Saturday, February 21, 2015

Whatever people do, whether they remain in the world as artisans, merchants, or officers of the government, let them put their whole heart into the task; let them be diligent and energetic. And if, like the lotus flower, which grows out of muddy water but remains untouched by the mud, they engage in life without cherishing envy or hatred; if they live in the world not a life of self but a life of truth, then surely joy, peace, and bliss will dwell in their minds. - Buddhacarita courtesy of dailyzen.com

Commitment to treatment is an important factor for successful experiences in psychotherapy. Resistance in treatment can be viewed as a problem brought into the session by the client and can sabotage the therapists ability to facilitate change. Over the years I have come to realize this is a very narrow view of a dynamic and intersubjective experience. As Roshi Joan Halifax has said; enlightenment happens in the context of a loving relationship. In therapy there are two people joined in a common cause. Commitment and resistance are the competing forces that facilitate change. The therapist and the client engage in dialog that can shift from being diligent and energetic to being avoidant and confrontational. We are all lotus flowers and although we are untouched by the mud we cannot the exist without it. We will never be able to put our whole hearts into every task all the time. Just as our mind will wander in meditation our tendencies to cherish envy and hatred will find their way into our minds and hearts. It is the recognition of this that allows us to return to the in breath; renew our commitment to our compassion;and cultivate loving kindness. When I can pause with my client to process a difficult session we are resuming our endeavor to live life whole heartedly.

Friday, February 13, 2015

Those who awaken never rest in one place.
Like swans, they rise and leave the lake.
On the air they rise and fly an invisible course.
Their food is knowledge.
They live on emptiness.
They have seen how to break free.
Who can follow them?
- Buddha in the Dhammapada  - courtesy of dailyzen.com

One of the toughest situations for my clients is the experience of knowing what to do to change but just not doing it. It is one of the more insidious conclusions for anyone who is unhappy and wanting to change. It is a self imposed judgement of  incompetence complicated by the mystery of why. " I don't know why I don't do what I need to do". They are stuck because they believe there are factors outside of their control that prevent them from changing. My job is to help them see how they are like swans; that they already have the capacity to rise and fly. By slowing things down and devoting  time to being still they can  experience a natural hunger for knowledge. To never rest in one place is to live each moment with an open mind and an open heart. Conclusions dissolve into possibilities and the  awareness of our Buddha nature becomes a guide for the invisible course of our life.

Friday, February 6, 2015


Everywhere turn around freely,
Not following conditions,
Not falling into classification.
Facing everything, let go and
Attain stability.
So it is said that the earth lifts
Up the mountain without
Knowing the mountain’s
Stark steepness.
A rock contains jade without
Knowing the jade’s flawlessness.
This is how truly to leave home.
- Hongzhi Zhengjue (1091-1157) courtesy of dailyzen.com

 Change requires stability. Stability is reinforced by change. Letting go and attaining stability is a wonderful description of the healing process in therapy. There really is no linear process of change for my clients. We look at what is stark and steep and we marvel at what is flawless in their life. The dialog is the journey and we can recognize those conditions and classifications that tend to complicate life. Without knowing is attained when the stability of self confidence can absorb the fears and doubts associated those conditions and classifications. With each step the wisdom we acquire through our successes and failures allows us to truly leave home and  turn around freely in the present moment.

  The bird’s path, winding far, Is right before you.   Water of the Dokei Gorge, You return to the ocean, I to the mountain. - Hof...