Everything
can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of human freedoms to choose
one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way. When
we are no longer able to change a situation we are challenged to change
ourselves. Viktor E. Frankl.
by Dr .José
Martínez-Romero Gandos
Contrary to
man in the past that kept traditions and ethical regulations to live by, men of
today lacks instincts that they say to him what to do. Not knowing which way to
take, the person can fall in the temptation of doing what the others do or wish
to do (conformity) or what the others impose (totalitarianism). A third risk,
however, is to develop what the well-known XX c., Viennese neurologist, psychiatrist
and psychotherapist Viktor E. Frankl - creator of called Third School of
Vienna: the Logotherapy - called noögenic neurosis.
To differentiate noögenic neurosis from
neurosis “in strict sense” is essential for the conflicts that the former
develops are conflicts from conscience, confrontation with values and intense
existential frustration. Can an existentially frustrated man be helped to find
meaning in his life? It is widely thought that maybe it is too late in this
globalized world in crisis, immersed in existential emptiness. However, Logotherapists
among other mental health professionals, firmly believe it is never too late.
Economic pressures, recession, structural
poverty and crisis against growing existential frustration arising from a consumer
society that is success oriented, competitive, lacking in opportunities,
especially in the area of work, demands not a globalized perspective but a
holistic approach to help discover man´s true needs and provide for the
development of his essential condition: being an individual. The key to avoid
falling into existential emptiness, profusion of addictions, increase of
diseases of all types and wars is Solidarity. It is thus stated that each
person is unique and unrepeatable, free and responsible to choose about his
future and self- transcendence, always and under any circumstance.
Frankl used to say that existential
frustration is not self-evident but latent. Existential emptiness is in larval
stage and hidden behind several masks. One of them is depression. Not the one
that arises from suffering, inability to provide food for their children or the
loss of a beloved one; the one that comes from the realization of a life
without meaning. The depression of the rich and powerful executives who despite
being immersed in intense social, cultural and sporting activities, to repress
their will to meaning for the search of a lot of money and power.
“The life of the common man as well as that of
the one who suffers stills holds meaning IN SPITE OF EVERYTHING”. This is
affirmed by Viktor Frankl who among other hard difficulties survived from 1942
to 1945 in various Nazi concentration camps included Auschwitz and Dachau.
According to his views the man is capable of transforming into service any
situation that, speaking humanly, does not have any exit. Man is able to
transform a situation that humanly speaking has no way out into service.
It’s
essential to seek “healing“ under the care of another. That “another” can be brother,
friend, son, partner. Often this company is the real springboard that gets man
back into the meaning path. Transcendence of existence is accepted;
suffering is overcome and hope is reclaimed. When this is not possible, when he
cannot cope with these difficulties and redirect grief to someone or something
to love, is necessary a contact with a doctor, a counsellor, a logotherapist, a
psychologist or a religious man.
Today´s challenge is to build a system in
which solidarity is the centre. Such solidarity will not only prevent
psychopathological problems arousing from deep feelings of loneliness
caused by this globalized society but also monitor the appearance of disturbed
behavior that prevents living life in its fullness and may alter social and
family interaction.
Getting
a deep insight into the spiritual nature of a human being; relieving the distress of the
finiteness of one life self-transcending; internalising that life is granted to
be lived at full despite adverse circumstances and even in the worst moments,
finding a new meaning according to ours values, may us help to move a step
forward towards the reencounter with the meaning of life because, as previously
I said, life always has it.
The author is PhD. in Psychology, Logotherapist and disciple of the
creator of the so- called Third School of Vienna: the Logotherapy: Dr Viktor E.
Frankl.
