Book Surgeon No. 1

Victor Frankl’s A Man’s Search for Meaning is a portrayal of the art and foundation of logotherapy. Frankl, a Jewish psychiatrist, illustrates his experiences in a Nazi camp during World War II. The horrors that took place inside these Nazi camps strengthened Frankl’s rationale for practicing logotherapy, which is focused on finding one’s current meaning in life. German philosopher Friedrich Nietsche inspired some of the main tenets of logotherapy, asserting that “he who has a why to live for can bear, almost any how.” In the Nazi camps, Frankl observed the truth in Nietsche’s statement: the most effective strategy for survival was awareness that one’s life has meaning. 

Despite the effort of some, Frankl acknowledges that there is no general meaning of life: a man’s meaning in life “differs from man to man, from day to day, and from hour to hour.” Thus, what matters is knowing one’s meaning in life in the present. A man’s meaning in life is constantly changing, but it never ceases to be; the goal of the logotherapist is to broaden his patient’s visual field, so he can become aware of the entire spectrum of potential meaning in his life. People have many sources of meaning in their life and learning to acknowledge the purpose of our activities helps us find deeper satisfaction, strengthening our mental health.

Meaning is derived from the tension between what one has already achieved and what one still has yet to achieve. In other words, the more we feel we have yet to accomplish, the more purpose we will feel, which enhances the quality of our mental health. As Frankl says, “people do not need freedom from tension; rather, they need the constant struggling for a worthwhile goal–a ‘freely chosen task.’” Meaning is found by working toward a goal, which can be of any nature. The goals of supporting the needs of one’s children, of seeing a new country, of trying a new food, of writing a book, of bringing laughter to a friend, or of providing company to a loved one are all potential meanings in life. Acknowledging that our actions allow us to accomplish these goals provides our current why in life, which not only gives us the strength to bear any how but also to feel fulfilled and content with our lives..

Frankl also acknowledges the transitory nature of our lives, which is a source of distress for many people. As a logotherapist, he motivates individuals to change their perspective on life’s impermanence: “I never tire saying that the only really transitory aspects of life are the potentialities; but as soon as they are actualized, they are rendered realities at that very moment; they are saved and delivered into the past, wherein they are rescued and preserved from transitoriness. For, in the past, nothing is irretrievably lost but everything irrevocably stored.” In other words, as we live life, we are transforming impermanent moments into permanent experiences and memories, which will never be lost. Yet, this astounding fact of our existence brings us great responsibility since the decisions we make define which of the infinite possible experiences are experienced and forever stored in our past. As Frankl notes, “man constantly makes his choice concerning the mass of present potentialities; which of these will be condemned to nonbeing and which will actually be realized?” Importantly, life’s transitory nature does not make it meaningless; rather, it is a reminder to constantly make the best possible use of each moment of our lives. Throughout life, we have already transformed many impermanent moments into assets stored in our permanent past, and it is critical to take the time to appreciate your past; remember the deeds you have done, the people you have loved, and the suffering you have already courageously endured. To Frankl, young people should envy old people, not pity them: “instead of possibilities in the future, old people have realities in the past–the potentialities they have actualized, the meanings they have fulfilled, the values they have realized–and nothing and nobody can ever remove these assets from the past.”

From his experiences and insights, Frankl offers us a powerful perspective for finding meaning and fulfillment in our lives, allowing us to pursue what is truly purposeful in our lives. Often, many of the activities we already engage in are sources of meaning, and simply acknowledging our vital role in these activities can be an incredibly motivating influence for our lives. Among countless other activities, there is meaning to be found through volunteering efforts or academic pursuits, advancement in sports or music, as well the communities we build and the relationships we have with others. To Frankl, “happiness cannot be pursued, it must ensue.” He asserts that happiness is like laughter. You cannot force someone else to laugh. You must provide a reason for someone to laugh. Thus, engaging in activities that bring us meaning will provide us with a reason to be happy, and inevitably, happiness and fulfillment will ensue.