Man's Search For Meaning.

by Blueblades 4 Replies latest jw friends

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  Blueblades

  I just finished reading Victor E. Frankl's book,"Man's Search For Meaning".At the core of his theory is the belief that man's primary motivational force is his search for meaning.

  The American Journal of Psychiatry says this about the book,"Unconditional Faith in an unconditional meaning is Dr.Frankl's message to the reader".

  For myself,I did not find closure in man's search for meaning.Dr.Frankl also wrote,"The Unheard Cry for Meaning"and "The Unconscious God"which I will read next in hopes of finding some kind of closure in my search for meaning.

  What about you,have you found closure in your search for meaning?If so, would you please share it with me, and anyone else who might be interested in this subject,thank you.

  Blueblades
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  Dansk

  have you found closure in your search for meaning?

  KARMA
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  Sentinel

  I agree with Dansk: KARMAThe rhythm and flow of life.
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  acsot

  JamesThomas suggested "The Power of Now" as a good book to read. I've just started it, though it's not really a "closure" type of book, more along the lines of peace and connectedness. It's sort of weird that I find "Christian" writings to be rather narrow and limited in scope now that I've broadened my viewpoint (I never would have imagined being at this place in my life a year ago!). I look for more all-inclusive writings, perhaps I should say more philosophical lines of reasoning in what I now read. I've also read True Believer by Eric Hoeffer, which helped explain the workings of high-control groups, and therefore aided my understanding in how the WTS works and how and why people get trapped by it.

  I want to read Man's Search for Meaning as well. It does seem rather overwhelming - all the things to catch up on once freed of Borg restrictions!

  I believe that "closure" is a bit restrictive, in that we try and arrive at a "place". I think that as we read more and reflect for ourselves, we grow and change, and consequently will never really "arrive". It's more liberating than restrictive. I'm still angry at the Borg for what they've done, but am unsure if I'll "arrive" somewhere definite. I guess right now I'm searching more for tranquility and peace of mind more than anything else.

  This is probably too rambling to be of much good! Sorry about that, it's just that your question kind of struck a chord - a few months ago I wanted closure, now I'm not sure if that's the right word to describe where I'm at now or what I'm looking for.

  Acsot
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  JamesThomas

  Meaning? If we focus outside, into the phenomenal world, into everything that can be witnessed and objectified (including and especially our thoughts and emotions), it is seen that everything changes and nothing remains the same. Every second is a moment of birth and death, past and future. Everything that is born...dies. For most, this is it. Life is chaos and turmoil. Today I have health and comfort, but tomorrow? Whatever can be gained and acquired will be lost eventually. This is the nature of yin and yang, the ebb and flow of our phenomenal world. Is this "meaning"? Is this the ultimate significance? We drown in phenomena and identify with it as who we are because it screams at us for attention. The flashing lights of emotions and thoughts. Memories of a hurtful past. Fears of an unknowable future. Wars and strife all around....with here and there a temporary patch of paradise. Is this all there is? What sees all this? What is it that has never changed and has never moved while the universe dances around it? What is not subject to the ebb and flow, the ups and downs, the good and bad, the yin and yang? If you can see a thought, then it is not you because you are seeing it. If you can feel emotion: fear, hate, love, sadness -- then they are not you because you see them, feel them, touch them. Look clearly and you will see that everything you have identified with as "you": feelings, memories, thought, emotions, the body, etc., are not you. They are all simply movement and interpretation of that movement. Find the ultimate Subject. Find the pristine, unmoving, untouchable Consciousness that witnesses all that moves. Find what has always been Whole and Complete. Find what remains when the entire universe fades and is gone. We can not know ultimate "meaning". We can not see it or touch it, because that which is seeing, that which is touching, is the Ultimate Meaning. You can not know Truth, you can only BE IT. This may sound insane to many, but stop looking outside of you for meaning, and look deep within your own being, and find out Who the hell you really are. Then you will never ever again need ask about "meaning", or "Truth", or "God". JamesT