Existential Dread, and Overcoming an Existential Crisis
It’s natural to have moments – even in the course of a generally happy, mostly fulfilling life – where we question our meaning, value, and purpose. This "existential dread" sometimes culminates in an "existential crisis." Today Dr. Rick Hanson and I consider how we can confront these basic questions with acceptance and curiosity, and find the meaning and purpose that can help us live good lives.
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Key Topics:
0:00 Introduction
2:35 Meaning and purpose as the basis for Existentialism
5:20 Four basic issues of existence
7:00 Practical reasons for exploring Existentialism
10:50 Forrest’s childhood acceptance of death.
12:00 Four approaches to confronting existential frailty
13:45 Rick’s orientation to existential dread and its three psychological challenges
15:45 Rick’s personal experience confronting ambivalence and asking the point of living
20:25 Confronting an existential crisis as a catapult into a meaningful life
22:45 Morbid preoccupation as avoidance and self-ing
23:45 The three major whys of living: pleasure, service, and learning
26:10 What death can teach us about living a good life
31:30 Waves and water - resting in gratitude for life and it’s inevitable ending
36:15 Humor in the space of emptiness between living things
39:10 Natural fear vs. anticipatory dread
43:10 Finding your why when familiar structures break down
48:35 Recap and front porch meditation
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