Q: I hate my life, many struggles, my sister gave me your book and it’s helping me see life and humanity in a whole new way But does saying ‘life has no meaning’ mean that nothing matters?

That just feels so incredibly bleak.

A: You’re confusing meaning with importance, and that confusion is what feels bleak. Meaning is something the false self needs in order to feel justified in existing. It says, Tell me why I’m here and I’ll tolerate the pain. When that deal collapses, it panics and declares the universe bleak. It’s a little tantrum.

When I say life has no meaning, I’m not