From Lucidity to Liberation: Meaningful Purpose Psychology’s Call to Reality
- Luis A. Marrero
- Jul 3
- 4 min read
At the heart of Meaningful Purpose Psychology (MPP)—also known as Logoteleology—is a profound respect for both human potential and human truth. MPP was born from a paradox I have written about extensively: despite having access to answers, humanity continues to suffer needlessly. This “Cassandra Paradox,” named after the Greek figure cursed to speak truths that no one would believe, underscores a troubling reality—our suffering persists not due to a lack of solutions, but because we selectively ignore, suppress, or dismiss the meaningful answers already available to us (Cassandra Paradox and Effect).
This paradox does not imply that humans are broken or doomed. Instead, it affirms a powerful truth: meaningful solutions exist—and many individuals, communities, and scholars have courageously contributed them. I have personally celebrated and shared such solutions through my writings and insights at The Meaningful Path Blog and through my books. These solutions are often transformative, enduring, and generative. And yet, the gap between available solutions and their adoption remains wide. MPP seeks to understand and close that gap—not through judgment or cynicism, but through clarity and compassion.
Is MPP Too Focused on What’s Wrong or Reality?
I sometimes wonder if some believe that MPP emphasizes too much of what is “wrong” with people. This misinterpretation is understandable in a world that often encourages us to “focus on the positive” and “look on the bright side.” Positive Psychology, for example, has made valuable contributions by promoting human strengths, resilience, and flourishing. These are perspectives we honor and share.
However, where MPP diverges is in its insistence on confronting all truth—especially the inconvenient kind. We assert that to flourish truly, individuals and societies must be willing to look at the entire meaning system—including distortions, misalignments, and failure patterns that cause suffering. We do not dwell on darkness; we shine light into it.
There is nothing inherently pessimistic about clarity. On the contrary, it is the basis of hope.
The Courage to Face Reality
We believe that a sanitized version of self-awareness—one that ignores inner contradictions, disowns responsibility, or suppresses discomfort—is a false path to fulfillment. In fact, such avoidance can lead to what we call Dysmeaning: a state where meaning-making becomes distorted and misaligned with intelligence, well-being, harmony, or awareness. Dysmeaning can masquerade as motivation, but it leads individuals astray from who they truly are and what they are truly meant to become.
Similarly, Meaningantics—as described in our Meaningful Purpose Psychology framework—refers to the phenomenon in which meanings behave in opposition to their intended function. For instance, a person may adopt an inspiring resolution (e.g., to live a healthier life), but their deeper life script and meaning patterns sabotage the goal. It’s not a character flaw; it’s a misalignment. But left unexamined, such failures repeat themselves like self-fulfilling prophecies.
These phenomena are not abstract theories. They are evident in persistent global issues—from relational breakdowns to systemic injustices—where solutions exist but are often ignored or resisted due to selective attention, confirmation bias, or a fear of accountability.
Meaningful Purpose Psychology Is Compassionate, Optimistic, and Lucid
Let us be clear: MPP does not believe people are inherently flawed. On the contrary, we believe humans are born with Protomeaning—an intrinsic, life-giving force and aim. Each individual has a rightful, innate, meaningful purpose. But when that meaningful purpose is obstructed by fear, ignorance, trauma, or false conditioning, suffering ensues.
This is why MPP emphasizes meaning lucidity—the capacity to perceive reality clearly, free from distortion or denial. Without lucidity, transformation is superficial at best and deceptive at worst.
We are not here to judge. We are here to awaken—to help individuals, leaders, and organizations see themselves fully and honestly, so they can choose their path with wisdom and integrity.
A Call to Embrace All Truth
The human condition includes light and shadow. To ignore either is to live in a state of illusion. MPP is not about diagnosing humanity’s problems; it is about equipping people to live meaningfully by uncovering and resolving the causes that obscure their truth and obstruct their flourishing.
To believe in meaning is to believe in transformation. But transformation begins with truth.
We invite you—as a practitioner, leader, teacher, counselor, or seeker—to move beyond selective positivity and embrace the whole truth of your human experience, not as a burden, but as a birthright. Not to dwell in hardship, but to break free from the scripts that no longer serve you. Not because you are broken, but because you are meant to thrive—and you are willing to do what it takes to make that real.
Let us move forward together—not in fear of what we might find, but in faith that what we find will set us free.
To view a short video based on this article, select https://lumen5.com/user/luis-o9t/meaningful-purpose-p-azngh/
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Further Reading
"Logoteleology's Cassandra Paradox and Effect"
https://www.bostonimp.com/post/logoteleology-s-cassandra-paradox-and-effect
"Awakening the Mythical Typhon: Understanding and Addressing the Sleeper Effect with Logoteleology"
Blog Archive: The Meaningful Path
Marrero, L. A. (2013). The Path to a Meaningful Purpose: Psychological Foundations of Logoteleology. [iUniverse].
Marrero, L. A., & Persuitte, D. (2022). Meaningful Purpose: A primer in Logoteleology. [iUniverse].
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