--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: namely, the feeling of the total and…" description: "\"“namely, the feeling of the total and ultimate meaninglessness of their lives. They lack the awareness of a meaning worth living for. They are haunted ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a4/viktor-e-frankl-668_life_namely-the-feeling-of-the-total-and-ulti_630865.jpg" --- # namely, the feeling of the total and ultimate… ![“namely, the feeling of the total and ultimate meaninglessness of their lives. They lack the awareness of a meaning worth living for. They are haunted by the experience of their inner emptiness, a void within themselves; they are caught in that situation which I have called the “existential vacuum.” quote by Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a4/viktor-e-frankl-668_life_namely-the-feeling-of-the-total-and-ulti_630865.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a4/viktor-e-frankl-668_life_namely-the-feeling-of-the-total-and-ulti_630865.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a4/viktor-e-frankl-668_life_namely-the-feeling-of-the-total-and-ulti_630865.jpg) > ““namely, the feeling of the total and ultimate meaninglessness of their lives. They lack the awareness of a meaning worth living for. They are haunted by the experience of their inner emptiness, a void within themselves; they are caught in that situation which I have called the “existential vacuum.”” [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People feel life lacks purpose, creating an inner void called the existential vacuum. **In simple terms:** Life feels empty without purpose. Key Takeaway Seek personal meaning to fill the void. Themes existentialism purpose psychology Mood reflective somber Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - career counseling - therapy - spiritual practice - education - personal crisis Key Concepts meaning-making void vacuum Questions to Reflect On - What gives your life meaning? - How can you create purpose in daily routines? A Different Perspective Existence alone cannot guarantee meaning; external circumstances also shape purpose. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Meaninglessness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meaninglessness/) [Worth living](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worth-living/) ## Related quotes > [Nobody wants to have meaninglessness in their lives. 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Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [“The existential vacuum manifests itself mainly in a state of boredom. —VIKTOR FRANKL, Auschwitz survivor and founder of Logotherapy, Man’s Search for Meaning”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-ferriss/the-existential-vacuum-manifests-itself-mainly-in-a-state-of-boredom-2/) [Timothy Ferriss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-ferriss/) > [What is demanded of man is not, as some existential philosophers teach, to endure the meaninglessness of life, but rather to bear his incapacity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/what-is-demanded-of-man-is-not-as-some-existential-philosophers-teach/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [“As to the causation, of the feeling of meaningless, one may say, albeit in an oversimplifying way, that people have enough to live by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/as-to-the-causation-of-the-feeling-of-meaningless-one-may-say-albeit/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [It is to our lack of proper content ("notre manque de contenu propre:;», Fr.), of our inner emptiness that we need occupations and distractions,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/african-spir/it-is-to-our-lack-of-proper-content-notre-manque-de-contenu-propre-fr/) [African Spir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/african-spir/) > [I think that Mr. Obama is not just inexperienced; he is also hampered by a distinct inner emptiness - not an emptiness that comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelby-steele/i-think-that-mr-obama-is-not-just-inexperienced-he-is-also-hampered/) [Shelby Steele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-steele/) > [“Self-inflation and conceit are generally the external signs of inner emptiness and self-doubt; a show of pride is one of the most common covers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rollo-may/self-inflation-and-conceit-are-generally-the-external-signs-of-inner/) [Rollo May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rollo-may/) > [“She had no idea how to cope with life and she was only vaguely aware of her own inner emptiness. 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Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [Man's search for meaning is the chief motivation of his life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/man-s-search-for-meaning-is-the-chief-motivation-of-his-life/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [In a last violent protest against the hopelessness of imminent death, I sensed my spirit piercing through the enveloping gloom. I felt it transcend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/in-a-last-violent-protest-against-the-hopelessness-of-imminent-death/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [“But happiness cannot be pursued; it must ensue.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/but-happiness-cannot-be-pursued-it-must-ensue/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [Being tolerant does not mean that I share another one's belief. 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