Exploring the Meaning of Life: A Journey of Existential Questions

Here it is, presented in a beautifully wrapped package, succinctly written in easy-to-follow words—the meaning of life. Do I have your attention? The quest for understanding life’s purpose has captivated humanity since the dawn of consciousness itself. As we navigate through our daily lives, balancing the demands of survival—like planning our next meal, securing shelter, or seeking companionship—we often find ourselves pausing to ponder deeper existential questions. What does it all mean? This profound inquiry transcends cultures and epochs, as individuals grapple with thoughts that reach far beyond mere existence.

The ingenious human mind has constructed a myriad of theories over the millennia—some complex and intricate while others are refreshingly simple or even absurd. These interpretations range from philosophical musings to scientific explorations, each reflecting our innate desire to make sense of the world around us. Shared beliefs about the meaning of life often bind peoples together, creating communities united by common ideals that can inspire acts of kindness or incite conflicts driven by fanaticism. In this ongoing exploration, we see how these diverse understandings shape our behaviors and motivations, ultimately influencing both individual lives and collective societies throughout history.

Key Definition:

In psychology, the concept of the “meaning of life” is often explored through the lens of existential psychology. This branch of psychology focuses on the search for meaning and purpose in life, and how individuals grapple with existential questions. Psychologists study how the quest for meaning impacts mental well-being, motivation, and overall psychological functioning. For many individuals, finding a sense of meaning in life is closely tied to psychological well-being and fulfillment.

​We Want Meaning

The pursuit of understanding the purpose of life often feels like an enigmatic puzzle, teasing us with its elusive nature. It’s as though we yearn to comprehend something that surpasses our finite capabilities, leading us to desperately search for meaning amidst the complexities of existence. In our quest, we may find ourselves tirelessly constructing grandiose concepts akin to castles, using mere straws of knowledge and perception. Yet, could it be that the true revelation lies not within the towering façade of our imaginary castles, but rather within the humble, individual blades of straw that we clasp in our hands?

As we begin to narrow our focus and hone in on the intricacies of daily living, we may uncover profound purpose nestled within the everyday moments. It’s within these seemingly mundane facets of life that we discover a wealth of significance, enriching our experiences and infusing our existence with a profound sense of completeness. The pursuit of purpose, it seems, is not a distant endeavor but a gradual revelation, woven intricately into the fabric of our lives, waiting to be unveiled through introspection and appreciation of the present.

See Rich Meaningful Life for more on this topic

The Value of Meaning

​Carl Jung mused, “The least of things with a meaning is worth more in life than the greatest of things without it.”

We may search the giant libraries of the grandest universities, devouring philosophy from the great minds of humanity and never stumble upon the enriching gifts of meaning. The pursuit of knowledge is an admirable endeavor, and the repositories of higher learning hold a wealth of wisdom waiting to be discovered. However, in our quest for intellectual enlightenment, it is crucial to remember that true understanding and fulfillment cannot solely be found within the pages of scholarly tomes or the lecture halls of revered institutions.

Chmielewski and colleagues found in their examination of research on meaning that:

“Finding meaning in everyday life has been shown to exert a positive influence on people’s mental health and well-being as well as on their physical health: Purpose in life reduces the risk of myocardial infarction among older adults with coronary heart disease and is associated with a substantially reduced risk of Alzheimer disease. Furthermore, meaningfulness is related to better mental health-to less psychopathology, and to general factors such as self-esteem and lower neuroticism” (Chmielewski et al., 2023).

Where to Find Meaning

The essence of life’s profound meaning often lies in the interplay of our experiences, relationships, and introspective contemplation. It transcends the boundaries of academia, weaving through the fabric of human existence with its lessons and revelations awaiting those who seek it with an open heart and mind. As we navigate the expansive realm of ideas and philosophies, let us not overlook the invaluable insights that can be gleaned from the everyday moments and personal connections that shape our lives in profound and meaningful ways.

