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Volume 21, Number 40 Copyright 2005 Business Book Review, LLC All Rights Reserved

Prisoners of
Our Thoughts
Viktor Frankls Principles at Work
Alex Pattakos
Foreword by Stephen R. Covey
2004 Alex Pattakos, PhD
Adapted by permission of Berrett-Koehler
ISBN: 1-57675-288-7

Reviewed by Lydia Morris Brown

Introduction
In his foreword, Stephen Covey (7 Habits of Highly Effective People) says, of Victor Frankls seminal Mans Search for
Meaning (considered one of the most important works of modern times), The Doctor and the Soul, and his other writings
and lectures, that they stand as a reaffirmation of our power of choice, our unique endowment of self-awareness,
and our essence, our will for meaning. Pattakos introduces seven Core Principles, derived from Frankls philosophy
and approach, and applies them explicitly to work and to the world of business. Doing for the phenomenon of work what
Frankl the psychiatrist did for the field of psychotherapy, Prisoners of Our Thoughts supplies a conceptual foundation,
as well as practical guidance, for bringing the will for meaning to the workplace and to the everyday experiences of
people in every walk of life.
Business Book Review Vol. 21, No. 40 Copyright 2005 Business Book Review, LLC All Rights Reserved

Prisoners of Our Thoughts

PART I: LIFE AS A LABYRINTH OF MEANING

Alex Pattakos

it holds everything humans aretheir minds, emotions,

physical being, spirit, losses, gains, successes, failures, joys,
and sorrows. When people walk the path inward, they carry
their burdens with them, meditating or praying in the center,

Pattakos notes that life, like the classical labyrinth,

is neither a maze, nor a puzzle to be solved, but a oneway-in, one-way-out, convoluted path of meaning to be
experienced. Although it is impossible to
perceive exactly where the path leads We are on one path and it takes us through many turns of fate
around long curves or short, along the and fortune. It is a path that shapes us, that uncovers our
edge or around the centerwe are never fears, that tests our courage, and that leads us to this very
really lost. Sometimes it is possible to moment. It is a sacred path of individuality and no one walks it
move forward with ease and confidence; but us.
and, at other times, it is necessary to creep
and asking for grace, forgiveness, and understanding. When
forward with caution. Sometimes the need arises to stop
they walk the path outward, they are lighter, more joyful,
and reflect; and, at other times, we might feel the urge to
and ready to take on lifes challenges once again.
retreat. And, sometimes the path is shared with others; and,
Just as life presents a labyrinth of meaning, so do
at other times we must tread the path alone.
our jobs. Pattakos believes that when life is explored as a
Because the labyrinth holds all the experience to be
labyrinth of meaning, experience is deepenedwhether
found in life and in work, it is also a metaphor for what is
one is driving a bus or running a corporation, meaning is
sacred in life. Through its twists, turns, and spaciousness,
everywhere. In the workplace, people can actively choose

About the Author

Alex Pattakos, PhD, is the founder of the Center
for Personal Meaning, a principal of the Innovation
Group, and past president of Renaissance
Business Associates (RBA), a nonprofit international organization committed to integrity in business
and elevating the human spirit in the workplace. He
has also had over 25 years experience with community building in business (across a wide variety
of industries), government, and the nonprofit sector.
As a speaker, author, facilitator, consultant, personal counselor, and coach, Dr. Pattakos helps his
clients (including executives, athletes, celebrities,
workers from all sectors, and retirees) find meaning in their work and everyday lives and re-energize and identify new approaches to planning their
futures. Among his other publications, he is the coeditor/coauthor of Intuition at Work and a contributing author in Rediscovering the Soul of Business.
And, his work has been featured in Executive
Excellence, Success, Personnel Journal, Training,
Investors Business Daily, and other magazines.
For more information, please visit:
www.prisonersofourthoughts.com
www.seedsofinnovation.com

