What Do You Do with a Problem? An Existential Approach to Problems in Living

When dealing with the vicissitudes of life, we can ignore our problems, medicalized them, or hope they go away; or we can take a different approach.

Existential Therapy: Distinctive Features

The book, Existential Therapy: Distinctive Features by Emmy van Deurzen is a good reminder to view each person as a free individual, responsible for their life. But, on another level, it is a book about how to push a particular set of belief on another person. Van Deurzen describes the existential therapy approach as: The life … Continue reading Existential Therapy: Distinctive Features →

Heresies

The book Heresies by Thomas Szasz delivers insights into the human condition. It has a cool cover as well! Reading Heresies was a delight. It is like having a conversation with a wise friend. If you have not delved into Szasz's aphoristic books, take a look at the many quotes I've reproduced in my post of … Continue reading Heresies →

The Philosophical Practitioner

The book, The Philosophical Practitioner, is a surprisingly interesting novel about a man who makes a living by talking to people about their moral dilemmas, and struggles of navigating life. His somewhat mundane life is interrupted when a femme fatale enters his office. He is left trying to figure out what sort of quandary he … Continue reading The Philosophical Practitioner →

I Hear You: The Surprisingly Simple Skill Behind Extraordinary Relationships

We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak. - Epictetus I just listened to the book, I Hear You: The Surprisingly Simple Skill Behind Extraordinary Relationships. The book is a good reminder about what it takes to be a good listener. So often we are … Continue reading I Hear You: The Surprisingly Simple Skill Behind Extraordinary Relationships →

Existential Perspectives On Coaching

Existentialism (as I see it) is the idea that we can explain human behavior according to reasons (choices), not causes. To this end, I have been interested to read how existentialism is used as a practical tool to help people understand themselves and their lives. I picked up the book, Existential Perspectives On Coaching, edited … Continue reading Existential Perspectives On Coaching →

Stepping out of Plato’s Cave: Philosophical Counseling, Philosophical Practice, and Self-Transformation

The book, Stepping out of Plato's Cave: Philosophical Counseling, Philosophical Practice, and Self-Transformation, was an interesting read about how one philosophical counselor who uses philosophy to help his clients understand and improve their lives. The author Ran Lahav, uses Plato’s Cave allegory to try to help people understand how they may be enslaving themselves inside … Continue reading Stepping out of Plato’s Cave: Philosophical Counseling, Philosophical Practice, and Self-Transformation →