What is the meaning of life?
I recently finished reading “Man’s Search for Meaning,” a book written by renowned existential psychiatrist Viktor Frankl. One morning I grabbed a piping hot cup of coffee and sat on my sofa as the sun beamed through the curtains. I snapped a quick picture of my living room in its glorious morning sunlight and added a quote from the book to the picture. I posted the picture to my Instagram story and within moments the quote was recognized by an old friend. She kindly responded saying “Man’s Search for Meaning? Enjoy. This one will stay with you.” And boy did it…
This complex and captivating book can be simplified in one short sentence quoted by Philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche:
He who has a “why” to live for can endure almost any “how.”
This bold claim found its truth in Viktor Frankl as he survived 3 years in Auschwitz in the most horrendous Nazi concentration camps. An unimaginable experience plagued with loss that didn’t end even after his liberation. Yet the tale reveals that Viktor transformed his suffering into meaning, and found that his suffering actually enhanced the meaning to his life.
We all question the meaning of life and suffering at some point in our lives. We wonder what the purpose to our existence is, especially when horrific devastation collides into our story. Generational atrocities are interwoven into our history, as we have experienced personally with this pandemic. Tragedy, loss, work, and love are the most human parts of existing. While we can accept these ideas, I am drawn to the way Viktor helps us unravel this tightly wound ball of meaning and healing.
The first thing to know is that if a situation is avoidable then the meaningful thing to do is remove its cause. We see this happen through medicine, spirituality, social justice movements, engineering, and education. Causing man to suffer unnecessarily is not heroic, but rather inhumane. However, we need not be ashamed of the suffering that is irreversible. Tragedy is not necessary to discover meaning, but because it is an unavoidable part of living, it can birth the most surprising pursuits.
“Like success, happiness can not be pursued, it must ensue. The unintended side-effect of one’s personal dedication to a cause greater than one’s self.”
I am comforted by the belief that man does not benefit from a tensionless state. Rather, the state of striving and struggling toward a worthwhile goal is what jolts our joy and sustains our success.
We all want freedom, and I believe freedom is a right. But Viktor Frankl believes that on the West Coast of the United States should stand a “Statue of Responsibility.” We are not passive objects incapable of directing our own lives. In fact, with the freedom of being human comes the responsibility of giving our lives meaning. Through all the highs and even the lowest of our lows.
We often question life and demand an answer for its meaning. What would you think if life was actually questioning you. Asking you what the meaning of your life will be.
What would be your answer?
