[see: \u201cThe Meaning of Meaning<\/a>\u201d]<\/p>\n\n\n\n Common factors are meaning-related<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n As you may know, I categorize \u2018common factors in healthcare\u2019 into placebo and empathy. [see: \u201cFrom Common Factors to AURELIS<\/a>\u201d]<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is not the placebo pill (the milk powder, for instance) that works, but its meaning to the one who takes the pill. In a pure sense, this meaning is rather needle-like. It carries the simple message of getting better \u2015 no more sophisticated, deeper meaning. Therefore, it cannot be but symptomatic. Mostly, the action is very temporary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The empathy-side can be much more complex, also in-depth. Thus, it can be more than symptomatic. This, to me, makes it far more interesting, durable, and meaningful. Also, opening empathy, this shows to be multifaceted in its meaning-relatedness. As simple as a placebo may be, as complex and multidimensional is empathy, especially \u2018empathy beyond.\u2019 [see RG: \u201cEmpathy Beyond the Conceptual Level<\/a>\u201d] This is the field of Compassion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jerome Frank<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In his seminal book Persuasion and Healing<\/em> of 1993, Jerome Frank (Professor of Psychiatry at the Johns Hopkins University) described the healing environment broadly in terms of symbols, rituals, credible healers and theories of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Each of these elements is contributive through its involvement with deeper meaning:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Persuasion and Healing<\/em> is one of those books that keep being read-worthy. It has been a gentle source of inspiration towards AURELIS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The goal of coaching: finding deep meaningfulness<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Once this is found, the coachee has been put in motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If the coachee can go further by himself in the direction of his Inner Strength, so much the better. If help is needed, it can be given. Knowing that it can be given when needed, is already quite supportive. How? As always: through the meaningfulness of this knowledge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Knowledge by itself does nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meaningfulness is always the driving force, thus also within coaching and as the goal of coaching. Why?<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s about living<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n As research shows time and again, leading a meaningful life is one of the essential factors in a person\u2019s deep feeling of happiness, and in longevity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lack of meaningfulness leads to distress, which leads to illness. [see: \u201cNot Stress but Meaning is a Cause of Disease.<\/a>\u201d] Mentally, it leads to depression. One might say that depression IS the lack of meaningfulness. [see: “Depression Relief \u2013 Read&Do<\/a>“]<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unfortunately, in present-day society, meaningfulness is less and less evident. It is increasingly being rationalized out of the picture. To many people, the world is becoming a colder and meaningless habitat. As a result, people seek meaning in consumption, but this is cosmetic, therefore, addictive. [see: \u201cAddiction: in Search of Deeper Meaning<\/a>\u201d] This way, it\u2019s never enough. So, people get into trouble and in need of coaching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meaning and coaching<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Within coaching, one of the main goals is to find what is meaningful to the coachee, what is the \u2018really meaningful goal.\u2019 Most frequently, this goes much deeper than the goal as first articulated by the coachee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Each person being different, good coaching leads a coachee to the point where he can have a pleasant, meaningful, and symptom-free life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Coaching should not be just a means towards artificially filling some void. Meaning as a goal should always be taken seriously within proper moderation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is a journey towards meaningfulness as well as a meaningful journey.<\/p>\n