Sri Lanka, Oct. 14 -- Many of my clients, after having spoken about their more imminent issues, often mention existential concerns like choices in their life, how to live and the impermanence of life.
One of my favourite authors is the American existential psychotherapist / psychiatrist Irvin Yalom. In his book "Love's executioner and other tales of psychotherapy" (and more in detail in his book "Existential psychotherapy") he writes about his existential perspective. Yalom asserts that in order to discover the fundamental truths of our existence one should make time to reflect. That means personal reflection in silence, solitude and exclusion of distractions (no phone, music, TV, people). By doing so, we can get deeper and experience personal emotions and thoughts. This is not the same as meditating where the aim is often "to quiet the monkey mind", whereas self-reflection is about confronting your thoughts and especially your emotions. Yalom differentiates four ultimate concerns which individuals are confronted with in their existential dynamic conflict: death, freedom, isolation and meaninglessness. By confronting these existential truths they can be vessels for personal change and growth.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Lanka Woman.