MAN'S SEARCH FOR MEANING IN SPIRITUALITY
Building On The Work Of Viktor E. Frankl
By Psychologist "Dr. Dan" Matzke, PhD
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Acknowledgments
Disclaimer
Preface
Spirituality: A Working Definition
Part One:
Introduction
On Ultimate Concerns of Spirituality:
Awakening Experiences
Part Two:
Introduction
On Spirituality - Enlightening Perspectives:
Great Insights & Realizations Of Humanity
Addendum:
On Mindfulness, Meaning & Spirituality
Seven Golden Guidelines For Life & Living
Uplifting Perspectives: An Ode
PREFACE
This book explores matters of "spirituality..". ultimate questions and concerns of humanity. It is written for all of mankind. The work endeavors to explore meaningful matters and experiences... which have been on the hearts and minds of humans throughout all of recorded history.
Part One of this book explores what might best be called "awakening experiences" - as they relate to ultimate concerns of spirituality.
Part Two considers what might best be described as "enlightening perspectives" great insights and realizations of humanity.
It is hoped that some of these insights and ideas will "strike a cord" and "resonate" with the reader who is seeking truth and meaning, and offer some useful pointers for experiencing a personal sense of spirituality in life and living.
SPIRITUALITY: A Working Definition
While there are many definitions of spirituality from various view points (including religious, secular, philosophical and scientific), a concise and definitive definition is rather difficult to articulate. Human beings have many unique capacities which encompass and exude spirituality, including self-awareness and situational awareness, the abilities of contemplation and reflection, a seemingly innate curiosity about the unknown... and an ambition to directly apprehend and experience... the true nature of reality and being.
In light of these characteristics of the human spirit - within the context of this book - a broad and general working definition of the word spirituality would be that it entails higher human concerns... beyond those dealing with tangible matters.
These human concerns take on a marked sense of spirituality especially when they involve the deeply personal sense of a power, order and meaning... which is beyond our full comprehension and understanding... which is beyond our ability to fully capture with words and communicate... oftentimes being more experienced and sensed in intuitive ways... than known in logical, rational and intellectual ways.
Acknowledgments:
Insights and ideas for this book were drawn from many contemporary writers, who have in turn drawn from many great teachers, seminal thinkers and authors throughout history. Interested readers are referred to the books of Irvin D. Yalom, Alan Watts, Robert C. Solomon, D. T. Suzuki, Carl Rogers, Rollo May, Abraham Maslow and Thich Nhat Hanh.
Special Acknowledgment to Viktor E. Frankl. This book "stands on the shoulders" of Dr. Frankl's life and work... in a sincere endeavor to see a little farther and to grasp a little higher.
(C)2013 "Dr. Dan" Matzke, PhD - All Rights Reserved