I am a feather duster
Man’s Search for Meaning
Ever since a teacher recommended the book “Man’s Search for Meaning” written by Viktor E. Frankl, I kept hearing and seeing information about this book.
Several times in the course of the book, Frankl quotes the words of Nietzsche: “ He who has a Why to live for can bear almost any How.” The greatest task for any person is to find meaning in his or her life. Frankl saw three possible sources for meaning: in work (doing something significant), in love (caring for another person), and in courage during difficult times.
Quite a number of people told me that they had been suicidal. Most of them felt that there was no meaning in life and there was so much suffering. In my coaching journey, I found that meaning of life has been around us though it might evolve as time goes by. It’s just that some of us are clouded with our own emotions, blind spots and/or fixation and so may not be able to sense the specific and unique meaning of our lives. I am grateful to have witnessed the beautiful moments when people gained clarity and wisdom, and were able to have a glimpse of the nature of reality and the nature of self.
Very often we struggle and suffer from the tension between our ideal life and our current reality. Frankl argues that we cannot avoid suffering but we can choose how to cope with it, find meaning in it, and move forward with renewed purpose.
Lucy Kalanithi shared with us on “What makes life worth living in the face of death”. In this deeply moving talk, Lucy reflects on life and purpose, sharing the story of her late husband, Paul, a young neurosurgeon who turned to writing after his terminal cancer diagnosis. “Engaging in the full range of experience — living and dying, love and loss — is what we get to do,” Lucy said. “When we approach suffering together, when we choose not to hide from it, our lives don’t diminish, they expand.”
Suggested practice
1. listen to Happiness is here and now (2.37 mins) or your own choice, open your heart and let the blessings around you come through
2. practise for short periods of time and do it frequently (時間短, 次數多)
3. make it a habit, and share your experience with family and friends
I am a feather duster. I am Amy Yeung
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