Tokyo Lecture Tour November 2012

Seigakuin-University, Tokyo

Dr. Kubotera

Meaning and the Tsunami Affirmation of meaning in life is a bedrock foundation for survival and well-being.

18 th Conference of Clinical Thanatologists Joshi-Seigakuin in Komagome, Tokyo

18 TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF JAPANESE ASSOCIATION OF CLINICAL THANATOLOGY Logotherapy, Meaning Therapy, & Spirituality ©Paul T. P. Wong

Overview The role of meaning in spiritual care for cancer patients Dr. Frankl’s Logotherapy & his concept of spirituality Wong’s Meaning Therapy in tapping into the human capacity for meaning making

The Good Death A comfortable & pain-free death A harmonious death A meaningful death A hopeful death A peaceful death

Breitbart’s Meaning-Centered Group Therapy for Cancer Patients Session 1 – Concepts of meaning and sources of meaning Session 2 – Cancer and meaning Session 3 – Meaning and historical context of life Session 4 – Storytelling, life project Session 5 – Limitations and finiteness of life Session 6 – Responsibility, creativity, deeds Session 7 – Experience, nature, art, humor Session 8 – Termination, goodbyes, hopes for the future

© Paul T. P. Wong

The Meaning Hypothesis The capacity for meaning seeking and meaning making (both existential & cognitive meaning) The primary motivation for meaning (both global meaning & situational meaning) Meaning offers us the best protection against existential anxieties and the best hope of living a worthy & vital life A meaning mindset is more adaptive than the success mindset.

The meaning mindset vs. the success mindset Success Failure Meaning Fulfillment Emptiness Ideal Life Wasted Life Shallow Life Sacrificial Life

Gifts from our Japanese Hosts

Dr. Nagata

Katsutaro Nagata WHO professor, psychosomatic medicine and psychopharmacology Logotherapy approach to pain & illness Logotherapy as effective treatment for chronic pain