How to find meaning in Victor Frank L's logotherapy theory

  Hi, today I would like to share about the interesting topic, namely "How to find meaning in Victor Frank L's logotherapy theory", the main reason why I choose that topic because many people can't get a good insight from reality that they engaged with, based on what I observed, people who only pursue their wants, they must be ready to get suffering from their wants, In this modern era, there are many mental trainings at seminars to educate the public, In the event, there was a lot of training aimed at changing mindsets and habits, but not all participants could find meaning because it takes longer time, some events try to apply Viktor Frankl's theory and educate all the participants how to make exit strategy from what they suffer, Searching for meaning does require difficulty so that humans can reach a more valuable level of awareness, Victor said "the meaning already exists out there; we just need to find it", by taking Viktor Frankl with his Logotherapy at seminar, hopefully the participants can focuse on finding meaning through suffering, work, and love, for your information, besides Victor Frankl's perception about the meaning of life purpose, there are other psychology figures who offer different perspectives on how humans find purpose in their lives.

 

Here are some other major perspectives: 

1. Abraham Maslow: Self-Actualization and Peak Experiences

For Maslow, life meaning is not only found through suffering but also through the fulfillment of one’s full potential.

 

- Self-Actualization: Meaning exists when a person becomes the best version of themselves.

- Peak Experiences: Extraordinary moments such as being immersed in artistic beauty, achieving great success, or feeling connected with nature. These moments provide a sense of meaningful "being."

 

2. Irvin Yalom: Four Existential Concerns

Yalom takes a slightly different approach. He argues that humans must confront four harsh facts of life to find authentic meaning:

 

- Death, Freedom, Isolation, and Meaninglessness.

- According to Yalom, life essentially has no pre-determined meaning structure. We are the ones who must create meaning ourselves through active engagement in life (altruism, creativity, or dedication to an idea).

 

3. Carl Rogers: The Good Life (Fully Functioning Life)

As a humanist figure, Rogers views life meaning not as an end goal but as a process.

 

- Meaning is found when a person lives in alignment with their inner experiences (congruence).

- Fully functioning people are those who are open to new experiences, live in the present moment (presence), and trust their own instincts and decisions.

 

4. Alfred Adler: Social Interest

Adler argues that true life meaning is always social in nature.

 

- Lifestyle: Each person has a "fictional final goal" they strive for.

- Contribution: Meaning is found when a person feels useful to their community. Without a sense of connection to others, humans will experience feelings of inferiority that make life feel empty.

 

5. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi: The Concept of Flow

From a Positive Psychology perspective, meaning is often found in activities that make us lose track of time.

 

- Total Engagement: When you do something challenging yet matched to your skills, you enter a flow state.

- A sense of meaning emerges from deep satisfaction when we are fully engaged in productive work or a hobby.

 

Figure Primary Source of Meaning Core Perspective 

Viktor Frankl -> Discovery, Meaning already exists out there; we just need to find it. 

Irvin Yalom -> Creation, Life is empty; we must paint meaning into it. 

Alfred Adler -> Contribution, Meaning is how much we benefit others. 

Abraham Maslow -> Growth, Meaning is becoming the best version of yourself.