The Sacred Mirror: Nondual Wisdom and Psychotherapy

Anyone have this book?  I just odered it.  Here is an excerpt from a review that I found on-line:

The Sacred Mirror is a collection of original writings by leading practitioners of nondual psychotherapy. Each author – in his or her own fashion, and with varying degrees of emphasis – addresses the nature of nondual disposition, what nondual therapy is, how it is practiced, and its role in psychotherapy. It is angled toward psychotherapists and the healing of psychological problems, but will appeal to anyone interested in nonduality, whether a professional healer or not. This book will be appreciated by one who senses or knows presence, whether one is held, or holds, in presence.

For readers who are not familiar with terms 'nondual', 'nondual wisdom', or 'nonduality', the following quotation written by John J. Prendergast in the introduction to this book explains: “Nonduality is a rather curious and uncommon word that so far has been used by a relatively small number of scholars and teachers. It derives from the Sanskrit word advaita which means “not-two.” Nondual wisdom refers to the understanding and direct experience of a fundamental consciousness that underlies the apparent distinction between perceiver and perceived. From the nondual perspective, the split between self and other is a purely mental construct. This understanding, rooted in the direct experience of countless sages through millennia, is at the heart of Hindu Vedanta, most schools of Buddhism, and Taoism, and mystical Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Nonduality is a particularly elegant and clear formulation, since it describes reality in terms of what it is not (unsplit, undivided) rather than what it is.”

Since the function and work of the guru or spiritual teacher is essentially the same as that of the nondual therapist, both voices are heard from each author. Since these authors and therapists are intimate with nondual awareness, there is no underlying difference. What nondual therapists possess that most gurus do not, is formal training in psychology and a set of skills allowing them to practice conventional psychotherapy.

To be an effective nondual therapist, one needs to be awakening. The guru Adyashanti says in this book that the nondual therapist should be “to some extent awake.” Jed McKenna in his book Spiritually Incorrect Enlightenment talks about the difference between awakening and awakened. The former he calls Human Adulthood, which is the release via inquiry of egoic bonds and the opening to Grace, as in “not mine, but they will be done.” He says Human Adulthood “isn't an enlightenment thing in particular. It's more a human thing, but it certainly has parallels to the larger awakening process, and it's a precursor to enlightenment; a prerequisite.” Nondual therapists and gurus who have attained Human Adulthood, can serve to bring others toward Human Adulthood. They can hold others in presence. Human Adulthood is a requirement for nondual therapists. Though authors in this book may or may not be enlightened, they all function from the place of Human Adulthood and bring their clients to that place. How they do that, what they have to say about it, how they see nondual therapy in the context of psychotherapy, is what this book is about.

Re: The Sacred Mirror: Nondual Wisdom and Psychotherapy

I got it a few years ago, I was curious about the therapy part but found that wasn't particularly of interest to me at the time. I've been around Open Gate Sangha, the community around Adyahshanti for some time and I understand he has retreats for therapists, and a number of contributors to the book are part of the community.

I have some reservations about the part regarding Human Adulthood, and the idea that the role of the spiritual teacher is essentially the same as the non-dual therapist. It seems to me it would likely depend on the individual and perhaps situation whether it will work or not, and if there is some pathology beyond Human Adulthood then the therapist may not be able to address it or necessarily recognize it is there. Of course at that point the therapist-patient view kind of becomes obsolete anyway, though if there is enough regression in some way maybe there is a piece that the therapist can address - if they find themselves working with such an individual and the individual is open to working with them. In the past I've found myself in a similar situation and considered therapy in such a context, (or the thought crossed my mind) but I had felt like it would likely be a waste of time based on the admittedly limited interaction I'd had with the few therapists I know of, and eventually it resolved on its own. (that openness to grace sure is handy)

Anyway I see you made the post some time ago, you have no doubt read much if not all of the book by now and I would be interested in hearing your impressions and experiences, maybe I will dig up the book again.