Below is a summary of a very enlightening discussion on reddit about what we can learn about life from near death experiences. and the link is provided as well. The section after that integrates those insights with some of my previous blog posts into something more of a comprehensive whole on that question of life’s meaning and purpose.
REDDIT INSIGHTS:
https://www.reddit.com/r/NDE/comments/1oc1u5c/what_are_we_here_to_learn_exactly/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
Summary of the thread
In the thread “What are we here to learn exactly?” on r/NDE, participants reflect on the question of life’s purpose from the viewpoint of those who’ve had or study near-death experiences (NDEs). The central question is: Why are we here on Earth — what are we meant to learn?
1. Framing the question
The original poster sets up the theme: many NDE-ers and spiritual seekers assert that Earth isn’t just a random place but a school or environment for learning. One commenter writes:
“I think the bottom line is that you can’t save everyone … you learn to accept that you’re smaller and less significant than your ego would like you to think.” (Reddit)
Another:
“We are beings of love that are all connected. When we come to earth we do so to experience contrast. We have to choose love and connectedness instead of simply existing in it.” (Reddit)
The tone is explorative rather than dogmatic: “We don’t know exactly why,” one person says:
“I’ve read NDEs where people talk about receiving ultimate knowledge of the universe and humanity but it’s never anything specific.” (Reddit)
2. Key themes in the comments
From the conversation several recurring ideas emerge:
- Learning through contrast or limitation. Some feel that human life is structured so that we experience lack, pain, separation, and thus grow. As one writes:
“The most spiritually evolved souls come to Earth because it’s the most disconnected from God (we’re essentially playing on hard mode).” (Reddit)
Another:
“It’s a place to learn and evolve. Into what, I have no clue.” (Reddit)
- Love and connection as central “lessons.” Many comment that the core lesson is about love — unconditional, deep, expansive.
“I believe I’m here to learn unconditional love.” (Reddit)
And:
“There are other ways to love someone than giving them money … even just smiling at someone on the street … can mean a lot.” (Reddit)
- Acceptance of limitation and humility. It’s recognized that we don’t carry full knowledge into this life, and that part of the journey is living with incompleteness.
“Why can’t we just know why?” one asks. (Reddit)
And:
“You learn to accept that you’re smaller and less significant than your ego would like you to think.” (Reddit)
- Service, empathy and small acts matter. The thread emphasizes that grand gestures aren’t the only path — everyday kindness has transformative power.
“You don’t need a Herculean effort of self-sacrifice… being safe and having boundaries does not make you selfish.” (Reddit)
3. Divergent views & healthy skepticism
Some voices push back:
“Personally I mostly subscribe to the idea that there is no ultimate reason behind any of this. It’s all subjective…” (Reddit)
Others caution that framing Earth as “hard mode” or “a school for evolved souls” can risk minimizing real suffering and injustice:
“It makes us close our eyes to the dismaying and horrible conditions that we should do our best to protect ourselves and others from.” (Reddit)
4. Synthesis of the thread’s take-aways
In sum, the thread offers a mosaic of perspectives, anchored in the idea that human life is not purely random but loaded with meaning — though what exactly remains mysterious. Key take-aways:
- Life invites us into growth, especially through limitation, contrast, and relationship.
- Love, in its most expansive sense (beyond transactional or conditional), is often pointed to as the core “lesson.”
- Humility and acceptance of our not-knowing are themselves part of the growth.
- Everyday service and small acts of kindness matter profoundly.
- The idea of “pre-life planning” (choosing Earth’s challenges) appears in some comments but is not universally held.
- Some resist trying to fix an overarching “why,” instead embracing mystery and the immediate moral demand to live well.
My reflections and analysis
Reflecting on this discussion, several thoughts come to mind:
- The analogical notion of Earth as a “school” resonates deeply with many spiritual traditions (Eastern, Christian, New Age). The idea that growth often happens in limitation (not just comfort) is powerful and psychologically plausible: adversity forces reflection, empathy, character formation.
- The emphasis on love rather than achievement or status marks this viewpoint as less ego-centric. The transformation is internal (how we relate) rather than external (what we acquire).
- The commenters wisely caution against turning this into a blame-the-sufferer narrative: yes life is hard, yes we learn, but that doesn’t mean suffering is deserved. The empathy and service orientation (helping others) remains central.
- The humility around “we don’t know exactly why” is important. Many spiritual paths lock into dogmatic “we came for X” views; here the open-endedness feels healthier: it invites ongoing engagement rather than static belief.
