Book- Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

Viktor Frankl spent the next three years at Auschwitz and three other camps. He would be the only member of his family that survived. In the first section of his book “Man’s Search for Meaning”, he describes the atrocities and inhumane suffering that he and his fellow prisoners were subject to. In those three years Frankl lost everything that mattered to him most, his wife, his family members, his home and all his earthly possessions including his medical practice. He writes that one day while he was waiting for the shower suddenly he became aware of how truly naked he was. “We really had nothing now except our bare bodies- even minus hair. All we possessed literally was our naked existence. The Nazis had taken virtually everything away from him and his fellow inmates, many of whom would eventually lose the will to live. But as Frankl discovered he and others who drew upon their inner resources managed to survive. Two of those inner resources were imagination and hope. Frankl and others survived by envisioning their futures they believed they would someday be freed and would go on to live happy and creative lives. The more specific their plans for the future are the more hope they had. They realized that no matter what the Nazis did to them they could not take away their right to think, their own hopes for the future, and their own attitudes, no matter how atrocious their immediate circumstances are. This is why Frankl called it the last of human freedoms. The fact that we as human beings have the ability to choose our own thoughts and attitudes makes a difference for the future. Even though things look bad, the idea of such a simple profound concept is ridiculed. Being able to understand this concept can be life changing, yet many people are completely unaware of it. Having meaning in life is similar to having goals. Goals will give a sense of purpose. Life has more meaning when we’re clear on what we want our life to be. Instead of merely existing from one day to the next, our goals give us reasons to start really living. Frankl watched several of his friends get killed in the camps. He also saw many men commit suicide while others simply lost the will to live and decided to give up. Frankl later wrote that throughout all the brutality and suffering, what bothered him most was to see his fellow prisoners decide that there was nothing to live for and then give up on life. We are free to choose our own purpose, we can wander aimlessly or we can search for a meaning in life, and then live according to it. We can live to please only ourselves or we can find a cause that is a greater one that helps us understand and appreciate life more fully. As Dr. Frankl stated in his book, the observations and experiences of many prisoners come in three phases: First the period following his entrance to the camp, Second the period where the prisoner is comfortable with his daily duties, third the time after his or her release and their liberation. The first psychological reaction that develops is shock. Under certain circumstances shock may even pass the prisoners cognitive ability. The next section begins by revisiting the psychological reaction of apathy and discussing the severe under nourishment of prisoners. Survival was difficult based on the amount of food they were receiving. A typical daily meal consisted of 10 oz piece of bread and 1 pint of water. Apathy is considered to be the main system because of its necessity as a defense mechanism. The main objective to one’s self is to save one’s life and that of a friend. The last section follows in psychological reactions of inspired experiences disillusioned. As Frankl had clear vivid images of his life, he saw the truth; the truth is love is the ultimate and the highest goal to which a man can aspire. He then grasped the meaning of the greatest secret of human thought and belief has to impart: the salvation of man is through love and in love. He understood how a man who has nothing left in his world may still know bliss. It can be only for a brief moment, in focusing on spiritual things as a form of private devotion to his wife.