Existential Therapy and the Meaning of Being Essentials

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, Vienna www. laengle. info / www. existential-analysis. org

Agenda I. 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 existence II. 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 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

I. Logotherapy I. 1. Introduction Logos = meaning therapy through the discovery of meaning 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

I. Logotherapy I. 1. Introduction Metaphysical approach: “THERE IS” meaning in the world 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

I. Logotherapy – I. 1. Introduction “Life has meaning in all circumstances ” “In the Beginning was Meaning” 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

I. Logotherapy – I. 1. Introduction Main contribution of Frankl: made “meaning” a practical concept for psychology and therapy. Irv Yalom (1980, p. 521) “Few clinicians have given meaning so much importance … like Frankl. ” 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

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) 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

Making sense

I. Logotherapy I. 2. Key for discovering meaning the “Copernican Turn” (V. Frankl, 1946) 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

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! 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th 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) 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th 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) 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

I. Logotherapy I. 2. Key for finding meaning Basis = connectedness: ME Being-in-the-World INSIDE 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London „World“ Other(s), YOU vis-à-vis other(s) OUTSIDE 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

I. Logotherapy I. 2. Key for finding meaning questionning, asking…dialogue towards me (= demand, requirement(s) of the situation) ME Free Person „World“ Being-in-the-World 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London Other(s), YOU vis-à-vis other(s) 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

I. Logotherapy I. 2. Key for finding meaning questionning … dialogue (= demand, requirement(s) of the situation) ME Person „World“ Being-in-the-World Responding Dialogical reality of existence Other(s), YOU vis-à-vis other(s)

I. Logotherapy I. 2. Key for finding meaning In other words… Being human means: being questionned to live means: giving answers 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th 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“) 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

I. Logotherapy I. 3. Existential Meaning is discovered through the realization of values (V. Frankl, 1984, 202) 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

I. Logotherapy I. 3. Existential Meaning is defined as: “…a possibility embedded in reality“ V. Frankl 1985, 42 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th 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, 43 f) 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

I. Logotherapy I. 3. Existential Meaning Three categories for discovering meaning according to Frankl: Creative values 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th 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 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th 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 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th 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) 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

I. Logotherapy I. 3. Existential Meaning Frankl: “Existential vacuum” = persistent experiential state and deep feelings of meaninglessness and emptiness Frankl 1970, 88 ff 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

I. Logotherapy I. 3. Existential Meaning Frankl “Existential vacuum” = persistent experiential state and deep feelings of meaninglessness and emptiness loss of interest and apathy aggression – depression – addiction & unstable psychological health Frankl 1970, 88 ff 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

I. Logotherapy I. 4. Ontological Meaning religion philosophy 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

I. Logotherapy – I. 4. Ontological Meaning Relationship between existential and ontological meaning: ? ? I ? ? b) Horizon (meaning of all): ontological meaning a) activity: Existential meaning ? 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

II. Existential Analysis (Vienna) 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

II. Existential Analysis (Vienna) II. 1. Introduction Existential Analysis (Vienna) • phenomenological-existential approach 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

II. Existential Analysis (Vienna) 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 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th 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 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

II. Existential Analysis (Vienna) – II. 1. Introdution I Inner world Person Outer world Person stands in continuous inner and outer dialogue 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

II. Existential Analysis (Vienna) – II. 1. Introdution Questionning Person ME Being-in-the-World Responding Dialogical reality of existence „World“ Other(s), YOU

II. Existential Analysis (Vienna) – II. 1. Introdution Prerequisites for dialogue: üPhenomenological openness üInner consent 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

II. Existential Analysis (Vienna) II. 2. Key to existence Inner consent - Freedom: experienced and practiced - A felt sense: con-“sent“ - Authentic - Responsible - Dialogue (inner and outer) agreement 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

II. Existential Analysis (Vienna) – II. 2. Key to existence The aim of EA: to help people… …to experience (to live with) inner consent with what one is doing 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

II. Existential Analysis (Vienna) – II. 2. Key to existence Criterion for a „full“ existence: To experience inner fulfillment 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

II. Existential Analysis (Vienna) II. 3. Existence and meaning The relativization of meaning – existence means more than just the realization of meaning 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

