“Each of us has our own inner concentration camp…we must deal with, with forgiveness and patience as full human beings; as we are and what we will become.” (Pattakos, 2004). Despite the negative social stigma behind tattoos, many are able to find significance within the concept. A permanent marking, that, can either be shared with the world as a public statement, or hidden away as a personal mark of identity; whether it’s an expression of family, culture or values, to a certain extent, tattoos are an assertion of individuality. In his autobiography, ‘Man’s Search for Meaning,’ Viktor Frankl identifies that within the complex diversity of the human race, we all share the common experience of suffering. From Ah Xian, a Buddhist artist who experienced …show more content…
In a world so inundated by technology and connectivity the feeling of meaning and identity has been forgotten. “It is the very problem of our times that people are caught by a persuasive feeling of meaninglessness…It is usually accompanied by a feeling of emptiness and since I described and denoted it as the existential vacuum in 1955, this feeling of emptiness has increased and spread literally all over the world.” (Frankl, 2003). Frankl’s “Existential Vacuum” is an explanation of the human feeling of futility and emptiness. The loss of meaning to one’s existence can cause an individual immense pain; however, Frankl’s framework provides one a sense of comfort and reinstates individuality and the idea of personal fulfilment (Frankl, 2010). Consequentially, an emphasis has been put on everything that makes us different; everything that marks our identity. The concept of identity is not one that everyone values or even comprehends. One can find it within their culture, nationality, religion, family, vocation and even their passions. Without identity, many feel as if they have no purpose and therefore land in a state of meaninglessness. In this state, many look to their religion for answers. As one of the smallest of the big five religions, Judaism’s following see themselves “as a family with their origin in the biblical patriarchs and matriarchs” (Heber, 2015). Despite being scattered …show more content…
Through the understanding that we are more than just our DNA, many find significance in our individual experiences. By making these experiences permanent, tattoos act as a reminder of who we are and how we have grown to become the individual we are today. “You do not have to suffer to learn. But, if you do not learn from suffering, over which you have no control, then your life becomes truly meaningless…” (Pattakos, 2004). Not too dissimilar from the way Frankl has the ability to recognise the meaning in suffering, Buddhist artist Ah Xian and convert orthodox Jewish follower Ari Heber are able to endure negative experiences through creative and religious outlets. As a Jewish Holocaust survivor, the incomprehensible suffering Frankl experiences enabled him to develop his framework. Frankl observed that an individual’s attitude and spiritual wellbeing was either a source of unconquerable strength or the epicentre of their detriment. Through practicing “Freedom of Will” “Will to meaning” and “Meaning of Life” Frankl was able to endure the horrors of the holocaust and essentially come out of the experience stronger then before (Indinger, 2010). “Freedom of Will” is the basic understanding that all of humanity has the freedom of choice; however, in terms of Frankl’s framework this concept focuses on our freedom to choose how we react to certain situations. In regard to Frankl’s framework, this is the most important concept.
Life is not something simple as we often prefer. There are many different approaches and in most instances we will not find the desired fulfillment in any of them. In the short story “Parkers Back” written by Flannery O’Connor we have a multi-faceted view into the life of the primary character O.E. Parker. In addition we see into the life of Sarah Ruth, Parker’s wife and possibly into the life of author Flannery O’Connor, who died shortly after completing this short story. The characters in this story deal with Tattoos from totally different perspectives and get completely different results. Tattoos are the focal point of the story and prominent on many occasions. Without purpose in life people often make bad decisions which impact the rest of their lives and those they interact with. How often do we pretend to be something or somebody we are not, and have to live with the unpleasant results?
At first glance, one may think that “Tattoo” by Nick Flynn is about actual tattoos, however, Flynn uses tattoos as a metaphor to compare them to all the people we have loved. Flynn argues that throughout our entire lives we are affected by love, both in positive and negative ways. Each time you remind yourself of a certain love, you “inhale him back into you” (line 17), thus making a tattoo as a permanent reminder. In the poem, Flynn makes the comparison of the people you have loved to tiny skull tattoos in order to emphasize the everlasting effect your past loves have on you and who you’ve become. Within the first half of the poem, Flynn writes
In his book, “Man’s Search for Meaning,” Viktor Frankl shares his perspective on the human mind. He uses his experiences in Nazi Concentration camps to discuss his ideas and share what he learned from his life as a prisoner in Nazi Germany. He uses particular events to show just how the human mind reacts to certain things, such death and fear. Frankl also introduces his theory of Logotherapy, which is his way of therapy. In his book, Frankl observed many things about the human mind and how it reacts to particular situations. He used his observation to teach us about his perspective on human psychology.
Kosut, M. (2006). An Ironic Fad: The Commodification And Consumption Of Tattoos. The Journal of Popular Culture, 39(6), 1035-1048. Retrieved November 29, 2013, from http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-5931.2006.00333.x
...siderably. From a mark of criminality to an embraced art form, the body modification has represented various expressions of the bearer’s inner self. However, despite the efforts to normalize tattoos in the society, the social stigma of deviance perceived by the larger society still remains deeply etched in the art. It is apparent that the intended message a bearer wants to communicate through a tattoo may not be perceived correctly by others. These motivations behind tattoos are filtered through cultural and historical lenses that often result in unintended perceptions of tattooed bodies. In addition, the attempts of using tattoos to change social conditions often reinforce the very conditions they seek to counter. Though these stigmas and misinterpretations see no sign of fading, tattooing will remain as a powerful vehicle of self-expression and social commentary.
