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