Encounters with Meaning in a Complex World
This book invites readers to rediscover joy as Viktor Frankl understood it: the quiet, radiant byproduct of a life lived with meaning. Moving through education, ethics, technology, suffering, and work for peace, this book shows how meaning sharpens our perception of life’s possibilities and anchors us amid rapid change.
Drawing on Logotherapy, contemporary psychology, and global concerns, the volume explores the spiritual dimension of the person—from the ethical demands of therapeutic practice to the challenges of Artificial Intelligence, from the deep wounds of moral injury to the transformative power of finding meaning in suffering.
Along the way, readers encounter historical moments, including Frankl’s early meeting with Freud, and modern applications in palliative care inspired by Dame Cicely Saunders and Dr. Balfour Mount. Ultimately, Bliss is a companion for anyone seeking clarity and courage in uncertain times. It affirms that joy often arrives when we commit ourselves to truth, beauty, goodness, and the service of others. Honouring the human dimension of spirit is a necessity for hope and peace in a complex world.
“The greatness of a life can be measured by the greatness of a moment: the height of a mountain range is not given by the height of some valley, but that that of the tallest peak. I life, too, the peaks decide the meaningfulness of the life, and a single moment can retroactively flood an entire life with meaning” (Viktor E. Frankl, The Doctor and The Soul, 1980, p. 44).
Bliss: Encounters with Meaning in a Complex World, invites readers to explore how meaning can be found amid today’s most pressing global challenges, such as education, the use of AI, moral injury, end‑of‑life ethics, international relations, and peace‑building efforts.
The book brings to life historically documented moments of encounter between Viktor E. Frankl, Sigmund Freud, Dame Cicely Saunders, Balfour Mount, and other influential figures, illuminating how their interactions helped shape our contemporary understanding of meaning, care, and human dignity.
We gratefully acknowledge the contributions of Dr. Elisabeth Lukas, Wilhelm Tupy, Dr. Christopher E. S. Wurm, and the late Dr. Robert C. Barnes.
This book is availabale through Amazon.