Edith Eva Eger, a Holocaust survivor and esteemed psychologist, discusses her incredible journey from trauma to empowerment. Joined by her grandson Jordan Engler, they explore the importance of revisiting the past to foster growth. Edith's recent memoir tailored for younger readers, 'The Ballerina of Auschwitz,' is a key topic. The duo delves into resilience, the power of forgiveness, and the duality of human nature. With personal anecdotes, they inspire listeners to embrace life's challenges and celebrate transformation.
Dr. Edith Eva Eger emphasizes the importance of embracing personal choice and resilience to navigate trauma and define one’s identity.
She highlights the significance of interdependence, illustrating how genuine connections among individuals can foster survival and support during immense adversity.
Deep dives
The Power of Choice and Resilience
Dr. Edith Eva Eger shares her profound insights on the concept of choice, which played a crucial role in her survival during the Holocaust. She emphasizes that despite the horrors she faced, she refused to adopt a victim mindset and instead chose to live her life fully, stating, 'I will not live my life as a victim.' This commitment to resilience enabled her to navigate incredibly challenging circumstances, fostering a mindset of hope and the belief that her suffering was temporary. Her journey reflects the importance of making conscious choices that shape one’s identity and future, a theme she explores in her bestselling book, The Choice.
The Importance of Interdependence
Eger highlights the vital role of interdependence in survival during her time in Auschwitz. She shares touching stories of the support systems formed among prisoners, illustrating how acts of sharing and selflessness were critical for mutual survival. By not only relying on her sister but also on fellow inmates, she emphasizes that genuine connections and collective aid can lead to resilience, even in the face of overwhelming adversity. This theme encapsulates the essence of humanity, reflecting that thinking of others often serves to ensure one’s own survival.
Healing Through Acknowledgement
Dr. Eger discusses how denying the trauma of her past hindered her healing process and perpetuated negative patterns in her life. Acknowledging one’s experiences and confronting emotional pain is essential for personal growth and recovery. She explains that refusing to face the past can create obstacles to moving forward, leading individuals to blame others instead of taking responsibility for their healing. Eger stresses the importance of revising one’s narrative without getting stuck in it, suggesting that to heal is to embrace both the pain and the potential for a renewed life.
Forgiveness as a Path to Freedom
Eger articulates the transformative power of forgiveness – not for the sake of absolving others, but for liberating oneself from the pain of the past. She recounts how forgiving those who inflicted suffering upon her allowed her to reclaim her life and mental space, highlighting that holding onto grudges can perpetuate cycles of suffering. By illustrating her decision to forgive, even figures like Hitler, she conveys that true freedom comes from letting go of anger and resentment. Eger’s perspective reveals that forgiveness is a personal choice that can pave the path for healing and peace.
“I think it's good to relive the past and then revise your life,” says Edith Eva Eger. “Go through it, but don't get stuck in it.” The world-renowned psychologist, who survived the Nazi death camps, and went on to be a colleague of Viktor Frankl, just turned 97. And she just released The Ballerina of Auschwitz, which is the YA edition of her major memoir The Choice. She joins the podcast with her grandson, Jordan Engler, to talk about how her mindset has evolved—and what she still looks forward to doing.
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