WORK WITH ME
We are living in challenging times. Many people are suffering with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, bereavement. If you are suffering in any way right now i want to invite you to contact me to explore ways in which we might work together.
During Eckhart Tolle’s awakening experience he discovered that there are two selves. We sometimes refer to these as the separate, false self and the true self.
Conventional western therapy tends to focus on working with the separate self. This is also the basis of the self-help industry.
Therapeutic approaches such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) explore the interconnectedness of thoughts, feelings and behaviour which are impermanent.
Spiritual psychology is a holistic approach that not only embraces the separate self but also uncovers the true, authentic self which is always there but has been veiled or hidden.
All suffering comes from identification with the false self and our resistance to the present moment.
“What you resist, persists”
Carl Jung
Freedom from suffering is found when we accept the present moment just as it is, as if we had chosen it.
Ways in which we might work together:
Mindfulness
Over the past 10-20 years the word mindfulness has become part of our everyday language. We talk about being more mindful but what exactly does that mean ? Mindfulness has it’s roots in Buddhism and was introduced to the west by Jon Kabat-Zinn in the 1970’s.
There has been an explosion of interest in Mindfulness in recent years and it has now become integrated into mainstream health and education services. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) investigated it’s efficacy in clinical settings and now endorses it’s use within the NHS.
Eckhart Tolle uses the word Presence but it is essentially the same as Mindfulness. It can be helpful to develop a mindfulness or presence practice. This can be done either formally or informally.
With mindfulness we begin to bring awareness to our experience of the present moment.
“Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally.”
Self Inquiry
Self Inquiry is a gentle but direct approach into the nature of the Self and reality. The teacher Ramana Maharshi said that Self Inquiry is simple, all you keep doing is asking the question “ Who am I ?”
It is an investigation into the nature of “I.” We use the word “I” many times during the day but what or whom is the “I” we are referring to ?
Self inquiry differs from other therapeutic approaches. Here we explore and uncover hidden thoughts, assumptions and beliefs that are the cause of emotions such as fear, anger and sadness. If we identify with these thoughts and emotions we suffer.
Through the use of mindfulness and inquiry we allow thoughts, beliefs and emotions to simply arise. We give them space and freedom to just be, without trying to change or suppress them. Approaching our suffering in this way allows us to see that thoughts and feelings come and go and that they are not who or what we truly are.
By using the direct path of self inquiry and mindfulness we are able to investigate the true nature of the Self and free ourselves from suffering.
“I discovered that when I believed my thoughts, I suffered, but that when I didn’t believe them, I didn’t suffer, and that this is true for every human being. Freedom is as simple as that. I found that suffering is optional.”
One to one sessions
* Please note that i am not seeing new clients on a one to one basis at this time *
I work with individuals both in person, in London and Cornwall, and online, via Zoom or Skype. The therapeutic relationship is important so i offer an initial free 30 minute session to see if we can work together. If we do decide to continue then my fee is £65 per one hour session.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule and appointment please contact me.