Comments on samsara asylum: First, I liked the comments so much on the last po...

Angela,Question: When you say you still want to de...

2008-03-22T19:48:00.000-04:00

Angela,
Question: When you say you still want to deal with the shit others left behind do you mean their behaviors/actions or the results/residue you still experience? Or both?

Different angles, different "focus". Inter-related, to be sure, but where the majority of the attention goes, that seems to be the rub. Then again, hey who knows? (insert sound of insane laughter here)
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Sophmomocles,
Wow, what great thoughts to ponder. I resonate to many. Too many? *sigh*

Loved your words on groupwork. Yeah, that dynamic of being quiet, the listening witness, and someone else's shit actually taking you precisely where you need to go is such a fascinating phenomenon. Very close to impossible to describe. One of those ypu-had-to-be-there experiential thangs. One example of the awe I have of the process itself. Blows me away. Like that old joke about the thermos...keeping things warm or cold...how does it know?

And depth work followed by body work? The BOMB! The ultimate BOMB! I regret not having the office space/environment to do the type of experiential bodywork I KNOW is such an integral aspect of healing. Words rock...and releasing where they are held armored in the physical plane is key. The synergy of both is unbeatable!!!!

I checked the link. I know Robert Johnson's "dilemma". Like you, I wait.

And I sho' hope evuh liddle thang gonna be alright. I need a sign. (looking at watch) Ye-up, looks to be about that time again...
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Lu,
Hello. Whoa, great stuff.

I hate the sessions when I chase my tail with an audience--I hate it when hear that voice coming out of my mouth with blame, and I try to redirect.

Wonderful depiction of vulnerability. There are elements of anger, shame and embarrassment. "I should be further along than this. I should know this...already. God, what is wrong with me, why can't I get this? Why does he/she think of me? I must seem like such an idiot?"

Or ___________ (fill in the blank with whatever self-deprecating comments "work" for you). Jesus.

Inner work with a witness is a bitch. It can also be the most powerful. We humans have an innate need to be "seen" and it is the "seeing" that often carries the healing. At least this is the truth in my Tao.

As for my patients being lucky...you know, and I say this with the greatest humbleness, I believe on some level they are but not for the reason you mentioned (though that might be in there too). I think my patients could be lucky because I genuinely care and bring all I've got to the table...and I have a lot. Of many things.

Thank you for your support.
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hele,
And that made me laugh... out loud.

Good on ya, girl. Go get 'em. (smiling)
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Santa,
(winking and smiling) Naw, methinks the "public" can smell a bum steer. Oh those therapists and their cognitive distortions! (LOL!)

Good to see you.
Happy Easter.
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Peanut,
(laughing) Oh yes, I remember. And you know, you are not alone in your dread and fear of all things dental. That's not an avoidance reserved for children, oh no, it carries through to adulthood too. Yeehaw!

I didn't "conquer" my dental "issues" until I hit my early 20's. My mother had one HELLUVA time with me and the dentist when I was young. And I mean one HELLUVA time. (It got to the point where my parents considered sending me to a dentist that worked with mentally/emotionally disturbed kids--you know, the kind of dentist that SEDATED you--in order to get my teeth taken care of.) Whoo I was a handful in that chair. Think I might've had that leg in the groin reaction when they came near me with those plier thingies.

Thank GOD I challenged that fear. I couldn't tolerate carrying that one for life. I KNEW it had to go or I wouldn't be free. (Still can't swim, though. So I won't be receiving any "Perfect Human Without Fear" awards anytime soon, hee hee.)

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So, here's the thing, Wendy Lou...D'ya remember yo...

2008-03-22T16:58:00.000-04:00

So, here's the thing, Wendy Lou...

D'ya remember yonks ago, when I put up a picture of some icky bug, which went along with a post of mine, and it kinda woke up your inner freak? lol

Well... guess who skips the photos here in this post? Truly.

I hate the dentist.

I know.. it's pathetic! I'm sure they are all wonderful people.. but then they go and ruin it all by putting their hands, with some sort of implement, somewhere near my mouth.

lol

Nice vent. We need that periodically, don't we. So...

2008-03-21T16:06:00.000-04:00

Nice vent. We need that periodically, don't we. Soooo, can we really believe that the public doesn't recognize the counter-transferences and other lunacies of psycho-therapists?

For these very reason's I'm considering branching ...

2008-03-21T12:12:00.000-04:00

For these very reason's I'm considering branching into environmental psychology.

I never trust anyone, especially not a therapist o...

2008-03-20T16:23:00.000-04:00

I never trust anyone, especially not a therapist or a physician, who puts on a front of perfect peace. I don't believe the state exists.

--As one who never imagined herself spilling her guts out to a therapist until my marriage fell apart, I'm always a bit confused and wary as to how to proceed in session. I hate the sessions when I chase my tail with an audience--I hate it when hear that voice coming out of my mouth with blame, and I try to redirect. What I want is the big kick in the ass, the boot camp session that sets me to work with some big ass power tools.

Power Tools--Ways to get over one's self, specific actions to take that knock the needle out of the groove.

Is that the same thing as wanting someone to extract the demons?