to look for and find meaning, or they can see their jobs as
something outside their real lives. If the latter is chosen,
an enormous amount of life experience is lost. Even in
situations where people think they hate their jobs, they
can still find rewards if they stop long enough to connect,
inside and out, so as to have a broader relationship with
meaning.
If this connection is to occur, however, the complaints
must end. Although complaining can feel satisfying for
the moment, it ultimately undermines the integrity of
our experiences. When complaining becomes a habit,
meaninglessness becomes a habit, and before long, we
become so deeply invested in griping that every opportunity
to see our work situation as a rich part of life vanishes.
When we miss the meaning in our work life, we miss the
life in our work. And, when the life in our work is missed,
we become confined within our own inner concentration
camp.
While Pattakos admits that it is no easy task to stay the
course with reverence while navigating the labyrinth, he
warns that, unless we honor our own paths, we cannot know
authentic meaning in our lives. And, if authentic meaning
is unknown in our lives, it cannot be known in our work.
Our will to meaning, rather than our will to pleasure or
our will to power, is what illuminates our lives with true
freedom. Thus, in the final analysis, we are all free to
choose our own responses to everything that happens to us,

Business Book Review Vol. 21, No. 40 Copyright 2005 Business Book Review, LLC All Rights Reserved

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Prisoners of Our Thoughts

Alex Pattakos

including those things that happen through our work. This

idea, which strikes at the very heart of Frankls teachings,
forms the basis of Pattakoss seven Core Principles, which
are available to all, at any time, as a means of leading us
to meaning, freedom, and a deep connection to our own
lives and to the lives of others.

into reality. When facing a challenging situation, instead of

opting to abstain from taking full responsibilitydeciding
to remain stuck in thought patterns that may no longer serve
their highest goodthey actively exercise their ultimate
freedom to choose. They make themselves aware of their
attitude toward the situation, and they decide to change
it.
PART II: SEVEN CORE PRINCIPLES FOR MEANING,
Principle Two: We can realize our will to meaning by
FREEDOM, AND CONNECTION
making a conscious commitment to meaningful values and
Principle One: We are free to choose our attitude
goals. From Sigmund Freuds perspective, the Kozlowskis
toward everything that happens to us. The freedom to
(Tyco), Lays (Enron), Ebberses (Worldcom), and Martha
choose ones attitude in response to ones life circumstances
Stewarts, in this world, are all manifestations of the will
is what Frankl called the last of the human freedomsone
to pleasure; according to Alfred Adler, however, these
that belongs to all individuals in every aspect of their lives.
infamous individuals demonstrate that the will to power
Still, it can be difficulteven during those times when
is alive and well in corporate America. But, in Frankls view,
life is comparably safe and free, for we all struggle with
the relentless pursuits of pleasure and/or power, which these
situations that are, in one way or another, beyond our
people represent, are really attempts to cover up a voidthe
control. Bringing them under our control, says Pattakos,
nonexistence of the will to meaning. In other words, when
even if it is only in terms of attitude, is where freedom
the will to meaning is frustrated, for whatever reasons,
takes shape, no matter what the circumstances.
people choose alternative paths, based on the premise that
Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In pleasure and/or power can somehow replace what is
that space lies our freedom and our power to choose missing. However, only the search for meaning holds
the potential to bring the kind of authentic enrichment
our response. In our response lies our growth and
and fulfillment that most people desire from their
our happiness.
work and in their daily lives. Unlike Freud or Adler,
--Unknown
Frankl considers the main concern of human beings
Exercising this freedom effectively, however, requires
to be the fulfillment of meaning, and the actualization of
viewing any given situation from different perspectives.
values, rather than the simple gratification and satisfaction
We must know who we are and be flexible and courageous
of drives and instincts.
enough to change, even if change means moving away from
Pattakos notes that the promise of pleasure often
what is expected or considered normal. For example, we
captivates us (whether it is drugs, sex, pay raises, or
celebrate our freedom to choose our attitude at work (and
vacations), only to leave us unsatisfied after the event
in our personal life) only when we decide to move from
occurs, for this kind of gratification is fleeting. Moments
being a part of the problem, and from waiting for solutions
of true pleasure only come unbidden; they are serendipitous
to materialize magically, to becoming a part of the solution.
gifts that transcend ones planning and, even, ones
In the final analysis, the most capable, responsible, and
perception of gratification. By the same token, power
resilient people are those who adopt (consciously or
over anything or anyone is out thereillusory at best
unconsciously) a coping maxim and the skills for guiding
and terribly destructive at worst. Although people think
and driving themselves towards meaningful resolution.
they have power, they never know for sure; and even when
Pattakos believes that when people choose this
they do have some, the ground is always shifting. Thus,
approach, in light of what he calls true optimism, they
like pleasure, the search for power becomes an endless,
make three choices: (1) they choose a positive attitude
exhausting, and joyless undertaking. And, like pleasure, it
about the situation at hand; (2) they choose a mindset that
is fleeting and always subject to unforeseen forces.
supports a form of creative visualization about what is
Franks will to meaning rises above and distinguishes
possible; and (3) they choose a perspective that generates
itself from the will to pleasure and power because it comes
the kind of passionate action for turning mere possibilities
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Prisoners of Our Thoughts

