The Will to Meaning: Foundations and Applications of Logotherapy

*Note: the following is an excerpt of an article I authored which speaks to the symbiosis between Logotherapy and the work of Pastoral Care/Counseling in which I facilitate as a minister. In short, please deem the following excerpt that of a strong recommendation to add The Will to Meaning to your reading line-up. ************************************************************************* The late Victor Frankyl, a Jew, survived imprisonment at no less than four Nazi Death Camps during World War II. During this period Frankyl was subjected to unspeakable suffering, as were all Jews, Jewish Sympathizers and Nazi-Opposition who shared the same fate. During Frankyl's nightmare in the death camps, he witnessed many truly noble acts committed by men and woman who were often only hours from death, weakened by sickness, starvation, and internal resignation to life--the will to die. Within Frankyl's observance of the many noble acts, he discovered a truly revelatory dynamic which he later coined the "Will to Meaning." In essence, and in short, what Frankyl observed was that while in the face of unspeakable suffering and agony, a given person would find purpose in for example forfeiting their last scrap of moldy bread to be fed to someone who appeared to them to be in worse shape than themselves; perhaps only minutes away from death, versus the hours allotted to themselves--the "meaning" exemplified in their mission to get this final morsel into the mouth of their dying and fellow inmate, and which subsequently elevated them beyond their immediate suffering. They had then "willed" (read: made the internal and calculated decision) to engage a mission far beyond the immediate concern on their own survival, and in so doing had tapped "meaning" (read: divine purpose), which gave them the internal resolve to carry it out. Subsequently, the all-consuming satisfaction which was then injected into these noble beings--came that in the form of life-sustaining purpose (meaning) which propelled them into the next day. Whereupon had they not "willed" to carry-out such "meaningful" noble acts (read: The Will to Meaning), their longstanding and internal resignation to the clutches of death would have run its course within a matter of but a few hours. In very simple and corresponding terms therefore; written particularly for those seeking to understand the basis for my implementation of a very real symbiosis between Logotherapy and Prayer-Based/Scripture-Based Counseling Ministry; I offer what is nothing less than a profound parallel to one of the more beautiful and passionate exclamations of the Apostle Paul; namely that found in Philippians 3:13-14, which reads: "...one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." This one scriptural excerpt powerfully encompasses the core philosophy of Logotherapy--that of taking our eyes off of our own suffering long enough to engage a divine purpose which speaks life into others (i.e., "the upward call of God"). Victor Frankyl had practiced psychiatry prior to his capture and imprisonment. It was not until he had survived the death camps however, that he then returned to civilized life as a visionary--one who had received an acknowledged "download" from God, which would then reshape his practice for the remainder of his life, and which would spawn a large following of therapists who would go on to perpetuate the same. What is little known about Frankyl, is that his parents, recognizing "the writing on the wall" with respect to the implications of Nazi occupation of Eastern Europe at the time; agreed that Frankyl would flee to the U.S., to sustain his practice--and his very life. However, only days before making the clandestine voyage, Frankyl's heart altered his plans. Knowing full well that he could very well be soon exterminated along with his parents, he found a great deal more meaning in forfeiting his life for the sake of spending the remaining waking moments with his parents. As divine providence would then have it, he yet emerged from the holocaust, alive. *Footnote: the above is that of an excerpt from a larger article endorsing Frankyl's work, as well as the volume in review.

An interesting, captivating, stirring read. Some words too much, too scientific, yet why shouldn't we all formulate a framework to help others with our search of meaning? Every soul so unique, fueled in search for expression, acceptance, belonging. As we touch each other on life's journey, that gives will to meaning enough. The wounded soul in search of one who will see them. The one in search for someone to see. Let us unconditionally be.

