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There is a perhaps inevitable quest for longevity. Long life by itself however, is just not enough. Long health is also critical to make long life full and not simply passable. But equally crucial to well-being is, I believe, meaning. There is an inside to reality that releases its fragrance when nurtured by love.
The awe-inspiring book by the psychiatrist Viktor Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning: an introduction to logotherapy, was first published in 1946 and then, in a revised and enlarged edition, in 1962 (Beacon press) and 1964 (Hodder and Stoughton). Frankl’s seminal work builds upon Nietzsche’s insight: “He who has a why to live can bear with almost any how.”
Are you interested in longevity, long health and meaning – and how to make all three available to as many as possible? Your reflections and pointers will be most valuable.
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Thanks Justin
Comment by Philip Roderick January 3, 2011 @ 7:23 pmI first came across Viktor Frankl’s book when I came across it in 1992 tucked away on a shelf in the nursing school library at St Thomas’s hospital. I read it standing up on a crowded tube train to and from Wimbledon where I was lodging at the time. It gripped me. I remember being struck by descriptions of those who survived the concentration camps of the haulocaust and survived the years of freedom afterwards, which not all did (see Primo Levi’s achingly articulate book “If this is a man”). What was it that enabled the survivors to thrive? And what is it that enables us to turn things around when we lose our way in our comfortable lives? It is the finding of meaning. This book was very significant for me. Thank you for bringing it back to mind through your blog post!
Comment by Diane Rutter January 4, 2011 @ 6:33 pmThanks Diane. Frankl’s is an extraordinary and empowering memoir. Its insights have fed me in different ways for years. I don’t know of Primo Levi’s “If this is a man” – must look it out.
Comment by Philip Roderick January 4, 2011 @ 8:15 pmthis is the best book in the world. i love it. Love Anna XXXX
Comment by Anna January 11, 2012 @ 12:55 pmdear rodderick!
i have just written to contemplative fire and realised that you are it’s head, such a coincidence. Google and God work well together
i’m bubbling over with excitement about shared love for logotherapy! It’s nice to have shared interests and if contemplative fire looks good i’ll have go! Many thanks, love Anna X
Comment by Anna January 11, 2012 @ 1:15 pmHi Anna
Great to hear from you, both in response to Roderick’s Rambles – my all too occasional blog – and from your email to Contemplative Fire. Logotherapy is a wonderful book and practice.
Have you checked into our CF website? If so, how do you resonate?
I’m based in Sheffield now, but very occasionally in London. In fact, I am coming down this week for meetings. The only space I have though is either first thing on Thursday morning (19 Jan). I have a CF trustees meeting near Waterloo (Pocock Street) and need to be there by 11.15am. Are you free to meet earlier that morning somewhere near Waterloo or Southwark tubes? There’s a Caf Nero on The Cut, which is on my way to the meeting from Waterloo. Any possibility?
Blessings and solidarity,
Philip
Comment by Philip Roderick January 15, 2012 @ 5:27 pmDear Philip,
Is your meeting in Pocock Street by any chance with the Anglican nuns there? I used to live with them on Pocock street! What time would suit you to meet before your meeting? I could meet anytime from 9:30? Then could leave at 10:30/45? Or when might suit you? Anna
Comment by Anna January 16, 2012 @ 9:57 amHi Anna
Sorry not to have got back to you before. Life rather full! Yes, we are meeting at the sisters at Pocock St. I’m about to catch a train to London so can’t do much else except to say it would be great to see you tomorrow morning before my trustees meeting at St Alphege. We hire the room and I don’t have time now to arrange an earlier meeting. Could, therefore, you and I meet in the Caf Nero, The Cut, just up from Waterloo Station at 9.30am? We can then have an hour together and solve the problems of the universe. I will be off emails as from 2 mins. Could you respond to this message confirming it and the time and place of our meeting by texting my mobile: 07709955091.
Look forward to meeting
Philip
Philip Roderick Adviser in Spirituality to the Bishop of Sheffield and Chaplain to Whirlow Grange http://www.whirlowgrange.co.uk Community Leader of Contemplative Fire http://www.contemplativefire.org Founder-Director of The Quiet Garden Movement http://www.quietgarden.org
Comment by Philip Roderick January 18, 2012 @ 6:59 am