Alex Pattakos

from withinonly the individual can find, control, and

looming large, sometimes slipping in unobserved.
fulfill it. When we take the time to cultivate a relationship
Meaning, says Frankl, is present in every moment, but
to our original selves, all experience becomes grounded in
only if we actively look for it.
meaning, and all work, from running a company to cleaning
Before cell phones and email, answering machines,
hotel rooms, is a reflection of meaning in our lives. Yet,
and voice mail, there was spaciousness to think, consider,
this culture has traditionally drawn arbitrary
A man who becomes conscious of the responsibility he
boundaries in order to separate work from
bears toward an unfinished work, will never be able to
play, and profession from recreation, making us
throw away his life. He knows the why for his existence,
prisoners of our thoughts, unable to see clearly and will be able to bear almost any how.
through the bars of our metaphorical prison cell.
--Mans Search for Meaning
As a result, we frequently miss the opportunity
to enjoy the spaciousness that exists within and that allows
and contemplate our decisionsboth simple and complex.
us to feel authentic meaning in life and work. No matter
Now, because of our sound-byte society, meaning, like
how much power and pleasure we possess, only meaning
time, is getting away from us, and the frenzy of activity at
sustains us throughout our lives and through any pain and
work and at home is challenging the very nature of our own
suffering we must endure.
existence. Thus, we must stop long enough to sniff out this
Even as the struggle for survival has subsided, the
existenceit all comes down to awareness, and awareness
question has emerged: survival for what? Even more
takes time. Moreover, the responsibility for determining
people today have the means to live but no meaning to
meaning cannot be delegated to otherswe must each
live for. This existential vacuum has more and more people
detect the meaning of lifes moments for ourselves. We
feeling trapped at work and in life, with little opportunity
must understand that whatever we do, it has meaning.
to experience Thomas Moores enchantment, which
Knowing why we do things is also essentialit is the
Pattakos explains as being soulfully involved beside
beginning of real freedom and meaning in life. Frankl
ourselves with excitement, gratitude, appreciationto be
believes that love and conscience are the two intuitive
full of possibility. When people bring meaning-focused
capabilities (i.e., things done without thinking) that
sensibility to their work, creativity flourishes and so does
motivate us the most and define us at our deepest level.
productivity.
Such decisions as working nights, so as to be with ones
Of course, when organizational leaders honor meaning,
children in the morning; making quilts for the homeless;
bringing meaning-focused sensibility to the job is easy.
and/or waiting tables so as to pay the light bill, all come
Nonetheless, it might be even more important to honor
down to love and conscience. Seeing how our world is
meaning at work when there is little of it being manifested
connected in this way allows us to name the why and
from above. All individuals, no matter what their role in
to know meaning.
the company, can choose meaning: They can pay attention
Nonetheless, people often avoid doing good deeds out
to everything around them. They can choose respect,
of love or conscience because they fear losing something
kindness, courtesy, justice, and fair play. They can have an
status, a loved one, a job, security, their identity, or their
impact that is ethical and moral. And, they can understand
place in the world. Pattakos says that, in this context, fear
that when they bring meaning to work, they bring with them
relates to our inability to actualize creative expression, to
the possibility of meaningful change in the workplace.
experience new situations and relationships with others,
Principle Three: We can find meaning in all of lifes
and to change our attitude toward something or someone.
moments. Pattakos observes that over time, some people
Also, in this context, courage is not the absence of fear but
become oblivious to their own roles and responsibilities as
the willingness and the ability to walk through fear into
co-creators of their own reality. Because they are too busy
lifes labyrinth of meaning.
complaining about what life has been doing to them, they
The lesson is that the most intolerable circumstances
lose touch with the meaning of lifes precious moments and
and the smallest of moments can open individuals up
the fact that it comes in all shapes and sizessometimes
to meaning, if they take the time to pay attention to the
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Prisoners of Our Thoughts

