Finding Our Resonant Frequency - A Metaphor For Discovering Our Passion Purpose In Life

What are the driving forces behind our actions and decisions? Is it the thrill of pursuing our passions or something more profound and complex??

What makes us jump out of bed in the morning, ready to seize the day?

It could be the vocation of working in healthcare as a doctor or nurse or caring for a sick relative. Or it's as simple as accumulating wealth if that's your thing. Maybe it's collecting Pokemon. You get the drift.

In moments of existential crisis, we often teeter on the edge of a precipice, feeling lost, empty, and devoid of purpose. It can be a daunting situation, leaving us feeling overwhelmed and helpless. However, it is essential to recognise that the path to recovery begins with understanding the root cause of our distress. Examining our values, beliefs, and motivations can rebuild a sense of purpose and meaning in our lives. With time, patience, and effort, we can pull ourselves back from the brink of despair and find new hope and direction for our lives.

Perhaps it’s time for us to delve deeper into ourselves and explore the multifaceted aspects of our identities instead of relying on generic sayings and superficial assumptions. The search for meaning in life is a deeply personal and subjective experience that can take countless forms. It may involve the pursuit of a particular passion or career, the establishment of meaningful relationships, the quest for knowledge or spirituality, or a combination of these and other factors. However, one aspect of discovering meaning in life seems to be universally fulfilling: uncovering a unique strength, value, or skill that resonates with us profoundly and contributes to our overall sense of purpose and fulfilment. Even if it is Pokemon cards, this can be the true nirvana of our existence - the realisation that we possess something unique that adds value to the world and gives our lives meaning and direction. It is a journey of self-discovery and growth that requires introspection, perseverance, and an open mind. Still, the rewards are immeasurable and can lead to a more fulfilling and satisfying existence.

Numerous models have been developed to represent meaning and its significance. These models enable us to explore and identify the fundamental components of a fulfilling and purposeful existence. By mapping out these core elements, we can better understand what makes life meaningful and how we can strive towards achieving that goal. For example, we pay attention to what Martin Seligman called the Meaningful Life. The idea behind focusing on our underlying sensations of pleasure and happiness is often viewed as a way to lead a fulfilling life. However, some experts argue that there may be more effective ways to achieve long-lasting happiness. Instead, they suggest that we channel our energies toward pursuing what is meaningful and purposeful, as this can provide us with a complete 180-degree turn back to positive subjective feelings of happiness. Numerous studies have revealed that we often misunderstand the meaning of life and mistakenly equate it with a pleasurable life. Modern trends also confuse happiness as a prerequisite for a meaningful life. However, it might benefit us more to prioritise the pursuit of meaning and focus on ''happiness'' afterwards.

Psychologists Sarah Ward and Laura King have studied this concept extensively. They suggest that to feel we have a life of meaning, we must first acknowledge and embrace the challenges and setbacks we encounter along the way. By doing so, we can develop a sense of purpose and direction that helps us navigate life's ups and downs with greater ease and resilience. This, in turn, can lead to a more profound and lasting sense of happiness and well-being. So, to enjoy a life of meaning, we must:

• have a clear sense of purpose, discernible life goals, a sense of direction, and a mission in life.
• have significance in life - we matter to a more widespread social network and feel valued within the bigger picture. Making our contribution extends beyond personal existence.
• feel coherent - we feel order in our lives, and it makes sense. This is critical. We must see the world as understandable, manageable, and meaningful.

How can we recover ourselves from a state of confusion and lack of motivation through a full-scale retrieval operation? After pondering on this concept for years, I have realised that the pursuit of self-realisation and purpose can be encapsulated and expressed through various metaphors or analogies of life. Several of these have come to mind and have proven applicable in some way.

Please stay with me on this, there is a specific method to the apparent madness….

Theories of natural frequency?

My profound fascination with the harmonics of sound and principles of sound synthesis has been a driving force in my late devotion to music, particularly electronica and synthesisers. My exploration of these auditory phenomena has yielded a deep understanding of the intricate workings of sound and its synthesis. This knowledge has allowed me to gain a greater appreciation for the art of music and has granted me a unique perspective on the subject.

Quick sound engineering 101....

Sounds are created when an object vibrates, as seen in a synthesiser's “oscillator” units. This vibration causes the air around it to vibrate, creating the perception of sound for the human ear. It’s a simplification, but the faster the vibration or oscillation (i.e., the higher the frequency), the higher the pitch of the sound. In sound synthesis and electronic music production, resonance can be either a blessing or a curse. Like anything else, moderation is key in music. While some degree of resonance is necessary to convey the essence of a track and make it pleasing to the listener, too many poles of resonance can create a muddy mix that sounds unharmonious and clumsy to a trained ear. However, it’s worth noting that millions of hours of music on Spotify and Apple Music feature flagrant resonating frequencies, which can be pretty atrocious to listen to!

The resonance phenomenon occurs when an object or system is exposed to an external vibration that matches its natural frequency. This definition, taken from Wikipedia, is generally accepted as accurate. The definition of a natural frequency is when a system or object oscillates without any external force. In practice, it refers to the frequency of an oscillation of an object after a disturbance once the disturbance has ended. This can be understood as the frequency at which an object vibrates when it is free to move without external influence. The resonance of an object or body occurs when the driving frequency matches its natural frequency, causing the amplitude to peak.?

