Existential Psychotherapy: Death, Freedom, Isolation, Meaninglessness

[@becauseiamworthless]

You guys are everything The School of Life fails to be. I cannot praise you enough. Thank you for providing transcripts, for suggesting further reading, and for the quality of content.

[@austinbarton6874]

Yeah School of Life is good just less in depth explanation. This channel rules.

[@theendlesssuffering]

Agreed this is the best channel I've found so far for this kind of material and presentation.

[@tamsinthai]

becauseiamworthless The School Of Life is just the musings of one man, Alain de Boton, with whom I fundamentally disagree on many things. This chanel is a veritable smorgasbord of ideas.

[@sundiverjl]

This video is a great comfort to me

[@icyjiub2228]

School of life tries to backup their content with (decent yet cheap) animation while waiting THEIR NARRATOR paraphrases a philosopher. This dude sets his quotes up well enough that then words of the Philosophers themselves knock you straight on your ass.

[@NonAbsoluteAbsolutisim1]

I believe the group that appreciates this offering from the Academy of Ideas is in the process of actualising its existence..

[@shazam3513]

One thinks one can, all he can do is think that he can and nothing else.

[@NonAbsoluteAbsolutisim1]

@@shazam3513 That sounds like a limiting belief to me.

[@Archimedes1988]

More like actualizing its essence

[@kaylacarpenter272]

Wow, look at all you cringe, pseudo-profound fucks.

[@NonAbsoluteAbsolutisim1]

@@kaylacarpenter272 Wow look whats been actualised

[@ianol154]

The idea that problems are insoluble but probably surmountable is mind blowing to me. This idea also sums up the loss of childhood fascination and the terms of reality children all face. Great video, thanks for the effort put into this.

[@EpicSchizophrenium]

Its been a long time, i know, but could you elaborate on the loss of childhood faszination. I dont see how it relates.

[@Fullofills]

@@EpicSchizophrenium I'd guess he means that realisation that you gain in the transition from childhood to adulthood that life isn't fair and it isn't that great a lot of the time. Also your growing reluctance to engage with a lot of life because you know it will be painful. But you also learn that shit happens and will continue to happen, and that you can get through life regardless of those facts.

[@jacksondavison9079]

I see it happening right in front of me to my friends. Makes me sad

[@MrHingerButton]

I really do not understand why your videos do not have more views. You clearly put a lot of work researching all the presented material and what you do actually put across is of a much higher caliber than other dumbed - down philosophy videos. Great work and I hope you get the recognition you deserve!

[@academyofideas]

I appreciate it! I'm very grateful for all the views, comments, and feedback I've received so far. I don't plan on stopping any time soon so I'm sure the channel will only continue to grow :)

[@Joshua1Yes1Him]

Although the supply is there, there is little demand in regards to the population who have access to the WWW. Which is unfortunate as these videos are very informative.

[@eeners]

Maybe because, like the quote in this video, "only a small proportion of the human population gets to the point of [even being interested in?] identity, or of selfhood, full humanness, self-actualization" So congratulations to those of us who have made it this far? 😉

[@devvv4616]

yeah, few people are questioning their lives enough to stumble upon a channel like this.

[@EfrainMcshell]

Academy of Ideas what’s your name?

[@solardisk3]

I've grown up in near total isolation as the only child of an only child. I was forced to become very introspective, thoughtful and ultimately highly creative and imaginative. I have difficulties in groups or in relationships, as my entire psyche is focused on my internal dialogue and the neurosis that inevitably entails. Isolation is the sea I swim in. I've learned to identify when ego is answering when spirit should, and am able to avoid the easy emotional pitfalls many others can't.

[@academyofideas]

Get the transcript academyofideas.com/2016/08/existential-psychotherapy-death-freedom-isolation-meaninglessness/ Recommended Reading: Existential Psychotherapy by Irvin Yalom - amzn.to/2bzoc9C (affiliate link) Enjoy!

[@shawnmcguire4497]

Turning my students on to this channel.

[@norseaknothead]

If it weren't for the many moments like this, I wouldn't believe in serendipity. What a wonderful and timely video. Thank you.

