Two weeks ago, my house help Anita’s son, had a son. Her daughter in law had a hard 3 days long labour, so finally when the baby came, everyone was relieved. An excited Anita, video called me from the hospital a mere 6 hours after his birth. The video, showed, a white and blue bed, with new swaddled baby at the center making all kinds of “noises”. Surrounded by his parents, two uncles and grand mommy. By the way, have you notice, how adults also start babbling in the presence of a babbling baby?
Anywho, a few minutes of this and one of the “babble” sound was “ma” and in random succession it became, “mama” – and suddenly all these tired adults went into a frenzy of ‘Oh my GOD his said “mama”’ – his first words.. how smart is he already, he takes after his dad.. etc etc etc. everyone, was joyful.
It was important ask the suspended, question, what, who made them so joyful?
The video and I were silent witness to this unfolding “meaning making” – these tired people had suddenly given meaning to the babble. And this meaning gave them such propound joy. It had never occurred to them,, that the baby was just making noises. The meaning belonged to them.
I quietly hung up. Thinking how most of us were running most of our lives like this. Getting offended because someone said or didn’t say something. Did or didn’t do something. Our Meaning. Not really what was out there.
And mostly just how obsessed we are in having to make meaning. Of everything that is happening. An almost compulsive obsession with meaning making.
Rethinking Meaning Making
In a world increasingly defined by individualism and subjective experiences, the quest for meaning has become a central theme in our lives. In his seminal work, Man’s search for Meaning, Viktor talks about the primary motivation of human beings is to find meaning even in the direst circumstances. But surely not ALL circumstance are dire? And yet we do.
However, as we navigate contexts changing every day, we are going into a dizzy at just “making sense”, instead of just sensing. It like every single word, experience MUST fit into an already existing box or frame. We can then close it and sit back and relax. …”Ah!! now that makes sense” Somehow, this makes us feel in “control” . Like we can predict something.
The Framework of Meaning-Making
Traditionally, meaning-making involves interpreting life events through established narratives and societal norms. We construct meaning based on pre-existing frameworks—cultural, religious, or personal—that shape our understanding of the world. This process often leads to a sense of temporary fulfilment, but can also result in rigidity, limiting our ability to explore new dimensions of existence.
Our Meaning making Needs an Upgrade
Maybe we must ask ourselves: What if we suspended this relentless pursuit of meaning? What if, instead of constantly striving to make sense of our experiences through existing frameworks, we allowed ourselves to exist in ambiguity? Suspend meaning making for a while. What if “I don’t know”, was also an OK state to be in ?
The Consequences of Constant Meaning-Making
- Alienation: As individuals cling to their interpretations, they may become disconnected from others who hold different views.
- Stagnation: Over-reliance on established meanings can inhibit personal growth and exploration of new ideas.
- Disillusionment: When life events challenge our constructed meanings, it can lead to crises of identity and purpose.
- Othering: When there is no shared meaning , we create a border and give birth to OR.
Suspending Meaning-Making
What if we consciously chose to suspend our instinctual need for meaning? This shift could allow us to embrace uncertainty and explore new possibilities without the constraints of previous interpretations. By stepping back from the need to define every experience, we create space for growth along a different vertical axis—one that encourages exploration rather than explanation.
How to Embracing Ambiguity?
- Courage to challenge rigid frameworks: Challenge traditional narratives and societal norms that limit our understanding of the world.
- Foster creativity: Unleash innovative thinking, unencumbered by the constraints of traditional meaning-making.
- Cultivate Curiosity: Instead of seeking immediate answers, foster a mindset of inquiry. Ask questions that provoke thought and exploration rather than closure.
- Practice Mindfulness: Engage with experiences as they are, without the pressure to label or define them. Mindfulness encourages presence and acceptance of the moment.
- Encourage Neurodiversity/Dialogue: Create environments where diverse perspectives are shared openly. This dialogue can lead to richer understandings and collective insights that transcend individual meanings.
Perhaps, even as AI is helping “make meaning” of data, of experiences, and “saving time everyday”, perhaps we will be free to suspend and wonder. Maybe we are on the brink of a A New Era of Meaning-Making where we can fathom new levels of existence, creativity, and growth and Unbox. Perhaps, we can sit and listen to one another without the well intentioned analysis. Maybe we can just sit together and wonder. Won’t be such a bad thing after all.
