I recently re-read Viktor Frankl’s book, “Man’s Search for Meaning” again (for the third time over the course of the past 10 years or so), and it’s yet again left me thinking about building meaning as the antidote to pain long after I put it down. There’s a reason it earns a spot on my suggested reading list. Life is filled with pain. Inevitably, as part of this human existence, we experience loss, betrayal, failure, existential suffering, and inevitably, we find ourselves seeking for ways to cope, to survive, to find an end to that pain. The thought comes quickly: were this pain not visiting me, I would be happy and fulfilled. But this is where Frankl comes in. The idea that meaning can not only exist in the midst of pain, but that it can be a powerful antidote to that pain is a concept that is central to the work of Viktor Frankl, an Austrian neurologist, psychologist, and Holocaust survivor. His insights into how meaning can help us endure and transcend suffering offer a profound guide to navigating all of our hardships.
Building Meaning Within Suffering
Viktor Frankl’s most famous work, “Man’s Search for Meaning”, is an exploration of his own experiences as a prisoner in Nazi concentration camps, as well as his theory of logotherapy, a psychological approach based on the idea that the primary drive of the human mind and spirit is not pleasure, power or even happiness – it is the pursuit of meaning.
In the concentration camps, Frankl witnessed unimaginable suffering and brutality, day in and day out. Yet, despite the horrors of his environment, he observed that those who found some meaning in their daily lives – whether through work, love, or a sense of purpose – were far more likely to survive than those who did not. Frankl wrote, “Those who have a why to live can bear with almost any how” (Frankl, 1959).
Frankl’s profound understanding of our ability to create meaning in even the most painful of circumstances challenges the notion that pain can only be alleviated by escaping it, avoiding it, or numbing it. He argues instead that it is possible to find meaning while we suffer or hurt and that this meaning-making endeavor can transform our very experience of the pain.
Finding Meaning in Everyday Experiences
While Frankl’s experiences were extreme, his insights are deeply relevant to all of us. We all encounter moments of pain and we all seek to make sense of it and to find ways to bear it. Meaning, according to Frankl, isn’t solely reserved for grand accomplishments, profound philosophical revelations or when we're up in life. It can be found in the smallest of daily actions and experiences: in our relationships, in being creative, in helping others, and pursuing personal goals.
A person facing illness may find meaning in their role as a parent, using their limited time and energy to be present for their children. An individual enduring a difficult career path may find purpose in the impact their work has on others. A writer, even when struggling with doubt or rejection, might find solace in the act of creation itself, knowing that their words may one day touch lives in ways they can’t yet predict.
The key, according to Frankl, is not to search for meaning in abstract ideals or distant dreams but to focus on the meaning available to us right now, in the present moment. Each person can create their own meaning through their actions, decisions, and perspectives, regardless of external circumstances.
The Spiritual Dimension of Meaning
For Frankl, meaning was not just a psychological concept but also a deeply spiritual one. His experience in the concentration camps, where death was ever-present and humanity ever-absent, led him to a conclusion that is both humbling and uplifting: even in the most degrading and inhumane conditions, a person can retain the power to choose their attitude.
This “attitude” is where meaning lies. It’s a perspective that sees suffering not as a senseless affliction but as an opportunity for spiritual growth. Frankl did not claim that we should seek suffering, but he argued that when we are confronted with unavoidable suffering, we must find a way to give it meaning: turning suffering into personal transformation or using it as a catalyst to live with deeper awareness and compassion. Frankl’s logotherapy teaches that once we find meaning in our suffering, we are more likely to find meaning in our joys as well. Life becomes richer when we approach it with a sense of purpose and direction. Even in moments of happiness, the awareness of meaning can elevate those experiences, deepening our connection to life itself. I’ve seen this in my work as a therapist and in my personal life. In every moment of suffering that I can look back on, every loss or setback I’ve experienced, I’ve been struck by how closely grief and suffering walk with joy and gratitude. Frankl’s work encourages us to embrace the full spectrum of human experience, to be open to both the pain and the joy, knowing that each moment carries within it the potential for meaning.
In a world that often seeks to minimize pain through distraction or denial, Frankl’s message is both radical and timeless: pain is an inescapable part of life, but meaning can be the key that helps us not just endure it, but transcend it. In finding meaning, we find the courage to face life’s challenges with hope and dignity. As a therapist that likes to incorporate some of the tenets of existential psychotherapy, I work with clients to identify the things in their lives that drive their sense of purpose and meaning, regardless of circumstance.
References:
Frankl, V. (1959). Man's Search for Meaning. Beacon Press.
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