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Transcript of Existential Therapy and the Meaning of Being – - Essentials for a fulfilling life - Längle...
Existential Therapy and the Meaning of Being –
- Essentials for a fulfilling life -
Längle Alfried, M.D., Ph.D.International Society for Logotherapy and Existential
Analysis, Viennawww.laengle.info / www.existential-analysis.org
AgendaI. Logotherapy I.1. Introduction I.2. Key for discovering meaning I.3. Existential Meaning I.4. Ontological Meaning
II. Existential Analysis (Vienna) II.1. Introduction II.2. Key to existenceII.3. Existence and meaning II.4. Meaning and spirituality
III. Methods III.1. Practical steps with 4 FM III.2. The Logotherapeutic Meaning Searching Method (MSM) III.3. Method of Life Horizon
IV. Investigations
I. Logotherapy
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
Logos = meaning therapy through the discovery of meaning
I. Logotherapy
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
I.1. Introduction
Metaphysical approach:“THERE IS” meaning in the world
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
I. Logotherapy I.1. Introduction
“Life has meaning in all circumstances ”
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
“In the Beginning was Meaning”
I. Logotherapy – I.1. Introduction
Main contribution of Frankl: made “meaning” a practical concept for
psychology and therapy.
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
Irv Yalom (1980, p. 521)
“Few clinicians have given meaning so much importance
… like Frankl.”
I. Logotherapy – I.1. Introduction
The concept of meaning is further on developed existentially in Logotherapy
“...meaning cannot be given arbitrarily but must be found responsibly.”
V. Frankl (1970, p. 63)
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
I. Logotherapy – I.1. Introduction
Making sense
the “Copernican Turn”(V. Frankl, 1946)
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
I.2. Key for discovering meaning
I. Logotherapy
I. Logotherapy I.2. Key for finding meaning
Instead of asking for the meaning of your life…
See yourself as the center of the decisive world!
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
I. Logotherapy I.2. Key for finding meaning
“It is life itself that asks questions of man. (…) it is not up to man to question; rather he should recognize
that he is questioned, questioned by life;
(Frankl 1973, 62)
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
I. Logotherapy I.2. Key for finding meaning
“It is life itself that asks questions of man. (…) it is not up to man to question; rather he should recognize
that he is questioned, questioned by life;
he has to respond by being responsible; and he can answer to life only by answering for his
life.” (Frankl 1973, 62)
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
I. Logotherapy I.2. Key for finding meaning
Basis = connectedness:
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
ME „World“ Other(s),
YOU vis-à-vis other(s)
INSIDE OUTSIDE
Being-in-the-World
I. Logotherapy I.2. Key for finding meaning
questionning, asking…dialogue towards me (= demand, requirement(s) of the situation)
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
Free PersonME „World“
Other(s), YOU vis-à-vis other(s)
Being-in-the-World
I. Logotherapy I.2. Key for finding meaning
questionning … dialogue (= demand, requirement(s) of the situation)
Responding
PersonME „World“
Other(s), YOU vis-à-vis other(s)
Being-in-the-World
Dialogical reality of existence
I. Logotherapy I.2. Key for finding meaning
In other words…
Being human means: being questionned
to live means: giving answers
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
I. Logotherapy I.2. Key for finding meaning
Frankl introduced dialogical exchange with the world
In Logotherapy: existence questions emerge from outside („world“)
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
Meaning is discovered through the realization of values
(V. Frankl, 1984, 202)
I. Logotherapy
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
I.3. Existential Meaning
Existential Meaning is defined as:
“…a possibility embedded in reality“ V. Frankl 1985, 42
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
I. Logotherapy I.3. Existential Meaning
Three “Main Roads” (“categories of values”)
to meaning (V. Frankl, 1946; 1973, 43f)
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
I. Logotherapy I.3. Existential Meaning
Three categories for discovering meaning according to Frankl:
Creative values
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
I. Logotherapy I.3. Existential Meaning
Three categories for discovering meaning according to Frankl:
Creative values
Experiential values
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
I. Logotherapy I.3. Existential Meaning
Three categories for discovering meaning according to Frankl:
Creative values
Experiential values
Attitudinal values
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
I. Logotherapy I.3. Existential Meaning
The search for meaning...
