Spirituality in Logotherapy

Abstract

Frankl wrote that he needed to find meaning in his life so that he could sustain his life physically, psychologically, and spiritually. In other words, when an individual understands meaning in life, these three dimensions will be in a healthy interaction. The spiritual dimension and the other two dimensions have healing power. Therefore, it will become even easier for a person who is aware of the spiritual side and acts with this consciousness to find meaning. One of the most effective elements in finding meaning is spirituality. Studies have shown that spirituality helps people find meaning in their lives and even has an important effect in defeating the fear of death. In this respect, logotherapy does not reject spirituality and religion but rather encourages their use. This study examines the perspective of religion and spirituality in logotherapy and touches on the work done in this area. The spiritual point of view and applications of logotherapy, which center on finding meaning in the final analysis, are included in this study. Keywords Spirituality • Logotherapy • Meaning • Spiritual orientation therapy Logoterapi'de ManeviyatÖz Frankl insanın yaşamını fiziksel, psikolojik ve ruhsal olarak sağlıklı bir şekilde sürdürebilmesi için hayatında bir anlam bulması gerektiğini söylemektedir. Yani birey ancak anlama ulaştığında bu üç boyutun sağlıklı bir etkileşim içinde olması beklenir. Ruhsal boyut, diğer iki boyutu da iyileştirme gücüne sahiptir. Dolayısıyla ruhsal yönünden haberdar olan ve bunun bilinciyle hareket eden kişinin anlam bulması daha da kolaylaşacaktır. Anlam bulma noktasında en etkili yönlerden birisi maneviyattır. Maneviyatın insanın hayatında anlam bulmasına yardımcı olduğu ve hatta ölüm korkusunu yenmede önemli bir etkiye sahip olduğu yapılan çalışmalarla gösterilmiştir. Bu yönüyle Logoterapi maneviyat ve dini reddetmemekte aksine bunlardan yararlanmayı desteklemektedir. Bu çalışma ile Logoterapi'nin din ve maneviyata olan bakış açısı incelenmekte ve bu alanda yapılmış olan çalışmalara temas edilmektedir. Son tahlilde anlam bulmayı merkeze alan Logoterapi'nin manevi bakış açısı ve uygulamaları bu çalışma içinde yer almaktadır.

Factors Challenging the Spiritual Rehabilitation of Iranian Men Affected by Natural Disasters: A Qualitative Study

“…Since psychological and spiritual health disorders are closely related (Fontana, 2003 ), the spiritual rehabilitation counselor should be able to distinguish them and determine their differences. Furthermore, the skills of the counselor in meaning-making help disaster survivors develop and extend a new meaning for their lives as they find their lives meaningless following the disasters, (Okan & Ekşi, 2017 ). The counselor should also hold meetings to help them regain their spiritual powers and a valuable meaning of life (Sipon et al, 2015 ).…”

The Place of Religiosity and Spirituality in Frankl’s Logotherapy: Distinguishing Salvific and Hygienic Objectives

“…Such similarities might be explained by the fact that logotherapy expounds, as existentialist philosophy and theology and the great religious traditions do, what would become fundamental aspects of human nature from an ethical and spiritual point of view: conscience, freedom and responsibility, search for meaning in life, and openness to transcendence (Cfr. Okan & Ekşi, 2017 ). However, for Frankl, psychotherapy and religion are different realms, although religion can have a positive effect on mental health, and, in turn, psychotherapy can open the door to religiosity for the patient: The goal of psychotherapy, of psychiatry, and, quite generally, of medicine is health.…”

“…Although Frankl has been internationally recognized as an influential thinker, logotherapy has been the topic of controversy and criticism for decades and up to the present day (e.g., Arnold & Gasson, 1954 ; Biller et al, 2002 ; Bulka, 1978 ; Frankl, 1979 ; Maslow, 1966 ; May, 1961 , 1978 ; May et al, 1958 ; O’Connell, 1972 ; Pytell, 2006 , 2015 , 2016 ). One of the polemic issues had to do with the role of religion in logotherapy, in several senses: (1) the place of spirituality and religion in human nature according to logotherapy, (2) the place of religion in psychotherapy in general and in logotherapy in particular, and (3) psychotherapy in general and logotherapy in particular as a medical cure for the soul (e.g., Bulka, 1971 , 1975 ; Crumbaugh, 1979 ; Dickson, 1975 ; Fabry, 1975 ; Grollman, 1965 ; Okan & Ekşi, 2017 ; Palmer, 1987 ; Péter, 2008 ; Sellés, 2016 ; Shea, 1975 ; Sykes, 1999 , 2010 ; Weisskopf-Joelson, 1975 ; Yalom, 1980 ; Yildirim, 2018 ).…”

Spirituality and Well-Being: Theory, Science, and the Nature Connection

“…The critical task is to find meaning in one’s life, including in contexts of suffering, or in the face of a world that seems meaningless. Importantly, Frankl’s formulated logotherapy and religion as separate realms, though he acknowledged that spiritual beliefs may make it easier for some to find meaning ( Okan and Ekşi 2017 ). He acknowledged diverse religious orientations, but also believed one could find meaning without faith.…”