love this.

the realm of the subjective is where all meaning is derived. nothing can mean anything without feeling. this is why I think using the objective faculties of rationale, words, and logic to discuss the meaning of life will inevitably fall short.

a healthy dose of embracing the “irrational” realm of feeling is key, I think, to a meaningful life. logic can act as a prison if we use it in excess

edit: I just realized you were taking your post in a slightly different direction. Yes, I agree that a lack of spiritual nourishment can lead us, in our confusion, to seek cheap sensory substitutes.

I think there is a reason why many old spiritual paths advised some degree of asceticism in the pursuit of the divine. In allowing oneself to be deprived of sensory pleasures, we may end up finding everlasting nourishment far greater than any material pleasure could ever incur. (I once wrote a piece — hyperbolizing to make a point — that ascetics are the greatest hedonists of us all, for the pleasure and bliss that they find is everlasting and infinitely greater than any carnal pleasure one could ever indulge in.)

For example, one may give up meaningless sex — which may have mistakenly been used to cope with a lack of intimacy and connection, only leaving one emptier than before — and end up finding deep love, for themself and/or from another, far more beautiful than any hook up could ever give.

I think if we take an honest look at our vices, we can find what it is our souls are truly asking for. Then, with a bit of a push, we can upgrade whatever cheap substitute we’ve been using for a higher, more pure, and subtle version of it!