I've never had much luck with therapists. I felt like they didn't "get" why I was there and I quit all of them.
Mindfulness on the other hand...it saved my life the last few years. Being hyper aware of my surroundings and mindful that so much beauty and calm exists, and to drink it in and use it fully.
I'm with you. In my 20s when I went through a major grief bout after college (so much loss in my life, grandpa died, relationship ended, moved home)...a therapist immediately diagnosed me with depression, it never felt right. When I tried to open up to her, it was clear she couldn't work with my spiritual approach to life, and that was that. Years later, post divorce, I went through a half dozen therapists before I quit trying. All similar but different experiences to the one I mentioned in this post.
Mindfulness, spirituality, self-awareness (not self-improvement) all work for me. A holistic approach to body wellness, nutrition, fitness, creativity, spirituality, perspective, intention, etc. etc. etc.
The therapist seems to have had a brain fart, when he clearly didn’t understand your first response to that test. Glad you walked away. You outgrew him.
The other thing this post brings to mind is when Thich Nhat Hahn was speaking with the little girl whose dog died.. have you seen that one? It’s achingly beautiful. Let me see if I can find it; ah yes, here it is. https://youtu.be/PKv95cdgC_g?si=sk2MsPBO5QXr_tjQ
Oh my goodness, this reminds me of a coaching call I had with a seemingly very experienced success coach many years ago when I was first starting out as a Life Coach.
She had already decided for me what success was and wasn't interested in what success really meant to me. She told me what I had to do but never once asked me what I wanted. Needless to say, that was the last call I had with her. As coaches it's so important to created those safe places and listen. Thank you Teri, for this lovely and inspiring read xx
Wendy, if you haven't seen it yet, my post from last week talks specifically about that kind of coach. Ugh. There are so many of them out there. They think they know all...and the truth is, the more we know, the more we realize we DON'T know.
OMG Suzy! you just made my day. To be called "blooming brilliant" from a Brit is one of the highest compliments I have ever had! There's something about how the word "brilliant" rolls off the British tongue that has a special power to it. And you add the adjective "blooming" to it, which only means I am growing in all kinds of beautiful ways! Wow...this comment of yours is a "words are spells" charm that works in all the yummy ways! Thank you!
I could resonate with every word you said. You have made a wonderful point and explained the concept of duality in such simple yet profound manner. As you said, it's really not about who's right or wrong, it's about understanding different perspectives and coexisting in peace. Humans need both Science and spirituality to grow and thrive, and they shouldn't be put against each other as they're mostly done.
"it's really not about who's right or wrong, it's about understanding different perspectives and coexisting in peace." thank you for this succinct summary. co-existing in peace.
I want to live in a world where polar opposites can co-exist in peace.
Another thought-provoking read, Teri Leigh! I feel that science has made phenomenal strides over the years and that there is a harmonious place where science and spirituality together can be powerful. As spiritual beings having a human experience, we are here to experience the duality in this realm and to learn to dance within it. There is space for both science and spirituality in this realm and they both have their own unique magic on offer to us. 🙏🪷
I agree. I think science and spirit have both made strides to meet each other more in the middle. Everything is the yin/yang...both a dichotomy and duality as well as a oneness. Yes, AND. . .
As a retired counselor, I would have found his approach unacceptable. Over reliance on testing and not meeting your felt needs just wouldn't be a fit for me. Not every therapist has the skills to be the right fit. I am a big fan of listening to the actual desires and needs of clients. I still do a bit of coaching part-time just because I love helping people. Good article. Thanks.
I've never had much luck with therapists. I felt like they didn't "get" why I was there and I quit all of them.
Mindfulness on the other hand...it saved my life the last few years. Being hyper aware of my surroundings and mindful that so much beauty and calm exists, and to drink it in and use it fully.
