No Purpose

[Steppingfeet]

Victor Frankl was a Jewish prisoner of a Nazi concentration camp who was miraculously able to survive thanks in no small part to a faith that he had a purpose and that there was greater meaning. In his small and heartbreakingly beautiful book, "Man's Search for Meaning" he contends that where people have a why, they can endure any how.

That is to say, when one has a sense of meaning or purpose, that meaning or purpose can, above all things, carry one through circumstances and modes of suffering that otherwise could not be endured.

I have not read the book so, please, correct me if I am wrong, but from reading your reply I get the impression this man may have survived in part thanks to his conviction in a purpose and higher meaning. Having a "why", a strong nearly unshakable belief, can help people cope with many horrendous circumstances. In this particular context, it remains however a coping mechanism, a method which can render one unconscious of other alternatives, alternatives which may be difficult for the entity to envision at the time.

My memory is fuzzy on the book (I would like to re-read it, actually). I believe that you identify two things that are both sufficiently distinct AND have a lot of overlap: sense of purpose on one hand; coping mechanism on the other.

In order to cope, one may indeed invent, create, fabricate, or authentically discover purpose.

Likewise, a natural benefit or consequence of sense of purpose is that it may help one to cope. Or, more deeply, help one to gain a perspective that increases the efficiently with which the catalyst is processed, understood, and integrated.

At any rate, the depth and authenticity of the purpose can and is variable, for sure.

But because a sense of purpose helps one to navigate their catalyst, and survive, and respond with a measure of courage, fearlessness, and/or trust, doesn't necessarily downgrade purpose to "coping mechanism", does it?

The Jesus who goes to the cross with a certain sense of purpose, is that purpose a coping mechanism to help him rationalize the coming crucifixion? Or does that purpose help him to actually carry out the intended mission and fulfill the demands of his incarnation?

While I would never dare condemn such technique, I would personally recommend an acceptance of all possibilities as much as possible, while striving for what one desires - in peace and balance.

What if ones sense of purpose is rooted in authentic self-discovery, and as such the individual develops an orientation that does seek to work with what is, and to accept what is, and to focus on what is?

It is my understanding that the solidity (or inflexibility) of the self-assigned life purpose or mission is inversely proportional to one's acceptance to the alternative scenario.

Oh, no doubt that such is one variety of purpose: a self-assigned super-imposing of expectation or desire over top the actual growth patterns of the self. I would imagine that many, many souls become confused in identifying with a certain "purpose" that is not in accord with their heart, and may be the result of pain or fear, or may be a coping mechanism, or may be a self-denial mechanism, or may be a self-justification mechanism in response to self-doubt, or may be (as you said) a conviction that "God" gave them a mission to complete in order to feel a sense of specialness or to justify some otherwise immoral act, or in other words may just be a story they tell themselves for whatever contrived reason.

But, that is not the only variety of purpose.That is just one on the more shallow end of the spectrum of experience covered by the word "purpose". I think actual, authentic, real purpose can and does naturally spring from deeper self-knowing, and self-acceptance.

One can have a balanced awareness that no matter in which direction one heads, all is well and nothing is lost, but remain yet aware that they are, indeed, headed in a particular direction, and thus in wisdom make their choices in accordance with that particular purpose.

We are all in movement, all on a journey. It is well to know our own journey, our own desires, and our own purposes. Ranging from the ultimate, overarching purpose of the Creator knowing itself, to the individual, particular purposes built into the fabric of our incarnations. I believe that each of us (in conjunction with our guides and higher self) literally designed the incarnation to learn certain lessons, achieve certain ends. This could be another way of viewing purpose.

At any rate, I love your emphasis on acceptance. I think that self-acceptance leads to uncovering of purpose, especially the purpose of being.

Just my thoughts. GLB