What is the meaning of your existence?

Dear Visitors,

We are off to another great adventure this summer to learn about leadership practices that contribute to personal and organizational resilience. Students in this course accepted the challenge to learn not only in the traditional classroom context, but also to practice self care and a philosophy on life in preparation towards climbing Mt. Adams, WA. This climb represents the final simulation and capstone experience of the course. They are beginning this journey by studying Victor Frankl's story - Man's Search for Meaning and clarifying their personal search for meaning. 

Flrankl's gripping account of "life in a concentration camp as reflected in the mind of a prisoner" brings to life a story filled with realistic depictions of the experiences of camp life and how these experiences show that man does have a choice of action and in finding meaning in all forms of existence, even in the most dyer of circumstances, and thus a reason to continue living. Through readings and classroom discussions, students learn about existential analysis in the context of their life, families, organizations, and community. 

The following are ideas to keep in mind when reading Frankl's account:

Interact with the text while reading and make notes, ask questions, define terms, and mark key passages. Keep a journal while reading in order to record your reactions and responses. Make this book your singular focus to allow for deep reflection and contemplation. Ask yourself: What did I learn from Frankl's story and his life at a concentration camp that has implications for leadership, personal, and organizational resilience? What is the relevance of understanding existential analysis to explore meaning and growth in adversity? These are some pragmatic yet important questions to ask in authentic living, let alone in preparing for a class simulation that will stretch the mind, body, and spirit. Explain Frankl's theory of success. Do you agree or disagree with him? What is the "ultimate freedom" according to Frankl? According to Frankl, how do suffering and death complete life and give it meaning? According to Frankl, there are three main avenues for reaching meaning in life; what are they? Analyze and discuss these with regard to your own life.

These are questions and thoughts to stimulate but not isolate your thinking and posting.

As visitors we invite you to join our discussions or simply follow our journey throughout this summer.

(read student comments below)