Transpersonal Psychotherapy
By wali khan http://world4onlinejobs.blogspot.com enjoy
Transpersonal Psychotherapy is the aspect of the human psyche that goes
beyond our normal conceptions of reality. It may be called spiritual
consciousness or the study of access to the transpersonal, out of the
ordinary realm of the unconscious mind. It encompasses information beyond
the five senses, which transcends physical and ego boundaries. Since
Western psychology and science cannot explain everything, we recognize
that it is possible to greatly benefit from the contributions of
alternative explanations of reality.
Mysteries of the Universe
The Spiritual Unconscious
It is important to recognize healing and transformative methods that
fall within the acceptable parameters of science and consensus thinking.
However, it is equally important to give due recognition and respect to
those healing and transformative experiences that lie beyond the western
paradigm, dictated by culture and science. The mysteries of the universe
cannot be adequately studied in the laboratory. Perhaps, discoveries and
solutions for many of life's questions and dilemmas lie deep within the
transpersonal or spiritual unconscious. It could be speculated, that the
spiritual unconscious is an actual link to a greater cosmic intelligence
enfolded in the bedrock of the universe. Perhaps, our physical universe
is a creation that mirrors another universe, beyond our senses, embedded
in consciousness, spirituality and the transpersonal. In Genesis, God
created the universe. But, from where did He create this physical
universe? How did nothing create something? Was supreme and divine
consciousness the energetic force behind the big bang and subsequent
creation?
This raises more questions than answers. If a spiritual universe,
inhabited by a Supreme Being and other spiritual beings, created the big
bang and the subsequent birth of our physical universe, then the
prototype for such a birth experience lies in our own physical
recapitulation of that miracle. I say this because I adhere to the theory
that each cell and molecule inside of our bodies is a microcosmic replica
of the entire macrocosmic transpersonal and created universes. Within
each one off all cells there is a genetic imprinted memory of the entire
creation. Only by entering into a method that develops transpersonal
consciousness, can we penetrate the veil of repressed memory and gain
access to this expanded universe. It is here that we will find the most
profound answers to our deepest dilemmas and questions. It is, also, here
that we will find unification with the very source and ground of our
being. The consciousness and reliving of one's own birth may be a
launching pad for the transpersonal leap into cosmic realities. I claim
that physical birth is replicated on the spiritual foundations
encapsulated in the creation of the universe.
Origins of Behavior
The Void or Vacuum
One of the most powerful questions that a person can ask is, "Why
do I do this?" This is a very important question for a psychotherapist to
ask when inquiring of a client to explore the origins and reasons for
certain behaviors. The use of background music and ultraviolet light
sources in a therapy session should enhance and facilitate cathartic and
deep feeling answers to this question. For example, asking the client why
they overeat, abuse drugs, engage in alcoholic behavior or suffer from
depression should reveal insights and connections to significant
experiences. The client may reveal that the reason for their behavior has
its roots in the loss of a parent, through divorce or death. Such a
trauma, plus a series of tough or unpleasant experiences, may leave the
client feeling as if there has been a void or vacuum left in their lives.
They may also experience such a void within their own bodies.
The adoption of maladaptive behaviors, such as overeating,
alcoholism and other addictions, may serve as an attempt, by the client,
to fill the vacuum or void in their bodies and their lives. The same may
hold true for mood, anxiety, personality and more serious mental
disorders. Separation from family and loved ones, in late adolescence,
may create a void in a young person's life; which they may try to fill
with extensive drug use, psychotic breakdowns, antisocial behavior and
alcohol abuse. This void has its counterpart in the superconscious,
transpersonal realm. It may be hard to fathom, that a person who
overeats, compulsively gambles, and engages in destructive sex, is trying
to fill a metaphysical or cosmic void. I have already stated that a human
being is a microcosmic replication of the entire universe. If there is a
physical void in the universe, with its counterpart in the spiritual
cosmos, then such a phenomenon has to exist inside human beings. Thus, it
holds true that the causes for certain behaviors have their roots in
real-life situations and cosmic realities.
What is this VOID? On the cosmic level, it is a vacuum in
transpersonal, cosmic space. Nothing exists there and yet something is
there and it is usually a sense of a soul or self that is alone and
undetected. This cosmic vacuum may have its counterpart in certain stages
of prenatal and perinatal life. This relationship between cosmic
elements, perinatal experiences and life experiences, in general,
substantiates the connectedness of all aspects of life. Yes, a person may
overeat, abuse alcohol or do many other things in order to fill a void
precipitated by transpiritual, evolutionary and real-life events. By
inducing an Altered State of Consciousness (ASC), through free
association or other mind-altering methods, a person can get in touch
with the root causes of the void.
