<strong><span class="subhead">Follow the Bible</span></strong></p><p><em><strong>The Rev. R.L. Baynham, pastor of Metropolitan Baptist Church, Kansas City, Kan.:</strong></em> There are many ways to respond to this very important question. We are taught in the Bible that all of mankind has an entrance and an exit. That is primary to life on the Earth. It is what we do between our comings and goings that determines our understanding of our duty to life.</p><p>Basically, we should pursue that quality of life that provides an avenue to search the profound in order to discover that life is attached to something more than what we want or need out of this world. We are attached to the soil, atmosphere, laws and each other. </p><p>I thank God for the Bible and its teachings, which provide me with a guide for understanding my place and how to achieve what is deemed important to life. Our primary desires should be as the book of Micah 6:8 encourages us, &ldquo;He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?&rdquo; </p><p>How powerful is that teaching. The person who seeks God&rsquo;s good will discover the meaning of life and all the pursuits.</p><p><strong><span class="subhead">Develop a kind heart</span></strong></p><p><em><strong>Lama Chuck Stanford, Rime Buddhist Center & Monastery:</strong></em> Most of us simply want to be happy and avoid suffering. If we recognize this, then we must realize that all beings are just like us in their wish for happiness and their desire to overcome suffering. The problem is where to find real and lasting happiness.</p><p> Most seek happiness in things that keep them stuck in suffering. They falsely believe that happiness can be found in things, such as material possessions. </p><p>But we know that is a very temporary happiness, because material possessions are impermanent and do not last. Everything in this phenomenal world is impermanent; nothing lasts. Even the best relationships eventually come to an end, when one or the other partner dies.</p><p>So, where do we find real and lasting happiness? I believe His Holiness the Dalai Lama describes where to find such happiness when he said: &ldquo;We are visitors on this planet. We are here for ninety or one hundred years at the very most. During that period, we must try to do something good, something useful, with our lives, if you contribute to other people&rsquo;s happiness, you will find the true goal, the true meaning of life.&rdquo; </p><p>As the Dalai Lama pointed out, we need to develop a kind and compassionate heart toward all people. That is real happiness. A very good method for developing this heart of limitless compassion is through a daily meditation practice.</p><p><hr class="infobox-hr-separator" /> <div class="infobox"> <strong><span class="infobox-head">VOICES OF FAITH </span></strong><br /> Send your questions for one of our panels of religion columnists to Helen Gray at The Star, 1729 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64108. Send e-mail to <a href="mailto:hgray@kcstar.com">hgray@kcstar.com</a>.</p><p></div>