A Study Regarding Confronting the Pain of Existential Loneliness in Irvin Yalom’s Ideas and the Mystical Pain of Separation in Molavi’s View

Mazaheri, Habib; Ali Zamani, Amir Abbas

doi:10.22091/pfk.2017.1833.1582

A Study Regarding Confronting the Pain of Existential Loneliness in Irvin Yalom’s Ideas and the Mystical Pain of Separation in Molavi’s View

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

¹ Ph.D. student of Philosophy of Religion and Modern Theology, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan (Khorasgan) branch, Isfahan, Iran

² Corresponding author, Associate Professor of Philosophy of Religion, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

10.22091/pfk.2017.1833.1582

Abstract

Irvin Yalom believes that loneliness is an existential boundary and pain which is inseparable from a human being. He comes into this world alone, leaves it alone and he alone is responsible for creating his own character; not only does he have no helper in this world, but there is no refuge for him either and he has been thrown into this world involuntarily. Jalal al-Din Muhammad Balkhi (Molavi) also discusses the pain of loneliness, but it is not Yalomi’s type of bitter loneliness; rather, it is in the form of loneliness from one’s origin; his anguish is not from not having a refuge, rather it is the separation from God and estrangement in the world that has brought him anguish and pain. In Yalom’s view, the pain of loneliness has no solution; it is an existential issue that man must accept and he can only soothe it. But Molavi considers being with God as elimination of the pain of separation and loneliness. By presenting this research, the writes hopes to decrease the weight of loneliness through a meaningful approach. For this purpose, the article will first point out the aspects of the pain of loneliness and ultimately, will present solutions for release from this pain.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

- Langford, M. (1981). Providence. London: SCM Press.

- Erich, F. (1956). the Art of Loving. New York. Bantaam Books.

- Erich, F. (1963). Art of Loving. New York. Bantam Books.

- Martin, H. (1962). Being and Time‌. trans. J. Macquarrie & E. Robinson. New York.

- Robert, H. (1974). Loneliness. Journal of Analytic Psychology.

- Kaiser. H. The Problem of Responsibility in Psychotherapy. (1995). Psychiatry.

- Norton, W. (1962). anthology of english literature. New York.

- Whitehead. A. (1962). Religion in the Making. London. Cambridge University Press.

- Yalom, I. with Molyn Yalom. Less (1970). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy. New York.

- Yalom, I. (1980). Existential Psychotherapy‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌، ‌New York‌‌‌‌‌.

- Yalom, I. (2008). Staring at the Sun. New York‌‌‌‌.

References in Arabic / Persian

* Qoran

- Alizamani. A.A. (1383 SH). Although Religious Faith and Suffering (DOI: 10.22091/pfk.2004.329). Journal of Philosophical-Theological Research. Vol. 5. Issue 20-21, p. 26-49

- Balkhi, J.M. (Molana). (1363 SH). Kolliyat-i Shams (the works of Shams Tabrizi) or Divan-i Kabir. Edited by: Badi‘ al-Zaman Furuzanfar. Amir Kabir Publications. 3^rd ed.

- Balkhi, J.M. (Molana). (1388 SH). Masnavi-ye-Ma'navi (spiritual couplets). Compiled by: Dr. Parviz Abbasi Dakani. Tehran: Elham Publications.

- Homaie, J.D. (1365 SH). Molavi Nameh (Molavi che Miguyad) [what Molavi says). Tehran: Agah Publications. 2^nd ed.

- Institute for Humanities and Cultural Studies. (1386 SH). Farhang: Quarterly Journal of Humanities and Cultural Studies (Molana edition). Issue 63-64.

- Malekian, M. (1381 SH). Seyri dar Sepehr-i Jan (a journey into the sphere of life). Tehran: Negah-i Ma‘asir Publication.

- Malekian, M. (1382 SH). Rahi be Rehayi (way to freedom). Tehran: Negah-i Ma‘asir Publication.

- Molavi A; Movahedi, M.R. (1396 SH). The Effect of Non-Cognitive Factors on Knowledge in the Mirror of Mathnawi. Journal of Philosophical-Theological Research. Spring, vol. 19. Issue 71, p. 121-140.

- Qommi, A. (1382 SH). Mafatih al-Jinan (keys to Heaven). Translated by: Elahi Qomshei. Qom: Qom Publications.

- Rousseau, J.J. (1346 SH). Reveries of a Solitary Walker. Translated into Persian by: Pezeshkpur, as: Tafakkurat-i Tanhai (solitary reveries). Tehran: Shahriyar Publications.

- Schopenhauer, A. (1388 SH). The World as Will and Representation. Translated into Persian by: Redha Valiyari, as: Jahan Hamchun Iradeh va Tasavvur. Tehran: Nashr-i Markaz.

- Soroush, A.K. (1379 SH). Qomar-i Asheqane (love gamble). Tehran: Mu’assasa-i Farhangi-i Sirat.

- Yalom, I. (1390 SH). Existential Psychotherapy. Translated into Persian by: Sepideh Habib, as: Ravan Darmani-i Existantial. Tehran: Ney Publications. 4^th ed.

- Yalom, I; Josselson, R. (1393 SH). Psychotherapy and the Human Condition. Translated into Persian by: Sepideh Habib, as: Ravan Darman-i Qisse gu, Ravan Darmani va Moqi‘iyat-i Ensani (narrative psychotherapist, psychotherapy and the human condition). Tehran: Danjeh Publications

- Yalom, I; Leszcz, M. (1390 SH). The Theory and Practice of Group Pshychotherapy. Translated into Persian by: Mahshid Yassaie, as: Ravan Darmani-i Gruhi (group pshychotherapy). Tehran: Danjeh Publications.