Man’s Search for Meaning captivated my interest within the concept of self-love, and hopefulness while in a dehumanized , self loathed, hatred environment, which ultimately ruminates, my self awareness and acknowledgments within the existential belief theory and the power capacity of the human brain. Viktor E. Frankl details readers in his own horrific predicament during World War II, expressing the harsh treatment and imprisonment of Jews in Auschwitz concentration camps. While at camp Frankl expressed multiple stages in which individuals faced within these difficult times while also accompanying for psychological
Frankl suffered during his time in a concentration camp. Frankl thinks that suffering is all part of the experience that someone will have in his or her life. “When a man finds that it is his destiny to suffer, he will have to accept his suffering as his task; his single and unique task. ( 99) No one can relieve you from your suffering, your chance lies in the way that you handle your suffering is Frankl’s idea.
It isn 't uncommon to see people walking around with tattoos permanently stained on their body. It is also uncommon to know that they usually have a meaning. From Chinese symbols to images devoted to the flying spaghetti monster, people love to keep these tattoos to remind them of a message or a special someone. According to the World Book Advanced Dictionary, a tattoo is "to mark (the skin) with designs or patterns by pricking a line of holes and putting in colors. ' ' And the meaning of an individual 's tattoo can vary depending on where you are. In this essay, I will discuss contrasting elements in prison and in tribal tattoos. This will be done by doing a cross sectional study of their history, meaning and methods. Are prison and tribal tattoos similar or different?
Many people have been getting tattoos lately. People of all ages have been getting them and from all different backgrounds. On a nice day in just about any public place one can spot a tattoo about every five minutes, from the business man who had a portrait of his daughter put on him to a young girl with a butterfly on her ankle and even people with extensive tattoo coverage. What is even more interesting is the rise in the number of people who are heavily tattooed and that they come from all different backgrounds. Not too long ago tattooing did not experience the popularity in mainstream culture that it does now. The question that must be asked in order to understand this fascination that popular culture has had with tattoos is why people get tattoos.
A excruciating pain, like the loss of a family member or close friend, may cause a person to lose faith for better times in life. This particular source of pain was seen all too much during the Holocaust. Between eleven and seventeen million people lost their lives in concentration and work camps all across Europe including Frankl’s own family. For the ones that this tragedy directly affected, their past occasionally became their present and future: “To be sure, a human being is a finite thing, and his freedom is restricted. It is not freedom from conditions, but it is free to take a stand towards the conditions” (Frankl 130). Frankl explains that while people have the ability to change their outlook on their surroundings, it’s often difficult to escape the aftermath of horrific events from the past. Humans cannot control when, where, and how they were raised. All these factors play a crucial part in the development of one’s personality and behaviors. Your view on life can either help you progress or halt your success in finding your meaning. A person who is lost in their past will not glimpse into the possibilities of what the future hold for them. Instead they will only be in a continuous state of nihilism and lack the motivation to have any type of future at
“The impact on the world today through the history and visual reasoning behind tattoos, lead to the inquiry of personal life changing experiences.
Rosen, Jeremy. Understanding Judaism. Edinburgh: Dunedin Academic, 2003. Print. This Book Describes the Theology and Practice from Judaism's Biblical Origins to the Present Day. Rosen Is a Rabbi. The Book Is Written as an Academic Textbook. The Theology Section of the Book Gives a Overview of Jewish Beliefs of Life after Death.
A persons’ image is vital when meeting someone for the first time. Our peers, employers, family, superiors, even strangers that you walk past can automatically judge someone, and imagine how they present themselves to the world. Tattoos have been predominantly linked with a rebellious attitude and pictured on out of control stereotypes such as rock starts, bikers, sailors, and disobedient teenagers who want nothing more than to hack off their parents. With a new coming of age generation and a step into a more lenient and liberal society these types of patrons still participate in body art but so do doctors, lawyers, or just the run of the mill house mom. Tattoos signify religious beliefs, cultural influence, or each individual’s sole style. Body art is no longer socially offensive, employers are more apt to hiring tatted hopeful applicants, parents are warming up to the idea of their children inking their body and no longer a stranger on the street with a tattoo is necessarily prejudged as a criminal or safety hazard. Tattoos have become more evolved over the years because they have become more of a socially accepted element of the general public.
The trend of tattooing grew rapidly as a rebellious act in the early 80’s, however, tattooing actually dates back much further. The earliest record of tattoos was discovered back in 1991 on “the frozen remains of the Copper Age Iceman; scientists have named ‘Ötzi.’ His lower back, ankles, knees, and a foot were marked with a series of small lines, made by rubbing powdered charcoal into vertical cuts,” (Barbajosa, 2004). Despite the change in meaning or purpose for receiving a tattoo, it seems that there is sentimental value and the expression of self regardless of how times have changed. Five-thousand years ago, when the Ötzi’s tattoos were discovered, anthropologists perceived the meaning of his tattoos to be a symbol of accomplishment and an earned position in the community or even population. When a young adult turns 18, it’s a rite of passage to receive a tattoo, so the purpose is still there; however, having a purpose for a tattoo does not make it art.
The life and history of Abraham, a man who is faithful and obedient to God, demonstrates how to live a purposed filled life with paths that are totally directed by the Messiah. After that, I sensitize this hypothesis that life is void until the will and purpose for being is fulfilled by acknowledging God and allowing him to direct life’s path.