Seems to me you've some lucky clients--lucky to have you wanting to shake them up.

That's what I liked about group. Even during those...

2008-03-20T10:53:00.000-04:00

That's what I liked about group. Even during those times when reluctance or stuckness made it hard to move forward (or inward), in group, someone else's shit often served to nudge my own. Then, after all that, lots o' body work got that nasty stuff out of my tissues (note to self: need to do that again).

All of that said, I'm certainly feelin' stuck right now; and, while I keep looking for what it is I'm supposed to be learning right here, I can't seem to find it. I keep thinking back to Dambala's post get down on your knees about meeting Papa Legba at the crossroads, respectful and aware rather than reckless and oblivious. So, I remain present and patient.

I don't know how y'all do what y'all do but I sure as hell am glad that you do. Peace, darlin'. Every little t'ing's gonna be alright.

Dotcalm

Yes, we can smell it. And I realize my struggle is...

2008-03-20T09:52:00.000-04:00

Yes, we can smell it. And I realize my struggle is a little different, I guess. I try to avoid the blame, but I still want to deal with the shit others left behind (oh, there's the blame, I guess) Recognizing what was done without blaming is tricky for me I guess...laughing laughing laughing......

Chani,I think perhaps the real question is how can...

2008-03-19T20:57:00.000-04:00

Chani,
I think perhaps the real question is how can we feel safe with someone who believes they have safety within themselves? I'm not sure anyone really has that.

Hrmm. Well, after reading your thoughts I'm thinking perhaps I was not clear in my description of personal meaning and/or use of the word "safety". I was referring to the sense of being "real".

I know I am real. I am aware I possess many "liabilities" as well as assets and I do not feel internal shame for either. I admit, to my self and others, about my repeated falling-downness and I am compassionate with my self along the way. I give my self permission to be human and I extend the same courtesy to fellow bipeds.

A large part of me is aware my ability to be real, despite group normative pressure to the contrary, is an actual gift for others. I know my demonstrated confidence to stand in my beingness allows others the space to do and be the same.

(laughing) And yes, tis all maya.

You are a magnificent Light as well and I know you know this.
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Hey AD,
Thanks for that.

Your query yesterday gave me pause. I want to let it settle in a stretch of quiet time before responding. Great questions!
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Marmy,
Oh you...(smiling in my heart)

Goodnight and pleasant dreams from across the pond. Maybe we can connect this weekend. I've been so out-of-pocket for weeks and weeks. Sorry 'bout that.

*hugs*

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I should of deleted me last post lol((((Wen Mel)))...

2008-03-19T20:14:00.000-04:00

I should of deleted me last post lol

((((Wen Mel)))) hope Wednesday for you went smooth..... well, I did use the word 'hope' :)

Goodnight you precious friend...

x

Thanks for the imagery! Therapy is gettin' more at...

2008-03-19T16:19:00.000-04:00

Thanks for the imagery! Therapy is gettin' more attractive all the time.*lol* (that was meant to be funny, but it's actually the truth...hmmm..)

Can't wait for the post about the last post. Guess you got us stirred up, Doc.

We appreciate it, too.

;-)

Now I ask you, how safe is someone with a therapis...

2008-03-19T13:37:00.000-04:00

Now I ask you, how safe is someone with a therapist who does not experience safety within themselves? People can smell the absence of authenticity and congruence.

I think perhaps the real question is how can we feel safe with someone who believes they have safety within themselves? I'm not sure anyone really has that. Dukkha. Samsara. Remember?

All I care about is authenticity - and that means I would want my therapist to be human - like me. I'd want to know that he or she struggles with things as we all do.

Mone! Wow, really long time no see. Cool.Yeah, you...

2008-03-19T13:06:00.000-04:00

Mone! Wow, really long time no see. Cool.

Yeah, you should've seen the looks and heard the laughs I got from the dental office staff as I went around taking pictures after getting my teeth cleaned the other day.

You'd be surprised how many people would find a root canal preferable to a soul canal.
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Flutter,
It is painful to be with others as they suffer. Hearts break and light shines.

What is elementary? Goodness, what might be impossible for me to see and change could be like water rolling off a duck's back for you. We all have our "stuff". And our own "time tables" for learning, as well.

There are times when it is glaringly apparent the person sitting across from me has no intention of doing anything other than maintaining the status quo by blaming everyone and everything for their pain. These are the most difficult moments in session. I can feel when I being boondogged, hornswaggled, whatever. It feels lousy to receive manipulation. It takes care and grace and patience and a helluva a lot of other things to keep my center when this happens.

You are amazing. I would give a million dollars to have a roster of days filled with souls like yours.
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Whew.How I so admire the work you do. I have often...

2008-03-19T12:28:00.000-04:00

Whew.

How I so admire the work you do. I have often wondered how it must be for the person sitting across from me. To watch me struggle with things that must seem so elementary.

To watch me struggle with things that are life altering.

To not shake the fucking shit out of me and snap some sense into me.

Thank you for bearing witness.

I rather put my heart and soul on your table as to...

2008-03-19T10:32:00.000-04:00

I rather put my heart and soul on your table as to have one of those pictured battletools in my mouth, I swear!