Skin-encapsulatedego

@Jude_ What a goldmine you’ve shared here ? Invaluable perspectives of numerous items, too. I want to understand it all! I really look forward to getting further along the process of starting to practice as a therapist. It feels fitting and authentic alongside my spiritual path.

In my own words; impact statement refers to the effect you wish your life purpose to have on the world. Zone of genius refers to your specific, personal nice strength - also suitably described as what you are uniquely good at, felt while in “flow”. They’re terms described by Leo in his LP course, which I would highly recommend.

@Jude_ Thanks again for your input. It seems you really enjoy the combination of therapy styles. Do you think this occupation has lent you opportunities to further develop spiritually? What would you regard as ideal character strengths and personality types for the occupation? What courses have you studied? What courses might you recommend if one wishes to become an integrated counsellor?

@Jude_ Thanks. I've started the new thread for follow-up, to make it its own thing.

How much of a part does having your own existential understanding, through psychedelics and spirituality, play in your job? It depends on the client, and on the session. Sometimes it plays no role at all, other times it comes into play. I have all sorts of clients that I've got through different avenues, so it's hard to generalize. I will say though some clients it's been totally essential. Is there any psychedelic involvement (functioning as a guide for psychedelic usage / integrative assistance / something similar)? It's not yet legal where I am so I'm not taking this risk. I have done some integration work with clients. I've also done breathwork sessions (holotropic/primal style) which have been pretty psychedelic. Even some "normal" sessions have turned psychedelic when doing guided depth practices for clients. Again this really depends on the clients... Are you at all restricted by Counselling / Psychotherapy regulatory authorities in which approaches you take with clients? Where I am psychotherapy is a newly regulated profession, and if I went that route I would have limitations. That being said, the limitations aren't really enforced unless you're operating irresponsibly. Also they don't allow you to mix practices, like if you do bodywork or tarot, you couldn't do with the same clients. (I don't do these things anyways) I've decided to be a counsellor which is unregulated (in my region, it varies region to region). What might you regard as pillars of mastery in your occupation? This is a big question. There are so many styles of therapy that are effective, or effective for certain people. I am very well rounded, where I have an idea on how to work with most things that come up, as people are complex and rarely come with one issue, and also in training we don't get to choose our clients, we just work with who is assigned to us through the student clinic, so we need to learn how to work with that. For me I can think of a few pillars that inform my practice and I think are foundational: Humanistic - essentially seeing the good in people, being compassionate, forming a genuine connection, making them feel save to open up and be vulnerable. Psychodynamic/Depth/Archetypal - Understanding the broader forces what are working through an individual and the collective. Taking people into the psyche, into the feelings, confronting and integrating shadow parts. Exploring and integrating all the parts of psyche, incomplete past events, etc.. Existential - What is meaningful? Growth, discovery and transcendence of identity and values. Purpose. Somatic - Understanding trauma, dissociation, embodiment... Mindfulness - deepening experience of clarity and equanimity. Relational - Exploring relationships, healthy boundaries, communication, vulnerability, emotional needs What do you regard as your personal impact statement and zone of genius? That is, if you've come across these terms. No I'm not familiar with the terms but I'll take a stab at it. Personal impact statement is to be what the client needs. Not to put my agenda onto them, but to attune to their needs, to support them in them figuring out what's best for them. Some clients I push and challenge, some I don't. I'm always attuning to what's in their best interest and not assuming I know. What's in most people's best interest is them being empowered in their own life, and not relying on others for direction (though also being able to receive support and guidance when appropriate). I really don't like therapists or spiritual teachers that foster dependence on them. My goal is to get each of my clients to the point that they don't need me anymore. I guess that's my impact statement: empower clients to walk their own path. I think my zone of genius is pretty dynamic. Part of it is being able to meet people where they are at. Part of it is being able to see the big picture, to reflect that to others, to bring more clarity and insight. I think I am still discovering my zone of genius, but I actually think it's more in teaching than it is in therapy. I love doing workshops and teaching small groups. Love group facilitation in general. Still more to discover though.

