Proposing a Counseling Philosophy of Reconnection
“All great things start on a small scale; all great movements begin with individuals... So revolution must begin with you and me.” -J. Krishnamurti
A Counseling Philosophy of Reconnection
Abstract
In the infinite ocean of life, every droplet is intricately intermeshed. This essay unveils an integral biopsychosocial philosophy of counseling, founded on the principles of personal autonomy, interconnection, and interdependence. It begins with meditation, inviting us to take a step back, observe, and reflect. From there, we wade into the winding currents of the mind-body complex, exploring the delicate interactions between thought, mental constructs, emotion, physical sensation, movement, and posture. This will be followed by the appreciation of the interplay between family, community, and immediate environment, understanding the reflexive nature of individual narrative and collective well-being. Finally, we will wrap up by reveling in the awe-inspiring totality of Nature, remembering our home in an ecosystem far larger than ourselves.
Introduction
“All great things start on a small scale; all great movements begin with individuals... So revolution must begin with you and me.” These are the inspiring words of philosopher, spiritual leader, and speaker J. Krishnamurti. We currently live within a zeitgeist of disconnection - human beings have become numb to their own minds, bodies, families, communities, and Nature itself. This essay proposes a counseling philosophy is rooted in the idea of reconnection.
This concept of reconnection is not a new idea. In fact, it’s been echoed throughout human history, dating back more than 5,000 years to yogic traditions. Most notably, it is seen in Ashtanga Yoga, an astoundingly complete 8-fold system for optimal wellness, as well as physical and psychological freedom. It is also prominent in the various sects of eastern philosophical systems such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, and Shinto. In the modern-day West, the idea has since been translated into schools of thought such as American transcendentalism, gestalt psychology, and techniques such as mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR).
Ultimately, these schools of thought aspire to restore harmony within oneself, and consequently return to a state of harmony with the World. In other words, they offer a path of reconnection. They achieve this by utilizing techniques that aim to optimize the mind-body complex and reprogram deeply ingrained detrimental habits of health. These techniques encompass the embrace of silence, stillness, and self-reflection, allowing for a heightened neurological sensitivity and awareness of thought and behavioral patterns. Furthermore, they promote the cultivation of morals, virtues, and ideals, alongside comprehensive education about the workings of the brain, the psyche, the body, and ecology.
Meditation
Our counseling philosophy of reconnection begins with meditative practice. In modern parlance, we know it as mindfulness, and it is at the core of evidence-based styles of counseling such as Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Rogerian Person-Centered Therapy. Recent research from University of Wisconsin Madison has shown that a regular meditation practice leads to incremental changes in brain activity and structure (Lutz, Greischar, Rawlings, Ricard & Davidson, 2004). Essentially, it is akin to a strength-training exercise for various cortical regions of the brain, especially the prefrontal cortex. So, with meditation, we can build the skills of focus, attention, patience, emotional regulation, and awareness.
Meditation also necessitates the embrace of stillness and silence, which seem to be rare gems in an overworked and noisy postmodern world. In stillness and silence, true healing takes place. Just as muscles require rest for growth and repair, the mind also benefits from silence for its rejuvenation and restoration. Let’s use the metaphor of muddy water: if we continue to stir it, it will remain cloudy. However, when we allow it to settle, the sediment sinks to the bottom, and the water regains its clarity. Similarly, when we let the mind settle, the turbulence of thoughts and emotions subsides. With this, our mind returns to what Tibetan Buddhists refer to as Rigpa - the Ground of Being. This is the Natural state of the human being - calm, alert, and observant.
The goal of the psychotherapist should be to introduce the client to meditative practice, and guide them through a short script. This will allow the client to familiarize themselves with the process and adapt to the often unfamiliar territory of intentioned focus, awareness, and inner stillness. It is of course, of great necessity for the therapist to be an exemplar of inner stillness, acting as a guiding light in the client’s journey of self-awareness, emotional balance, and overall well-being.
