Field Notes
by Dr. Avraham Cohen, PhD, RCC-ACS, CCC

What Matters… Meaningful experience, meaningful life: humans’ need for meaning can be as strong as the most basic needs. This is demonstrated time and time again by those who survived against all odds during nearly humanly impossible life conditions they had to endure. Viktor Frankl was a sterling example. Frankl, the founder of Logotherapy (existential therapy), survivor of concentration camp experience, and author of many books, including his best-known and widely read book, Man’s Search for Meaning, reveals: the meaning of life always changes, but it never ceases to be. Read Field Note

In life there are some ideas that most people seem to have about natural order. Here is one: in the realm of life and death, the youngest should survive to the point of becoming the oldest, and sufficiently beyond to provide mentorship to the upcoming generations. As we know, life doesn’t always work that way. Here is another: in terms of wisdom, there is a general view that elders should be respected and provide mentorship for the younger generation. Read Field Note

As I have written about previously, you and I have been formed into various sub-identities that are geared for our survival and to allow us to get support, approval, and love. In the process of, or as part of this identity formation, many sub-identities are formed to cope with “strange” responses from our external environment, including, and most importantly, our primary attachment figures and symbols, such as Mother and Father, and also all those people, institutions, cultural norms, and so on that we encounter as we grow up. Read Field Note

This statement comes from No Exit, a play by the French existential philosopher, Jean-Paul Sartre. The meaning of this line is in reference to the loss of subjectivity based from the loss of freedom that occurs in relationship with others that involves being subjected to their approval/disapproval. Of course, this is not merely a philosophical proposition. Everyone has had such experience in their relationships, from the earliest moment of child-parent bonding to adult pair bonding, as well as in school, at work, and multiple other environments. Read Field Note

Albert Camus, was one of the well-known early French 20th century existential philosophers. Following the Second World War, existentialism became a prominent philosophical tradition, and Camus, along with Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, and others in France, were the most active proponents of existentialist philosophy. European existentialism has its legacy in the works of Soren Kierkegaard, a Dane, and Friedrich Nietzsche, a German. Read Field Note

Here is the video that Heesoon and I created about our chapter, Recalibrating Mindfulness in the 2017 book edited by M.  Powietrzynska & K. Tobin and published by Sense Publishers,  Weaving complementary knowledge systems and mindfulness to educate a literate citizenry for sustainable and healthy lives. David Chang and Michelle Beatch, who were also authors for the chapter, were not able to be present for the creation of the video. Read Field Note

Within the realm of existential-humanistic psychotherapy, there is a high value placed on vulnerability. This seems to be in contrast to the dominant culture and the apparent value placed on being a tough, strong, individual. An important question to investigate is the nature, construction, and place of this vulnerability. For example, what is meant by vulnerability? Read Field Note

Of course a reference from someone you know and trust is a very good starting point. However, if you are calling without such reference, or want to confirm for yourself, ask questions of a counsellor with whom you are contemplating working that are purposefully intended to test them. Listen carefully to what they say, but more specifically note what is not said and your own sense of their authenticity, willingness to respond in an open and honest way, and the clarity of their language. Ask about:  Their own work on themselves. Read Field Note

I prefer the terms, “life affirming and life eroding” to the usual terms of positive and negative about behaviors, feelings, and actions. These latter seem to me to have judgemental and not helpful and self-critical connotations. The core issue is about inner conflict. Is there a part of you that is trying to do something life affirming and another part of you that is offering a ‘no-go’ effort? Read Field Note

Reframing is a technique that evolved from Aaron T. Beck's work with developing cognitive therapy. He talked about cognitive restructuring. It became a 'handy' tool for changing perceptions. In some sense, it was a trick to 'fool' the unconscious, and it often worked, or so it seemed. However, what lies unseen below the surface still has power. Read Field Note