Rooted in rigorous research into real people’s lives and experiences- the Map of Meaning is not a theory or a tool, it is a compass that helps to make meaning visible and direct (collective) decisions and action.
What our research found...
Four pathways to meaning
Our research identified four pathways to experiencing meaning: Integrity with Self, Unity with Others, Expressing Full Potential, and Service to Others. People find more meaning when they can meet their needs across all four pathways over time.
Balancing Life's Everyday Tensions
In our research we found two tensions that relate to meaning: one between being and doing, and one between self and others.These tensions can lead to too much focus on any one of the 4 pathways which creates a loss of balance, which in turn can create a loss of meaning.
What can I do with the Map of Meaning?
Make meaning visible, practical and actionable.
Talk about meaning- with a shared language and safe space.
Deepen your self-awareness and connection with others.
Understand the difference between Meaning and Purpose- and why you need both.
Why do I need the Map of Meaning?
If the search for meaning is as natural as breathing, why do you need a Map?
01
The Map helps us ask, and answer: what do I need to do today, this week, to increase meaningfulness.
To take meaningful action, you have to take meaning from the big question of ‘why am I alive’, to the practice of living meaningfully on a day-to-day basis.
02
The Map clearly shows that meaning actually has six dimensions and shows their relationship with each other.
To know if you have too little meaning, or express one dimension of meaning (such as service) to the exclusion of others (such as unity), you first have to know what meaning is.
03
The Map is a quick and easy way to stay connected with what matters most to us.
Making meaning visible and actionable is not easy. Meaning comes and goes, is messy, hard to give words to, and whether at work or in our private life, we are often distracted from that which is most meaningful to us.
04
The Map allows us to notice and work with the ebbs and flows of meaning in constructive and timely ways.
On the one hand the pathways through which people find meaning, such as unity with others, are universal and timeless. On the other hand, how much meaning a person experiences in each of the elements can change.
05
The Map helps to recognise where meaning is present and absent
The ebb and flow of meaning often translates into feelings of unsettledness: we want meaning but how do we know our relationships, work or community activities are still meaningful? How do others know that what they say or do is meaningful or meaningless to us? The Map helps us quickly check in, or deeply inquire into, what is currently meaningful to us.
06
The Map helps to discuss meaning with others in neutral ways
ONce you get a grip on meaning the Map also helps to openly and safely discuss it with others and it helps us to take meaningful individual or collective action.
07
The Map helps people safely talk about meaning in ways that increase understanding and connection.
Meaning is subjective. People can use this argument to avoid speaking about meaning and claim it is too private, but the Map shows that we have meanings in common even though we may experience them differently. For example, one person may prefer to experience a sense of belonging through Friday drinkies and another through deep conversation with a work colleague.
What do participants say about working with the Map?
“For the first time, I understand where my meaning comes from and how I can maintain it”.
“The Map of Meaning® is not a theory, the processes are simple to use, yet profound”
“For the first time, I understand where my meaning comes from and how I can maintain it”.
“The Map, and the processes used with it, helped us to make meaning visible and discussable: it gave us a language for meaning”
“The Map did in 30 minutes what usually takes me hours to explain (and still not be heard)”
“For the first time, I understand where my meaning comes from and how I can maintain it”.
“The Map is not just about intellectual knowing, because there are so many embodied processes to use with it, it connects the head, heart/soul and hands”
“The Map helps us to see our differences but also what we have in common”
“The Map is not just about intellectual knowing, because there are so many embodied processes to use with it, it connects the head, heart/soul and hands”
“The Map quickly connects individual meaning to organizational purpose and back again”
“The Map makes loss of meaning visible and safe and constructive to discuss”
“The Map is not just about intellectual knowing, because there are so many embodied processes to use with it, it connects the head, heart/soul and hands”
“The Map grounds our vision, translates it into everyday actions and gives simple language for where meaning and purpose do or do not align”
“The Map shows why, in spite of some aspects of my work being very meaningful, overall, meaning kept disappearing on me”
“The Map grounds our vision, translates it into everyday actions and gives simple language for where meaning and purpose do or do not align”
“The Map informs our decision making at times when it is so easy to forget about meaning or even destroy it”
“The Map provides a much more profound understanding of balance”
“The Map grounds our vision, translates it into everyday actions and gives simple language for where meaning and purpose do or do not align”
“With the Map, meaning is no longer esoteric, it is very practical”
“The processes used with the Map restore dignity”
“The Map, through process where we find our own wisdom, supports deep connections with others”
“The Map and its processes help to cut through some intractable issues by taking it back to what matters most”
“With the Map, meaning is no longer esoteric, it is very practical”
“With the Map, meaning is no longer esoteric, it is very practical”