Meaning making as a process of orientation in life

In this chapter, the focus is on developing an interdisciplinary perspective on existential meaning making as a process of orientation in life. It is argued that this allows for a holistic understanding of existential meaning making which highlights not only its spiritual character but also its physical, relational, and socio-cultural dimensions. Disorienting experiences are an inherent part of processes of orientation in life, interrupting habitual modes of meaning making. Such interruptions may be experienced as a threat to meaning making or as an opening towards new meaning. An existential meaning making model is presented, explaining how people (re)orient in life in the context of disorienting experiences.