Spiritual Psychotherapy: The Search for Lasting Meaning

Spiritual psychotherapy is a growing and evolving field of practice with ancient roots. It is a branch of sciences recognizing the multifaceted nature of our existence and interactions in the world. Aside from physical, psychological, and social factors which affect our health and well-being, spiritual psychotherapy recognizes the relevance of the dimension of the human spirit in the search for meaningful goals, relationships, and connections and our interaction with the transcendental dimension (which many people identify as the dimension of the Creator; Superior Being; the Divine; or God).

The ancient roots of spiritual psychotherapy can be recognised in the age-old questions echoed in thousands of ways and languages across all cultures and all societies since the dawn of humanity: “Who are we?” and “What is our mission?” or in a personal way: “Who am I?” and “What is my mission?”

Viktor E. Frankl’s Logotherapy and Existential Analysis (also known as “The Third Viennese School of Psychotherapy”) was directly derived from such deep-seated humanistic-existentialist concerns. At the root of Frankl’s theory is the conviction that the “Search for Meaning” is the most fundamental human motivating force. His theory, which is called “Logotheory,” is based on three Pillars, basic assumptions, with profound anthropological, philosophical and psychotherapeutic implications.

Existential analysis in Frankl’s practice (Logotherapy) is always more than a historical unfolding of events. Existence is understood in the context of the dynamics of the search for meaning (meaning of the moment) in the context of an Ultimate Meaning (the dimension of the Transcendent; Divine; or God) giving human life unlimited value and dignity.

A doctor, a neurologist, a psychiatrist, and a survivor of the Holocaust, Frankl is world-renown for his book “Man’s Search for Meaning.” The work he presents in this book (the principles of Logotherapy and Existential Analysis) has been recognized both as a most significant contribution to psychological thought and movement, and conveying deeply religious thought.

The present study employs a hermeneutic-phenomenological methodology (qualitative scientific method) to explore the basic tenets of Viktor E. Frankl’s meaning-centered theory and therapy in the light of the Biblical narratives. Old Testament and New Testament writings are used as the context within which humanity’s search for meaning as a fundamental existential quest takes place.

This methodology relies on a dialogue, interpretation, and documentation of evolving understanding according to themes. General questions such as “Which are the basic tenets of Frankl’s Meaning-centered therapy?;” “Which are the resources of the human spirit?;” “What is spirituality?;” “What is religion?;” “What can we learn from the Bible about the Transcendental context of our existence?;” and “What are the implications of our findings for current practice principles?”  have been selected to guide the research project and gradually unfold to introduce the reader to the narrative (an evolving story of a part in the context of the whole). The reader is invited to join the circle of evolving understanding and journey of discovery.

The text is divided into four sections, with four chapters each. The chapters introduce us to Viktor Frankl as a person, Frankl as a doctor, Frankl as a religious man. Consequently we learn about Biblical passages quoted in his work which pertain to each life-phase, and introduce us to his work. The theoretical implications and practical applications of each tenet of Logotherapy and Existential Analysis are carefully presented and interpreted on the basis of available literature as well as the interpretation of relevant Biblical texts.

Some of the topics covered are: Frankl’s view of the human person as body, mind, and spirit entity; Free Will; Will to Meaning, Meaning in life under all circumstances; existential dynamics; existential dialectics; existential analysis; facing the tragic triad of human existence (suffering in the form of pain, guilt, and death); the principles of meaning-centered practice; areas where meanings can be found; stepping stones to finding meaning; spirit; spirituality; religion and the interaction among these in everyday life to foster optimal health and well-being.

The text is presented as an evolving narrative, illustrated with case examples, metaphors, pictorial depictions, and guidelines for evidence-based practice.

Extensive literature review of available texts on logotherapy was undertaken by the authors in preparation for this research, and thus of literature available in English and other languages (German, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese) have been reviewed and are included in a current and up to date exhaustive bibliography.

Biblical passages and contents from the Old Testament and New Testament form a nest within which Frankl’s Logotherapy and Existential analysis appear as a significant contributor to the growing field of spiritual psychotherapy.

Current quantitative studies on the validity of logotherapy are presented along with qualitative evidence.

The present qualitative research examining the connection between the ultimate context of existence and Frankl’s Logotherapy and Existential Analysis aims to contribute to these efforts and offers its findings to the interested audience.

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