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Life-Enhancing Anxiety: Key to a Sane World
Life-Enhancing Anxiety makes a bold It is not less anxiety that we need today, but more, at least of a certain kind. The book comprises a collection of original and previously published essays that converge on what Schneider calls life-enhancing anxiety. Life-enhancing anxiety is the invigorating degree of anxiety needed to become passionately engaged, ethically attuned, and creatively enriched. Set against our anxiety-avoidant times, life-enhancing anxiety enables us to "live with and make the best of the depth and mystery of existence." The potential for life-enhancing anxiety begins at the moment of birth—the point at which we shift from relative nonexistence and unity to sudden, abrupt existence and disunity. This juncture is both daunting and wondrous. Yet it is the management of the juncture by both caretakers and the culture at large that is all important; for it is that management that forms the bedrock for our capacity to deeply live, or to skim only the surfaces; to attain courage, or to seek refuge in gimmicks. The book goes on to elaborate this developmental arc and apply it to a range of personal and social challenges. Among these challenges are Schneider's personal struggle with life-enhancing anxiety; the role of life-enhancing anxiety in the cultivation of a sense of awe (humility and wonder) toward all existence; the role of life-enhancing anxiety in the arts, particularly film and literature; applications within the discipline of psychology; applications to social and political crises (war and violence in particular); and applications to spirituality and religion. Schneider concludes the book with a brief section on the relevant research on life-enhancing anxiety, followed by an Epilogue. The Epilogue summarizes the implications of life-enhancing anxiety for a more sane, sustainable, and awe-informed world.
- GenresNonfiction
206 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2023
11 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 19, 2023
The paradox of our times is that we have a tremendous amount of research, studies, and findings on anxiety in addition to various methods on how to best deal with stress and anxiety that can range from meditation, healthy lifestyle and nutrition choices, medication, work-life balance, and self-care, and yet, anxiety is still occurring and affecting us at unprecedently high levels.
Perhaps our way of approaching and seeing anxiety compounded with methods of dodging and avoiding or medicating and escaping the sense of discomfort may be at play and the real culprit here!
Enter Dr. Kirk Schneider’s insightful and resourceful book "Life-Enhancing Anxiety: Key to a Sane World"! His multi-faceted and interdisciplinary approach looks at anxiety through an existential-humanistic lens, which includes and builds upon views and insights from Otto Rank, one of my favorite psychoanalysts out there!
In fact, it is not merely about managing and dealing with anxiety on a superficial and perfunctory level but rather using anxiety as a means of as well as a springboard for self-discovery. Kirk suggests and proposes that we take advantage of our anxiety to bring it into the open surface and to face it so that we can overcome and release pent-up trauma embedded and buried within our unconscious.
Doing so will not be pleasant at first but it provides us with the opportunity to inject our lives and being with vitality and, as a result, helps us to connect more fully and authentically with ourselves and with others.
This is a very timely book because it is not only about reducing anxiety levels but transforming them into gold by making them life-enhancing; at the same time, it has the potential to fill our lives with much-needed and often lacking magic, awe, and wonder.
This is a wonderful and wonder-filled book indeed that I highly recommend for those who are wondering about how to best deal with and take advantage of their feelings of anxiety!
Perhaps our way of approaching and seeing anxiety compounded with methods of dodging and avoiding or medicating and escaping the sense of discomfort may be at play and the real culprit here!
Enter Dr. Kirk Schneider’s insightful and resourceful book "Life-Enhancing Anxiety: Key to a Sane World"! His multi-faceted and interdisciplinary approach looks at anxiety through an existential-humanistic lens, which includes and builds upon views and insights from Otto Rank, one of my favorite psychoanalysts out there!
In fact, it is not merely about managing and dealing with anxiety on a superficial and perfunctory level but rather using anxiety as a means of as well as a springboard for self-discovery. Kirk suggests and proposes that we take advantage of our anxiety to bring it into the open surface and to face it so that we can overcome and release pent-up trauma embedded and buried within our unconscious.
Doing so will not be pleasant at first but it provides us with the opportunity to inject our lives and being with vitality and, as a result, helps us to connect more fully and authentically with ourselves and with others.
This is a very timely book because it is not only about reducing anxiety levels but transforming them into gold by making them life-enhancing; at the same time, it has the potential to fill our lives with much-needed and often lacking magic, awe, and wonder.
This is a wonderful and wonder-filled book indeed that I highly recommend for those who are wondering about how to best deal with and take advantage of their feelings of anxiety!
