example of the above last sentence. Carnegie was a poor immigrant child in the United States, and he was practically unschooled and started working in the humblest jobs to become the wealthiest man in the world during his time.

Contrary to the dismay of European existential thinkers who propounded a negative picture of life and humans—they even consider suicide an option because they don’t see a way out of the miseries created by their minds—the American philosophy of success is the opposite of every form of lack or limitation and weakness, hopelessness, depression, pain, and disease. It promotes awakening human inner capacities and supplies initiative, inventiveness, energy, and vitality. It appreciates and celebrates life’s opportunities.

An illustration of this radical new concept was advanced by New Thought pioneer Prentice Mulford, who published a book entitled Thoughts Are Things in 1889. At the end of the nineteenth century, the Occidental world was still under the heavy influence of the Christian religion. Who would believe that thoughts become things in the physical realm? That idea was indeed revolutionary for its time.

New Thought writers advanced the theory of mental and spiritual laws.⁸ They elaborated on concepts such as the spiritual, material, and unconscious mind⁹ long before Sigmund Freud. Mulford talks about the existence of two minds: You have in a sense two minds—the mind of the body and the mind of the spirit.¹⁰ He also believed that the mind power has been developing since past reincarnations.¹¹

In addition to Mulford, the most conspicuous personalities among New Thought pioneers were Phineas P. Quimby, who is considered the father of this new way of thinking, and William Walker Atkinson, prolific occult and metaphysical writer and the most likely the author of the famous hermetic work The Kybalion.

Another New Thought thinker was Orison Swett Marden, an American inspirational author who penned Pushing to the Front in 1894. He proposes methods of achieving success in life. Marden’s book became an instant bestseller and classic in the history of personal development. Famous people like Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and J. P. Morgan found the book inspirational.

Wallace Wattles, best known for his 1910 book The Science of Getting Rich, should also be mentioned. He considers humans to have the right to be rich and explains how to become wealthy through the practice of creative visualization. Wattles also regards thought as the first principle in the science of getting rich. He asserts, Thought is the only power which can produce tangible riches from the Formless Substance¹² (capitalization original).

According to Wattles, getting rich is an exact science, like algebra or arithmetic. It works like a set of algorithms, much like the mathematical laws of addition and subtraction. Anyone can get rich by applying the principles set in these books—thinking and acting by the instructions given—. To test its accuracy, one must apply it in real life. Wattles believed that specific laws govern the process of acquiring riches; once these laws are learned and obeyed by any man, he will get rich with mathematical certainty.¹³

Another American prosperity thinker was Charles F. Haanel, who published his magnum opus, The Master Key System, in 1912. He believed that the most potent forces of nature are the invisible ones. Haanel appropriately encapsulated this idea as follows: The most powerful forces of man are his invisible forces, his spiritual force, and the only way in which the spiritual force can manifest is through the process of thinking. Thinking is the only activity the spirit possesses, and thought is the only product of thinking.¹⁴

Haanel’s The Master Key System inspired inventors such as Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and Bill Gates. Reportedly the books of Haanel, in addition to those of Napoleon Hill and Wallace Wattles, were read by almost every entrepreneur who made a fortune; they applied the techniques suggested in these works. These works set out the fundamental principles of successful living. Their teachings are directed to correct mental power development using creative ability and action, leading to harmony, health, prosperity, and happiness.

These thinkers held that there was a spiritual law for becoming financially successful, and this mental discipline is similar to a scientific method. Later on, psychologist Abraham Maslow found from his investigations that successfully healthy and optimistic people frequently experience moods of intense affirmation and optimism, which he called peak experiences.

In addition to being an attorney, William Walker Atkinson (1862–1932) was an occultist and an American pioneer of the New Thought movement. He was a prolific writer who penned many books under different names. His books deal with mental therapeutics, self-improvement, self-healing, suggestion, and autosuggestion. Atkinson’s books were in the market long before French pharmacist Emile Coue’s Self-Mastery Through Conscious Autosuggestion was published in 1922.

Elizabeth and William Towne, founders of The Nautilus magazine, should also be mentioned. Elizabeth Jones Towne was an influential writer, editor, and publisher in the New Thought and self-help movements. Thanks to them, most New Thought thinkers found a place to publish their articles. Elizabeth Towne was a member of the International New Thought Alliance (INTA) for many years and served as its president in 1924.

It should also be mentioned that Florence Scovel Shinn (1871–1940) was a Success teacher from New Jersey. She was a New Thought spiritual teacher imbued with the atmosphere of American success principles of the time. Her books’ names describe the prosperity ideas in vogue in America in her time: The Game of Life and How to Play It (1925), Your Word is Your Wand (1928), The Secret Door to Success (1940), and The Power of the Spoken