[@amandeepbaghiana4510]

I’m 20 years old now and it’s disheartening to see that kids my age rarely think about these issues. Only when life breaks them later in life do they begin to reflect.

[@alessandrobarella1513]

Brother I am 20 too & it’s so sad that people our age don’t know about these philosophies & philosophical movements. I have learnt & will keep on learning until the day I die.

[@shadowsdad903]

Spread the word, my young friends. And may God bless you both always.

[@AlexAlex-km9db]

@@shadowsdad903 Life breaking you in some way seems to be the prerequisite for thinking about the meaning of it. 24 years old, and I got friends with above average, average and traumatic childhoods. The only ones who are interested in these kinds of topics are the ones with traumatic childhoods, the rest make fun of me for opening discussions about these things. I'm curious how life will pan out to most of us.

[@alextomlinson5802]

I am 19 and see the way of the world with war, suffering and restrictions on freedom and see that most ADULTS do not see this It really can lead to feelings of loneliness and powerlessness I'm trying to deal with this by thinking 'I cannot change the world, but can change my world and the world of those I love'

[@coreyanderson1815]

Some operate better on chaos ragnarok,, yes.

[@CodebreakerCH]

You are quickly becoming one of my favourite channels. Great stuff!

[@carlbole2142]

Man, I just went through all of this self analysis, and now I find this and adds more pieces to the puzzle...Excellent work...And, for me ,eerily timely!

[@theboywhocriedswag]

Dude in all seriousness i love u like a brother for these videos, you have described everything in my life so perfectly i cant help but think ur a heaven sent. Thank you

[@Zhalfrin]

This could not have come at a more relevant time for me, personally (what fortune!). Great video, thank you.

[@rationalmystic5]

Really good video. Very well made and deep wisdom. I think only people who have been through one or two periods of suffering and have discovered the joy in temporary isolation will get the depth of this video . connecting back with one's own self is what the calling of life is all about. Deep gratitude .

[@sorantis_]

I've been taking notes of the thoughts going on in my head recently even before watching this video and I have been so incapacitated by them and sometimes can't act upon simple tasks because I see life as without meaning and there's just no point in doing anything. After watching this video all of the things I've been thinking about resonated with it and I think isolation due to the pandemic made me realize all these things and somehow I think that I am okay and maybe the goal of life however meaningless it could be is by making a meaning out of life, for yourself.

[@javigalindo8560]

Wow I found this video both affirming of many of the disorienting, despair-inducing thoughts and feelings I've had, and also extremely uplifting.

[@pauldavid601]

This channel shames other educational groups. You don't pander, you don't sell out - and your essays are SO well written and delivered. Thank you.

[@nebbit1]

Fantastic video, thank you for posting it. It's understandable why many people (and myself at times) live in bad faith, refusing to recognise the freedom they have. It can seem easier to turn away from our freedoms and see ourselves as victims of fate than to truly face up to the the consequences of our actions. It's tough to compel ourselves to "man up" and bear the full weight of responsibility. Hopefully one day one can finally bring oneself to fully embrace that crushing freedom.

[@academyofideas]

"Crushing freedom" is a great way of putting it.

[@deathbyastonishment7930]

That's seems shallow to me, if one examines all arguments and comes to the conclusion that we live in a deterministic universe, they will likely still suffer in the way you describe. It's one thing to accept the likelihood of a theory, but we are driven by our biology

[@edmatos2897]

Wow man, seriously. Thank you for all your hard work. This is my favorite channel.

[@academyofideas]

+Ed Matos Thanks for watching! More content is on the way.

[@javierlandry7246]

IT IS.

[@radm1510]

That was the best white pill I've had in a while. Thanks for feeding my truth addiction!

[@mariarusnak4160]

It is important to distinguish between chronic mental health disorders caused by the issues mentioned in the video and serious mental illnesses that require medical attention. I have done A LOT of self-reflection while debilitated by severe depression, hearing voices, etc, but I would never have been able to get up from my bed & embark on the journey of self-actualization without receiving medical assistance first.

[@asfa29]

What an eye opener. It sheds light of each one of our fears and worries. Giving the right perceptions of one's abilities too. Great job!