= mirrors our fundamental humanness: a “manifestation of intellectual sincerity and
honesty”≠ sickness per se (Freud)
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
I. Logotherapy I.3. Existential Meaning
Frankl: “Existential vacuum”
= persistent experiential state and deep feelings ofmeaninglessness and emptiness
Frankl 1970, 88ff
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
I. Logotherapy I.3. Existential Meaning
Frankl “Existential vacuum”
= persistent experiential state and deep feelings ofmeaninglessness and emptiness
loss of interest and apathy aggression – depression – addiction & unstable
psychological health
Frankl 1970, 88ff
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
I. Logotherapy I.3. Existential Meaning
religion
philosophy
I. Logotherapy
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
I.4. Ontological Meaning
I. Logotherapy – I.4. Ontological Meaning
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
?
?
?
I a) activity: Existential meaning
b) Horizon (meaning of all): ontological meaning
Relationship between existential and ontological meaning:
?
?
II. Existential Analysis (Vienna)
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
Existential Analysis (Vienna)• phenomenological-existential approach
II. Existential Analysis (Vienna)
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
II.1. Introduction
Existential Analysis (Vienna)• phenomenological-existential approach• focus on being – our being there• rooted in the person approaching the world
and oneself on the basis of becoming “more fully oneself”
• criterion for becoming more fully oneself: inner fulfillment
II. Existential Analysis (Vienna)
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
II.1. Introduction
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
II. Existential Analysis (Vienna) – II.1. Introdution
Basic principle of Existential Analysis (EA):
…Dialogical exchange with oneself and others
Inner world Outer world
IPerson
II. Existential Analysis (Vienna) – II.1. Introdution
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
Person stands in continuous inner and outer dialogue
Questionning
Responding
Person ME „World“ Other(s),
YOU
Being-in-the-World
II. Existential Analysis (Vienna) – II.1. Introdution
Dialogical reality of existence
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
II. Existential Analysis (Vienna) – II.1. Introdution
Prerequisites for dialogue:
Phenomenological openness
Inner consent
Inner consent
- Freedom: experienced and practiced
- A felt sense: con-“sent“
- Authentic
- Responsible
- Dialogue (inner and outer) agreement
II. Existential Analysis (Vienna)
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
II.2. Key to existence
The aim of EA: to help people…
…to experience (to live with) inner consent
with what one is doing
II. Existential Analysis (Vienna) – II.2. Key to existence
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
Criterion for a „full“ existence:
To experience inner fulfillment
II. Existential Analysis (Vienna) – II.2. Key to existence
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
The relativization of meaning –
existence means more than just the realization of meaning
II. Existential Analysis (Vienna)
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
II.3. Existence and meaning
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
The four fundamental realities (dimensions):
• the world in its facts & possibilities
II. Existential Analysis (Vienna) – II.3. Existence and meaning
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
The four fundamental realities (dimensions):
• the world in its facts & possibilities
• life with its network of relationships and feelings
II. Existential Analysis (Vienna) – II.3. Existence and meaning
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
The four fundamental realities (dimensions):
• the world in its facts & possibilities
• life with its network of relationships and feelings
• being oneself as a unique, autonomous, responsible person
II. Existential Analysis (Vienna) – II.3. Existence and meaning
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
The four fundamental realities (dimensions):
• the world in its facts & possibilities
• life with its network of relationships and feelings
• being oneself as a unique, autonomous, responsible person
• the wider context: the future (“becoming” through one’s activities and engagement)
meaning
II. Existential Analysis (Vienna) – II.3. Existence and meaning
II. Existential Analysis (Vienna) – II.3. Existence and meaning
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
EXISTENCE= Will (inner consent)
CAN
SHOULD
LIKE MAY
1. To connect with the WORLD:
„I exist“, „I am able to be“
2. To feel thevalue of LIFE
3. PERSON = to be oneself, a unique
being: to sense/experience
authenticity
4. Openness to MEANING-connections:
situational + fundamental
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
Psychopathology: inhibition of the four fundamental realities (dimensions)
• the world anxiety• life depression• being oneself hysteria,
personality disorders• the wider context suicidality
II. Existential Analysis (Vienna) – II.3. Existence and meaning
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
• groundlessness world with its supporting structure;
• death life with its growth and temporality;
• loneliness uniqueness of being a person;
• meaning/ contextual understan- absurdity ding of one’s own
existence (=meaning)
II. Existential Analysis (Vienna) – II.3. Existence and meaning
Yalom (1980): Existential Analysis:
Personal Meaning
… more than just a „possibility“:
a) The „feeling“ of life‘s demand to become fruitful, to be, to strive, to experience one‘s life as
purposeful and good.
a request of our being here.