Alex Pattakos

details and know why. By reflecting upon our existence

and seeking to detect the meaning of lifes moments, we
can create the opportunity to draft our personal legacies.
According to Frankl, this kind of examination is a true
manifestation of our humanness.
Principle Four: We can learn to see how we work
against ourselves. The meaning of life is meaning. The
meaning of life at work is meaning. And, when we look
for meaning, meaning exists in the looking. However, when
we try too hard to create meaning, it can often backfire,
especially at work. Take, for example, those individuals who
try too hard to get everything done my way. As a result,
they estrange themselves from the very colleagues upon
whom they depend for success. Their fixation on the right

at ourselves. Frankl believed that a sense of humor is another

trait that distinguishes our humanness. The ability to laugh
at ourselves is the essence of self-detachment, telling us, and
everyone else, that we do not take ourselves so seriously.
It is an approach that takes the edge off of critical work
conditionsthe very situations that need a dose of humor.
For, no matter how significant the work, its meaning comes
from the deeper inclinations of our hearts and minds (i.e.,
our values). Although our jobs are part of our meaning,
in that they represent our intentions to provide for self,
families, communities, etc., they are not who we are, but
what we do and how we do it.
Cheerfulness goes hand in hand with a sense of
humor. Much more than a have-a-nice-day artifice, real
cheerfulness is a way of experiencing the
All that is good and beautiful in the past is safely preserved present, no matter what the situation. Buoying
in that past. On the other hand, so long as life remains, all
us up beyond our individual concerns, and
guilt and all evil is still redeemable. the futurehapinviting us and others to find something to
pilystill remains to be shaped at the disposal of mans
be happy about, cheerfulness celebrates the
responsibility.
possibility of meaning around every corner.
--Viktor Frankl
This is not about hiding behind gratuitous
way has the effect of marginalizing their contributions to
optimism in order to diminish our circumstancesit is
the process and, in some cases, invites either subtle or overt
about detaching from ourselves and our situations so as to
sabotage. Thus, they become their own worst enemy.
go beyond them.
Nearly everyone wants to please, perform well, and
Another very useful skill at work is the ability to detach
be effective in their jobs; but, it is usually when we want
from mistakesour own and those of others. Mistakes
to impress others the most that we undermine our success
are momentary, so dwelling on them gives them too much
by becoming obsessed with results. We must understand
credit; thus, when we acknowledge them and laugh them
that a job is more than a jobit is our relationship to
off, we reassure those around us that their missteps are also
ourselves and to our colleagues, products, the services we
momentary and do not define who they are. In addition,
offer, the environment, and our impact on the world. When
mistakes are part of life and provide lessons about humility
we focus too intently on outcomes, these relationships
and, eventually, meaningteaching us that we are much
(which have meaning individually and collectively)
more than our most terrible oversights.
tend to suffer. Frankl calls this inclinationthis flying
Pattakos notes that this self-detachment must not,
in the face of our own success by neglecting our own
however, be confused with denial. When people detach,
meaning, the meaning of others, and the meaning of
they do so knowingly and with an orientation toward action.
the processparadoxical intention. But, when we take
In other words, they understand their situations and choose
the time to nurture our relationships, the definition of
to behave in ways that support their relationships with
success expands exponentially. Tremendous meaning and,
others. In this way, self-detachment leads to connection,
therefore, success, can even be found in failure. When we
learning, and growth. Denial, on the other hand, leads
trust in our own meaning, our failures can leave us with
to disconnection, separating individuals from their
a legacy of wisdom, experience, heightened appeal, and
experiences, the benefits that can be derived from their
increased possibilities.
experiences, and the experiences of others. Thus, in the
Principle Five: We can look at ourselves from a
final analysis, self-detachment is not about detachment at
distance and gain insight and perspective as well as laugh
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Prisoners of Our Thoughts

