Skin-encapsulatedego

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Posts posted by Skin-encapsulatedego

  1. Posted

    1 hour ago, wordsforliving said:

    @Skin-encapsulatedego Intrigued by the terms. Can you elaborate or where can I learn more about it? 

    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.  

  2. Posted

    @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?

  3. Posted

    5 hours ago, Jude_ said:

    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.

    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...

    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).

    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

    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_ Thanks.

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

  4. Posted

    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.  

  5. Posted

    User @Jude_  recently made a post to the forum, which included details of his occupation / life purpose as an integrative counsellor.  I recommend reading his original post. 

    It seems there are numerous individuals on the forum whose goal is to have a life purpose as a spiritual counsellor / psychotherapist.  Be it a non-dual therapist, integrative counsellor, psychedelic-assisted therapist etc., there seems to be quite some commonalities.  

    I'm making this new post to compile some information on these life purposes.  User @Jude_ answered some of my questions, which I will post below.

     

  6. Posted

    @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.

  7. Posted

    1 hour ago, Leo Gura said:

    Most people need years of remedial psychological work in order to bring them up to a functional level where nonduality might become a possibility for them. People need to be gradually guided up to nonduality. You can serve this important function.

    Also, psychological problems and nonduality are not mutually exclusive. I know enlightened people who might still go and see a therapist. Enlightenment does not eliminate all of one's psychological problems. Much growth and work remains post-enlightenment. You are cheating yourself if you aren't empathetic towards people's psychological difficulties. Because that's Love.

    Also, empathy for people's "problems" is an important part of enlightenment as it opens you up to Love. There is nothing fake about helping people at whatever level they are at.

    There is a huge opportunity to combine nonduality & psychotherapy. Most therapists lack a deep existential foundation, which awakening would give you. You could become an extremely effective therapist, guiding people from the psychological into the mystical. Or you could focus your practice to cater to clients who are pursuing spirituality/nonduality. Making you an exceptional guru with a deep understanding of psychological issues that hold people back from awakening.

    For most people the biggest obstacle to awakening is sorting through all of their psychological baggage, fear, insecurity, anger, and trauma.

    Quote

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

  9. Posted

    @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.  

  12. Posted

    Just now, Leo Gura said:

    Both.

    I think he was born exceptionally advanced and talented.

    And then on top of that he practiced obsessively for over 10,000 hours.

    World-class masters usually are a combination of both. They have extraordinary natural talent, the perfect genetics for the task at hand, and then obsessive practice for decades. It takes all these things to line up to become world-class in a thing. Everything has to be aligned perfectly.

    @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?

  14. Posted

    Just now, Leo Gura said:

    I don't know. I don't think he's missing it. I think he's playing coy. He is a sly fox.

    He's also not the most emotionally expressive person. He's somewhat autistic from what I heard. His style is more cold and Zen. So you don't get overt love feelings from him. But he is a very loving man in his own way. It's a masculine sort of love. Not sappy or sugary.

    Makes sense.  Thanks.

  16. Posted · Edited by Skin-encapsulatedego
    Grammar

    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).

  19. Posted

    7 minutes ago, Emerald said:

    What the cards suggest is that there may be a sense of lack of fulfillment in relationships and maybe even a feeling like ‘The grass MIGHT be greener elsewhere’. And perhaps a sense of doubt in your own romantic decisions.

    The cards suggest the key to resolving the issues in relationships are to explore into old (and possibly repressed) childhood memories and dynamics.

    What you might find is that a part of you really wants a relationship... maybe in an anxious way. But another part might be quite avoidant... trying to keep you safe from re-experiencing the negative relationship dynamics from childhood.

    So, the key is to heal that split internally... otherwise you’ll keep attracting that split externally.

    E3748CB6-380D-4D7F-85FC-5C27DF462C74.jpeg

    @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!

  21. Posted · Edited by Skin-encapsulatedego

    2 hours ago, Leo Gura said:

    There are many degrees of it, for sure.

    But I've also experienced what I would call a "full awakening". I think extremely few people have experienced it. Most gurus, teachers, and masters have not. I don't know any teacher who I consider fully awake.

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

  23. Posted

    @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?
     

     

  24. Posted · Edited by Skin-encapsulatedego

    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.