November 16, 2025
Kirk J. Scheider - egzistensinės-humanistinės psichoterapijos krypties atstovas. Kad ir ką tai reikštų. Knygoje rašo apie “visą apimantį virpulį” (anglų kaloboje, kiek domėjausi, įvardinama kaip “awe”) - iš vidaus kylantį egzistencinį nerimą arba virpulį gyvenimo patirčiai. Aš gal taip apibūdinačiau. Tas nerimas, arba virpulys dažnai būna bauginantis - nežinomas, nepatirtas, toks kurio tarsi norisi išvengti - ir žmonės veikia daug dalykų kad jo išvengtų - vieni deflektuoja į įvairias veiklas, tokias kaip skaitymas, sportas, filmai, vartojimas, ar dar belekas. Kiti išveikinėja pykdami ir reikšdami nepasitenkinimą ant savęs ar pasaulio. Dar kiti nuo egzistencinio nerimo pabėgti mėgina pirkdami, vartodami, dirbdami, veikdami, o gal gerdami alkoholį, ar dar kaip nors kitaip bėgdami nuo giliai giliai iš vidaus kylančio susijaudinimo. Susijaudinimo nuo susitikimo - susitikimo su gyvenimu, su kitu žmogumi, o gal su savimi pačiu. Susijaudinimo, kurį galų gale išgyvenus galima pajusti didelį pilnumą, džiugesį ir gyvenimo stebuklą - užpildantį ir auginantį.
Esu tikra, kad kiekvienas esame patyrę tą jaudulį - tokį gilų virpulį - artumo, nuogumo, kuomet atrodo, kad jeigu atsiversiu kitas pamatys mane visiškai nuogą ir pažeidžiamą. Jeigu nesi to saugiai patyręs - išbuvęs, išgyvenęs, ir patyręs susitikimo atnešamą pilnatvę ir džiugesį, tuomet dažniausiai pirmoji reakcija šiam virpuliui sukilus - nuo jo pabėgti, nejausti, užpildyti jį kuom nors kitu. O tas egzistencinis virpulys vis ieško būdų prasiveržti - iškilti viršun, parodyti save. Ir vienintelis būdas jį išgyventi - tai išties pasinerti visu savimi į šį jausmą - atsiduoti nežinomybei - pasileisti į susitikimą, kad ir ką jis atneš. Tarsi leisti atsitikti tam kas nori nutikti. Bet oi kaip nelengva tai padaryti, kaip neįprasta, jeigu nesi to patyręs, ir kaip norisi nuo to pabėgti. Nes būti atsivėrusiam - tai būti pažeidžiamam.
Tai yra tai, kaip aš suprantu egzistencinio nerimo išgyvenimą. Arba egzistencinės vienumos, ar tuštumos, ar liūdesio, ar pykčio. Bet kurio didelio jausmo - kurį norisi nustumti, giliai giliai, kad nejausti. Bet energija niekur nedingsta - ji tik kaupiasi ir ieško būdų prasiveržti - galbūt kitais būdais - nebūtinai tinkamais. Ir tai veda į neišpildytumo jausmą, vienišumą, atstūmimą. Galiausiai į depresiją, nelaimingumą, panikos atakas, arba didesnius sutrikimus.
Bent jau taip suprantu nerimą apie kurį rašo Kirk Schneider. Manau kad tai labai svarbūs dalykai kuriuos aprašo autorius. Nors knyga man pasirodė pakanamai chaotiška ir išblaškyta - sulipdyta iš skirtingų straipsnių apie skirtingus aspektus - viename aptariamas nerimas, kitame filmai, trečiame kokia turėtų buti vyriausybės politika kad skatintų žmones nebėgti nuo nerimo, o jį išgyventi pilnai. Skaitant tai kėlė irzulį - vis kilo jausmas kad knyga išleista dėl to kad autorius sukaupė pakankamai medžiagos knygos išleidimui, o ne dėl to kad toks buvo jo užmanymas nuo pat pradžių, tad man pritrūko vientisumo ir išbaigtumo. Ir dar nežinau ar tai vertimas (skaičiau lietuviškai), ar tai pačio autoriaus tekstas, bet vietomis buvo sunku skaityti - kliuvo žodžiai, keisti vertimai, trūko sklandumo.