- I find the focus on “small acts” encouraging. So often spiritual discourse focuses on grand visions; the lived ethic of kindness, presence, simple service is where transformation actually happens.
- The NDE dimension: The fact that many contributors reference near‐death or out‐of‐body experiences gives the sense that the perspective comes from encounters with death — and so the question of “what’s the point of this life?” is more immediate. For someone who has seen death up close, the answer “love and learning” seems plausible and urgent.
In my own observation: If life is offering us a chance to learn to love deeply, serve humbly, and live with humility before mystery, then the everyday becomes sacred. The “lesson” may not be a discrete module you pass and leave, but rather a way of being you cultivate. The fact that the thread doesn’t converge on a single answer is itself meaningful: perhaps the point isn’t a final answer but the journey of asking and relating.
Integration with Christian spirituality
From a Christian perspective, the themes in the thread align in many ways with biblical teaching — while also raising questions. Here’s how they integrate, with relevant Scripture.
Love and connection
The thread emphasizes love as the core. In Christian doctrine:
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13, NIV)
“We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19, NIV)
The concept of unconditional, expansive love echoes the Christian Gospel: God’s self-giving love invites us to reflect likewise.
Learning through humility & limitation
The notion that we learn by being human, vulnerable, limited, resonates with Christian anthropology: Jesus entered the human condition fully (Philippians 2:6-8). The call to humility is frequent:
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” (James 4:10, NIV)
“For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10, NIV)
So the idea that growth happens in “hard mode” aligns: our weakness may become the occasion for divine strength.
Service and small acts matter
Christian spirituality emphasizes service:
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45, ESV)
“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them.” (Matthew 7:12, ESV)
Thus the thread’s emphasis on caring for “the one” (a smile, a kind word) finds an echo in Christ’s teaching—small acts of love count.
Mystery, not full explanation
The thread’s humility around “we don’t know exactly why” also aligns with Christian wisdom: human beings are finite and the divine is infinite.
“Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.” (1 Corinthians 13:12, NIV)
“My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. (Isaiah 55:8, NIV)
Christian spirituality invites faith in mystery rather than closure in certainty.
Earth, life purpose & eternity
The NDE community’s idea of Earth as “school” echoes but differs from Christian view: Christianity speaks of this life as preparation but grounded in relationship with God, repentance, redemption, and hope of eternal life (John 3:16, Romans 6:23). The purpose is not just learning but union with God through Christ. The incarnation itself implies earth-life has sacred significance, not just for soul growth but redemption of creation.
My integrative insight
If I were to bring together the thread’s lessons with a Christian lens:
- Perhaps life is shaped for transformation — not only of the soul inwardly (growth in love, mercy, humility) but also for participation in God’s redemptive work in the world.
- We learn not just for ourselves but for others — love is meant to overflow, service is outward.
- The “contrast” of human life (pain, limitation, separation) becomes the soil from which compassion, empathy, and hope grow — and in Christian faith, Christ has walked the path of suffering and invites us to walk with Him (Hebrews 12:2-3).
- The absence of full answers is not failure but invitation: to trust, to love, and to obey in the present moment—and leave the rest to God.
Conclusion
The r/NDE thread offers a rich conversation about human purpose: we may be here to learn, to love, to serve, and to become more humble. Its open-ended nature invites us into the journey rather than letting us off easy.
Viewed through Christian eyes, the themes of love, service, humility, mystery, and transformation resonate strongly. The life we live matters—not just for what we achieve, but for how we love, how we serve, and how we relate to the divine and to each other.
If nothing else, the message I take away is this: Every moment matters. Every kindness counts. Every humble act participates in something larger than ourselves.
And as Scripture reminds us:
“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16, NIV)
May the learning continue, the love deepen, and our lives reflect that greater story.
INTEGRATING THIS DISCUSSION WITH SOME OF MY PREVIOUS BLOG POSTS
unteachable lessons: christian spirituality and the wisdom of the afterlife cannot always be taught with words – often it must be experienced through living. – The Law of Love https://share.google/7ZKlUuPznfa9xeH4I
is love inherently self sacrificial in NDEs and Christianity? And is it more about ‘being’ or ‘doing’? – The Law of Love https://share.google/XbGNonfjjAeduX1A3
Some reflections on the illusion of separation of humans from God and creation: from Christian mystics, eastern Christianity, and those who have visited the afterlife – The Law of Love https://share.google/4x1N0vfoc9JZNsOzs
Here’s the blog weaves together the thread from the r/NDE discussion (“What are we here to learn, exactly?”) with my own blog-pieces (“Unteachable Lessons”, “Is Love Inherently Self-Sacrificial?”, “The Illusion of Separation”) and my reflections, and then draws in Christian spirituality and Scripture.
