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.

The perfect way’s like boundless space
Nothing lacking, nothing extra
It is because of choice
That its absolute truth is lost.
Don’t pursue externals;
Don’t dally in the interior void.
When the spirit remains serene
In the unity of things
Dualism vanishes by itself...
- Sent-ts’an (d. 606)

There is boundless space in the therapy session. I am listening with evenly hovering attention; my client is expressing the pain and fear that is interfering with daily living. By staying present in that moment I endeavor to join my client with nothing lacking and nothing extra. We transcend dualism and create a therapeutic relationship. You and I become We and the boundless space becomes potential space for change to occur. The awareness of choices maintains absolute truth as we create new ways of dealing with the pain and fear.

Withdraw now from
the invisible pounding and weaving
of your ingrained ideas.
If you want to be rid of this
invisible turmoil, you must just sit
through it and let go of everything.
Attain fulfillment and illuminate thoroughly.
Light and shadow altogether forgotten.
Drop off your own skin,
and the sense-dusts will be fully purified.
The eye then readily discerns the brightness.
- Hongzhi Zhengjue (1091–1157) courtesy of dailyzen.com

It is counter intuitive to just sit through anything that is frightening, sad, or  simply annoying. We are by nature active in our lives and doing something about it helps all of us feel strong and confident. The idea of sitting still does not bring up images of successful change. Withdrawal is a symptom of depression, in extreme cases it can be life threatening if the individual has stopped all self care and is isolated from any support system. When someone comes to therapy we spend an hour sitting and talking about the reasons for being here and to define the goals for treatment. My hope is to allow a non judgmental and safe environment to help in the process of letting go; to abandon the critical and punitive beliefs attached to the struggle.  There is sitting and then there is sitting mindfully. When fear, sadness, and irritability are discussed with an open mind and an open heart the light and shadow will dissolve. Just sitting becomes a means to self illumination and discovery. We then take these discoveries into our daily activities and experience them in a new and healing light.

Today’s students of the Buddha-Dharma need to look for genuine insight. If you have genuine insight, birth and death will not affect you, and you will be free to come and go. Nor do you need to look for worthiness; it will arise of itself. Followers of the Way, do not let yourselves be deluded by anyone; this is all I teach. If you want to make use of genuine insight, then use it right now without delay or doubt. Students nowadays do not succeed because they suffer from lack of self reliance. Because of this lack, you run busily hither and thither, are driven by circumstance, and kept whirling by the ten thousand things.
-Rinzai ( d.866) courtesy of dailzen.com

How do we know our insight is genuine insight? We have all had the experience of believing we have it figured out only to have someone come along and shake all that up. I like the idea that I have a known self and an unknown self ; and there is a self others know about me and a self that is unknown to others. The combination of these four concepts creates some interesting thoughts. What I know about myself and what is known to others is my public self. What is unknown to others is my private self. What others know about me that is unknown to myself is the source of interpersonal learning. Finally that which is unknown to myself and others is my potential. I think genuine insight, worthiness, and self reliance can be found in the meaning behind all the different combinations. We will never know it all; being with others will always give us the opportunity  for learning. When we can step into genuine relationships with compassion and loving kindness we cultivate our worthiness and self reliance. Genuine insight is in each moment of full and authentic presence with others.

Enlightenment has no definite form or nature by which it can manifest itself; so in enlightenment itself, there is nothing to be enlightened. Enlightenment exists solely because of delusion and ignorance; if they disappear, so will Enlightenment. And the opposite is true also: there is no Enlightenment apart from delusion and ignorance; no delusion and ignorance apart from Enlightenment. Therefore be on guard against thinking of enlightenment as a “thing” to be grasped at, lest it, too, should become an obstruction. When the mind that was in darkness becomes enlightened, it passes away, and with its passing, the thing which we call Enlightenment passes also.
-Lankavatara Sutra courtesy of dailyzen.com

There is an inevitable disappointment when someone has completed their therapy. The anticipated “better place” is nothing more than the mundane everyday flow of tension and ease. There is no emerging sunshine and happy background music. Termination is the term used for finishing up someone’s treatment. It’s a pretty ominous term but it conveys some very important dynamics in the process of change. The uniqueness of the therapeutic relationship allows for a very close, personal connection that is contained in a professional setting. A safe and empathic space is a good setting for new ideas and experiences. When the goals of the treatment have been reached we begin the process of summarizing the process of change; understanding the new found skills and confidences in the here and now; and anticipating challenges in the future.My client walks out of my office as a fellow traveler on life’s journey. No more, no less. Delusion and ignorance do not vanish when therapy is completed. My client’s enhanced self awareness helps her to be on guard and recognize when she is trying to grasp enlightenment. The way out of the darkness is in the tensions and the ease of our every day lives.

It is most urgent that you seek real, true perception,
So you can be free in the world
And not confused by ordinary teachers.
It is best to have no obsessions.
Just don’t be contrived.
Simply be normal.
You impulsively seek elsewhere,
Looking to others for your own hands and feet.
This is already mistaken.
- Linji (d. 867) courtesy of dailyzen.com

An understandable issue with psychotherapy is this idea that there is someone out there who knows more than me about how to live my life. The response to suggestions of seeking professional help is "I can solve my own problems!" There is a stigma associated with seeing a therapist, that someone is crazy and unable to care for themselves or worse pose a threat to society. This becomes even more complicated when it is parents seeking help for their child. Is there a way to seek real and true perceptions in the therapist's office? How would you know if it was real? What is the difference between a therapist and an ordinary teacher?
We know that the experience of being understood is a more powerful curative factor than the clinician's degrees and theoretical orientation.  What is real is what makes sense and if there is the experience of having a new idea or perspective on an issue then you are the one who has made the discovery. Therapy is different from the classroom because there is no lesson plan, there is a companion for your journey who will ask questions and learn from you as you learn about yourself. This is the genuine therapeutic process, my training and experience provides me with a fund of knowledge to choose the right kinds of questions at the right time in the journey- unless I don't and there is a break in the connection. What is unique in therapy is how even the breaks become important opportunities for learning. The journey in therapy is not supposed to be easy, the hardest part will be acknowledging your hands and feet in a compassionate and non-judgemental way. Together we will seek that elusive simplicity.

You want to be a mountain-dweller,
No need to trek to India to find one.
I’ve a thousand peaks
To pick from right here on the lake.
Fragrant grasses and white clouds
Hold me here.
What holds you there,
World-dweller?
- Chiao Jan (730-799) courtesy of dailyzen.com

A "geographical cure" is a tempting idea for change. If I move to a new city I will be able to start over, make a new life. Over the years I have had many clients try this and all have been disappointed in the results. They soon discover the issues, that they had hoped were left behind, continue to disrupt and undermine their quest for happiness. The process of reflecting on the unwanted parts of our life is in effect the mountains we seek. To pause for a moment and understand the ability you have to look down on all the different parts of your life is to be the thousand peaks. It takes time and effort to cultivate this awareness. All of the struggles and fears become precious opportunities for learning and accumulating wisdom.  Acknowledging mistakes and disappointments with an open mind is another precious resource. A loving and compassionate relationship with our selves and our world creates a holding environment for us to discover the fragrant grasses and white clouds that have always been there.