[@catlover-hq4dt]

I was going through a severe phase of existential depression and this helped me

[@fredsknowbody]

I can feel nothing greater than falling upon fate , when personal thoughts somehow manifest themselves in the most precise of topics , through the eyes of your channel , as if I had a way of verbalizing thoughts and ideas , thus being able to form my own words . And for those who wander and have a safe start here , to begin pressurelessly

[@binboda]

Wow another one that hit the nail on the head. In today’s world existential crisis is seen as a joke by many so I kept my mouth shut about the fact that existential concerns are causing chaos and despair inside me, and definitely exacerbating my mental issues. I was certain there’s no solution to existential dilemmas so I was determined to ignore them in my head for as long as I could. Edit: Also happy to see my boy Montaigne mentioned here!

[@nicooh3580]

how ru holding up

[@sohasamir9079]

I'm really in love with combining art works with philosophy and psychology together

[@cjfield123]

Really appreciate all the articles you're posting. One of my favorite things about this channel .

[@academyofideas]

+cjfield123 Nice that's great to hear I'm glad you're enjoying them!

[@theendlesssuffering]

Your videos are always high quality and top notch. Been sharing this around some philosophy groups on FB and some forums to try and help spread the word.

[@academyofideas]

+theendlesssuffering Awesome, thanks for sharing!

[@gptandmee]

Same! I'm sorry I'm behind! Why isnt this able to be heard by more people? 10 years ago or more philisophical thoughts and ideas sprouted in my head. When I searched out for guidance everyone around me told me to forget about it and do small deeds if you want to help people. I tried, as a concerned humanitarian and critical thinker to discern all this alone. The writings of these older, wiser teachers of the past are very difficult to sift through with no guidance and a demand of my peers to fit in and use my time. I buried my head into the first opportunity for something other than a life of struggle, and I tried to do small deeds everyday consciously. In the end feeling time is being majorly wasted. Just days ago a wave of philisophical insights came rushing in again and I asked out for guidance like never before. I got the sound of crickets in return. So, I started doing my own research through youtube trying to find someone talking about what I was thinking, and here you are so elegantly elaborating and summarizing these schools of thoughts. I just really wanted to take a moment and offer you a thank you first and foremost. I hope we can all really and truly start making this place better for ourselves and more importantly the future of mankind. I left the cave and came back with raised eyebrows from my peers. However many people ARE starting to leave the cave and eyebrows are leveling out. What if we all leave the cave finally! I do have a question. What can I do to help more? Do I keep throwing this in the faces of people, shout it from roof top, or should I allow people to come to these conclusions like I have now completely through my own will and search? I'm just concerned the powers that be will shut this down and hide the knowledge even more. Also, curious about the strength, the current of all this, ran through me the days before finding your channel. Is time running out? do we have enough people awake to this? I don't have enough critical thinkers around me, and I'm in a very miniscual position of power, so people I employee aren't always the most honest with me. I like the hard truths and I always have. My parents tell stories of my 3 year old self asking questions they never heard a child ask about existence and life. I'm here for a reason. I was guided here, now, to you my friend. I guess my question is how can I help you, and how can I help people get to these wisdoms faster without scaring them away? Much, much, much love and respect.

[@followwind1471]

You sound so young, yet these videos are so full of wisdom. Thank you for this.

[@Cyberdemon1542]

Your channel really deserves to have more views and subscribers.

[@javierlandry7246]

See now?

[@DeDona1]

I love this channel. I can verify everything you are saying from the experience of Going from an independent contractor to A 9 to 5 job

[@korbanman]

Quality stuff! Very insightful, Thanks! Keep up the good work

[@margasnyder254]

Are you a college professor? You are extremely intelligent and incredibly insightful. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and knowledge with us. You have enriched and influenced my life for the good.

[@jaymysterio4197]

One of KZbins hidden gems.. thank you

[@minusstage3]

Nice one!...; instead of being in it, one is now above it.

[@somethingchaotic101]

This perfectly summarised the chapter in the therapy book I was struggling to read. Thank you for making my study process a little bit more bearable.