Hiding from Emotional Pain
Sorrow in the Void
An individual can recapture and relive deep and extensive life
sorrows that are connected to the emotional void. By answering the
crucial question, "Why do I do this," a lifetime of sorrows may flood
consciousness. For example, a shopaholic when asked the question, "Why do
you shop excessively," may break into a torrent of sobs, cries and
screams. A lifetime of memories and significant scenes and images will
appear that may represent a series of losses, departures and separations.
These "leavings" occur to such an extent, that the individual has
resorted to excessive over shopping in order to repress and damp down the
sorrow. The free association, Altered State of Consciousness or ASC, is
usually conducted in a soundproof therapy room, where the lights are low
and appropriate music helps facilitate the experience. During such a
session, conducted in such an environment, a flood of insights reveals
how shopaholic behavior has been used in order to fill the void of
sorrow, generated by a lifetime of "leavings."
These " leavings" constitute parts of everyone's lives and there is
usually an emotional void that develops. Many addictive behaviors are
chronic attempts to fill the vacuum created by these losses, departures
and separations. Most attempts at managing the overt behaviors are
usually met with limited success and repetitive failures. Of course, it
is important to manage and even eliminate many of these destructive
behaviors, like alcoholism, excessive gambling, workaholism, drug
dependency, overeating and other such activities. But such attempts at
managing the symptoms may actually further disguise the real cause that
drives these behaviors. Therefore, it is absolutely essential, in a
therapeutic setting, to ask the question, "Why do you do this." Only by
resurrecting the root causes, through an ASC, will the problem be solved.
The emotional void resides in most people and goes undetected.
While, this vacuum is hidden from consciousness, the person does not
fully mourn and express the sorrow that drives symptomatic behavior. That
is why most obesity control programs fail. Only a small proportion of
alcoholics and drug addicts ever receive treatment and obsessive
compulsive workaholics, shoppers, gamblers, nicotine addicts, etc. etc.
ever become aware of the real deep rooted causes of their well defended,
self-denial behaviors. The most underreported and devastating criminal
activity of driving under the influence of alcohol will never be solved
as long as society refuses to vigorously address the underlying sorrow
filled void of these people. We, as a people, are driven to "get" instead
of "lose." There is a belief that somehow getting an injection, smoking a
weed, becoming overbloated, drunk or some other form a symbolic
fulfillment will satisfy a need. That's the wrong strategy that never
addresses the real problem. Temporary relief creates more long-term
problems. It is a bad solution to an unrecognized sorrowful void and
creates added difficulties. If you have a money problem, you can't solve
it with money. If you have a drinking problem, it can't be solved with
alcohol. If you have a nicotine problem, cigarettes won't solve it. If
you are depressed, you need to get to the underlying cause of that
depression. Treating the depression doesn't cure it. Fully blowing out
and releasing the sorrow deep in the void will lift the depression, calm
anxiety and may actually create peak experiences that lead to total
bliss.
The ASC (Altered State of Consciousness) created by cathartic free
association will reveal the truth of one's existence. It will also bring
into consciousness those feelings, memories and experiences that have
been long held inside one's organism. Letting go and releasing buried
sorrow, relieves the void and opens the prison of repression. Freedom
from symptoms and problems creates a cosmological and transpersonal
liberation that transcends the limits of the body and the ego. The
inheritance is the universe and the boundless kingdom of heaven.
Beginning Change
Acknowledge That You Are Hiding
You cannot change what you do not acknowledge. ASC's reminds us
that the universe holds us accountable for our actions. Every religious
tradition has some sort of cosmic evaluation of our actions. The world
itself has laws and rules that reminds each one of us that we are
accountable for our behavior and our choices. But, if we do not
acknowledge our own behaviors, then we cannot change them. For example,
an alcoholic or drug addict will not be willing to change and eradicate
self-abusive behavior. Rationalizations and justifications for self-
destructive behavior are part of a protective defensive wall that a
person can hide behind in order to avoid being hurt by the world. Such
strategies are usually ineffective and self-destructive. Excessive
overeating, reckless spending, compulsive gambling and many other forms
of destructive behavior, are nothing but defenses behind which a person
can hide. The long-term use of these destructive behaviors is damaging to
the self and others, in so many different ways. Choices that are made to
satisfy certain emotional needs, by self-defeating actions, always lead
to some sort of death. A self-defeating person usually makes the wrong
choices, when other choices would result in a better outcome. But, the
self-destructive force in the universe can be more powerful than logic
and reason. Only by activating some sort of ASC can one's self-
destructive side be shaken loose from its hold. Powerful altered states
have the capacity to overthrow the tight grip of the destructive force. A
secret strength that the ASC has over destructive elements is the
cumulative power of repetition. By continuously activating and practicing
an effective ASC, one can overwhelm certain diseases, disorders and
maladaptive strategies.
