Viktor Frankl’s Idea on Importance of Meaning Can Change Your Life
Viktor Frankl was a remarkable man who survived the horrors of the Nazi concentration camps and went on to become one of the most influential psychologists of the 20th century. His best-selling book, Man’s Search for Meaning, is a memoir of his experiences and a summary of his main ideas on how to find meaning and purpose in life.
Frankl developed a form of psychotherapy called logotherapy, which is based on the premise that “man’s search for meaning is the primary motivation in his life”. He believed that meaning can be found in three ways:
- Creating a work or doing a deed
- Experiencing something or encountering someone
- How you deal with unavoidable suffering.
Frankl viewed logotherapy as a way to enhance existing therapies by emphasizing the “meaning-dimension” or spiritual dimension of human beings. He argued that we have freedom of will, a will to meaning, and a meaning of life, and that these are essential for our psychological well-being.
Frankl’s idea on the importance of meaning is especially relevant in today’s world, where many people struggle with existential issues such as loneliness, anxiety, depression, and lack of direction. Frankl’s message is that we can overcome these challenges by finding and fulfilling our unique meaning.
By doing so, we can improve our mental health and achieve a higher level of happiness and fulfillment. Frankl wrote: “Happiness cannot be pursued; it must ensue. One must have a reason to ‘be happy.’ Once the reason is found, however, one becomes happy automatically”.
Frankl’s legacy of meaning is inspiring and empowering. He showed us that we can find meaning in every moment of our lives, up to our very last breath, and that it is our personal responsibility to do so. He also showed that we could find meaning despite, and because of, the suffering all around us.
Through his life and work, he reminds us that we all have important work to do, that whatever we do is important, and that meaning can be found everywhere, all the time. Moreover, he left us with a practical and effective tool to help us discover and realize our meaningful potential: logotherapy.
If you are interested in learning more about Viktor Frankl’s idea on importance of meaning and how it can change your life, I recommend reading his book Man’s Search for Meaning or visiting the website of the Viktor Frankl Institute (https://www.viktorfrankl.org/).