[@ryangupta2071]

Tyler Durden : "You have to know, not fear that one day you are going to die"

[@mle1ravens1]

Honest question and not being a grammar nazi... shouldn't another comma go after, "not fear"? Aren't commas like a pause or seperation of thoughts within a sentence?

[@dbros2656]

I only thought children and extremely fortunate people feared death.

[@RoninMike-DR]

@@dbros2656 although not everyone fears the notion of one day dying, to fear death is as a human reaction as sneezing from pepper. Everyone fears death, those that claim they don't are just sheltered gentiles.

[@priley817]

@@RoninMike-DR why fear nothingness? do you remember not being born?

[@cdepascale72]

The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself.

[@cwayne4]

thank you so much. This video arrived perfectly into my life

[@austinbarton6874]

He had to make it to prevent his viewers from going into depression from watching his other videos on nihilism and existentialism. XD

[@M64936]

It's all part of the process. You need to go through that to attain a higher state.

[@lungelogwala6721]

For me too.

[@jeremeybridges4783]

Why don't these videos have more views? Why doesn't this channel have more subscribers? The content coming from this channel is insightful, thought provoking and has helped me change my life for the better. I'm looking forward to more of these videos!

[@madeleineabela8471]

I love how you include lots of casper David Friedrich paintings, he's an absolute genius

[@academyofideas]

+Madeleine Definitely! He's one of my favourites.

[@saulbateman5403]

Totally agree...they kept distracting me from the words

[@S1ipLikeFreudian]

@@academyofideas Hi, I was just thinking myself that I love the art you use in all your videos. Are there any other artists you use a lot of, or a source you use to find all of these? Also, your content is amazing

[@shubhamshekhar23]

I can't put it in words how much i like this channel and each and every videos that i have watched. All the videos have stood boldly against the test of truth and objective view of a problem. This channel represents what philosophy really is..In this world, where all of us are kind of lost in our own minds and trying to make sense of our suffering, joy, relationships and this world, These videos show clarity if not comfort...I can only imagine the speaker in these videos..how talented and wise you must be...Big Thanks...

[@dorukdemirtas6074]

thank you ! Your videos stops my mental suffering by portraying other philosophers thoughts about these eternal issues.

[@RaulGarcia-ns3zv]

This one continues to be my favorite and I would say the most umm... something good for me :) it's not the first one I watched but definitely the most impactful. Especially when it came to understanding other videos.

[@johnluke6122]

Its so much to take in that it keeps you pushing. Great video.

[@rocioaguilera3613]

Wow! I'm not afraid of death. Some day I'll die and I don't care if I'm remembered or not. I'm not afraid either of isolation. I'm very different from most human beings, and I'm glad of my individuality ; I don't have children because I never wanted to and I don't think 💭 there's an afterlife. I've never found a meaning of life, but I'm not suicidal. I say: OK, life is meaningless, but if we're here, let's play our best roll. Be kind and compassionate to all creatures.

[@snikrepak]

I feel this to my core, take care

[@mslay-ultra1802]

This video is amazing. All of your content is. Thank you for all the effort and hard work you put into this channel and the videos on your website.

[@gabegutierrez30]

Your content is absolutely phenomenal and enlightening. Thank you for being a conduit of knowledge.

[@atb0007]

Your videos are like a beacon in my life.Thank you so much!

[@academyofideas]

+Udai Deori You're very welcome!

[@nybergjm]

I just want to say that this channel has made a tremendously positive impact on my life. Thank you for your work.

[@vinayakmenon3609]

This is what I needed. Thanks for the good work! And your channel is really good. I find it to be a good way to get into different philosophical perspectives.

[@rockyfjord4710]

Personhood, not selfhood, was a chief concern and what I strove after, while homeless and subsisting in penury most all my adult life.

[@tyronecharlesdelatorre4983]

I think I have been through those fears. Not that I don't fear them anymore, but I have come to an agreement with them and accepted them as natural phenomenons in one's life. We all must go through these.

[@raphaellavelasquez8144]

I'm so isolated and alone. I've lost everyone. I feel like I'm suffocating.

