The Curious Mind

In this episode we introduce Frankl's classic title "Man’s Search For Meaning", the historical background, and the existential aspect in psychotherapy. While existential philosophy has been known since the mid 19th century through thinkers like Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, and Dostoevsky, the existential aspect has been introduced into psychotherapy only later - most prominently through Viktor Frankl. He was an Austrian Jewish psychoanalyst who had to endure for years the imprisonment in concentration camps, which strenghthened his focus on the meaning of life and its application in psychotherapy, which later came to be known as Logotherapy.

For an outstanding description of the living conditions in Auschwitz see: Hermann Langbein "People in Auschwitz".

And if you wonder about how prisoners in concentration camps dealt with their faith I can recommend the thesis of Flavia Giuffra: “Was God Behind the Barbed Wire? An Inquiry into Jewish Faith and Practice in Auschwitz”

For more information see https://www.gabriel-ellis.com/ and for therapy sessions contact me at [email protected]

In this concluding session with "Hanni" we reflect on how to get away from the pain which comes from a lack of appreciation. Hanni wishes to be emotionally independent and yet finds herself feeling hurt, which in turn creates one of the mind-loops which keeps up the pain at the background of her mind. One pragmatic idea we discuss is to visit some sort of support group, which has the advantage of the company of well-meaning people in a safe space which makes it relatively easy to open up. On a more profound level I suggest Hanni to go to the point of pain (for example "maybe I'm not worthy of love") and to first of all acknowledge that this is what she feels - and thus to benefit from the strength and self-appreciation that comes with such an honest look at those voices within her that crave for recognition and yet she intuitively so much wishes to eradicate.

For more information see https://www.gabriel-ellis.com/ and for therapy sessions contact me at [email protected]

Today I continue two threads from previous episodes: The 'Real', how to approach it, and what it has to do with meditation. For online therapy visit: https://www.elliscounselling.com/ or https://facebook.com/elliscounselling

In this episode I provide a basic background to meditation and discuss an aspect which is necessary in order to make our meditation successful - the 'mental home'. This is the place we usually occupy in our mind and which we need to change so that the meditation serves as a real 'vacation', to support our self development and the experience of joy... For online therapy visit: https://www.elliscounselling.com and https://www.facebook.com/elliscounselling/

How can we free ourselves from the unconscious patterns and trances of everyday life? In this episode, I delve deep into the tool box and show you numerous methods to get out of unhealthy thought and behavior patterns. To do this, I combine ancient and contemporary wisdom with practical exercises that help you take responsibility, find freedom and make your mind clear and free. In this way, I hope to support you in establishing more space, curiosity and self-determined action in your life.

Literature references:

Maha Boowa, e.g. the lectures entitled "The Path to Arahantship" (https://www.luangta.eu/site/books.php)

Jiddu Krishnamurti: e.g. https://jkrishnamurti.org/content/breaking-pattern-conditioning-0/conditioning

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Youtube: https://youtu.be/VF3-BFTTu50

Homepage: https://www.gabriel-ellis.com/therapy

e-mail: [email protected]