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
II. Existential Analysis (Vienna) – II.3. Existence and meaning
Personal Meaning
Not only to enrich others but also
b) to „become more“ by
transcending oneself towards otherness transcending the moment, the time
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
II. Existential Analysis (Vienna) – II.3. Existence and meaning
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
Meaningalignment with a value
valueMeaning
II. Existential Analysis (Vienna) – II.3. Existence and meaning
The Meaning of Being
… a process of BECOMING: based in individual being and contingent upon our transcending (reaching
beyond) our individual being
= to really become in this, our world, what we could be and what we can share in accordance
with our essence
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
II. Existential Analysis (Vienna) – II.3. Existence and meaning
The ultimate horizon (or ground) of meaning – the ontological meaning
= the „meaning of all“:
cannot be grasped, known or observed – but can be sensed and intuitively felt
II. Existential Analysis (Vienna)
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
II.4. Meaning and spirituality
Ontological meaning:
Spiritual content in meaning
feeling that our being exists within an overall context
(ungraspable meaning of life)
II. Existential Analysis (Vienna) – Meaning and spirituality
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
III. Methods
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
for finding existential meaningaccording to the
Fundamental Existential Motivations Works with inner consent
and the 4 fundamental realities (dimensions) of existence
III. Methods
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
III.1. Practical steps
1. Harmonizing with realityI am here - what can I do?
Perception, recognition and acceptance of realistic possibilities amongst the
facts and given reality
III. Methods III.1. Practical steps
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
2. Connecting emotionallyI feel my life when I like what I do
Feeling what I value, Openning myself to relationships, turning towards myself and others
III Methods III.1. Practical steps
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
3. My individuality, my uniquenessDo I feel free to be myself? Does it correspond
to „me“ , to my interests and ethics
experiences of self-esteem, attention, justice and appreciation
III. Methods III.1. Practical steps
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
4. Transcending one‘s life toward a greater context
I am here – for what purpose?
Needs a field of activity, a structural context and a value to be realized in the future
III. Methods III.1. Practical steps
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
Meaning = Questions of orientation(V. Frankl)
our belonging to (homeland; rootedness; field of activity & context) – BEING
our going towards (a value to be realized in the future; striving; transcending; being fruitful) -
BECOMING
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
III. Methods III.1. Practical steps
for the counselling of concrete situations
Based on an enlarged definition of Frankl‘s existential meaning
III. Methods
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
III.2. The Logotherapeutic Meaning Searching Method (MSM)
Steps:1. Perception What is the situation – what is
possible for you?
2. Evaluation How important/worthy are these possibilities for
you?
3. Selection What do you want?
4. Action When and by what means can you do it?
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
III. Methods III.2. The Logotherapeutic Meaning Searching Method
1. Actuality2. History3. Dialogue
III. Methods
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
III.3. Method of Life Horizon
1. Step: Reference to the loss
“What happened?
Why did you lose meaning? What is your own understanding?”
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
III. Methods III.3. Method of Life Horizon
2. Step: Taking up the life line
“What was meaningful in your life?
Why was that meaningful?”
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
III. Methods III.3. Method of Life Horizon
3. Step: Existential turn
“What does this situation want from you?
What is actually needed from you?What is the challenge?”
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
III. Methods III.3. Method of Life Horizon
IV. Investigations
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
The quest for meaning in daily life:
Tutsch et al. (2000)96 % of 200 people indicated that
they have been confronted with meaning questions
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
IV. Investigations
11 %: meaning doesn’t play any role in their life
These have the best results in the meaning test!
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
IV. Investigations
When you have found/discovered meaning - it doesn’t bother you any more… !
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
IV. Investigations
Debats (1996), HollandN = 114; Life Regard Index (Battista & Almond 1973)
MeaningStress , happiness , self-esteem
Existential Meaningwell-being & progress in psth
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
IV. Investigations
RCT-studies in Logotherapy:
24 RCT studies, mainly on sleeping disorders, anxiety, meta-analysis
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
IV. Investigations
Power of meaning
He who has a why to live for – can bear almost any how.
(F. Nietzsche – wording of V. Frankl 1963, 164)
1st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M.D., Ph.D.
IV. Investigations
Thank You
Längle Alfried, M.D., Ph.D.International Society for Logotherapy and Existential
Analysis, Viennawww.laengle.info / www.existential-analysis.org