The words, no matter how bright and intelligent, fail where the heart presides. Science struggles to integrate the world of neurons into the rich mental life of feelings, sensations, and meanings. Sitting on top of Maslow’s pyramid rest self-actualization—a meaningful life. But those that achieve peace don’t subscribe to a universal doctrine of meaning. They haven’t read from a golden book, discovered in a distant cave, revealing carefully guarded secrets of meaning. Their self-actualization and peace stem from living a meaningful life—Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King Jr.

Purposelessness

Drifting through life in a perpetual state of purposelessness wreaks havoc to any sense of wellbeing. This sense of aimlessness can cast a shadow over every aspect of one’s existence, clouding the path towards fulfillment and contentment. The absence of a clear purpose can lead to feelings of disorientation, dissatisfaction, and a lack of motivation. Moreover, it can result in a diminished sense of self-worth and contribute to mental and emotional strain.

Without a sense of direction, individuals may find themselves adrift in a sea of uncertainty, unsure of which course to navigate. However, it’s important to remember that finding purpose is a personal journey, and each individual has the ability to steer their life towards a more meaningful and purposeful existence. By exploring passions, setting meaningful goals, and nurturing a sense of curiosity and exploration, one can begin to reshape their path and rediscover the vitality that comes with living a purpose-driven life.

See Purposelessness for more on this topic

Hope and Life Meaning

The concept of meaning is deeply intertwined with the human experience. It provides individuals with a sense of purpose and direction, serving as a guiding light in the journey of life. When we have a purpose, we are driven to strive for something greater, igniting a sense of hope within us. This hope acts as a powerful force, propelling us forward and inspiring us to take positive and healthy actions in our lives.

Furthermore, the presence of hope can act as a shield against the detrimental effects of depression. In contrast, feelings of helplessness and hopelessness often pave the way for the onset of depression, creating a sense of despair and inertia. Therefore, nurturing a sense of purpose and hope is essential for fostering mental well-being and resilience in the face of adversity.

See Hope Theory for more on this topic

​​We Give Meaning to Events in Our Lives

​Our suffering, achievements and motivations all are subject to meaning. The meanings give life to our existence. Through meaning the emptiness is filled and the shadows disperse with light. But meaning is subjective and often dictated by painful pasts. The sorrows can absorb goodness out of life, leaving meanings parched and cynical, shattering fundamental assumptions (people are good, the world is just, the environment is safe and predictable).

​Life becomes senseless and devoid of self-actualizing purpose. When meaningless prevails, we are held hostage by evils in our lives, slipping into the depths of depression. Especially in hardship, we need purposeful meaning to lighten our load and re-infuse our life with hope. We need to suffer well.

Michael Eigen suggests that experience shifts meanings in different contexts “Spirit, mind, I, Self, consciousness, unconscious, psyche, breath, energy, meaning, personality, body aliveness, variable fields of being—.” How we experience the happening of living depends deeply on the machinery of the mind. What goes in is subject to the twisting and turning of complexity before being spit out into a coherent story of purpose. When life is too chaotic, the processing of experience can go awry. The pain, the sorrow and the shocks make no sense; life has no meaning and we collapse.

“When one’s scream becomes meaningless, we no longer scream when wronged” (Eigen, 1999).

​Shattered Meanings

When life experience overwhelms, collapsing previous expectations of life, invalidating how we once made sense of the world, the mind churns over the experience seeking to assign a place of meaning. Some events have no logical meaning. The cruelty of the world collides with our serene existence creating unpredictable chaos that we can’t explain. Our ruminations attempt to find meaning that doesn’t exist. In these instances, we must intervene with a self-disciplined rumination. Emily Esfahani Smith refers to this process as “deliberate rumination” (Smith, 2017).

Our purposeful ruminations forge meaning rather than find meaning. The purpose for a singular event may lie hidden in complexity; we can only accept the pain by accepting that life, at times, is undefinable. We must redirect our mind to key areas that establish foundations of meaning. We need purposeful goals and supporting relationships.

In The Developing Mind, Daniel Siegel declares:

“The way the mind establishes meaning is closely linked to social interactions and both meaning making and relationships appear to be mediated via the same neural circuits responsible for initiating emotional processes” (Siegel, 2020).

