You know how there are all these rehab “farms” for addictions of every kind? What if there was an Existential Rehab?
Here’s a curriculum I’d propose for such a rehab to leverage existentially vibrant living:
(1) the habit of making one’s own meaning,
(2) the habit of noticing ordinary perfection,
(3) the habit of being present in the moment,
(4) the habit of making conscious choices,
(5) the habit of self-acceptance,
(6) the habit of accepting uncertainty,
(7) the habit of forgiving and compassion.
As I see it, these seven vital signs of conscious, meaningful and mindful living are the essential goals of the would-be program of existential rehabilitation. I believe that developing these habits would help you feel freer and more alive, more at ease and psychologically invulnerable, more attuned to yourself and more connected with others, and, most importantly, less preoccupied with what should be and more in awe of what already is.
Open your mind to open up your own existential rehab!
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Hi, Dr. Somov -
What a simple and beautiful post . . . a great reminder of what is most important! Thank you!
- Marie (Coming Out of the Trees)
Thank you, Marie. Be well.
There actually is an ‘existential’ rehab (in Powell River, British Columbia) and this is how your suggested curriculum is covered:
(1) the habit of making one’s own meaning (program is based, in part, on Viktor Frankl’s logotherapy),
(2) the habit of noticing ordinary perfection (program is set in a waterfront location and planned outdoor activities give clients the opportunity to connect with nature),
(3) the habit of being present in the moment (mindfulness and yoga are practiced on a weekly basis),
(4) the habit of making conscious choices (taking responsibility is a core precept of existential psychotherapy which is observed in both both house rules and the clinical program.),
(5) the habit of self-acceptance (acceptance is one of the spiritual principles of AA and this is taught in psycho-education groups),
(6) the habit of accepting uncertainty (clients are taught the Serenity Prayer … many people with addictions are control freaks and therapy also covers this),
(7) the habit of forgiving and compassion (again, spiritual principles of AA).
Our particular version of therapy is existential-humanistic with contributions from logotherapy and positive psychology. Positive psychology balances out the existentialism and vice versa. In other words, we focus on the strengths of our clients but acknowledge their suffering as a heroic struggle to find meaning and purpose.
dd at 3:50 pm on
January 12th, 2011Is there anything like this in the U.S.? I live in the San Francisco Bay area and I would imagine something like this exists around here but I can’t figure out how to search for it. I desperately need help to overcome my life-long feeling of emptiness and regular therapy just hasn’t been elemental, aggressive and extreme enough to get to the source of my problems. I’m an adult survivor of childhood emotional neglect and I’ve had probably one of the most directionless lives imaginable for a person approaching the age of 40. OK, enough of my story. Just wondering about this. An intimate rehab environment is what I feel I really need but I’m not “addicted” to anything but feeling empty and hopeless in spite of my obvious potential.
Existential Rehab | 360 Degrees of Mindful Living Eating (July 15, 2010)
From Psych Central's 360 Degrees of Mindful Living:
Cutting the Costs of Perfectionism | 360 Degrees of Mindful Living (July 21, 2010)
From Psych Central's 360 Degrees of Mindful Living:
Self-Help for the Ultimate Do-It-Yourselfer | 360 Degrees of Mindful Living (July 23, 2010)
Last reviewed: 9 Jul 2011
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