I explain to you matters

Pertaining to enlightenment,

But don’t try to keep

Your mind on them.

Just turn to the ocean

Of your own essence

And develop practical

Accord with its nature.

- Yang Shan (1488–1559) courtesy of dailyzen.com 

One of the more frustrating dynamics in psychotherapy is the therapist’ s resistance to tell his client what to do. Understandably someone comes to therapy for help and help is expected in the form of advice. There is a thriving industry of self help books that will provide all kinds of advice for dealing with a wide array of issues and concerns. The therapist can make use of many different techniques that will provide new skills for coping and self care. The task of developing practical accord with the nature of ourselves involves far more than a new set of coping skills. There needs to be an understanding of how learning is experienced; how harshly we judge ourselves; and how difficult it is to experience short comings and personal failures. To achieve a degree of harmony with all aspects of ourselves is not something one can teach to another; it happens in the experiences created by the shared discovery of new insights in therapy.

Make no mistake about it; if you do not find it now, you will repeat the same routines for myriad eons, a thousand times over again, following and picking up on objects that attract you.

....Today, in your various activities, what do you lack? The spiritual light coursing through your six senses has never been interrupted. If you can see in this way, you will simply be free of burdens all your life.

- Lin Chi (d 867) courtesy of dailyzen.com 

People come to therapy to “find their voice.” When talking about a client in supervision I have said he hasn’t found his voice; he is still trying to find his voice; and the best case,he has found his voice and is ready to end treatment. It is a wonderful metaphor that embodies individuality and empowerment. I have come to a different understanding about the location of my voice and my client’s voice. The idea that there is an uninterrupted flow of energy coursing through the six senses creates a new perspective on our voice. When we listen to others with an open heart and an open mind we are able to respond with a voice that is authentic. When our voice is engaged in an authentic manner, we have the capacity to discover something new so that we are not repeating the same routines a thousand times over again. Today, our voice does not lack compassion when we are engaged in the daily activities of our life. Our voice has always been there and will always be there for us

The essence of mind is formless;

This itself is the subtle body of reality. 

The essence of mind is inherently empty; 

This itself is the infinite body of space.

- Ta-chu (8th c.)    Courtesy of dailyzen.com

Setting goals for treatment in psychotherapy is an important and complicated process. Change is desired and feared. The possibility for a successful experience in therapy depends on the understanding and openness about these conflicting experiences. I bring a perspective to this work that embraces the formless and inherent emptiness of the therapeutic space where we can accomplish these goals. As in the essence of mind there is an essence of a shared endeavor to change. By remaining formless the subtle body of reality has infinite possibilities for change. By remaining empty we bring these possibilities into the infinite body of space. The dynamics of change are not hindered by rigid beliefs of incompetence. They are allowed to be fully experienced and  understood in a non judgmental and compassionate manner. Our work cultivates a joy associated with the discovery of new found insights and abilities to be more effective in managing life.