Meaning in life and the Sources of Meaning Card Method

A two-day course with Tatjana Schnell and Peter la Cour

Today’s world sees a growing interest in the question of meaning in life. Increasingly, people suffer from experiences of meaninglessness in life or in particular areas thereof, as e.g. in work. At the same time research shows that meaningfulness is associated with health, well-being, social inclusion and engagement.

The purpose of this two-day seminar is to explore how meaning in life can be understood and unfolded, by using qualitative and quantitative approaches. Meaning in life is considered a multidimensional model, covering experiences of meaning in life (meaningfulness, crisis of meaning, existential indifference) and sources of meaning. All dimensions will be illustrated with references to contemporary life. Relationships with personality (the Big Five) will be discussed. There will be possibilities for self-exploration.

On the second day, we will focus on the “Sources of Meaning Card Method” (SoMe CaM), a method for identifying and exploring personal sources of meaning within a one-hour session. The SoMe CaM has been clinically validated for patients with chronic pain. It is being used in many different countries, in as diverse settings such as therapy, counselling, coaching, pastoral care, palliative care and staff development. Participants will learn about the method’s background, application and interpretation, and have the chance to exercise.

Tatjana Schnell is professor of Psychology of Religion and Existential Psychology at MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society, Oslo and professor II at the University of Innsbruck, Austria, where she established the Existential Psychology Lab. She works on existential issues such as meaning in life, suffering, and religious/spiritual/secular worldviews and their practical significance for individuals, organisations, society and the environment. Former co-editor for the Journal of Happiness Studies; numerous international publications, collaborations, functions, and talks. Latest book: "The Psychology of Meaning in Life" (Routledge, 2021)

Dr Peter la Cour is a Danish, professor adjunct in psychology of religion at MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society, and authorized specialist in health psychology. He has worked clinically with integration of existential themes in client relations for long. His current interest concerns the introduction of the term existential health in modern health thinking and application of existential perspectives into modern understanding of health and healthcare. Book: “What is persistent unexplained physical symptoms?” (FADLs forlag 2021)

Program

Day 1 - Researching Meaning

10.00 – 10.50 What is meaning? Definitions, development, best predictors of meaning (Tatjana Schnell)

11.00 – 11.30 Sources of meaning and personality (Tatjana Schnell)

12.30 – 13.15 Crises of meaning and existential indifference  (Tatjana Schnell)

13.30 – 14.00 Ways of enabling and exploring meaning (Tatjana Schnell)

14.15 – 15.15 The four dimensional health model. Introducing the concept of existential health (Peter la Cour)                 

15.30 – 16.00 Final discussion and summing up (Tatjana Schnell & Peter la Cour)

Day 2 - Identifying and Exploring Sources of Meaning: The SoMe Card Method

10.00 – 11.00 The clinical challenge of existential talks (Peter la Cour)

11.10 – 11.40 The sources of meaning in lived experience (Tatjana Schnell)

12.40 – 13.40 The SoMe in Norway and Denmark; Development of the SoMeCam card method (Peter la Cour)

13.40 – 15.00 Exercise (with coffee): Trying out the SoMeCam (Peter la Cour)

15.00 – 15.30 Supervision and feedback on the method (Peter la Cour)

15.30 – 16.00 Evaluation, final questions, summing up (Peter la Cour & Tatjana Schnell)

Registration

Register before 13 October. 

Price: 1400 NOK (incl. lunch).

Register here.