Alex Pattakos

all, for its ultimate value lies in its unlimited potential for
and productively with others, individuals can experience
bringing wholeness and authentic meaning to life.
profound meaning. When one works directly for the good of
Principle Six: We can shift our focus of attention when
others, going beyond satisfying ones own personal agenda,
coping with difficult situations. Children are naturally
meaning deepens in ways that reward beyond measure. This
resilientknowing instinctively how to think of something
connection to a higher self, to God, to ones spirit, to
else when someone hurts their feelings or takes their toys.
universal consciousness, to love, or to the collective
They may yell for a few moments, but it is unnatural for
good is what Frankl called the ultimate meaning that
them to obsess about a wrong done to them. Because their
transforms ones life.
attention spans are short, and their interests many, they
Team spirit is always bigger than the individual, yet it
simply get on with the next big adventure.
cannot exist without the individual. Moreover, no matter
As adults, we tend to think things through, which is
what the stated goal, team spirit has nothing to do with
useful unless this thinking becomes an obsession with
any result, but emerges out of the processout of the
the negative. However, if we turn our focus to positive
doing and the being together. In fact, focusing too much
experiences (doing what Frankl calls de-reflecting), we can
on results makes them more difficult to attain; even when
find potential meaning in our predicament. De-reflection is intended to counteract compulsive incliWhen we think good thoughts on the job (often nation to self-observation. [It] can only be attained to
it is ones job that becomes the scapegoat for the degree to which awareness is directed toward posithe obsessive negativity and complaints), we tive aspects.
--The Doctor and the Soul
feel better at work and we are better at work.
Using creative distraction allows us to see
the outcome is an unqualified success, personal rewards
ourselves more fully and more generously. We are able to
are always more profound and transformative during the
get out from under our own shadows and open ourselves
process. It is the give, the take, and the being there for each
to constructive action. This ability to detach from distress
other that brings people together, rewards beyond the self,
and focus imaginatively on something pleasing returns us
and anchors meaning somewhere out there, where it has
to freedom and to our source of authentic meaning. By
value for everyone.
drawing imaginatively from where we feel most authentic in
The spirit of creative play creates exuberance and keeps
the world, it is possible to go beyond role playing in our jobs
people energized through working with others or working
to where an ethics of authenticity emerges and real work
well as individuals. Pattakos notes, however, that this
can begin. It is a capability that is particularly important
natural inclination toward playing together cooperatively
when we find ourselves assuming roles that others expect
and joyfully is most likely to get squelched at work, where
of us. Being authentic and doing our jobs effectively is the
it is most needed. Many misguided managers, thinking
most powerful combination of all.
that work is not being taken seriously, rush to put an end
Essentially, de-reflection encourages us to perceive
to the fun before it spreads. They fail to understand
something new in a situation so that we may let go of
that whenever work takes people outside themselves, they
our old perceptions and ways of doing. Through this
experience greater meaning beyond the bottom line, which,
meaning-centered process, we are able to mature by
in turn, brings meaning to everyone involved and to life
transcending those conditions that limit us, by making new
itself.
commitments, and by identifying those things that can and
According to Frankl, self-transcendencethe
should be avoided. Moreover, when a bit of de-reflection is
capacity to extend beyond oneselfis another trait unique to
incorporated into our process, it is an invitation to others to
human beings. When people go beyond their own interests,
be as effective as they know how to be, for they know they
those interests are served in ways that are inexplicably and
are not being judged by the different histories, experiences,
profoundly meaningfuleven when they do the impossible
skills, and motivations they also bring to their jobs.
and forgive. Forgiveness is perhaps the most challenging
Principle Seven: We can reach out beyond ourselves
thing we can do to go beyond ourselves. Nonetheless, it has
and make a difference in the world. By working creatively
much more to do with our own well-being than that of the
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Prisoners of Our Thoughts

