So you think you've got it rough . . .
In the 21st century it seems many of us are still pondering the meaning of life. It’s a spiritual conundrum whose answer can confound the best of intensions. As part of spiritual journey, I have borrowed an amazing book from a friend of mine. “Man’s Search for Meaning” was written by Viktor E. Frankl. If anyone can question the meaning of life, it’s Frankl. He writes from the perspective of a man who survived the horrors of Nazi concentration camps.
I’m only halfway through the book, but I’ve found his insights captivating. He’s not writing from some airy-fairy perspective. He addresses things based on questions he and other raised while being starved, beaten, forced to work in winter weather wearing nothing more than rags. It was an existence that destroyed individuality and any belief or hope in a future.
From his experiences Frankl, an Austrian neurologist and psychiatrist, developed logotherapy, a form of psychotherapy. The last half of the book is dedicated to an examination of logotherapy. I’m looking forward to reading that part, but I’ve already been impressed.
Frankl addresses how some prisoners gave up on life while others were able to find meaning in the struggle to survive. What follows is a brief quote from the book that really speaks to the meaning of life.
“Life ultimately means taking the responsibility to find the right answer to its problems and to fulfill the tasks, which it constantly sets for each individual.
“These tasks, and therefore the meaning of life, differ from man to man, and from moment to moment. Thus it is impossible to define the meaning of life in a general way. Questions about the meaning of life can never be answered by sweeping statements. ‘Life’ does not mean something vague, but something very real and concrete, just as life’s tasks are also very real and concrete. They form man’s destiny, which is different and unique for each individual. No man and no destiny can be compared with any other man or any other destiny.”
When we think we have it tough, Frankl brings the reality of true challenge to light.
See you next time.
Photo: Viktor E. Frankl - 1905-1997
No comments:
Post a Comment