>>314
Consciousness, like ontology itself and thus also the universe/reality itself. Is eternal, to the point of being atemporal. Your perception of time and self are merely creature comforts. Life has whatever meaning you wish to apply to it. But even beyond your limited self knowledge, there is a grander design, and designers (DNA language, universal/sacred geometry). This becomes evident in deep study of any branch of science and even scientific interpretation of religious/spiritual texts. Light itself is eternal, like energy, and even patterns (consciousness). There are higher and lower and more transcenendental domains of consciousness that you can even experience while incarnated in a human body, the easiest example is atempotality or lack of perception of time and remote non local free observation of space (consciousness is not limited by or even defined by space and time). And contrary to some's beliefs on the matter, there actually is an observable scientific objective moral/self aligned order in creation.
The most common examples are the ability for mind over matter perception to physically manipulate reality (Dr Emoto ice crystal experiments, brainwave manipulation at will, plants grow better with directed good intentions and by talking to them they also grow better with applied EMF and consciousness is maintained in the human brain by EMF, and human emotional states are associated with distinct EMF brainwaves, meaning there is a correlation from multiple factors and variables). Good intentions/emotions, have a syntropic character (create greater order and stability and efficiency, ie opposite of entropy), while bad/negative intentions/emotions have an entropic character (create greater chaos, less efficiency, less order, less stability).
Consciousness as maintained by the complex and extremely efficient human body/brain is inherently maintained by complex EMF fields (bio electromagnetic fields), EMF is synonymous with light (bio photo-luminescence), they are fluctuating syntropic stable resonant gestalt state waveform operations/engrams. This gestalt state even if maintained by the physical hardware of the body and chemical interactions therein, is not limited to strictly to the body, as waveforms inherently interact with one another non-locally (this is observationally confirmed in studies of spontaneous synchronization of human minds/EMF at both locally and non-locally, ie the mental field is akin to a gestalt state electric/light field). Because of this feature, the specific patterns and gestalt state that maintains your individual consciousness, will interact with non-local and local waveforms (mental/EMF fields) with or without your direct knowledge or intent, and this can even theoretically transfer stable coherence even when your hardware is destroyed/dies (via non-local entanglement/imprintment on a background medium or field).
In metaphysical reality consciousness interface terminology (computer terminology as well) the "random" variance can be determined by conscious choices (concept of free will is the concept of choosing one thing within your control out of a system that is beyond your total immediate control or knowledge, ie free choices). Even a deterministic algorithm can allow novelty and free choice from an infinite or near infinite selection of possibilities in a matrix which has set parameters, thus even if *any* possible interaction you choose has already been determined, you are free to choose your reaction to the variables beyond your own knowledge or control thus giving novelty in your perspective and allowing free choice (both free will and free agency limited only by the infinite or near infinite possibility matrix determinations). In the same manner, you can mathematically create a finite tangible space (and time) using transcendental numbers (including infinitesimals). To avoid going in circles and to add novelty to the system, you create spiral/vortex math coordinate system in which the possibilities can play out over time and create an infinite set without ever distinctly repeating, distinct infinity. This system has already been implemented, and we call it reality. The limitations of memory can also be overcome by gestalt state transcendental math storage within the system itself, which can be accessed from anywhere within the system and which can have a fractal component which preserves the entire system from any specific point within it, the transcendental viewpoint would be super conscious and essentially omniscient and be accessible or rather connected to every infinitesimal point or consciousness within it. The question of meaning is similar then to the question of ultimate pursuit of knowledge, it may literally be infinite from the finite viewpoint and atemporal/eternal from a stable distinct transcendental gestalt viewpoint from which operations originate or are dictated. This means, it is not the gestalt transcendent state entity matrix ("God") that determines your meaning, it might simply interpret the meanings you imply and reflect them back to you synchronicistically while maintaining a level of objectivity in perception which allows you to experience novelty and free choice. Meaning, while you inherently have meaning and meaning can inherently come from beyond yourself, it is still your perception and application of meaning that is specifically intrinsic to your local operator (you). Thus, meaning or purpose comes from you (both the limited self playing the game and the atemporal infinite transcendental self that has the overview and determination matrix control).
In short, you can and do define your own meanings and purpose with or without the transcendent matrix entity, because it is inherently a part of your interface with reality (consciousness). Part of your meaning/purpose then, is to experience (and also to evolve). And objectively (observed by all operators), some experiences have a value system determination applied to them (some experiences create greater syntropy/stability, others greater entropy/insanity). You can also have experiences in the system without suffering or causing suffering to yourself or others.