The aim of human life was understanding. Man needs to live in the material world and for this need, he easily has sufficient strength, that is, energy. Beyond what is necessary for his obvious physical needs, his energy must be devoted to gaining understanding — the understanding of himself and his relationship to the Higher, or God. And this understanding does not come just from books and reading, but from studying oneself in the midst of life. And for this total aim, man has and will receive energy from the Universe itself!
— Jacob Needleman, Money and the Meaning of Life