person we forgive, for it means letting go of our suffering

(i.e., our resentment, hurt, and anger)the veil of self-pity
through which we see ourselves and others. This does not
mean, as many think, that we must forget, diminish, or
condone the misdeed. Rather, we must liberate ourselves
from further captivityfrom this thing that must be fed,
kept alive, and justified in order to keep the other person
from being right in their unjust treatment of us.
* * *
Bibliographic notes by chapter, a list of references,
and a subject index are provided.

Remarks
The books dust jacket tells us that world-renowned
psychiatrist Viktor Frankls Mans Search for Meaning is
considered one of the most influential books of modern
times. His personal story of discovering a reason to live
in the Nazi concentration campsa hell of unimaginable
horrorhas inspired millions. Prisoners of Our Thoughts
applies Frankls philosophy to the workplace, detailing
seven principles for increasing ones capacity to deal with
work challenges, finding meaning in daily work life, and
achieving your highest potential. We believe, however, that
this emphasis on the workplace, and the challenges inherent
to it, do not do Prisoners the justice it richly deserves.
Frankl, as interpreted by Pattakos, offers a philosophy
of life that transcends the workplace, and in doing so,
naturally includes it. Logotherapy, Frankls unique
approach to a system known as humanistic psychotherapy,
literally means therapy through meaning. It is active and
directive in that it aims to help people who are in a crisis
of meaning in the totality of their lives. Its emphasis on the
freedom of the will, and the consequent responsibility of
that freedom, has its foundations in existentialism. And, it
informs Stoicism because of its position that, no matter what
state our environment is in, our attitude is the overarching
transformative factor.
As an extension of stoicism and existentialism,
Frankls philosophy eschews the dehumanizing nature of
reductionism in psychotherapy, which has attempted to
make man understandable in terms of simple stimulus-

Alex Pattakos

response connections that are, ultimately, rooted in a

mechanical model of the human machine (Ofman,
Affirmation and Reality, 1976). Though existentialist
psychotherapy is a nontheistic approach to life, Frankls
applications tend to be unscientific notions of soul,
conscious, and spiritualism, grounded in a fundamental
religiosity. Like Ernest Keen (Three Faces of Being, 1970)
it prompts you to ask What does it mean that I am? And,
like Keen it demonstrates: Ones living is ones answer.
Pattakoss intent, then, is that you distill the core
principles from Frankls body of work by reading Prisoners
and then living itpracticing the exercises, reviewing the
concepts and examples, and adopting the core principles
into your daily life. His hope is that you brand Frankls
message on your soul so that his ideas become your mission
instead of mere fodder for Post-It Notes, affixed to your
computer monitor, and promptly forgotten.
Thus, Prisoners stands as the beginning of a journey,
which, though it may end in a boardroom, a backroom, or
in the cab of an 18-wheeler, must start in the soul. This is
in no way to suggest that Pattakos got it wrong by offering
his interpretation of Frankl as a tool for the workplace,
which can inform and inspire both the CEO and the
average worker. Rather it is a suggestion to the CEO and
the average worker that they not view the concepts and
principles offered here as just another set of tactics for
success on the job. That they, after circulating a couple of
will-to-meaning memos to stir up the troops, not consign
the work to their business-literature bookshelves to collect
dust, along with the philosophy-du-jour tomes already
framed in matching bookends. Instead, we believe that
Prisoners is best used as an impetus for the clarification,
strengthening, and liberation of the self, for reforming
ones consciousness, and elevating the soul, regardless of
what is, or is not, happening in the workplace. With this as
ones a priori work in progressones solid framework for
action in lifemeaning and motivation cannot help but to
emerge naturally on the job and be intrinsically and firmly
linked to it. For, as Pattakos quotes Thomas Moore (in
Re-Enchantment of Everyday Life), Business involves all
aspects of managing our home, whether the family house or
the planet, and therefore has to do with survival, fulfillment,
community, and meaning.

