“What’s the meaning of life?” is a question so many of us ask. We feel a void—something’s missing. Unable to outrun it or fill it with fluff, we are left with devouring fear. Searching for it across the sea, we ravage other’s traditions in the hope of finding what is within lacking. Often we get a glimpse of meaning in another’s words, in another’s way of existing and we sense it’s significance. We claim it, wear it as armor. “It is the truth,” we proclaim! We idealize it, preach it, defend it—only for it to eventually crumble.
Making meaning is a balancing act between becoming aware of life’s mysteries and releasing them, allowing the mixture to transform without intellectually gripping on. It is a practice and a perspective, rather than a specific idea that will save us. It is a way of existing that observes that which is presenting itself to us—whether this is an idea or a powerful force or presence—with reverence and respect.
When we do this, we allow it to be as it is without logically mutilating it. The mystery of its essence can stay alive, renewing its continuous meaning-making ability. This reminds me of relationships—often we want to find the meaning of why we love someone or why it didn’t work out. But you see, when we attempt to pinpoint that essence we miss it entirely, for meaning is not found intellectually. It is experienced. It transforms us, leaving the physical evidence behind.
Definitions
If we merely observe the words making vs. finding we can see the distinction I’m conveying.
Making: the act or process of forming, causing, doing, or coming into being.
Finding: the act of one that finds : to attain or reach; to come upon by searching or effort; to gain or regain the use or power of.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/
To find meaning would be to grasp it entirely, killing its mystery. To make meaning insinuates an act or process of creation, of bringing forth a sliver of meaning into our experience.
Religious/ Spiritual Instinct
As you may have picked up, there are a lot of religious words used to describe this process. First, this is due to what Depth Psychology would call human’s religious/ spiritual instinct. We have an instinct to believe in a power or powers greater than ourselves. Second, I purposely use these words because we can see how we latch onto certain spiritual ideals and psychological insights like they are religious dogmas to understand and give meaning in our lives.
Experiencing Meaning
How would replacing this single word-finding, with the word-making, change how you experience meaning in your life?
If we stopped digging for the sake of bringing it up to the surface to hold it out and show the world but instead approached the mysteries with a reverent eye and a collaborative hand so as to be a part of the meaning-making process, would it change us at our core?
I’ve experienced this in my own life. A piece of art, a poetic verse within a book, a speech that rings with truth moves me. I then think I have found what meaning is, but as I try to explain it, I kill it. Of course, this isn’t all the time. The art form of speech and words can be a magical way to communicate meaning. It’s one of the fundamental ways we create and build things of importance in our society. But it is when I obsessively grip it, when I claim it as truth that it begins to crumble and I feel that hole again.
When I approach life through the perspective of making meaning, I become an active participant on this journey we call life. I collaborate with other people, nature, the animals, spirit, and archetypal forces to bring meaning into existence.
When we make meaning we engage with all aspects of our being, and through this, we experience the divine in real life, not just in our heads.
Much Love,
Kristina