Nihilism is often perceived as a void—a place where meaning goes to die, leaving only a sense of futility in its wake.
But this perception overlooks the inherent power within nihilism. Yes, it strips away the comforting illusions we hold onto, but it also offers us the freedom to rebuild from scratch. Creating our life in whatever fashion we choose.
Most people equate Nietzsche with nihilism; but he didn’t create the concept. In fact, he warned us about the dangers if we blindly accepted it. But what he also hinted at was the opportunity nihilism provides to create meaning from nothing.
It is a daunting task, but it’s also a liberating one—because the canvas is blank, and you get to choose what to paint.
The Spirituality of Nihilism: Filling the Void with Meaning
When we talk about nihilism, it’s easy to assume it’s devoid of any form of spirituality. After all, if nothing inherently matters, why would spirituality have a place? Yet, many people fill the void that nihilism exposes with something that makes life feel valuable. And one of the most common ways people do this is through spirituality.
What I find fascinating about nihilism is that while it may lead to the conclusion that life has no inherent meaning, it leaves the door wide open for us to find meaning in our own way. Spirituality is just one of the many avenues we can explore.
I’ve chosen Buddhism as the best representative of how spirituality can fill the void left by nihilism. Buddhism teaches that all things are impermanent and that attachment to things, ideas, and people is what causes suffering. In this sense, Buddhism and nihilism align in their acknowledgment that nothing inherently matters—but where nihilism might leave you adrift, Buddhism offers tools for navigating this impermanence. It teaches us that letting go is key to finding peace, not despair.
A Case Study: Mid-life Career Loss
Let’s take an example: Imagine a 50-year-old who has just lost their job. This was the only job they had ever had, and the one they thought they’d retire from. For decades, they defined themselves by this career. But now, standing at the precipice of what feels like an identity crisis, they’re left questioning: Did any of it really matter?
From the perspective of nihilism, the answer might be a harsh: No, it didn’t matter. The job, the title, the years of hard work—they didn’t hold any inherent value to this person’s life. The stark reality, according to nihilists, is that nothing really matters, in the bigger sense of things. But nihilism also points to a future that is still is wide open, free from the weight of old definitions and roles.
So the nihilist might turn to psychology for answers. And this is where positive psychology steps in. Positive psychology would argue that while the job itself didn’t inherently matter, the meaning you derived from it was what mattered. Losing the job isn’t the end of the road; it’s a chance to find new ways to build meaning. Positive psychology encourages a growth mindset, where you look at loss as a space for personal growth, resilience, and reinvention. It would tell the individual to use this as an opportunity to redefine themselves—not by their career, but by their passions, strengths, and connections. This is taking the path of the mind.
Buddhism, on the other hand, would approach the situation by focusing on impermanence. Everything in life is transient—jobs, relationships, even identity. Losing the job is just one more reminder of this universal truth. In Buddhism, the individual is encouraged to let go of the attachment to their career and embrace the impermanence of life. It teaches that by releasing our grip on what we believe defines us, we open ourselves to a more peaceful existence, free from suffering. Buddhism would tell the individual to find peace in the moment, rather than clinging to a role or a job that was never meant to last forever. This is taking the path of spirituality.
Impermanence: Nihilism, Psychology, and Buddhism
This brings us to the idea of impermanence, a concept that ties together nihilism, psychology, and Buddhism in profound ways. Nihilism tells us that nothing matters because nothing lasts. It strips away meaning by revealing that everything we hold dear is temporary. Psychology steps in to say, “Yes, nothing is permanent, but we have the power to make things matter while they last.” It encourages us to find personal meaning in impermanent experiences, to engage with life fully knowing it won’t last.
Buddhism takes impermanence one step further. It not only accepts the transient nature of life but sees it as a path to liberation. If nothing lasts, then nothing is worth clinging to. By letting go, we free ourselves from the suffering that comes from attachment. Where nihilism might see impermanence as a source of despair, Buddhism reframes it as the key to inner peace.
Three vastly different areas of study all bring us to the same answer.
Letting Go and Embracing Change
So how do we navigate this intersection of philosophies? We begin by letting go. The idea of letting go is central to both Buddhism and positive psychology. In positive psychology, letting go is part of resilience—the ability to bounce back from setbacks by not allowing them to define you. In Buddhism, letting go is the ultimate goal, the path to freedom from suffering. And in nihilism, letting go means accepting that nothing inherently matters, but also realizing that you have the freedom to create meaning for yourself.
Embracing change is the natural next step. Nihilism leaves us with a blank slate, but it’s up to us to decide what to draw. Positive psychology gives us the tools to approach that slate with curiosity and optimism. Buddhism reminds us that whatever we create on that slate is temporary, and that’s perfectly okay. The key is to live in the moment, to find meaning in the process of creation, rather than clinging to the final product.
From Fear to Freedom: Navigating the Journey
The journey from nihilism to freedom isn’t about escaping fear; it’s about learning to live with it. The fear of nothingness—the fear that life might have no inherent purpose—can be paralyzing. But by embracing that fear, we also embrace the potential it holds. Nietzsche warned us about the dangers of falling into despair, but he also pointed us toward the freedom that comes when we move beyond it. Frankl showed us how to find meaning even in the darkest moments. Positive psychology provides practical tools to foster resilience and growth. And Buddhism offers the spiritual guidance needed to let go and find peace amidst impermanence.
Together, these philosophies form a powerful framework for navigating life’s uncertainties. They remind us that while nothing lasts forever, we can still find beauty, meaning, and growth in the fleeting moments. It’s not about escaping the void—it’s about finding the courage to build something beautiful within it.
Book Recommendation
For more on this subject I recommend “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor Frankl. I dare you not to be moved by this book.