“Enough has now been said to prove the general law of perception, which is this, that whilst part of what we perceive comes through our senses from the object before us, (part) always comes out of our own head.” — William James, from The Principles of Psychology (1890), “The Perception of ‘Things.’”
The Truth is Always More Complicated Than You Think
Most psychotherapy doesn’t create change. The client isn’t looking for real change and the therapist is trained in delivering what’s normal. Not that much different from an A.I. learning model. But a successful therapist learns through exceptional encounters with what can’t be explained. A successful therapist learns, but institutions cannot be built on what can’t be generalized.
Counseling can succeed because the client or counselor may doubt their story. They may doubt themselves as well, but it’s really the story that needs to change. Doubts provide cracks in the facade of coping strategies and comforting behavior therapy. The point where one or the other party admits ignorance is the juncture between the old and new story. That’s where progress starts…
Being Driven By Our Thoughts
Birds Are Real, but Goals Are Not
Incremental Appreciation
Talking About the Body
Bringing Mind and Body Together
The School of Useful Nonsense
Throwing It Out and Starting Over
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