Nepaisant trūkumų, knygoje buvo daug gerų minčių - apie nerimą, apie pasaulį, apie trūkumus mūsų šiandieninės santvarkos ir pan. Taip pat patiko, kad autorius pateikė daug savo gyvenimo patirčių, beveik viską praleisdamas per savo asmeninę patirtį. Nemažai papasakojo apie kitus egzistencialistus bei humanistus, su kuriais nebuvau susipažinusi. Tad jaučiuosi praturtėjusi perskaičiusi, nors jeigu skaityčiau dar kartą rinkčiausi skaityti originalo kalba, anglų. Tai dar ir dar kartą pasitvirtinu sau - skaityti didžiųjų leidyklų knygas lietuviškai, arba skaityti originalo kalba. Labai gaila, kad dažnai mažos leidyklos išleidžia labai greitus, ir deja, prastus vertimus į lietuvių kalbą.
3*iš 5*. Išleido “Žmogaus psichologijos studija”, 2025
Esu tikra, kad kiekvienas esame patyrę tą jaudulį - tokį gilų virpulį - artumo, nuogumo, kuomet atrodo, kad jeigu atsiversiu kitas pamatys mane visiškai nuogą ir pažeidžiamą. Jeigu nesi to saugiai patyręs - išbuvęs, išgyvenęs, ir patyręs susitikimo atnešamą pilnatvę ir džiugesį, tuomet dažniausiai pirmoji reakcija šiam virpuliui sukilus - nuo jo pabėgti, nejausti, užpildyti jį kuom nors kitu. O tas egzistencinis virpulys vis ieško būdų prasiveržti - iškilti viršun, parodyti save. Ir vienintelis būdas jį išgyventi - tai išties pasinerti visu savimi į šį jausmą - atsiduoti nežinomybei - pasileisti į susitikimą, kad ir ką jis atneš. Tarsi leisti atsitikti tam kas nori nutikti. Bet oi kaip nelengva tai padaryti, kaip neįprasta, jeigu nesi to patyręs, ir kaip norisi nuo to pabėgti. Nes būti atsivėrusiam - tai būti pažeidžiamam.
Tai yra tai, kaip aš suprantu egzistencinio nerimo išgyvenimą. Arba egzistencinės vienumos, ar tuštumos, ar liūdesio, ar pykčio. Bet kurio didelio jausmo - kurį norisi nustumti, giliai giliai, kad nejausti. Bet energija niekur nedingsta - ji tik kaupiasi ir ieško būdų prasiveržti - galbūt kitais būdais - nebūtinai tinkamais. Ir tai veda į neišpildytumo jausmą, vienišumą, atstūmimą. Galiausiai į depresiją, nelaimingumą, panikos atakas, arba didesnius sutrikimus.
Bent jau taip suprantu nerimą apie kurį rašo Kirk Schneider. Manau kad tai labai svarbūs dalykai kuriuos aprašo autorius. Nors knyga man pasirodė pakanamai chaotiška ir išblaškyta - sulipdyta iš skirtingų straipsnių apie skirtingus aspektus - viename aptariamas nerimas, kitame filmai, trečiame kokia turėtų buti vyriausybės politika kad skatintų žmones nebėgti nuo nerimo, o jį išgyventi pilnai. Skaitant tai kėlė irzulį - vis kilo jausmas kad knyga išleista dėl to kad autorius sukaupė pakankamai medžiagos knygos išleidimui, o ne dėl to kad toks buvo jo užmanymas nuo pat pradžių, tad man pritrūko vientisumo ir išbaigtumo. Ir dar nežinau ar tai vertimas (skaičiau lietuviškai), ar tai pačio autoriaus tekstas, bet vietomis buvo sunku skaityti - kliuvo žodžiai, keisti vertimai, trūko sklandumo.
Nepaisant trūkumų, knygoje buvo daug gerų minčių - apie nerimą, apie pasaulį, apie trūkumus mūsų šiandieninės santvarkos ir pan. Taip pat patiko, kad autorius pateikė daug savo gyvenimo patirčių, beveik viską praleisdamas per savo asmeninę patirtį. Nemažai papasakojo apie kitus egzistencialistus bei humanistus, su kuriais nebuvau susipažinusi. Tad jaučiuosi praturtėjusi perskaičiusi, nors jeigu skaityčiau dar kartą rinkčiausi skaityti originalo kalba, anglų. Tai dar ir dar kartą pasitvirtinu sau - skaityti didžiųjų leidyklų knygas lietuviškai, arba skaityti originalo kalba. Labai gaila, kad dažnai mažos leidyklos išleidžia labai greitus, ir deja, prastus vertimus į lietuvių kalbą.