[@kennedyharrison7841]

How are you now

[@henmarreiq4005]

These are essentially essays! So good, backed up points. Thank you

[@cheeseburgerinparadise7124]

More and more, I am seeing young men embrace philosophy. Typically stoicism, which I highly approve of, but in my counseling, we’re all over the map with philosophy and history, and it is very encouraging. Those of the sessions I live for. Great kids and they’re figuring it out in a tough path that will not respect philosophy.

[@rashadb954]

This video explains what I have been wrestling with for the past couple of years! Fortunately, I am in a better place now. I'm making goals and looking to live my best life

[@vibefrequencyable]

I consider this one of the best sites on the internets.

[@LawrenceCarroll1234]

The excerpt from Carl Jung at the very end really nails down and summarizes the excellent message of all that precedes it in this video. Excellent!

[@IGYEJohn]

Really enjoyed this - doing an assignment on Existential Psychotherapy and this gave me plenty of ideas and topics to look into.

[@tygerwen9577]

thanks for the great content, this is so insightful!

[@aishwaryashinde9111]

guys, here's all what I wanted. keep it up. quality of your research on topic is brilliant!

[@SonOfManic818]

I had thought isolation was my best friend and worse enemy...i have kild autism..and my senses are hyper where the smallest thing will cause me mental torment..i stand out from society in a negative way..where im forced to stay inside..because outside is no better...watching this video has gave me a bit of clarity

[@bigballs3095]

This is a billion times more helpful then psychology or therapy knowledge is power and nobody can figure out who your supposed to be in life except you. Its everyones purpose in life i think to figure these things things out figure out and learn these kinds of things using knowledge and experience of life’s struggles and challenges faced and conquered along the way to reach spiritual maturity at witch point you can then be ready enough to dye and advance on to the next level of life.

[@nullifier_]

Dude, top notch content! 👌

[@AnthonyMonaghan]

I'd recommend reading "Staring at the Sun" by Irving Yalom and "Man's Search For Meaning" by Viktor Frankl. I found both these books very helpful in my own struggles with my mortality. A healthy does of Montaigne also goes a long way. "Everything is alright forever".

[@headgame8830]

These videos give me life , I hope to be in a finical position soon enough to start donating, thank you for the work you put into these videos

[@equilibrioemocional]

BEING PSYCHOLOGIST Being a psychologist is a great responsibility. Not only that, it is also a remarkable gift. We developed the ability to use words, expressions, and even the same silence. The ability to bring our best to care, strengthen, understand, relieve. Being a psychologist is a tremendously serious activity. But not only that, it's also a great privilege. For there is nothing bigger than touching what is more precious and sacred in a human being: their secret, their fears, joys, pleasures and worries. We are psychologists and we have the conscious that we have instruments capable of favoring good or evil, construction or destruction. But beyond that we enjoy the responsability to give someone the touch, the key that can open doors for the realization of your precious and most intimate dreams. I want as a psychologist to learn to listen without judging, to see without scandalizing me, and always believe in good. Even against the hope, to wait. And when to speak, to be aware of the weight of my word, of my advice and my signaling. Knowing that tears that flow before me, the witnessed thoughts, trials and hopes, will be secrets saving by me till the end. And may I in the end be grateful for the privilege to live to help the people to be happier. The privilege of so many times have been unique in the life of someone who had no one to count on to share her loneliness, anguish and desires. Someone who dreamed of being happier and found beside me that this only starts when we really know each other and accept each other. (Walmir Monteiro) @walmirr or [e-mail]

[@pavanpyda]

Another Great video.your videos inspire me(a medical student) looking into taking psychiatry as my speciality.

[@ravenartsandgraphics4456]

Such an incredible channel. Very thought provoking and well explained.