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Prisoners of Our Thoughts

Reading Suggestions
Reading Time: 9-11 Hours, 207 Pages in Book

Both Covey (in the foreword) and Pattakos (in the

preface) provide detailed instructions for reading Prisoners,
so that you get the greatest long-term benefit. Covey
recommends learning (notice the word learning versus
merely reading) the material sequentiallystudying one
chapter at a time and applying it before going on to the
next. The idea is for you to become a change catalyst a
transition figureone who lives the principles and shares
or teaches them one by one to those with whom you live and
work. Or, you can read the entire book from start to finish
as an overview and then go back and learn the material
sequentially. Pattakoss instructions have essentially the
same goalthat you learn how to live and work with
meaning. He states that a simple reading is insufficient,
if, as we mention in the Remarks, you intend to distill and
adopt the core principles of Frankls body of work
We concur fully with these suggestions and add that
you would do well to read the foreword and preface first,
of course. Then skip to Detecting Your Path (beginning
on page 7 of the first chapter) for a brief overview of the
books contents. This will give you an idea of the scope of
the material and allow you to decide how you might want
to incorporate Covey and Frankls instructions into your
learning plans. In addition, please note that each chapter
ends with a series of exercises: A Meaning Moment
will ask you, for example, to recall a particular situation.
A Meaning Question will ask you how you deal with
or perceive a set of circumstances. And, For Further
Reflection will present even more questions and ideas
for you to consider, work, and live by. In addition, each
chapter holds several exercises that you can use to clarify
and incorporate the many concepts presented as you go
along. Thus, there is a lot of work that you must do in order
to fully assimilate the Frankl/Pattakos philosophy.
If, for some reason, youve managed to stumble into
the 21st century without knowing anything about Frankl,
or if you know who he is in passing, but dont know him or
his works, you would do well to familiarize yourself. This
familiarization should probably include a brief bio, a short,
but comprehensive explanation of logotherapy, selections
from the reference list Pattakos provides and, at least, a
Cliff-Notes-like version of Mans Search for Meaning.

Alex Pattakos

Frankls strong advice to Matthew Scully (former

literary editor for National Review and speechwriter for
Vice President Quayle), as well as to anyone else claiming
real interest in his life and works, was to read all his books
that have been translated into English. There are five, in
addition to Mans Search for Meaning: The Doctor and
the Soul, Psychotherapy and Existentialism, The Will to
Meaning, The Unheard Cry, and The Quest for Ultimate
Meaning. We also highly recommend that you take note of
other works mentioned throughout the bookfor example,
those by Deepak Chopra and Thomas Moore, Hugos Les
Miserables (the unabridged version), and the movie Life is
Beautifuland make a determination to visit (or revisit)
them soon, if you have not done so already.
Having said that, we must note, however, that none of
this extra reading need take place before your reading of
Prisoners. In fact, you will find a brief bio and explanation
of logotherapy, as well as many excerpts from Frankls
works, and quotes from the works of others, throughout
Prisoners. However, if, after having read Pattakoss
book, you are inspired to develop an even greater sense of
meaning, purpose, and freedom in your life, we recommend
continuing your journey as recommended above.
CONTENTS
Chapter 1: Life Doesnt Just Happen to Us
Chapter 2: Victor Frankls Lifework and Legacy
Chapter 3: Labyrinths of Meaning
Chapter 4: Exercise the Freedom to Choose Your Attitude
Chapter 5: Realize Your Will to Meaning
Chapter 6: Detect the Meaning of Lifes Moments
Chapter 7: Dont Work Against Yourself
Chapter 8: Look at Yourself from a Distance
Chapter 9: Shift Your Focus of Attention
Chapter 10: Extend Beyond Yourself
Chapter 11: Living and Working with Meaning

Business Book Review Vol. 21, No. 40 Copyright 2005 Business Book Review, LLC All Rights Reserved

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Prisoners of Our Thoughts

Alex Pattakos

A Note to Our Readers

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strive to help you make informed book-purchasing decisions.

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Business Book Review Vol. 21, No. 40 Copyright 2005 Business Book Review, LLC All Rights Reserved

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