II. Existential Analysis (Vienna) – II. 3. Existence and meaning The four fundamental realities (dimensions): • the world in its facts & possibilities 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

II. Existential Analysis (Vienna) – II. 3. Existence and meaning The four fundamental realities (dimensions): • the world in its facts & possibilities • life with its network of relationships and feelings 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

II. Existential Analysis (Vienna) – II. 3. Existence and meaning 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 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

II. Existential Analysis (Vienna) – II. 3. Existence and meaning 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 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

II. Existential Analysis (Vienna) – II. 3. Existence and meaning EXISTENCE = Will (inner consent) C A N L I K E M A Y S H O U L D 2. To feel the value of LIFE 1. To connect with the WORLD: „I exist“, „I am able to be“ 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 4. Openness to MEANING-connections: situational + fundamental 3. PERSON = to be oneself, a unique being: to sense/experience authenticity 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

II. Existential Analysis (Vienna) – II. 3. Existence and meaning Psychopathology: inhibition of the four fundamental realities (dimensions) • the world • life • being oneself anxiety depression hysteria, personality disorders • the wider context suicidality 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

II. Existential Analysis (Vienna) – II. 3. Existence and meaning Yalom (1980): Existential Analysis: • groundlessness world with its supporting structure; • death life with its growth and temporality; • loneliness uniqueness of being a person; • meaning/ absurdity contextual understanding of one’s own existence (=meaning) 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

II. Existential Analysis (Vienna) – II. 3. Existence and meaning 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. 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th 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 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

II. Existential Analysis (Vienna) – II. 3. Existence and meaning Meaning alignment with a value Meaning 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D. value

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 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

II. Existential Analysis (Vienna) II. 4. Meaning and spirituality 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 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

II. Existential Analysis (Vienna) – Meaning and spirituality Ontological meaning: Spiritual content in meaning feeling that our being exists within an overall context (ungraspable meaning of life) 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

III. Methods 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

III. Methods III. 1. Practical steps for finding existential meaning according to the Fundamental Existential Motivations Works with inner consent and the 4 fundamental realities (dimensions) of existence 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

III. Methods III. 1. Practical steps 1. Harmonizing with reality I am here - what can I do? Perception, recognition and acceptance of realistic possibilities amongst the facts and given reality 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

III Methods III. 1. Practical steps 2. Connecting emotionally I feel my life when I like what I do Feeling what I value, Openning myself to relationships, turning towards myself and others 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

III. Methods III. 1. Practical steps 3. My individuality, my uniqueness Do I feel free to be myself? Does it correspond to „me“ , to my interests and ethics experiences of self-esteem, attention, justice and appreciation 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

III. Methods III. 1. Practical steps 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 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

III. Methods III. 1. Practical steps 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 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

III. Methods III. 2. The Logotherapeutic Meaning Searching Method (MSM) for the counselling of concrete situations Based on an enlarged definition of Frankl‘s existential meaning 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

III. Methods III. 2. The Logotherapeutic Meaning Searching Method 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? 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

III. Methods III. 3. Method of Life Horizon 1. Actuality 2. History 3. Dialogue 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

III. Methods III. 3. Method of Life Horizon 1. Step: Reference to the loss “What happened? Why did you lose meaning? What is your own understanding? ” 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th 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? ” 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th 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? ” 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

IV. Investigations 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

IV. Investigations The quest for meaning in daily life: Tutsch et al. (2000) 96 % of 200 people indicated that they have been confronted with meaning questions 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th 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! 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

IV. Investigations When you have found/discovered meaning - it doesn’t bother you any more… ! 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

IV. Investigations N = 114; Debats (1996), Holland Life Regard Index (Battista & Almond 1973) Meaning Stress , happiness , self-esteem Existential Meaning well-being & progress in psth 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

IV. Investigations RCT-studies in Logotherapy: 24 RCT studies, mainly on sleeping disorders, anxiety, meta-analysis 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th 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) 1 st World Congress for Existential Therapy London 17 th May 2015 - Alfried Längle, M. D. , Ph. D.

Thank You Längle Alfried, M. D. , Ph. D. International Society for Logotherapy and Existential Analysis, Vienna www. laengle. info / www. existential-analysis. org