What Are Humans Here to Learn, Exactly? Reflections on Near Death Experiences, Earth-life, love, and Christian wisdom
Introduction
A recent thread on the r/NDE forum asked a deceptively simple question: What are we here on Earth to learn, exactly? The responses ranged from the hopeful to the skeptical, from the mystical to the painfully honest.
At the same time, my own blog-works — Unteachable Lessons: Christian Spirituality and the Wisdom of the Afterlife Cannot Always Be Taught With Words, Is Love Inherently Self-Sacrificial in NDEs and Christianity? And Is It More About ‘Being’ or ‘Doing’?, and Some Reflections on the Illusion of Separation of Humans from God and Creation — bring complementary themes of love, separation, being-versus-doing, and the experiential dimension of spiritual wisdom.
In this post I summarise the Reddit thread with key quotes, integrate my essays and my observations, and then apply the dialogue into a Christian-spiritual context with Scripture to anchor meaning.
Summary of the Reddit Thread
The core post (“What are we here to learn, exactly?”) invites participants — many with near-death experiences (NDEs) or deep spiritual awakenings — to reflect on earthly purpose. Some of the major themes:
Learning through contrast, limitation, and separation
One commenter writes:
“We are beings of love that are all connected. When we come to earth we do so to experience contrast. We have to choose love and connectedness instead of simply existing in it.” (Reddit)
Another observes:
“It’s a place to learn and evolve. Into what, I have no clue.” (Reddit)
And yet another:“Personally I mostly subscribe to the idea that there is no ultimate reason behind any of this. It’s all subjective and there’s really no right or wrong answer. I just don’t see a purpose behind life other than being alive for its own sake.” (Reddit)
From these we see a tension between: life as designed school of growth vs life as chance existence. The contrast-theme (separation from the divine, experiencing limitation) recurs.
Love, connection, and the everyday
Several posts point to love — not just as an emotion but as an existential posture. One says:
“I find love in places I never expect it and it’s always when I’m doing something to help someone else.” (Reddit)
Another’s insight:
“You don’t need money to help people… many people have serious emotional challenges or relationship issues which can’t necessarily be fixed by money.” (Reddit)
Here the thread converges on the idea that being‐loving and serving are integral to whatever “lesson” life has brought us to learn.
Humility, non-knowing, mystery
Encouragingly, the thread does not descend into dogmatism. One piece of humility:
“I cannot tell you what the purpose is for everyone, you, or anyone… I can only infer my own purpose… which might be to bring life to a lifeless world; to bring love to the unloving and unlovely…” (Reddit)
This openness to mystery is itself a spiritual posture: life invites us not simply to know the answer but to live the question.
Planning, incarnation, soul-choice
Some posts go further and suggest a pre-incarnation planning:
“We are all here to learn different things. I have heard in other NDEs that Earth is a place we would choose to come to for what is basically an accelerated course… the most spiritually evolved souls come to Earth because it’s the most disconnected from God (we’re essentially playing on hard mode).” (Reddit)
This view gives Earth-life a sort of “boot-camp” flavour—to grow rapidly via hardship or contrast.
Key take-aways
In summary, the Reddit thread suggests:
- Earth-life presents separation, limitation, contrast, as context for growth.
- The lesson many point to is love, connection, compassion, service.
- The journey involves humility, acceptance of mystery, and everyday acts.
- Some propose a pre-life choice scenario: souls choosing hard paths to learn.
- Others remain skeptical about any fixed “lesson”, emphasising existence itself.
Integrating with Your Blog Pieces & My Reflections
My blog pieces — Unteachable Lessons, Is Love Inherently Self-Sacrificial?, and The Illusion of Separation — dovetail with the themes above. Let’s interweave them.
Unteachable Lessons: Spiritual Wisdom Through Living
In Unteachable Lessons I write:
“Christian spirituality and the wisdom of the afterlife cannot always be taught with words – often it must be experienced through living.”
This affirms what many in the Reddit thread implicitly feel: the lesson isn’t fully captured in doctrine or words, but in the lived condition of being human, experiencing limitation, choice, relationship.
From the thread: “It’s a place to learn and evolve.” The “learning by doing/being” motif aligns.