3*iš 5*. Išleido “Žmogaus psichologijos studija”, 2025
August 29, 2023
Life-Enhancing Anxiety: Key to a Sane World is a fascinating look at the relationship humans have with anxiety. The author Kirk J. Schneider argues we actually don't have enough life-enhancing anxiety- the kind of anxiety that urges us to explore the unknown and revel in the complexity and mystery of life.
"The ironic message of this book is that we are bathed in anxiety precisely because we refuse, and have refused for millennia, to face anxiety. We're more isolated, angry, withdrawn, addicted, obsessive, compulsive, phobic, racist, robotic, chaotic, and tyrannical precisely because we have spurned earlier capacities for life-enhancing anxieties that could have preempted the later ones. We continually spurn discovery as we do humility, because to animate either is to acknowledge the discomfort that goes along with full humanness, paradoxical humanness. Yet, as a result, we too often miss the rewards of that full and paradoxical path."
The book is divided into sections on life-enhancing anxiety in the arts, in psychology, in the social and political realm, and as it relates to religion and spirituality. The author weaves together so many elements of anxiety in our culture - from quoting the book Sapiens to referencing his own trauma and anxiety to analyzing the movie Don't Look Up - in such a cohesive and compelling way! He also gives scripts and tips for how to deal with talking about the anxiety political differences can bring. Highly recommended if you are wanting a deep dive into anxiety from a really smart guy.
"The ironic message of this book is that we are bathed in anxiety precisely because we refuse, and have refused for millennia, to face anxiety. We're more isolated, angry, withdrawn, addicted, obsessive, compulsive, phobic, racist, robotic, chaotic, and tyrannical precisely because we have spurned earlier capacities for life-enhancing anxieties that could have preempted the later ones. We continually spurn discovery as we do humility, because to animate either is to acknowledge the discomfort that goes along with full humanness, paradoxical humanness. Yet, as a result, we too often miss the rewards of that full and paradoxical path."
The book is divided into sections on life-enhancing anxiety in the arts, in psychology, in the social and political realm, and as it relates to religion and spirituality. The author weaves together so many elements of anxiety in our culture - from quoting the book Sapiens to referencing his own trauma and anxiety to analyzing the movie Don't Look Up - in such a cohesive and compelling way! He also gives scripts and tips for how to deal with talking about the anxiety political differences can bring. Highly recommended if you are wanting a deep dive into anxiety from a really smart guy.
September 2, 2025
I was really excited to read this book after meeting the author at a Division 32 meet-and-greet event following the 2025 APA conference. I was even gifted a copy for free as a new member of the group, which made the experience even more special. I have to say, this was absolutely worth the read and is probably one of my favorite books of the year.
Kirk does an incredible job setting the stage for why we need to think about anxiety in a new way. He eloquently describes why an awe-based reform is needed, what it is, and how it can be implemented—in schools, in the workplace, politically at a broader level, and in everyday life. He argues that the very reason we are “bathed in anxiety” is precisely because we refuse to face it.
I was especially struck by the way he illustrates the paradoxes of living, such as the idea that anxiety is both crippling and energizing. Overall, this was a life-changing read not only for therapists—especially those who practice from a humanistic-existential framework—but also for anyone struggling with stress and anxiety.
This book offers the ultimate reframe, and I am excited to integrate its insights into both my personal life and my work as a clinician. One quote that really stood out to me was: “Uncertainty reminds us of our fragility, but it also reminds us of our possibility.”
Kirk does an incredible job setting the stage for why we need to think about anxiety in a new way. He eloquently describes why an awe-based reform is needed, what it is, and how it can be implemented—in schools, in the workplace, politically at a broader level, and in everyday life. He argues that the very reason we are “bathed in anxiety” is precisely because we refuse to face it.
I was especially struck by the way he illustrates the paradoxes of living, such as the idea that anxiety is both crippling and energizing. Overall, this was a life-changing read not only for therapists—especially those who practice from a humanistic-existential framework—but also for anyone struggling with stress and anxiety.
This book offers the ultimate reframe, and I am excited to integrate its insights into both my personal life and my work as a clinician. One quote that really stood out to me was: “Uncertainty reminds us of our fragility, but it also reminds us of our possibility.”
October 7, 2025
So I liked it but I thought it was going to be more practical. I looooove his development of the experimental democracy dialogue. Fantastic and brilliant idea for the polarization happening in society surrounding politics. Also the shift from anxiety to awe is a game changer for me
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