Human Search for Meaning

Victor Frankl, retrospecting on his experience in the Nazi concentration camp and after deep reflection, puts his observations in a book titled, ‘Man’s Search for Meaning’. 

It was almost certain that the victims caught here, had nothing to hope for. Death was inevitable. They were reduced to mere numbers, stripped of all human dignity. In this hopeless situation Victor Frankl makes an interesting observation.  There were many in the camp, with well built physique, who died soon, whereas some physically fragile and weak survived all hardships. His study brings out an interesting fact; the ones who died easily had nothing to hope for. Possibly there was nothing that would give meaning to their living as they had lost everything. Whereas , there were people, who had a desire to live, though lost everything or were people who had a reason to live and go back to their people surviving somewhere in the hiding. The longing to get connected back to their kith and kin gave these people energy to cross the barriers.

We live in a world which is fast moving. People here are busy keeping track with this speed, fearing being outdated. Amidst this busy schedule of present day, there is hardly any time left behind to sit back and enjoy this beautiful life. There are times, though everything is moving on fine, still one finds a turmoil deep within. The inner voice presses hard to reveal something, but finds no ear to hear. I believe every human has this struggle at some point or the other. What then is this inner voice? What’s the mystery behind this unusual turmoil? What does this voice trying to communicate?

As human being all of us have a search. Time and again we are overwhelmed with questions, which lack inner clarity. If one is able to sit down and spend some time with these existential questions, they point towards basic human search- Search for Meaning. Every human has this search which flows out in the form of inner turmoil and often affects one’s life and others, negatively. Some avoid it, others postpone it and the others are not aware amidst their busy life. Often we are scared to touch and explore this search. Because this search is a call to go deeper into one’s own self. Depths are dark and threatening. There’s no certainty about what lies in the depths. Thus remaining at the periphery looks comfortable. I wonder, whether such life, worth living at all?
The study that Victor Frankl reveals indirectly, that those who could go deeper into their own selves, found hope. Possibly as we go deeper into our own personality we find the treasure of Love, Hope and Faith. Depths are, if one dares to explore, which are much deeper covered with sorts of negative layers of our personality, are beautiful and full of life. Thus if one really wants to live a life, fully alive, then he/she needs to touch the living waters flowing within his/her own self. Depths lead us towards meaning.
It was once, when I was in deep turmoil in my own life, I happened to go for a month long exposure to a HIV Centre. There were children, young and the old alike, awaiting death bell. As usual one night, I recreated and played with the kids there. It was a joyful time with these children who were not bothered about their tomorrows. With joy, I went to bed.  The following morning there was a knock at my door. The sisters asked me to assist them to bathe 2 dead bodies (of the HIV affected). For my shock these two were in the group of children, with whom I recreated the night before. After the incident, I took time to reflect on this experience and tried to go deeper into my own self. At that point, I could feel the inner urge to be other centered. Depths call to work for the wellbeing of the other. I believe, the deeper we go, greater the possibility of becoming other centered, to care for your brothers and sisters, who are in need.
What then is this depth? What gives meaning to a human as he goes deeper? From where do the values Hope, Love and Faith flow from? The answer to these questions I believe, is –INTERCONNECTEDNESS, leads to mutual harmony. We are interconnected with the world around which is filled with the divine. Thus the search of humans is basically to be connected with the divine. Our hearts can be restful, only when they are connected with the divine. I believe, everything comes from this divine reality and goes back to it. Thus one can find meaning and harmony in ones life by being connected with his/her immediate neighbour and thus being connected with the divine.