See Psychology of Trauma for more on this topic

​Loneliness and Lack of Meaning

​Loneliness and lack of meaning often travel together. We need our pain to be meaningful—to actually have a purpose, creating a connection to others and life. We don’t need relief for discomforts but a purpose for the discomforts.

In the words of Frankl:

“What man actually needs is not a tensionless state but rather the striving and struggling for some goal worthy of him. What he needs is not the discharge of tension at any cost, but the call of a potential meaning waiting to be fulfilled by him” (Frankl, 2006).

See Belongingness for more on this topic

Associated Concepts

• Passion: This refers to a strong inclination or enthusiasm towards a specific activity, concept, or cause. It can manifest as intense emotions and a motivational force driving individuals to pursue their interests and goals.
• Existential Funk: This refers to moments in life filled with doubt over the purpose of life.
• Robert Nozick’s Experience Machine: This thought experience challenges perceptions of happiness by presenting the choice between artificial bliss and authentic living. Most people prefer real experiences, valuing authenticity and autonomy over stimulated pleasure, highlighting the complex nature of fulfillment and well-being.
• Human Suffering: This refers to the experience of pain, distress, and discomfort, whether physical, emotional, or psychological. It encompasses a broad range of negative experiences, including grief, trauma, illness, and existential angst.
• Logotherapy: This is a form of psychotherapy developed by Viktor Frankl, which focuses on finding personal meaning in life and responsibility to live that meaning. It is based on the premise that striving to find meaning in life is the primary, most powerful motivating and driving force in humans.
• Existential Humanistic Therapy: This is rooted in philosophies of existentialism and humanism, this therapeutic approach places emphasis on transcending life’s challenges through individual freedom, personal responsibility, and an existential search for creating personal meaning.
• Experiences of Awe: This refers to the reverent feeling of wonder we experience in the presence of something that challenges our understanding of the world.

A Few Words by Psychology Fanatic

​I don’t know the meaning of life; I do know my life has meaning. My goals of deepening spirituality, research and grappling with unanswerable existential questions of existence (coming to know certain truths about the world and accepting the unknowables) has given meaning and purpose. I also find meaning in my connections to adult children in their various stages of struggle and success gives me meaning and purpose. My ruminations can’t save a child from struggling or force different action, but I can love and compassionately accept. My loving wife and her supporting connection gives life meaning and purpose.

These are the things that renew my appreciation for life. My mind delights in human kindness, the beauties of nature, and the fascinating feelings of the body. Pinker posits that nothing infuses “life with more meaning than the realization that every moment of sentience is a precious gift” (Pinker, 2003).

Life in all its splendid wonders holds more meaning than a life time of exploration will ever discover. We connect with life in openness to allow meaning to continually flow through souls, brighten our minds and create lasting connections with the world and its inhabitants. This is the meaning of life.

Last Update: December 4, 2025

References:

Chmielewski, F., Regener, R., Margraf, J., Schulz, S., Teismann, T., Hirschfeld, G., & von Brachel, R. (2023). The Scrooge Group Therapy: A Meaning-Centered Group Therapy for Outpatients Following CBT. Journal of Humanistic Psychology. DOI: 10.1177/00221678231172530
(Back to Article)

Eigen, Michael (1999). Toxic Nourishment. Routledge; 1st edition. ISBN: 9781855752122; DOI: 10.4324/9780429484124
(Back to Article)

Frankl, Viktor E. (2006). Man’s Search for Meaning. Beacon Press; 1st edition. ISBN-10: 0807014273; APA Record: 1992-98457-000
(Back to Article)

Pinker, Steven (2003). The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature. Penguin Books; Reprint edition. ISBN-10: 0142003344; APA Record: 2002-18647-000
(Back to Article)

Siegel, Daniel J. (2020). The Developing Mind: How Relationships and the Brain Interact to Shape Who We Are. The Guilford Press; 3rd edition. ISBN-10: 1462542751; APA Record: 2012-12726-000
(Back to Article)

Smith, Emily Esfahani (2017). The Power of Meaning: Finding Fulfillment in a World Obsessed with Happiness. Crown; Reprint edition. ISBN-13: ‎978-0553446562
(Back to Article)