I'm with you. In my 20s when I went through a major grief bout after college (so much loss in my life, grandpa died, relationship ended, moved home)...a therapist immediately diagnosed me with depression, it never felt right. When I tried to open up to her, it was clear she couldn't work with my spiritual approach to life, and that was that. Years later, post divorce, I went through a half dozen therapists before I quit trying. All similar but different experiences to the one I mentioned in this post.
Mindfulness, spirituality, self-awareness (not self-improvement) all work for me. A holistic approach to body wellness, nutrition, fitness, creativity, spirituality, perspective, intention, etc. etc. etc.
The therapist seems to have had a brain fart, when he clearly didn’t understand your first response to that test. Glad you walked away. You outgrew him.
The other thing this post brings to mind is when Thich Nhat Hahn was speaking with the little girl whose dog died.. have you seen that one? It’s achingly beautiful. Let me see if I can find it; ah yes, here it is. https://youtu.be/PKv95cdgC_g?si=sk2MsPBO5QXr_tjQ
That is a beautiful scene. So simple. Everything changes, and nothing really goes away.
I outgrew him pretty quickly. This episode happened around session 3-4.
Oh my goodness, this reminds me of a coaching call I had with a seemingly very experienced success coach many years ago when I was first starting out as a Life Coach.
She had already decided for me what success was and wasn't interested in what success really meant to me. She told me what I had to do but never once asked me what I wanted. Needless to say, that was the last call I had with her. As coaches it's so important to created those safe places and listen. Thank you Teri, for this lovely and inspiring read xx
Wendy, if you haven't seen it yet, my post from last week talks specifically about that kind of coach. Ugh. There are so many of them out there. They think they know all...and the truth is, the more we know, the more we realize we DON'T know.
https://themindfulnesscoach.substack.com/p/the-snake-oils-of-spirituality-are
Absolutely love this…what a brilliant bit of storytelling and weaving of the story through to the end…blooming brilliant. 🪄💫♥️
OMG Suzy! you just made my day. To be called "blooming brilliant" from a Brit is one of the highest compliments I have ever had! There's something about how the word "brilliant" rolls off the British tongue that has a special power to it. And you add the adjective "blooming" to it, which only means I am growing in all kinds of beautiful ways! Wow...this comment of yours is a "words are spells" charm that works in all the yummy ways! Thank you!
Ahaaa. 😁You yummy soul, you. And what about “bloody brilliant”, does that work too? Because you are! Bloody, bloomin’ brilliant, I mean. 🤩
I'm shocked by the insensitivity of that therapist! I'm glad you followed your heart and never went back there. Wow.
My body wouldn't let me go back. I felt physically sick when I thought about it.
I could resonate with every word you said. You have made a wonderful point and explained the concept of duality in such simple yet profound manner. As you said, it's really not about who's right or wrong, it's about understanding different perspectives and coexisting in peace. Humans need both Science and spirituality to grow and thrive, and they shouldn't be put against each other as they're mostly done.
"it's really not about who's right or wrong, it's about understanding different perspectives and coexisting in peace." thank you for this succinct summary. co-existing in peace.
I want to live in a world where polar opposites can co-exist in peace.
Another thought-provoking read, Teri Leigh! I feel that science has made phenomenal strides over the years and that there is a harmonious place where science and spirituality together can be powerful. As spiritual beings having a human experience, we are here to experience the duality in this realm and to learn to dance within it. There is space for both science and spirituality in this realm and they both have their own unique magic on offer to us. 🙏🪷
I agree. I think science and spirit have both made strides to meet each other more in the middle. Everything is the yin/yang...both a dichotomy and duality as well as a oneness. Yes, AND. . .
And then science found this thing called "The Unified Field"....IMHO, God disguised as science...hopefully the unified field will be unifying.
As a retired counselor, I would have found his approach unacceptable. Over reliance on testing and not meeting your felt needs just wouldn't be a fit for me. Not every therapist has the skills to be the right fit. I am a big fan of listening to the actual desires and needs of clients. I still do a bit of coaching part-time just because I love helping people. Good article. Thanks.