Mind-Body Complex
The term ‘mind-body complex’ refers to the concept that the mind and body are inseparable and influence one another; All mental formations have corresponding physical aspects, and vice versa. In fact, the very first words of the Dhammapada, the ancient preliminary text of Buddhism, makes this simple yet profound statement: “The mind is everything. What we think, we become.” Each person is a product of both inherited evolutionary adaptations and hereditary traits. These manifest in the individual in the forms of unconscious mental constructs, behavioral patterns, and physical characteristics.
In our everyday life, thoughts trigger physiologic reactions, leading to emotions and bodily sensations, which further solidify as personality traits and physical posture. If thoughts and sensations of extreme stress are continuously left unaddressed, they have the propensity to cause health issues like chronic anxiety, excess muscular tension, restricted neurological and hormonal flow, and potentially various types of cancers. Ultimately, what we think, do, and consume shapes our psychosomatic health (Koh, 2018).
As previously described, with the development of inner stillness and awareness through meditation, we can more readily notice thought and behavioral patterns. We begin to bring awareness to what was before unconscious. Then, instead of continuing to be trapped by said patterns, we gain the capacity to transcend them, enabling us to make conscious choices and adopt new, more beneficial perspectives and actions.
This is where the bulk of psychotherapeutic intervention comes into play. A psychotherapist can help to begin to facilitate awareness of thought, sensation, and emotion through various techniques such as Socratic dialogue, Compassionate Inquiry, and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). These techniques equip individuals with practical tools to manage their emotions, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, and develop insight into unconscious mental constructs. This is reconnection to the mind.
At the same time, a psychotherapist can utilize somatic approaches such as Somatic Experiencing (SE), Hakomi therapy, and yoga-informed therapy to continue to build the skill of somatic awareness and emotional intelligence. These techniques emphasize the mind-body connection, guiding the client to curiously explore sensations and tensions in the body. This exploration can provide valuable insights into the links between mental formations, emotional states, and past experiences. This exploration can also enhance neurological sensitivity, allowing for a more rich experience of life. This is reconnection to the body - returning to our senses.
Gradually, as this process of self-discovery unfolds, the mind and body naturally harmonize, leading to a more effective way of navigating the world. This newfound harmony allows us to progress towards the realization of our full potential, a concept akin to what Abraham Maslow termed as self-actualization. Self-actualization entails taking deliberate actions that stem from a place of inner stillness, breaking free from the constraints of past habits. It involves a thorough examination of our core values and virtues, fostering the development of new habits rooted in autonomy, resilience, and personal growth. It also encompasses the pursuit for meaning and purpose, acknowledging our unique qualities and interests and how these qualities are tied to a sense of vocation.
From a therapist's perspective, guiding this journey can involve a blend of narrative therapy and logotherapy, enabling clients to reshape their life stories through the lens of meaning and purpose. Furthermore, it promotes self-expression as a means of communication, employing modes such as spoken word, tone of voice, music, body language, movement, and dance to help individuals authentically communicate their inner selves with the world around them.
Family and Community
As we embrace autonomy, thoroughly tend to the mind and body, and move towards actualization, we become healthy cells amidst the societal organism. In other words, by welcoming personal responsibility, healing, and maturation, we set a positive example for all of those in our vicinity. This reconnection extends to the broader community, and this relationship is reciprocal. Due to our tribal history, human beings have an inherent need for relationships with one another to help one another reflect. We rely on each other to serve as mirrors, providing one another information for mutual reflection and growth. Human touch and emotional bonding also facilitates the release of oxytocin, playing vital roles in this reconnection process.
In a psychotherapeutic setting, reconnection to family and community would involve group therapy, psychoeducational workshops, and retreats designed to facilitate the healing and strengthening of these essential bonds.
Ecosystem
Our psychosomatic well-being is intricately linked to the environment in which we exist. As we delve deeper into the concept of reconnection, we start to realize the profound impact our surroundings can have on our inner state. Our environment can remarkably instill a sense of tranquility or sow chaos within us.