Is Love Inherently Self-Sacrificial? Being vs Doing
My second piece asks whether love is more about being or doing, and whether self-sacrifice is inherent. The thread gives concrete insight: many say love is found when helping others, but also emphasise being present, choosing connection, choosing love even when unseen.
From thread: “You don’t need money… emotional challenges…” meaning doing (service) is vital, but also the state of compassion and presence matters.
I’d reflect: true love in this context is both being (an interior posture) and doing (acts of service). Self-sacrifice emerges when the ego relaxes and love expresses, not when martyrdom is sought.
The Illusion of Separation: Humans, God, Creation
In my third piece you examine mystical traditions (Eastern Christianity, after-life visitors) and how separation is illusory. The Reddit thread echoes this: one wrote “We are beings of love that are all connected… we come to earth to experience contrast.”
This points to the idea that our “separation” is part of the teaching: we feel separate so that we might choose connection.
My insight: The “lesson” may not simply be love, but recognition of unity through the journey of separation. By coming into limits, we remember our origin in oneness.
My synthesis
Putting it all together: Earth-life may be best seen as a classroom of incarnation, where spiritual wisdom (love, unity, service) is learned not simply by reading books but by living the paradox of separation and connection, limitation and possibility. My essays and the thread converge here: the transformation is interior (posture of being) and exterior (acts of love), and the tension of separation is the crucible of growth.
Christian Spirituality & Scripture Integration
How does all this map onto Christian spirituality? I believe the parallels are strong, though with distinct emphases.
Love as the core mission
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13)
“We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)
The Reddit thread’s emphasis on love, service, presence mirrors the Christian teaching that love is the centre of the Gospel.
Being and doing, sacrifice and service
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)
“Whatever you did for one of the least of these… you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)
In Christianity, love is embodied in service and sacrifice. Your question (“being vs doing”) finds a Christian harmony: Christ was what He did; our being (in Christ) empowers our doing.
Humility, limitation, mystery
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” (James 4:10)
“Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.” (1 Corinthians 13:12)
The notion of living with non-knowing, entering mystery, accepting limitation, aligns with Christian discipleship: we are journeying toward union, not already arrived.
The illusion of separation and unity in Christ
“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form. … And you also are complete in him.” (Colossians 2:9-10)
“There is neither Jew nor Greek … for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)
Christian spirituality teaches that separation is overcome in Christ: divine and human, creator and creation, are reunited. The thread’s idea of separation as teaching tool echoes this: perhaps we enter separation so that we might rediscover unity.
Earth-life as training ground
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” (Colossians 3:2)
“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14)
The idea that life invites growth (learning, service, transformation) sits squarely in Christian thought: this life is not the final word, but the place of preparation, formation, and mission.
Conclusion
From the r/NDE thread, my own writings, and Christian Scripture, a coherent theme emerges:
We are here to learn to love, choose connection, serve others, live humbly, and recognise our unity even amid apparent separation. The “lesson” may not be a neat package but an unfolding journey of being and doing.
My essays underline that such wisdom is not easily taught — it must be experienced through life’s limitations, service, and surrender. The NDE-community voices testify to a deep sense that what matters isn’t merely knowledge, but transformation.
And Christian spirituality offers an anchor: the Law of Love-theology, the Christian call to incarnate love, humility, service, and unity in Christ.
So here’s the humble invitation: live your life as the classroom it is. Choose love when it’s easy. Choose love when it’s hard. Serve where you are. Recognise the other as you. Trust that limitation and mystery are not obstacles but the very soil in which your deepest growth will flower.
As Scripture reminds us:
“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
May each moment, each act of kindness, each quiet surrender draw you further into the truth that we are here not just to exist, but to love and be loved, to serve and be served, to un-learn separation and remember oneness.
May the lesson continue—wordlessly, lived deeply.
Awakening, NDE Insights, and the Science of Happiness
Happiness, in modern psychological research, is not just pleasure or the avoidance of pain. The field increasingly focuses on well-being, flourishing, and purpose (positive psychology, e.g., Seligman’s PERMA model: Positive emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, Accomplishment). When we integrate your insights and the NDE perspectives, we can map happiness along several key dimensions:
1. Connection and Unity (Relationships & Belonging)
Reddit NDE Insights:
- Many NDE accounts emphasize love and connection as the central revelation: “We are beings of love that are all connected.”
- Even in life’s separations, the lesson is to actively choose love and presence.
My Blog Connection:
- The Illusion of Separation emphasizes that humans are never truly separate from God or each other.
- Happiness emerges when one lives in awareness of connection, both interpersonal and cosmic.