One thing I take from Dr. Frankl's book Will to Meaning is that ultimately death, the decay and dying, is simple, requires no plan. Living is the thing. Playing God very complicated. I was bowled over by his assertion that life has permanence written in time and meaning because of the impacts, and relational effects we leave in the world when we die. The tragedy is for people to die believing that the life they lived had no impact, no meaning, no value. To vanish from the scene to be forgotten. Impossible. For good and for ill to the individual their life lived means something that can be charted and booked and cannot be undone. So.. what? Are we frustrated by our circumstances? Is not this the time and the place that we did not choose? Now is our opportunity to waste in flailing, blaming, blinded struggle, or tragic or heroic clear-eyed to transcend this our moment to take a stand? What does it mean? The meaning we choose. I strongly recommend this work as a tonic for the ills of scientific reductionism, philosophical cynicism, existential anxieties, and nihilism.

My takeaways from this book: Life is something that always has meaning. Life has permanence. For in our past, nothing is irrecoverably lost but everything is irrevocably stored with life delivered and deposited along the way, in which we have saved. Your life has meaning. Your life has value. Your life makes an impact. Your life is a monument that no one can remove from the world for in those moments of life, you’ve delivered and deposited along the way. —— Holocaust survivor Viktor E. Frankl is known as the founder of logotherapy, a mode of psychotherapy based on man's motivation to search for meaning in his life. The author discusses his ideas in the context of other prominent psychotherapies and describes the techniques he uses with his patients to combat the "existential vacuum."

This is book is a must-read for every age group in any stage of person’s life. Not only a great self-help book, but also the help book to be shared with everyone.

When I found Victor Frankl it was a happy day. There is hope! As our nation slumps into relitavistism, can't help it - give me another med, what? get a job?, not my fault, mentality, with the media, including news, music, and literature helping along as they cash in on the descent of american society, step forward Frankl!! Victor Frankl is more than just logotherapy, he is David adroitly throwing stones at a huge medicated/miserable/morbid Goliath. Take responsiblity, our attitude is our one freedom, get over it and get on with it. I found his books 2 years ago and have read them over and over and over. Whether it be for your depressed teen, unhappy spouse, or for you because you just can't find purpose in the job you go to every day...read 'Man's search for meaning' and 'the will to meaning', then everything else the man has written. His own story is his best example.

It is believed that most of the people who committed suicide are due to the fact that they suffer from life without meaning. All the parents and all the young should read Dr. Voktor Frankl's books on Logotherapy. If there is one sure thing in the whole world can save the young people lives from ever commiting suicide, it must be Dr. Frankl's Logotherapy. I know this because I've been there.

As a mental health counselor, this is a foundational reading that illuminated many interventions. Recommended for those who need to learn more about existential therapy

Nice book from my one of favourite authors

Love Victor Frankl and his view that meaning and purpose in life are important to all people, and without that, people flounder and function poorly. I agree finding meaning is a critical need for most people and that it is NOT a task that is addressed in our education system. We are NOT told that finding meaning for ourselves in our work and lives is critical to enjoying life. Success is understood to mean financial success through one's work or career. Meaning, unfortunately, is not implied or considered relevant to being successful in our culture. This book is a great reminder that clients may need help understanding it's importance and discovering what provides meaning for them. It may be the first time in their lives anyone has encouraged them to see the importance of finding a meaningful purpose in their lives.

I have wasted countless money on 'self help' books in my quest to find a purpose in life. This book, along with Dr Frankl's 'Man's Search for Meaning', offers everything that all the self-help gurus did not. It's not a light read (there are quite a few 'technical' terms) but Frankl gives plenty of real world examples to help illustrate his points. If you, like so many people today, have felt lost or despaired at the seeming emptiness of life then please take the time to read this book (or 'Man's Search for Meaning'). A true work of genius. Highly recommended.

This is a great book and really makes you wonder how someone who had the life experiences he faced could be so positive. It is a little difficult to read in places as it was taken from a series of his lecture notes, but once you get used to his turn of phrase, it's easy. It is also interesting that he wrote this in the early 1970's and his observations of life then are only amplified now!

I bought this one after reading, “Man’s Search for Meaning”. I was looking to learn more about Logotherapy and its applications. After reading both books, I can say that could grasp what Logotherapy is specifically and a good idea in how to apply it. Recommend this to people looking to learn more about this science and if you are curious as I am in knowing how to self apply and on others, this is the way to go. I’m in the personal development and coaching field. And loved to discover how the will to meaning can change people’s lives.