All physical objects and even non-physical entities possess a distinct level of resonance that gives rise to a unique hum or buzz. This resonance results from the object’s vibration frequency, which determines how it interacts with the surrounding environment and other objects. Each entity, therefore, has its own mapped degree of resonance that distinguishes it from others. This phenomenon is not limited to physical objects but extends to intangible concepts such as ideas, emotions, and thoughts.

What does our own Natural Frequency look like?

Viktor Frankl, the behavioural psychiatrist and survivor of the Auschwitz concentration camp, was the innovator of logotherapy. He believed that we are creatures of meaning, and our purpose in life is directly related to the outcome of our mental state. His theory of noogenic dynamics suggests that creating tension and providing a polarised field of tension to the individual may be beneficial. When it comes to identifying the resonance of an object, a seek-and-destroy approach is used to find the natural resonant frequency of the object. This involves putting the object into hyperdynamic movement and stimulation.”According to Frankl’s theory of logotherapy, to facilitate the process of noogenic dynamics, it is essential to create a sense of tension within the individual. This tension is formed by two poles, one representing the meaning that needs to be fulfilled, while the other represents how the individual can achieve this sense of fulfilment. An individual can attain a meaningful and purposeful life by striking a balance between these two poles.

To put it simply, to find meaning in our lives and overcome the feeling of emptiness, we must search for and discover our own unique resonating frequency of relevance and significance, like a predetermined blueprint of frequencies. This can be compared to a virtual game of battleships, where we learn and identify the GPS coordinates that lead us to our personal frequency.

Why can finding our own 'frequency' lead to purpose?

Let’s consider a practical example that we can all relate to - the party trick of a skilled soprano singer being able to shatter a wine glass (hopefully empty) from across the room without even touching it. This is achieved by matching the frequency of the singer’s voice to the natural frequency of the wine glass. By increasing the amplitude of the signal at that frequency, super resonance occurs, causing the amplitude of the object's vibration to increase. The physical oscillations will exceed the structure's viability, causing the material to shear and fracture, thus resulting in the shattered wine glass.

Of course, what we don’t want is to discover the natural frequency at all costs, where we break ourselves and become fractured. However, the principle is that predetermined conditions and variables need to come together to create something seismic and powerful, such as a shift in the human condition or mapping of meaning to our soul purposes. On a grander scale, various theories even suggest that the ancient Egyptians exploited and utilised the natural frequencies of enormous stone monoliths. Theorists have proposed that images within historical paintings suggest chanting was used to create sound waves of such magnitude that may have elicited the levitation of stones.

Throughout history, resonance has been widely applicable in nature, our daily lives, and the human experience. It is a powerful tool that can be used to explore the deepest parts of ourselves and uncover our true purpose and meaning in life. By tuning ourselves to this frequency, we can experience a sensation of oneness and actualisation that can almost replicate a vibration of oneself. This process serves as a litmus test for mapping the meaning of our own characters, leading us to a more profound understanding of who we are and what we stand for.

As we navigate through life, it is essential to clearly understand how we may experience a sense of loss or confusion regarding our purpose or direction. However, having a guiding compass to help us navigate these uncertain times is equally important without necessarily providing us with a strict set of coordinates to follow. After all, it is the process of self-discovery and exploration that makes life's journey worth living.

There are various ways to identify our own resonating frequencies of meaning, along with some essential tools. I often pose a question to my patients that was once suggested by the renowned philosopher Alan Watts. A good opening question for us is, "what do you desire?". According to Watts, to discover the true meaning of life, we must delve deeper into ourselves and identify what matters to us. We must identify what is so important to us that it becomes our essence.?

Focus on what is important

Many of us tend to prioritise financial gain or rewards when making important life decisions. However, the philosopher Alan Watts suggests that we should detach ourselves from such predictable outcomes. Instead, we should prioritise pursuing paths that truly resonate with us on a deeper level. Only then can we discover purpose and meaning in our lives.

Imagine a world where money doesn’t exist. What comes to mind if we were to flip our current perspective and contemplate what we would do all day if money were not a factor? This thought experiment is based on the theory that if we align our lives with our true purpose, the personal fulfilment we experience will far outweigh any material possessions or financial wealth we could acquire. By dedicating ourselves to something that genuinely resonates, we create a sense of excellence and find deep satisfaction. This state of being can lead to a cascade of happiness and fulfilment that naturally attracts financial abundance as a byproduct.

Contemplating the possibility of having less than six months to live forces us to confront the most profound aspects of our being and reflect upon the essence of our existence. This existential scenario demands a profound and unflinching examination of our soul as we strive to comprehend the true nature of our heart’s desires and aspirations. In such moments, the quest for meaning takes on a new urgency, compelling us to explore the mysteries of life and find purpose and significance amidst the uncertainty and transience of our mortal existence.

Discovering what matters most to us in life can be a complex and challenging task. It requires introspection, self-awareness, and a willingness to explore our deepest desires and values. However, once we identify our resonant frequency or the core essence of our being, we can align our thoughts, behaviours, and actions with our true selves. This process can lead to a greater sense of purpose, meaning, and fulfilment in life. Of course, the journey of self-discovery can be challenging and straightforward, and it involves overcoming obstacles, facing fears, and embracing change. But with patience, perseverance, and the right mindset, we can unlock our full potential and find happiness in the process - as a happy accident!?