MAN'S SEARCH FOR MEANING BY VIKTOR FRANKL

Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl (who was a professor in neurology and psychiatry) is one of the most powerful books I’ve ever read. The book chronicles Viktor Frankl’s experiences as an Auschwitz concentration camp inmate during WWII. During his time in camp, he is tortured, beaten, worked to the brink of death, not given enough food or proper clothes/shoes during freezing temperatures. He was subjected to vermin, frost bitten toes, and edema. He paints a truly a horrific existence of his day to day camp life. Daily, people dropped dead all around him (from disease and starvation) and are executed for no reason at all. His mother, father, brother, and wife were all killed in the camps. With all this in mind, how could he find life worth preserving?

[d.harrison]

I like this quote: "Suffering ceases to be suffering at the moment it finds a meaning."

[karacharlesworth]

One of my favorite sayings is “my response is my responsibility”.

[FromPanictoParis]

I suffered a chronic anxiety, /panic disorder morphed into crippling agoraphobia for 10 years. Those 10 years were of unemployment too..the last 4 years i didn't go more than 20 minutes from my home in Dublin Ireland. I overcame this in 2019. Got a small job and ended up getting on a plane to Paris my first flight ✈️ in ten years. Now i live here and have my own anxiety Business coaching people from all over the World. I just ordered this book yesterday I can't wait to read it 🧠🙏🏽 i really found meaning in my suffering. Always so grateful

[dmail]

The story of the man whose wife died was very confusing. I think what you meant for the doctor to say was "what if you had died" but he says "what if your wife died?" which was already the premise of the scene. The man's only realistic response is "wait, I thought she had died. She's alive?"

[TheVitalij]

Basically Life has no meaning, but we create one for ourselves and that gives us strength and courage to keep going and don't give up.

[thyholynoodle]

I’ve found that Frankl’s quote is really meaningful to someone like me with severe anxiety problems. I worry about literally everything not being “perfect.” And I bully myself when it’s not. Using his quote “when we are no longer able to change our situation, we are challenged to change our ourselves” helps tremendously. Instead of bullying myself for not being able to make something “perfect, ” I now look to change my approach and attitude to the situation to feel better. And I realize that a useful modification, for anyone with anxiety, to the quote is that we can choose when we want to change our situation, if possible, or when we rather change our approach. It’s okay not to be perfect.

[kahlenng]

1. find your purpose
2. you have the freedom to choose your reaction to any situation
3. don't aim at success or happiness but the real aim for the success are by-products of the result you achieve your aim

[ajyaluna]

"Its not about the situation... Its about our willingness to change our response to the situation"

[roseskyschmolesky]

My purpose was born out of my suffering too. I suffered from thanataphobia (extreme fear of death) for half my life. I now spend my life helping others recover.
My purpose found me, not the other way round. even now, at times, i suffer from catastrophic thinking, and in those moments, turning that panic into an opportunity to learn and get through it so i can help others to do the same, is what helps me get through it

[hhhunt]

I read his book back in college around 1973. I remember it just blowing me away! So inspiring!

[chrisbuckee]

The point starting at 3:10 is one of the best points I try and live my life by. Effectively I have control of my responses. No one can make me feel good or bad without me allowing it. Quite an empowering statement

[Takingthethem..]

Nice summary. Thank you. I am 50 years old and my "WHY?" has changed over time so if you are searching for your purpose/meaning keep in mind that your Why today may be a different why tomorrow. So don't spend years contemplating ONE meaning or purpose. "Sleeping on it" has always yielded results for me. Before bed say "thank you God/Source/Universe for helping me find my purpose" and see what happens. Be ultra receptive to everything.

[marycahill]

So much wisdom in this book -- a mental health classic.

[void________]

I think what's easier and more powerful is determining what is NOT your purpose and what truly does NOT matter, such as others opinions and expectations. Bc it can be difficult to know your purpose. Eliminating things that truly do not make you happy leaves what does.

[Chunblessed]

The only thing that cannot be snatched away while you're alive is the freedom to choose the way you think and the attitude toward your circumstances. That's true but also very difficult to do it, perhaps the reason that people come to this world is to learn this ultimate lesson.

[howardtheduck]

I am a TARGETED INDIVIDUAL and I have to remember Victor frankl every day it keeps me sane. no one owns my mind or my feelings they don't control me

[cherylcarr]

Just found Viktor Frankl today for the first time in my life!!!! I don’t know where he was hiding, but as often happens, when find something when we are ready to resonate with it. I look forward to dealving into the depths of his teachings ❤️. Thank you for your fantastic creation and story telling of this man - for which I have subscribed to your channel 🤗

[DeathMCheese]

This book saved my life! Thank you Mr. Viktor Frankl!

[alfredhitchcock]

"Suffering ceases to be suffering at the moment it finds a meaning."

[vishaloc]

This book changed my lifestyle & perspective. As long as food shelter clothing is there am simply at peace & happiness. No complaining.