![]() This engagement is in my view synonymous with the goal of becoming enlightened/whole. Engaging in the process of becoming whole is key. But in the way the Buddha understood human nature or how human beings are put together essentially, addressing suffering through becoming whole will return us to our natural positivity in whatever way a whole individual would experience. Besides suffering, did the Buddha say anything positive about being human? Yes, of course, the Buddha taught a lot about kindness, compassion, joy, and so on. In fact, apparently, he made his work on suffering to be the initiatory point of all his teachings and the core from which all his teachings arose. The historical Buddha had a lot to say about human suffering. ![]() So even in the most egregious of situations there is a lack of full and nuanced attention, felt sense of connection, affirmation, warmth, delight with the other, love, and so on. I will remind you that the core of interference in human development is that which is missing. Becoming aware of the form and nature of these systems and their tendencies towards wholeness is most valuable in our research and search for peace and wholeness. In the simplest terms each of us is a system, as are our relationships, and our communities, groups, and organizations. Methodologically speaking, we can gain wholeness by taking all the signals of our brokenness and suffering as entry points into discovery about our truest nature. Connectedness in all dimensions and at all levels is our original blueprint and returning to wholeness through becoming connected is our ongoing, lifelong attempt. For, as wisdom traditions point out, reality is all about interconnectivity. I should add that I am myself in this ongoing process of recovery of wholeness and this is certainly a significant part of my own learning about how the process works and what I might offer to others.Īs I understand it, our true nature is wholeness, meaning being connected to everything and everyone, within and without. People seek out my help and support for the most part because they suffer, and it is my task to support them to regain their wholeness so that they can be released from suffering and can get on with life with a greater sense of self-power, self-will, their optimal self and being, and all with ease. Within my work as a therapist I am engaged in the work of directing my utmost care and attention to the suffering person in ways that the person in my care has the best possibilities for being restored ever closer to their wholeness. Cure is a process that attempts to bring back wholeness to beings and things that have “gone to pieces.” What these origins suggest to me is that in attempting to cure someone of their ailments and afflictions, we are, first, faced with what’s not whole: that is, what is broken, damaged, harmed, fragmented, or, more organically speaking, what is “spoilt.” Breaking of our original wholeness manifests suffering within us. ![]() “Cure” is a word that has a very old etymological origin, meaning ‘to make whole.’ And the word ‘all’ is ‘fully, wholly, entirely’ (both from the Online Etymology Dictionary ). I am becoming increasingly convinced that the “cure” for all ailments and afflictions is “enlightenment.” What do I mean by “cure” and “enlightenment” in the context in which I am addressing you? How (or even, why) am I, as psychotherapist, talking about “cure” and “enlightenment”? Odd, isn’t it? But then, maybe you already thought I was a little odd, and perhaps you secretly, or not so secretly believe the same about yourself. And perhaps, just as importantly, increasing discovery as to what you do not know, clues about what you may indeed never know, and how to live fully into the valuable experience of not knowing. May you discover yourself increasingly and experience ever deepening understanding of life-your life, and life as a whole. My very great good wishes to all of you for the coming year.
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