Meaning In Any Circumstance
“I had wanted simply to convey to the reader by way of a concrete example that life holds a potential meaning under any conditions, even the most miserable ones.” – Viktor Frankl
This was Viktor Frankl’s hope in writing Man’s Search for Meaning, a book about his experiences of life in a Nazi concentration camp during WWII. As Frankl found himself in this horrible situation, he was able to view his circumstances through the eyes of the psychiatrist he was, instead of the prisoner he found himself as. With this new found view, he was able to not only endure the heinous acts and experiences, but to benefit from them and share what he found with the world. His difficult observations shined light upon the deepest and most basic longings of humanity.
When Nothing Else Remains
“No one could yet grasp the fact that everything would be taken away… all we possessed, literally, was our naked existence” – Viktor Frankl
The experience of existing in a concentration camp was merely that, existing. Everything was taken from the prisoners. Everything little thing that ever meant something to a prisoner was taken. And all that was left was an existence.
With nothing left but an existence, there were still those who chose to give the little they had received, despite it being all they had. In talking of those prisoners who chose to give away their last piece of bread to other prisoners despite starving themselves, Frankl made an amazing observation.
“They may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given circumstances, to choose one’s own way” – Viktor Frankl
When Nothing Is Left, It Cannot Be Taken
“It is this spiritual freedom – which cannot be taken away – that makes life meaningful and purposeful.” – Viktor Frankl
These prisoners were stripped of all freedom, every commodity, and each and every humanly right. But they could not be stripped of their freedom of choice. To choose their attitude, their response, despite their circumstances. To choose to find a purpose in the littlest of actions. To see the meaning in providing for those who would surely be lost despite their gracious gifts.
A Reason Amongst Ruin
“He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how” – Nietzsche
These prisoners made others their reason for living. They put others before themselves even though their suffering was just as painful and equally trying. They did not give out of plenty, but out of great need. And in that they found what they needed to survive. A meaning to live for which was not of themselves.
“Woe to him who saw no more sense in his life, no aim, no purpose, and therefore no point in carrying on. He was soon lost.” – Viktor Frankl
While those prisoners who had everything stripped away and who could come up with no reason in the world to live for, were soon lost. It is truly astounding that prisoners in such dire circumstances could find the meaning and will to survive by choosing to give away something that they so justifiably should have held onto in those trying times.
The Answer Is Not In the Question
“We needed to stop asking about the meaning of life, and instead to think of ourselves as those who were being questioned by life – daily and hourly… 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” – Viktor Frankl
It was a choice for those prisoners. A choice to stop asking if there was anything of meaning left to even live for, and instead to chose to find the meaning left for their lives. When all was lost in life. Those remarkable prisoners were able to find that which was left over of the human soul, when every else has been taken. And what they found at the very depths of human existence, could be taken by none other than themselves. In the end it was their choice, and theirs alone.
“Life in a concentration camp tore open the human soul and exposed its depth” – Viktor Frankl
Life, keep it simple and live it
Josh