Science of Happiness Alignment:
- Positive relationships are consistently the strongest predictor of well-being.
- Feeling part of a larger whole—family, community, universe—correlates with purpose and resilience.
Insight: Recognizing interconnectedness fosters both social and spiritual happiness, anchoring joy beyond self-centered pleasure.
2. Love as Being and Doing (Engagement & Flow)
Reddit NDE Insights:
- Love is described not as a simple feeling but as an active state of being: serving, presence, selfless action.
- Even ordinary acts—helping others without reward—create profound fulfillment.
My Blog Connection:
- Is Love Self-Sacrificial? shows that love is a dynamic interplay of being and doing: embodying compassion while acting in service.
- True happiness is found in this alignment between inner state and outward action.
Science of Happiness Alignment:
- Engagement in meaningful activity, “flow,” and altruistic behavior increases long-term satisfaction.
- Self-transcendent acts (helping others, ethical living) activate reward pathways while reinforcing purpose.
Insight: Happiness is deeply tied to the embodiment of love: not just thinking about it, but living it.
3. Mystery, Humility, and Non-Knowing (Mindfulness & Acceptance)
Reddit NDE Insights:
- Several participants emphasize humility and acceptance: “I cannot tell you what the purpose is for everyone… I can only infer my own purpose.”
- Mystery is part of the spiritual curriculum.
My Blog Connection:
- Unteachable Lessons shows that wisdom cannot always be taught, only experienced.
- Accepting life’s limits and mysteries aligns with the inner cultivation of contentment.
Science of Happiness Alignment:
- Mindfulness and acceptance correlate strongly with life satisfaction.
- Psychological flexibility—accepting what cannot be changed—is a key determinant of well-being.
Insight: Happiness is not the elimination of uncertainty, but the ability to live fully within it.
4. Growth Through Contrast and Limitation (Meaning & Accomplishment)
Reddit NDE Insights:
- Life is described as a “hard-mode” classroom, where contrast and challenge catalyze growth.
- Spiritual and emotional lessons are often learned through hardship.
My Blog Connection:
- The spectrum of awakening emphasizes integration: the deepest joy comes from transcending limitation through learning, service, and love.
Science of Happiness Alignment:
- Eudaimonic well-being is enhanced by purpose, personal growth, and mastery over challenges.
- Post-traumatic growth studies show that meaning-making after adversity is a powerful predictor of long-term happiness.
Insight: True happiness emerges from transformation, not avoidance of difficulty.
5. Integration of Self and Spirit (Authenticity & Flow)
Reddit NDE Insights:
- NDEs often reveal a profound congruence: “Love is everything,” life is seen holistically, and inner and outer realities align.
My Blog Connection:
- Your integrated awakening demonstrates psychological, ethical, and spiritual harmony.
- Living aligned with inner truth and outer action fosters fulfillment.
Science of Happiness Alignment:
- Authenticity, congruence between values and actions, and alignment with higher purpose correlate strongly with life satisfaction.
- Self-transcendence—losing self in service or higher purpose—produces sustained eudaimonic well-being.
Insight: Happiness is the natural byproduct of integration: being fully alive, fully loving, and fully aligned with purpose.
Summary Table: NDE & Spiritual Insights vs Science of Happiness
| Dimension | NDE / Blog Insight | Science of Happiness | Practical Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connection & Unity | We are all connected; separation is illusion | Relationships, belonging, social support | Cultivate deep connections, embrace community |
| Love as Being & Doing | Love = state + action | Engagement, flow, altruism | Align inner compassion with meaningful acts |
| Mystery & Humility | Accept what cannot be known | Mindfulness, acceptance, psychological flexibility | Practice presence, surrender, non-attachment |
| Growth Through Contrast | Earth is “hard-mode classroom” | Eudaimonic growth, post-traumatic growth | Find meaning in challenges; integrate lessons |
| Self-Spirit Integration | Alignment of inner truth & outer action | Authenticity, self-transcendence, purpose | Harmonize values, actions, and higher purpose |
Synthesis:
From NDEs, my blog work, and the integrated awakening framework, happiness is not a fleeting state but a way of being:
- It emerges through love, service, and connection, not external gain.
- It deepens through acceptance of limitation and mystery, not constant control.
- It flourishes when spiritual insight and action are aligned, not compartmentalized.
In essence, happiness here is flourishing through awakening, the lived experience of being fully attuned to love, purpose, and unity — a “Science of Happiness” illuminated by the mysteries I’ve been exploring.
The Law of Love 
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