Does the feeling of being lost or overwhelmed resonate with you in any way?
You are not alone. Most of us, often in our 20s, have an internal conflict regarding our purpose, self-worth, and the essence of our pain. But what if the solution to your problems is not avoiding them but embracing them?
Worry not, Viktor Frankl comes to the rescue.
🧠 Who Was Viktor Frankl?
Frankl was an Austrian Holocaust survivor, psychiatrist, and neurologist. He was the person who developed logotherapy, which can be explained as a type of existential analysis based on the creed of seeking meaning in one’s life, even with all the suffering. A profound influence of psychology and philosophy during his childhood blessed him with a sacred place in Vienna, Austria, where he worked on medicine. During his bachelor’s degree, his concentration fields were depression and suicide, and to meet the rising cases of suicide attempts among teenagers in the city, he set up counselling centers.
Frankl, together with his family, was deported to the Theresienstadt concentration camp in 1942 and then to Auschwitz. Frankl would observe in the concentration camps that survivors did have a reason to fight – love, work, or purpose – and it was these individuals who suffered and ultimately found some sort of meaning in their suffering. Frankl’s father, mother, brother, and wife were all lost during the Holocaust. However, after going through such turmoil, he realized that humans can derive meaning from any situation, even those that are disastrous.
🎓 Educational History of Frankl
The professional achievements of Frankl were on par with his educational journey. Frankl began his medical studies at the University of Vienna in 1923, and by then he was already fascinated by psychology and philosophy. Surprisingly, he completed his Doctor of Medicine degree just five years later in 1930 when he was 25. Frankl was indeed a voracious reader and was deeply intrigued by the psychological theories within the intellectual climate. In his youth, he was already corresponding with Sigmund Freud and later came to join Alfred Adler, actively participating in the literary sphere.
Frankl completed his Ph.D. in 1948, majoring in philosophy at the University of Vienna. His dissertation, titled The Unconscious God, was based on the intertwining of psychology and religion, arguing in support of using Socratic dialogue in therapeutic practices. These skills in medicine and philosophy would help him devise logotherapy, an idea that uniquely distinguished him amongst psychotherapists.
🔍 Logotherapy Overview
Logotherapy is derived from the Greek word logos, which means “meaning.” According to logotherapy, the primary human drive is not pleasure (in Freud’s case) or power (in Adler’s case), but meaning. Frankl recognized three major ways through which people seek to discover meaning:
Creating a work or doing a deed: Working in a meaningful occupation or doing a deed that forms a contribution to a certain cause.
Experiencing Something or Encountering Someone: Appreciating beauty, love, and nature is also crucial.
The Attitude We Take Towards Unavoidable Suffering: It is how one chooses to respond to pain and suffering.
Frankl stressed that although we might not always have control over our situation, we certainly have control over how we respond to it. Everything is perspective. That shift in mindset can help turn problems into growth.
💡 How Today’s Generation Can Learn
Be it career, expectations from society, or issues on a personal level, there is no doubt that the world faces a plethora of uncertainties. Frankl’s guidance has truly been a beacon of hope:
Purpose Before Pleasure: On one hand, chasing after pleasure leads to feeling empty, but on the other hand, chasing after meaning will guarantee fulfillment.
Responsibility Equals Freedom: Responsibility, even for the choice of being out of control, offers freedom.
Hope is a Lifeline: Hope is one of the most useful tools to combine with adversity for it to be useful.
Authenticity is Key: Living in denial may lead to a plethora of consequences, but being true to one’s promotes a meaningfully fulfilling life.
Self-Transcendence: Meaning can be derived from concentrating on matters outside one’s self.
🌱 Applying Frankl’s Wisdom in Daily Life
You don’t need to take drastic steps to apply Frankl’s ideas—some simple actions can work wonders:
Set Meaningful Goals: Take time and reflect on the things that matter the most to you, and start acting towards those values.
Practice Gratitude: Take time and appreciate the things that you have. Remember the things that you are grateful for. This helps to shift your focus from deficiency to sufficiency.
Embrace Challenges: Accept challenges as a means to gain new knowledge and skills rather than as an impossible battle.
Practice Self-Reflection: Use a regular method of control over your thoughts, actions, and objectives, and check whether they match your values.
Build a Support Network: Being around people who are kind and encouraging will assist you in changing your perspective and even motivate you.
📝 Conclusion: A Personal Reflection
For me, reading Viktor Frankl’s work was revolutionary. His reading gave me the perspective that hardships in life are not just roadblocks but are means for growth and development in our lives. His ideas helped and motivated me to guide others towards their calling, finding their meaning in their life. His ideas helped me shape my life. In this world of chaos, Frank helps us to realise that if we can’t change the situation, we can change our attitude towards that situation, and that meaning can always be found regardless of the situation we are in.
If you are prepared to begin your journey of self-discovery and find your purpose in life, start by reading Viktor Frankl. And, always remember, meaning is not just a philosophic problem to be solved, but rather an avenue towards a stronger existence.
🔗 Read My Blog on Man’s Search for Meaning
If you are lost or simply looking for motivation, reading Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning may do wonders for your case. It is an insightful approach for viewers who need guidance on facing elementary yet challenging questions life presents.