For instance, in environments filled with loud noises and confusion, we are more likely to feel tense and anxious. On the other hand, when we find ourselves amidst a pristine forest, a wave of calm and clarity often washes over us. This connection to nature has a remarkable ability to soothe and rejuvenate our psyche.
Reconnecting with our living space, the natural world, and larger ecosystems can be achieved through various practices and psychotherapeutic interventions. These include the ancient art of Feng Shui, which organizes and harmonizes our environment; Horticulture therapy, where gardening and interaction with plants foster mental well-being; adventure therapy, which takes us into the wild to reconnect with nature's beauty; and shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, which immerses us in the healing tranquility of the natural world (Hoseinpoor, Foroozandeh, & Gharneh 2018).
In essence, these practices all boil down to a simple yet profound idea: we must reconnect with the land that we grew from. This connection is deeply rooted in the realization that we are not isolated beings but rather an integral part of the cosmic unfolding of nature itself. By embracing this narrative, we reinforce the truth that our well-being is inextricably intertwined with our environment and the natural world.
Nature
The last piece of our counseling philosophy of reconnection pertains to our profound connection with the very essence of creation: Nature itself. Throughout human history, this connection has been referred to by many names: God, Ein Sof, Great Spirit, Brahma, The Dao, and so on. In the field of psychology, we might describe this as the psycho-spiritual dimension of life. It's the aspect of our existence that goes beyond the tangible and material, inviting us into the realm of the infinite.
This profound sense of connection with the infinite grants us a deep well of emotions and experiences to draw from. It evokes feelings of reverence, a heightened appreciation for life, overwhelming gratitude, a profound sense of beauty, and an ever-present awe and wonder at the intricacies of existence. In psychological terms, this is often referred to as self-transcendence, a state where the self expands beyond its boundaries to merge with a greater whole. This is also a reminder of the impermanence of material life, encapsulated in the Latin phrase "Memento mori" – a reminder that all things, even life itself, will eventually fade away.
In this state of ultimate connection, people often report experiencing peak or transcendental states of consciousness where they feel as though they are one with all of existence. This deeply transformative and enriching experience can bring a profound sense of wisdom and connection with the totality of Life (Gold & Ciorciari 2020).
Final Thoughts
It's important to emphasize that our counseling philosophy is not a rigid, one-size-fits-all formula for mental health. Of course, clients are at different stages and have unique needs. With this, a psychotherapist must tend to each person as an individual. For this philosophy to be effective, it also assumes autonomy and willingness to explore self-knowledge within the individual.
Our ultimate aim is to empower individuals to take control of their own minds and bodies, promoting inner stillness and healing, developing autonomy, and encouraging proactive engagement with Life. In doing so, they can then spread this wisdom to others. Our brains and bodies possess a remarkable capacity for change and adaptation. By adopting the principles of this philosophy, we have the potential to lead healthier, happier lives, and collectively reduce the suffering in the world.
As psychotherapists, we must be the exemplars of a more conscious and connected way of living, where individuals are in harmony with themselves, each other, and the natural world. Again in the words of J. Krishnamurti, "it is no measure of health to be well-adjusted to a profoundly sick society."
Sources
Gold, J., & Ciorciari, J. (2020). A review on the role of the neuroscience of flow states in the modern world. Behavioral Sciences, 10(9), 137. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs10090137
Hoseinpoor Najjar, A., Foroozandeh, E., & Asadi Gharneh, H. A. (2018). Horticulture therapy effects on memory and psychological symptoms of depressed male outpatients. Iranian Rehabilitation Journal, 147–154. https://doi.org/10.32598/irj.16.2.147
Koh, K. B. (2018). Stress and neuroendocrine function. Stress and Somatic Symptoms, 29–41. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-02783-4_3
Lutz, A., Greischar, L. L., Rawlings, N. B., Ricard, M., & Davidson, R. J. (2004). Long-term meditators self-induce high-amplitude gamma synchrony during mental practice. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 101(46), 16369–16373. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0407401101
This was an essay written by, and for:
Max Komes
CP6649: Theories of Counseling
Dr. Sharon Thompson
Troy University
Term 1, 2023
