Nondual Therapy defined

I have recently been trying to determine what exactly is meant by the term “nondual” therapy.  I have read a few books on this topic and feel that this approach to therapy suits me and my style more than any other.  However, I have had a hard time describing it to others when they ask me what it is all about.  Part of the problem is that we are dealing with words and concepts and the nondual approach is non-conceptual.  

To help me with this I read through one of my favorite books on nondual therapy called The Sacred Mirror: Nondual Wisdom and Psychotherapy.  I typed up many of my favorite quotes from this book and looked for themes and similar ideas.  I also drew from my experience with The Work of Byron Katie and more recently with Yoga Nidra as taught by Richard Miller.  I then took into consideration much of what I have learned from A Course in Miracles and the suppliment to the Course called Psychotherapy: Purpose, Process and Practice.  Here is what I have come up with so far:  

My Definition of Nondual Therapy

The goal of nondual therapy is to discover who we are without our stories and to expand our capacity to embody our True Nature - our Welcoming, Spacious Awareness - in every aspect of our lives. 

Nondual therapy is rooted in the assumption that our perception of “problems” is itself the problem.  The self-improvement project is a subtle form of self-directed aggression.  Who we are does not need improving. 

By de-constructing our “self and world construct system” (James Bugental's term) we are able to discover our underlying, unchanging equanimity, or Presence, and strengthen our capacity to embody Awareness in our day-to-day existence.

Re: Nondual Therapy defined

Hi Billy,  I appreciate very much your definitions of nondual therapy.  

This therapeutic process occurs in a certain type of relationship - a “holy encounter” in which the awakening therapist meets what is awake in the client and thus heals the client's perception of self and world.

I too read The Sacred Mirror  a number of years ago, and I was very affirmed by all the essays contained in it, especially those of John Welwood, whose books \i have also read. 

 Are you saying that the awakening therapist heals the client's perception of self and world? 

 Surely its the client's awakening self  that meets  with what is awake in the therapist , if he/she is present  to the client in a nondual way, and thus in this place of unconditional acceptance of what is, healing occurs.   This has been my experience. 

warmly

Clare

Re: Nondual Therapy defined

“This therapeutic process occurs in a certain type of relationship - a “holy encounter” in which the awakening therapist meets what is awake in the client and thus heals the client's perception of self and world.

Are you saying that the awakening therapist heals the client's perception of self and world? 

 Surely its the client's awakening self  that meets  with what is awake in the therapist , if he/she is present  to the client in a nondual way, and thus in this place of unconditional acceptance of what is, healing occurs.   This has been my experience.” 

Thank you for your response, Clare.  This last statement was difficult for me.  It is this last statement that was my feeble attempt to include something of my understanding of Course-based psychotherapy.  Your question has caused me to re-visit it and revise it.  Here is the, perhaps new and improved version:

Re: Nondual Therapy defined

Here is the most recent version of my definition with a few slight changes:

The goal of nondual therapy is to discover who we are without our stories and to expand our capacity to embody our True Nature - our Welcoming, Spacious Awareness - in every aspect of our lives. 

Nondual therapy is rooted in the assumption that our perception of “problems” is itself the problem (which really isn't a problem).  The self-improvement project is a subtle form of self-directed aggression.  Who we are does not need improving. 

By de-constructing our “self and world construct system” (James Bugental's term) we are able to uncover our underlying, unchanging equanimity, or Presence, and strengthen our capacity to embody Awareness in our day-to-day existence.

Re: Nondual Therapy defined

This is lovely Bill.  I will 'sit ' with it.

Clare