After taking a break through the holidays, Rabbi B. returns to discuss plans for continued podcasting and some possible other ideas for 2022. Of course, we also find ourselves waxing philosophic on Frankl, Logotherapy, and Meaning. Your feedback would definitely be appreciated!

We live in a world that is often trying to sell us happiness. But, as Viktor Frankl writes, we cannot pursue happiness, but it must ensue from meaning based activities. Here is a list of sources of meaning based happiness from a recent group I conducted.

A new year is often cause for resolutions and goal-setting. But instead, for this year, I am recommending choosing "words to live by". As promised in a Monday Morning Update a few weeks ago, here is a discussion on the words I am choosing for 2022 - Balance, Discipline, Speak, and Write. Enjoy!

One last set of logotherapy techniques before the new year - kind of a "bonus" podcast, or, really, more of an info dump so that I can share this last logotherapy lecture with you before re-assessing and refocusing for next year.

This is one the logotherapy techniques I love to use most! Maieutic questioning, or Socratic Dialogue, is the art of guiding yourself, or someone else, usually clients in my case, sometimes my kids, down a path of further self analysis and self-discovery. Here is a little sample of it.

This discussion is all about “reflection” - not sitting and thinking about yourself kind of reflection, but the technique of “dereflection” and the dangers of hyper-reflection. Reflect for a moment, if you like. But be sure to take action on it.

I was pretty passionate about the idea of self-transcendence when I first wrote this several years ago. It's safe to say I'm even more passionate about it now - in the 5-6 years since I wrote this, I think the idea has become far more pervasive in my life, and hopefully in the work that I do. From the original offering of this lecture: "If there is nothing else you take out of ALL of this information, PLEASE grasp this idea! This, THIS, is the crux of Logotherapy, therapy, living a meaningful life, and just being a good human."

Dr. Frankl did intend for logotherapy to be a treatment within itself, but considered it to be a helpful addition to any form of treatment. However, this was in the consideration of true mental illness. In our times of existential stress, media fatigue, and societal anxiety, I would argue that maybe logotherapy is THE treatment - or at least a set of attitudes - we might all benefit from.

Just quick update on what's coming up next - the second set of Logotherapy Lectures focused on tools and techniques you can use everyday in your life. The "secret sauce" of logotherapy bottled up for you to take home. - Enjoy!

Rabbi B. and I got together for one more discussion before taking a break before the holiday season.  Through this discussion, we address the historic and current meaning of the holiday season.  Although the holidays are typically times of great joy - or at least that is the expectation, sometimes we may experience difficulties and darkness - hopefully some of our suggestions here can help.  - Enjoy!