Logotheraphy: (Logos being Greek for ‘meaning’) is Victor Frankl’s theory that humans are motivated by the search for a purpose in life. Victor Frankl was a notable Austrian neurologist and psychiatrist who founded the concept during his time in a concentration camp. He, alongside other holocaust victims, suffered inhumanely in the camp. His identity was seized from him, he was reduced to a number, and he himself managed to escape death by slipping into another line when they were lined up for the gas chamber. His unimaginable experiences contributed to him developing these therapeutic ideas that led to Logotheraphy.
“One day, when he was subjected to beatings and punishment by guards, he had an epiphany. Though his body was controlled, his mind could not be. Though he was in pain and suffering, he still had freedom to choose his thoughts and feelings. He could choose, for example, to dwell on a past blissful experience – and no one could stop him.”
We not only exist, but we live to discover our true meaning in life. According to Frankl, life has meaning under all circumstances and our main motivation is finding meaning in our lives. He outlines three ways that we can discover our meaning in life:
(1) “by creating a work or doing a deed”
(2) “by experiencing something or encountering someone”
(3) “by the attitude we take toward unavoidable suffering:
Frankl comments that everything can be taken away from us but not our freedom to choose our attitude in any circumstance. On the topic of suffering, Frankl used this example: "Once, an elderly general practitioner consulted me because of his severe depression. He could not overcome the loss of his wife who had died two years before and whom he had loved above all else. Now how could I help him? What should I tell him? I refrained from telling him anything, but instead confronted him with a question, "What would have happened, Doctor, if you had died first, and your wife would have had to survive without you?:" "Oh," he said, "for her this would have been terrible; how she would have suffered!" Whereupon I replied, "You see, Doctor, such a suffering has been spared her, and it is you who have spared her this suffering; but now, you have to pay for it by surviving and mourning her." He said no word but shook my hand and calmly left the office.” Frankl didn’t magically take away his suffering, but he helped the man see its meaning and therefore it became easier to bear. This highlights the importance of attitude and how we can utilise our own mental state to alleviate our suffering in a situation. We must not underestimate the power of thought and it reminds me of one of my favourite quotes by Maya Angelou – “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” We have the incredible capacity of making ourselves feel better through processing our emotions appropriately, if you cannot change the situation, then perhaps it is the universe telling you that you need to change your outlook.
Frankl understood that we are not entirely in control of every condition we may encounter in our lives. His experience during the war made him realise that a person is “capable of resisting and braving even the wort conditions”. Through this process, a person can shape their own character. His views are translated into Logotherapeutic treatment which can be used to help those experiencing OCD, depression, anxiety and schizophrenia. A form of treatment is ECCEHOMO, which is when the therapist notes the strengths that people have, and how they have pushed through adversity and suffering in their life.
Logotherapy introduces three equally important elements to discovering personal meaning. Creativity, experiencing and attitude. We always have the power of choice, even in the face of the tragic triad of pain, guilt and death. Pain and suffering can be transduced into a healthy drive to accomplish something. Our guilt can become the opportuning to decide how we want to change for the better. And death, can be seen as an incentive to take worthy action in our lives. Life does not owe us happiness, and I’ve seen many not get their fair share. Instead, life offers you meaning, it is always available for you to discover, regardless of the circumstance. I read something recently about how we need to stop looking for one grand reason to live, why can’t there be many small ones? The restaurant you haven’t tried yet, the book you haven’t finished on your bed side table, these can all be reasons to live.
- sham
I’m hoping to start a tradition of putting in a poem I adore at the end of my posts, here is this week’s one:
if we become separated from each other
this evening try to remember the last time
you saw me and go back and wait for me there.
I promise I won’t be very long,
though I am haunted by the feeling
that I might keep missing you,
with the noise of the city growing too
loud and the day burning out so quickly.
but let’s just say it’s as good a plan as any
just once let’s imagine a word for the memory that lives beyond the body, that circles
and sets all things alight. For I have
singled you out from the whole world,
and I would- even as this darkness
is falling, even when the night comes
where there are no more words, and the day
comes when there is no more light.
Leannad O’ Sullivan
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