Alexander Batthyány – författare

Landmark Articles in Near-Death Research

This volume is the first of a new book series that draws on landmark articles published in the Journal of Near-Death Studies (JNDS) to provide an overview of the past four decades of basic research within the field of near-death studies.

The anthology of which this volume is part covers the broad spectrum of scientific and academic work published by the International Association for Near-Death Studies (IANDS) and addresses, arguably, some of the most pressing and relevant questions on the nature of near-death experiences (NDEs). By presenting research over the past nearly forty years, this book also offers insights into the history and foundation of ideas within near-death research.

This volume provides a systematic overview—a map—of what scholars have achieved so far within conceptual and phenomenological research in the field. It identifies how nearly forgotten or neglected earlier research trends might inspire and enrich current research and points toward areas still left to be covered. The focus of the chapters moves consecutively from articles on epistemology—How do we approach the phenomenon of NDEs?, to phenomenology—What is the experience of an NDE like?, to ontology—What are NDEs, and who has them?, and, finally, to the wider implications—What do NDEs really mean?.

For all serious students and scholars interested in the field of near-death studies, this collection of some of the most important articles published in the Journal of Near-Death Studies over the last nearly forty years is a must — an indispensable and invaluable resource. Of particular value is the brilliant and incisive historical overview of the field by the editor of this volume, Alexander Batthyány.-- Kenneth Ring, PhD, author of Lessons from the Light

This wonderful book offers a great opportunity, not only for scientists, philosophers, psychologists and physicians, but also for near-death experiencers and the public, to have a better understanding of the implications and results of NDE research.-- Pim van Lommel, cardiologist, author of Consciousness Beyond Life

This incredibly insightful book is long overdue. The ground-breaking articles presented in this volume informed how future near-death research was conducted and enabled refinement of methods. A ‘must read’ for anyone interested in this field.-- Penny Sartori, PhD, author of The Wisdom of Near-Death Experiences

A landmark collection of seminal studies that will be invaluable to neophyte and experienced NDE researchers alike—in one of the most important subjects of evidence-based science and philosophical studies.-- John C. Hagan III, MD, editor of The Science of Near-Death Experiences

Terminal lucidity is a relatively common but poorly understood phenomenon. Near the end of life, many people--including those who have suffered brain injuries or strokes, or have been silenced by mental illness or deep dementia--experience what seems a miraculous return. They regain their clarity and energy, are able to talk with families and caregivers, recall their lives and often appear to be aware of their nearing death.In this remarkable book, cognitive scientist and Director of the Viktor Frankl Institute Dr. Alexander Batthyány offers the first major account of terminal lucidity, utilizing hundreds of case studies and his research in the related field of near-death studies to explore the mind, the body, the nature of consciousness, and what the living can learn from those who are crossing the border from life to death.Astonishing, authoritative, and deeply moving, Threshold opens a doorway into one of life''s--and death''s--most provocative mysteries.

This books takes a new and critical look at the development of logotherapy and existential analysis, a prominent existential school of psychotherapy. It explores the intellectual and political biography of its founder, the Austrian psychiatrist and holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl, best known for his bestselling “Man’s Search for Meaning”. The book focuses on his life and works and political thinking from the late 1920’s to the years spent in Nazi-occupied Vienna, and finally the time he spent in the concentration camps Theresienstadt, Auschwitz, and Dachau. It presents new archival findings on Frankl’s involvement with the Austrian Zionist Movement, his attempts to sabotage the “euthanasia” program of the National Socialists, and his scathing critiques of the NS-Psychotherapy school around Göring and his students, published during the years before Frankl’s deportation to Theresienstadt. This book addresses recent attempts by the author Timothy Pytell to portray Frankl as a “fellowtraveler” of the Nazi regime and corrects the fundamental errors and misrepresentations in Pytell’s work. It thus offers important perspectives on the intellectual history of ideas in psychology and existential psychotherapy, and also serves as key material on the development of psychotherapy before and during the Holocaust.

What is mind? What is its relationship to the physical world? Is consciousness a causative agent in the physical world? With much progress being made in the neurosciences, many have thought that these questions could be answered by reducing them to questions about physical systems such as the brain. But this approach has foundered on the core problem of consciousness: Why is it that some brain processes are accompanied by conscious awareness? This anthology points out new sources and unexamined paths of consciousness research. By presenting a wide spectrum of non-reductive theories, the volume endeavours to overcome the dichotomy between dualism and monism that keeps plaguing the debate in favour of new and more differentiated positions.

This landmark volume introduces the new series ofproceedings from the Viktor Frankl Institute, dedicated to preserving the past,disseminating the present, and anticipating the future of Franklian existentialpsychology and psychotherapy, i.e. logotherapy and existentialanalysis . Wide-rangingcontents keep readers abreast of current ideas, findings, and developments inthe field while also presenting rarely-seen selections from Frankl’s work.Established contributors report on new applications of existential therapies inspecific (OCD, cancer, end-of-life issues) and universal (the search formeaning) contexts as well as intriguing possibilities for opening up dialogue withother schools of psychology. And this initial offering establishes the tenor ofthe series by presenting varied materials across the field, including: 

Volume 1 of Logotherapyand Existential Analysis willattract a wide audience, including psychologists (clinical, social,personality, positive), psychotherapists of different schools, psychiatrists inprivate practice, and researchers in these fields. Practitioners in counseling,pastoral psychology, coaching, and medical care will also welcome this newsource of ideas and inspiration.

"Clinical Perspectives on Meaning: Positive and Existential Psychotherapy . . . is an outstanding collection of new contributions that build thoughtfully on the past, while at the same time, take the uniquely human capacity for meaning-making to important new places." - From the preface by Carol D. Ryff and Chiara Ruini

This unique theory-to-practice volume presents far-reaching advances in positive and existential therapy, with emphasis on meaning-making as central to coping and resilience, growth and positive change. Innovative meaning-based strategies are presented with clients facing medical and mental health challenges such as spinal cord injury, depression, and cancer. Diverse populations and settings are considered, including substance abuse, disasters, group therapy, and at-risk youth. Contributors demonstrate the versatility and effectiveness of meaning-making interventions by addressing novel findings in this rapidly growing and promising area. By providing broad international and interdisciplinary perspectives, it enhances empirical findings and offers valuable practical insights. Such a diverse and varied examination of meaning encourages the reader to integrate his or her thoughts from both existential and positive psychology perspectives, as well as from clinical and empirical approaches, and guides the theoretical convergence to a unique point of understanding and appreciation for the value of meaning and its pursuit. 

·    The proper aim of therapy: Subjective well-being, objective goodness, or a meaningful life?

·         Character strengths and mindfulness as core pathways to meaning in life

·         The significance of meaning to conceptualizations of resilience and posttraumatic growth

·        Practices of meaning-making interventions: A comprehensive matrix

·         Working with meaning in life in chronic or life-threatening disease

·         Integrative meaning therapy: From logotherapy to existential positive interventions

·         Multiculturalism and meaning in existential and positive psychology   

·         The spiritual dimension of meaning