Man’s Search for Meaning:
“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”
~ Viktor Frankl
Viktor Frankl was a prophet of hope. The author of the classic book, Man’s Search for Meaning, this Austrian neurologist and psychiatrist taught that hope comes from personal choice, which he described as “the last of the human freedoms: to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” As a prisoner of Auschwitz, Frankl learned that even in the darkest times, we have the capacity to create meaning in our lives, provided we are guided by love and the dedication to something beyond ourselves.
In this immersive nine-week online course, we’ll read and explore Frankl’s life-affirming teachings in Man’s Search for Meaning, and his in-depth recommendations for incorporating this hands-on philosophy in everyday life. Each 90-minute Zoom meeting includes Mark’s introductory talk, group discussion of the weekly reading, break-out groups, and a guided Writing to Awaken practice. These soul-inspiring lessons will offer helpful insights into Frankl’s profound teachings, and why the will to meaning is the central to human life.
“Mark Matousek pulls no punches. His writing prompts provide a scalpel to help you dive into the depths of your life experience, to explore the question: Who am I?”
~ Roger Housden, author of Dropping the Struggle
LESSON OVERVIEW
This course will deepen your understanding of what motivates you and the sources of your personal meaning.
Week One: Why Meaning Matters
Reading Focus: Introduction & Orientation (pp. 1–20)
In this first session, Mark introduces you to Viktor Frankl and his masterpiece, Man’s Search for Meaning, and talks about why “the will to meaning” is critical to our flourishing. You will reflect on your own “meaning story” and set your individual learning goals for the course.
Week Two: The Space Between Stimulus and Response
Reading Focus: Shock and Disorientation (pp. 21–40)
In the second week, we examine the vital importance of self-inquiry and personal choice in how we respond to circumstances. Stepping beyond reactivity prepares you to discover what experience means to you.
Week Three: How Attitude Creates Meaning
Reading Focus: Life in the Camp: The Daily Struggle (pp. 41–60)
In this lesson, we examine how attitude colors experience and helps us to maintain our dignity in times of trouble. Frankl explains that adversity is inevitable but meaningless suffering is not.
Week Four: Meaning, Pleasure, and Power
Reading Focus: Apathy & Emotional Numbing (pp. 61–80)
Next, we investigate Frankl’s “will to meaning” — in contrast to Freud’s “will to pleasure” and Adler’s “will to power” — as a primary force driving our lives. Understanding the will to meaning makes you more compassionate and resilient.
Week Five: Finding Meaning in Work
Reading Focus: Moments of Inner Freedom (pp. 81–100)
Our fifth lesson introduces Frankl’s first “pathway to meaning”; namely, what you contribute to the world in the form of work, livelihood, or vocation. Meaningful activity increases your well-being and helps to ground you in right action.
Week Six: Finding Meaning in Relationship
Reading Focus: Liberation & Aftermath (pp. 101–120)
In lesson six, we look at love and connection — Frankl’s second pathway — as essential components to a life of meaning. Seeing the potential in others awakens awareness of your innate virtues and elevates your sense of purpose.
Week Seven: Finding Meaning in Suffering
Reading Focus: The Foundations of Logotherapy (pp. 121–135)
The third pathway to meaning is transforming suffering, as you learn in this week’s lesson. When pain is unavoidable, Frankl taught, it’s possible to turn your obstacles upside down, revealing the potential for meaning hidden behind your circumstances.
Week Eight: Transforming Unavoidable Pain
Reading Focus: The Meaning of Life & Existential Frustration (pp. 136–150)
This week, we consider Frankl’s insights into the role of transcendence — and humor — in overcoming anxiety and despair. Stepping beyond selfish concerns alleviates feelings of meaninglessness, providing you with a wider, deeper perspective.
Week Nine: Writing Your Meaning Manifesto
Reading Focus: Tragic Optimism & Final Reflections (pp. 151–170)
In our final session, Mark reviews the takeaways from this course, and offers suggestions for how to integrate Frankl’s insights into a personal philosophy and actionable life plan. Prior to this final session, you’ll be invited to write a brief personal Meaning Manifesto, articulating how Frankl’s philosophy applies to your life today.
The insights in Man’s Search for Meaning are profoundly relevant, and sorely needed, in these times of danger, disillusionment, and upheaval. Frankl taught that an attitude of “tragic optimism” helps tremendously in periods of crisis and radical change. Optimism, as he meant it (derived from the Latin word optimum or “best”), refers to making the best of whatever life circumstances we find ourselves in. We can’t afford to be hopeless when chips are down, he explained, since it is only by finding meaning in our lives that we many hope to prevail against adversity.
HOW THE ONLINE CLASS WORKS
There are two tracks in this online class. Option 1 includes the live nine-session video class with additional weekly writing prompts and supplemental materials. Option 2 includes all of the above as well as Mark’s written feedback to your writing, which you’ll submit to him privately. It is not necessary to share your writing to benefit from this course, but doing so can help deepen your insights.
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Viktor Frankl’s book, Man’s Search for Meaning, is required reading for this course. Mark encourages participants to read pages 1-20 of the book before the first lesson.
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Each 90-minute Zoom meeting begins with Mark’s introductory talk, followed by a discussion of the weekly reading, break-out groups, and a guided Writing to Awaken practice.
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The day following the live session, you will receive the links to the session playbacks, additional writing prompts, and Mark will share a Bonus Resource (video, audio, written excerpt) to deepen your exploration of the lesson.
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During Week Four, there will be live Guest Interview with an existential psychologist, who will answer your questions about the practice of logotherapy, and how to apply it in your life.
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A class Forum on my website will be provided for sharing your writing, thoughts, and questions with other class members. We encourage you to engage with other participants to deepen your learning experience. In the week before the class begins, we will send information on how to create a username and password to access the private page.
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If you register for Option 2, in addition to the live weekly lessons, you will submit written responses to the lesson prompts. Mark will respond in writing to each submission, providing written analysis and feedback, along with additional personalized writing prompts. Submissions should be limited to 1,500 words. An email address will be provided where you will send your work. Any writing you send to Mark is private and not be shared with the class. You are welcome to share your writing on the class Forum.
“Mark’s patience, kindness, knowledge and wisdom provided the perfect guidance for this learning journey. Connecting with others around the country, and around the world, added an amazing dimension!”
~ Careyleah, USA
In the years since its publication, Man’s Search for Meaning has helped millions of people empower themselves — and enliven their souls — despite personal adversity, loss, and fear.