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The Existential Perspective
...become the person you are
- Friedrich Nietzsche, 1844-1900
The word existential refers to what it is to experience life directly for oneself.
Existential awareness is the process of awakening to the realities of a finite life; of feeling the importance of living now, in this moment, and choosing freely what we make of ourselves and the effects we, as individuals, have upon the world. Developing this awareness in a straightforward, humane and rewarding way is the purpose of existential psychotherapy. By gaining this awareness and being faithful to our deeper needs and character, we are then better placed to regain our power as free individuals and to take up life's opportunities and challenges. The existential perspective also helps us question our purpose, meaning and values in the interests of living in tune with our own true natures, thereby living more authentically.
Authenticity: being true to one's own conscience, integrity, spirit, or character, despite the everyday pressures that would have us act to the contrary
Your true nature is something never lost to you, even in moments of delusion...
- Huángbò Xiyùn c.9th cent.
Existential concern seeks to address the difficulties that arise in 'being true to oneself' or 'not being true to oneself'. In a society that increasingly treats the individual more like an object or number than a human being, existential concern is the interest given to recognising each person's experiences as unique, purposeful and intrinsically valuable. Attempts to meet our deeper needs in the face of social pressures to be, for example, 'thinner', 'more popular', 'smarter', 'wealthier' and 'better' can often result in our feeling worthless, troubled, isolated and distressed. Existential psychotherapists view such disturbances, not as defects, illnesses or abnormalities, but as meaningful and human responses to the choices we make and the various influences upon us.
Existential philosophy asks fundamental questions about what it is to be a human being in our world. Awareness of one's position in a life that will most certainly end, raises questions such as 'who am I?'; 'what is my truth?' and 'what really matters in this, my one life?'. Becoming clear on such questions can help us move forward with greater clarity and faith in ourselves.
Existentialism is a philosophical, literary and arts movement which sprang from existential philosophy, whose focus of concern is the recovery of the aliveness, identity and wholeness of the individual person.
...become the person you are
- Friedrich Nietzsche, 1844-1900
The word existential refers to what it is to experience life directly for oneself.
Existential awareness is the process of awakening to the realities of a finite life; of feeling the importance of living now, in this moment, and choosing freely what we make of ourselves and the effects we, as individuals, have upon the world. Developing this awareness in a straightforward, humane and rewarding way is the purpose of existential psychotherapy. By gaining this awareness and being faithful to our deeper needs and character, we are then better placed to regain our power as free individuals and to take up life's opportunities and challenges. The existential perspective also helps us question our purpose, meaning and values in the interests of living in tune with our own true natures, thereby living more authentically.
Authenticity: being true to one's own conscience, integrity, spirit, or character, despite the everyday pressures that would have us act to the contrary
Your true nature is something never lost to you, even in moments of delusion...
- Huángbò Xiyùn c.9th cent.
Existential concern seeks to address the difficulties that arise in 'being true to oneself' or 'not being true to oneself'. In a society that increasingly treats the individual more like an object or number than a human being, existential concern is the interest given to recognising each person's experiences as unique, purposeful and intrinsically valuable. Attempts to meet our deeper needs in the face of social pressures to be, for example, 'thinner', 'more popular', 'smarter', 'wealthier' and 'better' can often result in our feeling worthless, troubled, isolated and distressed. Existential psychotherapists view such disturbances, not as defects, illnesses or abnormalities, but as meaningful and human responses to the choices we make and the various influences upon us.
Existential philosophy asks fundamental questions about what it is to be a human being in our world. Awareness of one's position in a life that will most certainly end, raises questions such as 'who am I?'; 'what is my truth?' and 'what really matters in this, my one life?'. Becoming clear on such questions can help us move forward with greater clarity and faith in ourselves.
Existentialism is a philosophical, literary and arts movement which sprang from existential philosophy, whose focus of concern is the recovery of the aliveness, identity and wholeness of the individual person.
Stephen Forrest
Existential Analysis, Psychotherapy, Counselling & Personal Development
Existential Analysis, Psychotherapy, Counselling & Personal Development
Copyright © 2006 Stephen Forrest. All Rights Reserved.
Glasgow Man
Charcoal on paper
Copyright © 1997 Stephen Forrest
Charcoal on paper
Copyright © 1997 Stephen Forrest
