International Society for Logotherapy and Existential Analysis, Vienna The person’s inner consent as a central source for mental health Keynote address at the Mental Health Congress in Moscow Oct. 8, 2016 Alfried Längle International Society for Logotherapy and Existential Analysis, Vienna www.existential-analysis.org www.ieapp.ru/ www.laengle.info

1. Mental health and existence

1. Mental health and existence Basis: Mental health → must refer to the conditions of human life in its totality → only fulfilling existence can lead to or maintain psychic health

Consequence: Mental health 1. Mental health and existence Consequence: Mental health → needs an anthropology (concept of man) for knowing how existence can come to fulfillment

2. Key for fulfilling existence

2. Key for fulfilling existence Basis for fulfillment in life: Not being forced – to be free. To direct one‘s life with one‘s own decisions = one‘s will

2. Key for fulfilling existence → makes oneself present in one‘s life, harmonizing one‘s actions with one‘s real self and real values

2. Key for fulfilling existence Key for fulfillment in life: Inner consent to what one does (or let be)

2. Key for fulfilling existence What is: Inner consent (approval)?

2. Key for fulfilling existence Consent – a complex activity: = experienced as an inner „yes“ to what one does (or let be)

2. Key for fullfilling existence Consent – a complex activity: = experienced as an inner „yes“ to what one does (or let be) ► must be felt ► feeling of inner accordance ► cognitive understanding

2. Key for fulfilling existence Consent – a complex activity: Based on the four dimensions of existence: Reality (world) Life (values) Person (authenticity) Future (meaning)

2. Key for fulfilling existence Consequences of consent: … it empowers, strengthens … life affirmation … self-acceptance … high intrinsic motivation … less stress

2. Key for fulfilling existence Consequences of consent: → opening up + feel free → commitment → presence → experiencing the value of what one does

2. Key for fulfilling existence Consequences of consent: experiencing the value of what one does … → gives inner fullfillment

2. Key for fulfilling existence Psychopathology arises from a lack of clarity, decisiveness and/or dealing-potentialities – life is not „responded“ (responsibility) because of a blocked „dialogue”

3. The existential dynamics

“It is life itself that asks questions of man “It is life itself that asks questions of man. (…) it is not up to man to question; rather he should recognize that he is questioned, questioned by life; (Frankl 1973, 62)

he has to respond by being responsible; “It is life itself that asks questions of man. (…) it is not up to man to question; rather he should recognize that he is questioned, questioned by life; he has to respond by being responsible; and he can answer to life only by answering for his life.” (Frankl 1973, 62)

3. The existential dynamics In other words… Being human means:  being questionned to live means:  giving answers

4. The Existential Structure

Existence claims clarity with its basic themes: According to Yalom (1980) : Existence claims clarity with its basic themes: Groundlessness in world Death of life Loneliness as person meaning (absurdity)

4. The Existential Structure The 4 „pilars“ of Existential Therapy They are structuring, helping to be „really there“

4. The Existential Structure Dealing with the reality: → work on being able to accept what is given

4. The Existential Structure acceptance: Perception, taking the reality – instead of keeping up expecta-tions, wishes, interpretations. Development of power, courage, support for being able to trust.

4. The Existential Structure To come to live in it: Work at the turning towards the given.

4. The Existential Structure 2. Turning towards: Develop and caring of relationships, pleasure, closeness, to make life valuable.

4. The Existential Structure To be oneself in it: → work at the looking at the (own/other) person

4. The Existential Structure 3. Looking at: Development of decisiveness, genuin, responsibility, appreciation, to be able to encounter authentically.

4. The Existential Structure To deal with the future. → work at the tuning with the situation

4. The Existential Structure 4. Tuning: Openness for the situation, for the needed, for the offered – instead of looking at programs, fixe aims and rigid plans – for finding meaning.

Life is not “something” – it is the chance for something. (V. Frankl)

Thank you for your attention! www.laengle.info www.existential-analysis.org www.ieapp.ru