[@whiteshadow943]

It’s extremely hard to find comfort in being alive- idk how people do it

[@Pearlsvlog76]

this video is soooooo beautifully explained , i have exam tomorrow and this was in my syallabus , and this video explained it so well

[@ceejay1684]

the explanation is so clear. thanks for the insights

[@maxpainter33]

first full video last night. loved it. I struggle with the four extistentialist concepts so this was a great one to start with! subbeddd

[@Matthew-ob7vb]

I heard this video a while ago and it's weird it didn't sound the same like it was a different video. But it finally clicked it's this video it's like the best one ever. Thanks mate

[@thankyouinadvance.yourfutu5219]

I am really interested & happy that I found your channel. I subscribed & look forward to listening & learning more about psychology. I am studying psychology since 2013, I now hold a high honors degree, I am now enjoying my career & new path I was given. 🙏👍

[@Number_Free]

I am retired, widowed and seriously bored. I really appreciate stuff like this! I may even pay for it :-)

[@explainous]

My existential crisis is crippling me. Sometimes I feel why I let this idea come to my mind. I was so happy minding my business, worrying about my career, about why Messi is not being declared as the clear GOAT. Now I am not interested in all these. Even when I am engaging in every day to day activities, human mortality comes to mind. I always have this in the back of my mind, which is debilitating. I want to accept it. I don’t know how I can do it. Or how people do it. Even if they do it, they don’t become immortal. We are still going to die, and life may have no meaning. We are just random blips in consciousness on the scale of time. It’s so tiring, man.

[@LeastFav]

You're on a roll. ✊I know I'm not the only one inspired by your studies.

[@in2dionysus]

Well Done! Contemplation can be understood here; yet reality is not always clear cut for one to see what one can induce through its properties. The heights soar like one that came before it . . . this is what knowledge apocalypse confronts; what has come before it and how did it grasp the power to move on? For the self can only contemplate with its internal pressures . . .

[@zeebeckford9610]

Wow the ending was powerful you always deliver bro always have great content

[@matonmongo]

Truly, you can't deny the reality of the storm, but instead must rise above it.... thx!

[@1_jahwarrior]

This channel has REALLY good content! 💪🏼🙏🏼

[@krisscanlon4051]

Jung and later Frankl mostly changed me. I still use meds but my esoteric studies recovery is extremely important. I changed once in 2012 and even more so in 2017...two lows that changed me for the better.

[@yorkieandthecat]

What a great video! Love your channel :)

[@serafinameister]

Awesome video, extremely clear and helpful for a topic which can be overcomplicated. Thanks.

[@DavidGalich77]

Great work. Enjoy listening to the teaching.

[@CastIronPhilosopher]

Excellent. Another great topic. I really appreciate what you're doing. Thank you.

[@nickkulldude]

Wow a great refresher course even my professors will be proud. Awesome!

[@asiamadison2605]

Incredible theory and video, thank you so much for breaking it down.

[@LuisFernandoImperator]

Best channel I've got to know in a while

[@alexhandro8702]

Amazing video, very insightful.

[@angelsarmiento5628]

All the videos from this channel explained everything i experienced 💙

[@franciscocorralesmorales7608]

Best. Channel. Ever.

[@punchface3000]

one of the best videos ive ever seen!! thanks a lot man

[@kyussbrooker1774]

This is too good I can't thankyou enough.. just absolutely brilliant

[@martinarreguy2984]

I prayed for a swift death every day I took to the MSR becausei tired of worrying about it( 2003 04). OIF. Of course not having died and realizing I am already dead, I decided to start living. It opened my heart, mind, and soul. I am looking forward to the rest and most certainly the next dimension, for there are many. Nice video, I enjoy you all's work.

[@martinarreguy2984]

Because I was tired of worrying about it.

[@michaelweber3974]

definitely a favorite channel.

[@joeywantstoplay]

best philosophy channel. Thanks for all you do!

[@Lauren_Fields]

I think we keep death in our consciousness when we say "life is too short to . . . "

[@Thurnishaley6969]

Great content, as usual.

[@somethingyousaid5059]

For me the question is, do I necessarily have to lose my mind before I have to lose my life? Life forces all of us to play what amounts to a game. Ironically it's a game that none of us can win. Each of us is destined to lose it ultimately. Even so, I have this "crazy" idea that if I can somehow intentionally manage dying a death that was neither preceded by my insanity nor determined by my suicide I actually don't lose the game after all, and in not losing the game, life doesn't "win" the game and beat me. I guess it's just my way of trying to cope with an insufferably inconvenient existential situation. I don't know.