A transpersonal approach to psychotherapy requires that the nature and being of the psychotherapist become a central subject of attention.  Presence, in all its manifestations, can be used as a core principle in our exploration of what it is to be therapeutic.  It bridges the experiential, psychological and spiritual realms and provides a model of aspiration for the transpersonal psychotherapist.  This model comprises both a psychological dimension: Being in the Present, Becoming Present, Creating Mutual Presence; and a spiritual dimension: Embodying Presence and The Numinous Presence. [Read more…] about Presence

Every one experiences loss during their life.  Some losses, however, have a profound effect, causing debilitating and long lasting grief.  How a person copes with a particular loss–whether it is of a loved one, of physical health and ability or of hopes and dreams–depends on its particular meaning to that person.  Each loss tends to activates any previous unresolved life experience; the emotional impact may seem way out of proportion–far greater than we would normally expect. [Read more…] about Loss

When you get to age 60, you know that you have lived the majority of your life span. Now is the time to get real, face the situation and set priorities for the latter part of our lives.  Here are some thoughts on the tasks of aging.

Face Reality:
Reality 1. We are getting older. Our bodies are beginning to deteriorate and over the years, we will experience decreased ability, discomfort and ill health. [Read more…] about The Tasks of Aging

What is the unconscious mind?  First off, it is not a mind separate from our ordinary waking awareness.  It is more like a mass of interacting processes working at different levels that influence and give rise to our consciousness. These processes are necessarily unavailable to our awareness. In fact, it has been shown that about 0.4 seconds before we are aware of any conscious decision, unconscious processes have already decided that outcome. [Read more…] about The Unconscious Mind

The principle of compassion lies at the heart of all religious, ethical and spiritual traditions, calling us always to treat all others as we wish to be treated ourselves. Compassion impels us to work tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of our fellow creatures, to dethrone ourselves from the centre of our world and put another there, and to honour the inviolable sanctity of every single human being, treating everybody, without exception, with absolute justice, equity and respect. [Read more…] about Charter for Compassion

Consciousness is a long wave coming and going, washing against the shores of our life, reminding us of who we are, then submerging us again in the depths of unawareness. We have no choice but to remember and forget, only to remember and forget again–at the mercy of the fragile flickering flame of awareness within us. [Read more…] about Rhythm of Consciousness