Stripping-away the suppositions & grays areas of religion/faiths and acculturation
to distill a fundamental basis of living:

It may be helpful to postulate different levels to reach a higher one:

Those who harm others for self-gain thereby hurting and hindering themselves.

Live superficially or make little effort to improve or having given up.

Are aware and continue to try to a significant degree.

Having learned the "principles of harmonious living".

Continue to refine, expand and exemplify those principles.

It would seem one should strive most for the "having learned" level & beyond in which events experienced
as hardships fall-away. The "trying yet not achieving phase" being the most frustrating therefore it's important to rest as needed bearing-in-mind the greatest waste of a life opportunity is giving-up or falling back.

How might these principles be expressed:

Continue in balance to strive to do your best while letting go and minimizing negativity.
In the East it could be called Relinquishment, in the West; Surrendering, in the Heart; Affirmation.

"Your Best" isn't the narrow pursuit of superficial gain which in turn produces narrow
diminishing returns but the contrary, nor needn't be rooted in morality, spirituality or otherwise but highly practical
leading to more enduring overall fulfillment ... while doing so for its own sake with all inclusiveness the
worthiest and noblest of endeavors.

Life's Real Purpose...?: To instill Courage, Wisdom and Compassion. Learning therefore teaching without
expectation of reward. Fact nor faith needn't substantiate such self-affirming worth.

Could it be that rather than man's highest nature being a reflection of God that the most refined
conception of God is a reflection of man's higher nature? - Or if a noble God does indeed exist having evolved
to one's highest levels there are no longer any meaningful differences?

Goodness & happiness without reason soon discovers reason enough. -bk