We want to move on now from “what’s wrong” to “what’s right”.

Hopefully, given some guidance in previous blogs of this Therapeutic Journeys to Self-Realistion series, we have some understanding of what’s going on. (In regard to stress, anxiety, negative thoughts and more).

We have a good idea of the problems, negative thoughts, emotions, and behaviors – that cause trouble. (You know what I mean).

We want now to focus on our strengths, values and personal positive attributes. Then the next “exercise” will be to build on these “good forces’ to develop them further and make some goals or plans of what to do with them.

This exposes a conundrum that we seem to have some purpose in staying stuck in either our “troubles’, or in our comfort zone, whilst wanting to progress in our growth. This growth is perceived in different ways. It can be about going towards a better state of being. We can call it spiritual yearning, or a desire to do good, or help others. Or a search for more meaning and purpose.

“Divine” in the body.

A problem that seems to be common in spiritual or aspirational seeking, is the issue of the bodily and mental needs, desires, and the gamut of the human condition.

Many aspects of religion, (& spiritual practice), have sought to somehow separate out the body/mind, disregard it, discipline it fiercely, or somehow transcend it all.

This seems to lead to endless struggle.

Similarly this process occurs within the therapy milieu, where the problem seems to be guilt and poor self-esteem.

Therefore a required step is to seek incorporation of all of the good/bad body/mind scenarios into therapeutic and spiritual practices, and hence incorporation of self into the innate nature of itself. This Self has been has been described ae one with the Cosmic Consciousness in Eastern religious philosophies, and not separate from God in Western ones. A Divinity even, if you wish to use that term, that is both within and external – no separation. Thus to be Self-Realised. I posit that the therapy journey needs to be aligned somehow with this divinity or consciousness, but doing the aligning it with a less obvious spiritual agenda. (Unless that’s how you operate). A bit more scientific even then?  Perhaps we could go Quantum Physics here!

At this point it could be useful to do some reading on spiritual forces vs holistic healing forces vs evidence based clinical practice. They all have their adherence. Here however we want to use all means to get to a goal that ends all goals.

Our purpose here then is to engage in the journey, to unite the human forces or sublimate them, only in so far as to attain a harmonious loop of the human and the soul force. Where human nature is no longer an obstacle, (or even “evil”). Here the therapy is acceptance of all of the human condition at all times, whilst only sublimating that which is an obstacle to serenity, sanity, and which is causing some grief.

Take an example here using DSM IV, (the previous Diagnostical & Statistical manual used by psychiatry). Personality Disorders can be diagnosed only if that Personality Disorder is causing sufficient “problems” for the person who has that disorder. Thus a film star who potential has a Narcissistic Personality Disorder, may say “I’m alright thanks you very much”. I’m rich and famous and very happy with that.

In the East, practice where the merger of divine and human activity or behavior is sought is a core tenet of Tantra philosophy.

Tantric practice recognizes the whole gamut of human emotion & nature, but seeks to move to a higher level of being without denying human activity). So, sex is included!

Next is a “Strengths” exercise…………