Section II

The Mindand Soul

“To thine own self be true”

—William Shakespeare

Chapter 5

Toward a Psychology of Stress

“Modern man is sick, because he is not whole”

—Carl Gustav Jung

Viktor Frankl and Stress

• The Concept of Logotherapy• The Concept of Tragic Optimism

• The Concept of Noo-dynamics

Wayne DyerGuilt

and Worry

© CharlesBush.com

Both guilt and worry are considered to be wasted emotional energy because they immobilize our thoughts... No amount of guilt will change the past...No amount of worry will change the future

Guilt and worry rob us from living in the present moment...a place that many people rarely spend much time.

Source: © Bradford Veley, Marquette, MI

The Sin of Guilt

The Art of Worrying

LeoBuscaglia:

The Lessonsof Self-Love

Leo Buscaglia was of the opinion that until you can learn to love yourself unconditionally, you will have stress. Fear is the absence of love.

Leo Buscaglia was of the opinion that until you can learn to love yourself unconditionally, you will have stress. Fear is the absence of love.

Self-love begins with cultivating self-esteem.

AbrahamMaslow:The Art

of Self-

Actualization Source: Courtesy of the Robert D. Farber University Archives and Special Collections Department, Brandeis University.

Maslow studied the lives of many people to see what was our greatest

human potential

Figure 5.14. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.(Note the similarity to the Chakra System in Chapter 4.)

“Self-actualization” is a term that Maslow coined to describe those people who could rise above the daily

hassles of life and reach their highest potential.

The following are some of the traits (inner resources) he noted that help us rise above the mundane aspects of life

1. A highly efficient perception of reality 2. Acceptance3. Naturalness and spontaneity4. Problem centering5. Solitude and independence6. A continual freshness of appreciation7. Creativity

The following are some of the traits (inner resources) he noted that help us rise above the mundane aspects of life

8. Interpersonal relationships9. Human kinship10. A democratic character11. A strong sense of ethical values12. Resistance to enculturization13. A sense of humor14. Mystical or peak experiences

Peak Experiences(another name for eustress!)

Maslow was convinced that each of us had the potential for self-actualization

MartinSeligman:Optimismand the

Art of BeingHappy

Source: Courtesy of Martin Seligman

Positive psychology is a study of what Aristotle called “The Good Life.” Seligman believes that positive thoughts are an inherentpart of the human condition and we need to cultivate, nurture and enhance these for emotional balance in times of stress.

Positive Psychology

Positive Psychology1. Positive Emotions

2. Positive Personality Traits 3. Positive Institutions

“The Constitution only gives you the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself.”

—Ben Franklin