@Jude_ A very cool and wise post. Your occupation seems to be an extremely interesting one. A few other members and myself are pursuing life purposes similar to this. I am quite curious about several things. How much of a part does having your own existential understanding, through psychedelics and spirituality, play in your job? Is there any psychedelic involvement (functioning as a guide for psychedelic usage / integrative assistance / something similar)? Are you at all restricted by Counselling / Psychotherapy regulatory authorities in which approaches you take with clients? What might you regard as pillars of mastery in your occupation? What do you regard as your personal impact statement and zone of genius? That is, if you've come across these terms. Thanks dude.

@Leo Gura spitting fire. This is essentially my plan for LP.

@Aaron p Interesting. Are you working on a life purpose? Or you’re saying this is a seed for a life purpose?

@Ar_Senses Nice post man! I would add 1. Understanding the integral approach. Seeing that all things have some degree of truth in them. This truth is found by putting the thing / information in its correct context. Furthermore, the truest perspective is one that integrates that all perspectives. 2. The concept of relativism. Understanding that all is relative but the Absolute. Understanding relativism through the domains of cultures, morals, science etc.

@GodDesireOnlyLove Thanks.

@GodDesireOnlyLove which book does Wilber speak of this in?

Here I'd like to pose two questions on Peter Ralston's consciousness work. Firstly, given that Love is the ultimate reality, how is it possible for him to have had so many enlightenment experiences, being conscious of so much about reality, but miss this over-arching component of Love? Secondly, if I am correct in equating self-inquiry with Ralston's "Who am I?" contemplative question, why is self-inquiry considered an advanced technique in other circles, usually only attempted when one has become advanced at mindfulness (given that Ralston refers to his "Who am I?" question as a basic preliminary facet, with direct experience achieved after far less work)? I ask this after commencing a contemplative practice, as detailed in the Book of Not Knowing, as it seems to be very difficult to achieve a direct experience (in a sober state).

@Leo GuraAnd does being born spiritually gifted necessitate that you did extensive spiritual work in a previous life? Or is there another contributing factor for why one would be gifted?

@Jacobsrw @Preetom Good points. Yes, Leo's explanation, that it's due to temperamental difference in Ralston, does explain my query.

Makes sense. Thanks.

@Leo Gura Huh. Okay. And why do you think it is, that he's missing the facet of Love in his experience of reality?

@captainamerica That's awesome. Keep us informed here how it goes for you.

Can you send a link to the particular device and access to training protocols?

@Emerald Bizarrely pertinent results....... Your advice certainly warrants thorough investigation. As the individual said above, I feel the significance stirring inside. Very cool. Thank you!

@Emerald What is my path forward for resolving intimate relationship and personal emotional knots?

@Leo Gura What does “full awakening” entail as opposed to the minor degrees of awakening?

@Leo Gura @mandyjw @remember @Yog Thank you for your replies.

Hello All, I have thought for quite some time about the proper place of depth psychology in the work done here at actualized.org. It seems the work here simply advocates purification of the mind and selflessness to access Being level. The depths of the mind are not given much relevance. I would love to hear your thoughts on the relevance of anima development (see stages of anima development Wikipedia) and individuation @Leo Gura. Here is an excellent example of the application of depth psychology.

@mandyjw Interesting. The process of understanding whereby one incurs a direct experience and later finds intellectual material to match seems to be particularly effective. @Leo Gura Do you essentially consider this work to be far lower in priority than enlightenment work, and therefore the result is that you do not engage with it? For example, are you not concerned about the stages of anima development?

@Leo Gura You have stated that your path looks the way it does due to your desire of understanding over embodiment. How would your path differ if your focus was on embodiment? If someone’s desire was embodiment what would your recommendations be?