"A Reason for Living" by Laurent Grenier. The way to fulfillment against great odds. May 28, 2004 -- Hardship often serves as the catalyst that promotes existential questioning and turns many a soul into a philosophical one. Who are indeed likely to ponder on the meaning of life but those who are at a loss to conceive of this meaning, owing to their daily struggle with suffering while they yearn after joy? Some may search for enlightenment and serenity in the church and discover a doctrine of love and salvation that arouses in them a sense of having found their true home after a period of painful wandering. Others – rationalists by nature – may walk skeptically and wistfully past the square that leads to this place of worship. They are lonesome seekers of wisdom and happiness as the riddle of life boggles their minds and torments their hearts. "A Reason for Living" was written for them, in an effort to help them view life in a most positive, meaningful way. It complements rather than opposes the Christian viewpoint, though it does call certain aspects of it into question. The purpose of the book is largely therapeutic, not merely polemical. It proceeds from a dogged determination to provide a legitimate and salutary answer to the ever so pressing question “Why live?” It is about helping people lead wiser and happier lives – especially educated and inquiring people who not only are hungry for such an improvement, but also are committed to going to great lengths to satisfy this hunger. |
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