Alex Pattakos
Alex Pattakos, Ph.D., affectionately nicknamed "Dr. Meaning," is a Modern-Day Greek Philosopher and internationally-recognized leader of the Meaning Movement, who is focused on bringing meaning to work, the workplace, and into everyday life. A very proud Greek American (of Cretan heritage), he is a co-founder of The OPA Way!®, a philosophy of living inspired by and based on Greek culture, whose mission is to help people live and work with Meaning. He believes passionately that each of us can find deeper meaning in our lives, including our work lives, each day, every day.
He is the author of the international best-selling book, Prisoners of Our Thoughts, now in a second, revised & expanded edition, which is based on the wisdom of (and was encouraged personally by) his mentor, the world-renown psychiatrist, Dr. Viktor Frankl, author of the classic best-seller, Man's Search for Meaning. Prisoners of Our Thoughts, which includes a foreword by Dr. Stephen R. Covey (author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People), is currently available in 19 languages and is the inspiration and basis of a feature-length documentary film/television series that are in pre-production.
“The search for meaning in our lives takes us on paths large and small. When we go beyond ourselves-whether in forgiveness, unselfishness, thoughtfulness, generosity and understanding toward others-we enter into the spiritual realm of meaning. By giving beyond ourselves, we make our own lives richer. This is a truth long understood at the heart of all meaningful spiritual traditions. It's a mystery that can only be experienced. And when we do experience it, we are in the heart of meaning. We are no longer a prisoner of our thoughts.”
“When we work creatively and productively with others, our experience of meaning can be profound. When we work directly for the good of others, meaning deepens in ways that reward us beyond measure. Whenever we go beyond satisfying our own personal needs, we enter the realm of what Frankl called "ultimate meaning." some call it connection to a higher self, to God, to our own spirit, to universal consciousness, to love, to the collective good. No matter what it's called, it is deep meaning and it transforms our lives.”
“BOB DIAMOND: "Being from earth as you are and using as little of your brain as you do, your life has pretty much been devoted to dealing with fear.DAN MILLER: "It has?"BOB DIAMOND: "Everybody on earth deals with fear. That's what little brains do."BOB DIAMOND: "Did you ever have friends whose stomach hurt?"DAN MILLER: "Every one of them."BOB DIAMOND: "It's fear. Fear is like a giant fog. It sits on your brain and blocks everything. Real feeling, true happiness, real joy, they can't get through that fog. But you lift it and buddy you're in for the ride of your life."(From the movie 'Defending Your Life')”