An ASC that reveals the truth of how a person perpetuates and
sustains self-destructive behavior provides the impetus for creative
change. It forces the issue that we are all accountable to a higher power
and to our better selves. Once a person acknowledges their self-defeating
behavior, they can begin to take measures for creating new and more
productive choices. Destructive behavior is irresponsible and
acknowledging such bad choices constitutes a step towards remedial
action. Most self-destructive behavior is a misguided attempt to make one
feel better physically and emotionally. At the same time, what is hidden
is the fact that the person is slowly and irrevocably destroying
him/herself. The destroyer exists inside every person as an archetypal
entity and can only be subdued by an active and aggressive effort. A
cosmic war is acted out, out of awareness, in every human being. A person
can choose to mobilize efforts, methods, props and tools in the noble
cause of waging war against internal destructive forces. Such
acknowledgment and commitment can lead to triumph and the ASC is the
right tool, method and weapon for such a challenge.
If the person decides to go back into hiding behind a self-erected
wall, then the destructive force will come back with a vengeance and a
yo-yo syndrome gets established. When the individual decides to take on
the challenge of change, he/she can recognize the futility and failure of
destructive behaviors. In the long run, all destructive behaviors end up
hurting the individual. If one looks for a creative principal, then they
will recognize that elements of the destructive force just don't work and
only cause damage. Creative ASC's produce productive life enhancing
outcomes. These same ASC's also lend insight into the causes of all
behaviors.
No Matter Where ...
You Are Accountable
In the cosmic fabric of all creation, every action has an effect,
whether positive or negative. There is no getting away with anything. The
biblical phrase, "You reap what you sew," proclaims that for every action
there is an equal or greater reaction. On the spiritual level, everyone
seems to be somewhat aware that all actions have to be answered for,
sooner or later. If you incur a debt, payment is forthcoming in one way
or another. "You'll have to pay for your actions at some point." Justice
is a cosmic reality. In some traditions, it is treated as a spiritual
force. Nobody gets away with anything, even though it seems as if they
might. The universe functions in a precarious state of balance. If the
scales get tipped in any particular direction, everything goes out of
balance. Life on earth is dependent on just the right juxtaposition and
positioning of all of the planets, in relationship to the sun. The sun,
itself, maintains its particular function by being in the proper position
and in the right balance to the rest of the Milky Way.
Could it be that good deeds and faith help to maintain the
precarious balance of nature? Perhaps, the planet Earth is a balancing
world, existing between the high heavens and the underworld. You'll
notice that there is no heaven without hell and the world precariously
balances between the two. In bipolar disorder, rapid cycling between the
highs and the lows is mediated and moderated by the middle, stable
center. Every religious discipline has some sort of mythology and ritual
that surrounds a given period of time dedicated to examining the cosmic
books that evaluate and judge human behavior. Forgiveness and redemption,
followed by salvation usually wipes the book of life clean of incurred
debts and transgressions. This process reminds us to refrain from judging
unless we subject ourselves to judgment. We are also reminded to refrain
from vengeance, being that vengeance belongs to the Divine Power. These
transpersonal truths remind us that not only are we accountable to
ourselves and other human beings; but we are also accountable to a higher
spiritual power. The universe is conscious and it observes and operates
in human, everyday life. We are part of the universe and interact with it
on many different levels. To think that we are separate from cosmic
influence is to deny the reality of personal accountability. For every
act a price is exacted. Referring to the sayings, "The wages of sin is
death," and the secular phrase, "Crime doesn't pay," illuminates the idea
that justice in balance is a universal energy force.
If you live in a constant state of hate and anger, you will reap
poison. For every loving act, love is returned many times over. Love
builds on love, while anger and hate builds more poison. The more you try
to hide from your hurt, the more you build on more hurt. Containing and
repressing emotional and spiritual pain, keeps it going and eventually it
reaps self-destruction. Expressing and releasing spiritual and emotional
pain, rewards with relief, insight and transformation. Resentment is the
breeding ground of hostility and more resentment. Getting swallowed up in
being a victim brings more victimization. Insult engenders counterattack
and more insults. Kindness produces peace and tranquility. Compassion
engenders understanding and goodwill. Constant demands create diminished
returns.
Blaming creates failure and ineffectiveness. It never produces
positive results and encourages distrust and alienation. If you want
someone to reject you, just keep blaming them and making them responsible
for your life, your problems and your misery. Support and encourage
someone and you improve their emotional and environmental performance.
You get back what you give and it is the altered state of consciousness
of a therapy session that produces the positive results.
MBO ( Motahida Bangash Organization )
Kohat
Owner M WALI KHAN.