Life Is A Game

 

If you decide to go on a philosophical or spiritual journey—one where you outline and discover the patterns—you’ll eventually hear someone say, “Life is a game.” If that hasn’t happened to you yet, consider this your introduction. Welcome to the game.

 

I can’t fill in all the blanks for you, because everyone’s blanks are filled in by their own character. If self-discovery is important to you, you’ll find more material than you can process. The most helpful material allows you to understand everything within your imagination, free from dogma, doctrine, and rigid rituals. It’s about exploring what resonates with you personally, rather than adhering to someone else's truth.

 

“Tao that can be told of is not the eternal Tao.” ~ Lao Tzu

“Why do you not understand my speech?” ~ Jesus

“Truth can never be told so as to be understood.” ~ William Blake

 

Aristotle taught that the search for explanations is directly tied to already having some knowledge of the subject. That’s why Paul said, “One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.” ~ Romans 14:5

 

Why did the Buddha use metaphors like the broken wheel, the mirror, and the chariot?

Why did Jesus speak in parables?

“Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables.” ~ Mark 4:11 KJV

 

Even in explaining parables, Jesus was speaking in a sort of code. He was saying that if you are Lovingly Seeking, you’ll be entrusted with The Secret. But anyone hoping to understand without love will miss the meaning entirely.

 

The Trouble With Religion

 

Religion can be discussed and followed in a ritualistic, dogmatic way—but this approach can lead even the most faithful astray.

 

613 is often cited as the number of commandments in the Old Testament—248 “dos” and 365 “do nots.” When pressed on this overwhelming collection of rules, Jesus simplified it, saying, “Love God with your soul and with your imagination, and love your neighbor as yourself; on these two commandments hang all other laws.” ~ Matthew 22:37-40 MCV

 

To drive it home, Jesus further emphasized in John 15:12, “This is my commandment: Love one another, as I have loved you.”

“All You Need Is Love.” ~ John Lennon and Paul McCartney

 

Back to the Game

 

So, circling back to where this all began: Life is a game. At the core of many ancient teachings of various religions is the idea that an individual becomes what they imagine.

 

Ad Lib

 

Leonard Stern and Roger Price were having Eggs Benedict at a restaurant in New York City when they overheard a conversation at a nearby table. One person said they were going to “ad-lib” an interview, and another person replied, “That would be mad.” From this, they decided to name their book-game Mad Libs. It wasn’t a completely new concept, but by giving it a name and printing books with unfinished stories, they turned it into something that’s become a beloved part of our culture.

 

I mention Mad Libs here because I think it might take a word-game to fully grasp the life-game we’re all playing. Your story is your story, and with just a few choice words on every page, you have as much power to shape it as anything already written.

 

You might not think that one word could change the direction of your entire story—but that’s the point I’m making: It absolutely does. The words you choose shape your reality.

 

What Would You Say?

 

Jesus was very clear about this in John’s book. When teaching about love, he explained his reasons:

 

“I am saying these things so that your Joy might remain within you and that it may be full.” ~ Jesus MCV, John 15

 

If life is a game, and if we understand what’s being taught here, then joy is the ultimate prize. Joy is the elixir Joseph Campbell refers to in The Hero’s Journey. The game’s object is simple: love and joy.

 

Jump For Joy

 

Here’s the summary: Life is a game, and the object of the game is to love and to be loved, in order to reach the highest level of joy. You win when you live with love, because love brings joy. But if you keep that joy to yourself and don’t share it, it will fade. The word “sin” simply means “a missed opportunity to love.”

 

Here’s your new book—already filled with your story—and you get to fill in all of the blanks. Be sure to use loving words and words of joy, because the words you choose shape the next chapter.

 

“Finally, if it is true, if it is honest, if it is just, if it is pure, if it is lovely, if it has a good report; if it has any virtue, and if it has any praise, think on these things; and fill in the blanks accordingly.” ~ Philippians 4:8 MCV

 

In closing, let me say this: You’ll know when you’re winning. You’ll have joy. That is the ultimate sign that you’ve found your way.