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Advaita Therapy or Non-Cognitive Therapy

Swami [no longer around] said Dec 29, 2006, 12:07 PM:

One of the precepts of cognitive therapy, as you know, is this: everything is a matter of perspective, and one's core beliefs give rise to “negative automatic thoughts” - negative cognitions that in turn precipitate and perpetuate mental distress.

So, cognitive therapy only acknowledges that perhaps there is more than one way of looking at a situation, and attempts to train a person in having a more balanced view. But how can one have a balanced view of reality, without an understanding of the non-dual nature of the Universe? Cognitive therapists side-step question - What is Reality, anyway? They attempt to help their client reach a balanced perspective of reality, but this is simply not possible without delving deeply into the nature of Reality.

I have been a practitioner of nondual psychotherapy for a long time now.

The form of Advaita therapy that I teach and practice is called Nirvikalpa Samsara Yoga.

The goal of NSY is to lead a person into the realization of Oneness. In many ways, it is the very antithesis of cognitive therapy. Cognitive therapy merely increases the attachment to cognitions. It does not address the main problem - that distress is due to attachment to cognitions. Merely replacing “negative” cognitions with more “balanced” ones, only works in the short term, as you probably have seen in your own clinical practice.
The answer, then, is to attain the state of Nirvikalpa. To see beyond cognitions.
Non-dual psychotherapy, then is the ultimate non-cognitive therapy.

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Re: Advaita Therapy or Non-Cognitive Therapy

Billy said Dec 30, 2006, 11:53 AM:

Hi Swami,

Thank you for joining my pod. I would love to hear more about your approach to therapy. What might a typical session look like?

Thanks,

Billy

Re: Advaita Therapy or Non-Cognitive Therapy

Swami [no longer around] said Jan 2, 2007, 12:01 AM:

Just like any other form of psychotherapy, Nirvikalpa Samsara Yoga, NSY, rests on a theoretical framework - a seemingly eclectic synthesis of advaitha, Tantric texts (not to be confused with the new age neo-tantra popular in the west), Yoga including Pranayama and meditation, humanistic psychology, existential philosophy, Buddhist literature, and ancient Indian concepts of mental health.

The therapist, in NSY, is the guide, the catalyst, a Rogerian in the most classic sense. Initially the therapist takes a “person-centered approach and it is crucial for the therapist to genuinely and authentically feel the sense of “unconditional positive regard” for the client.

This places a far higher standard for the therapist than other forms of therapy. If the therapist cannot genuinely feel the unconditional acceptance, and respect, for the client, then the therapist should not proceed with therapy.
What this means then, is that NSY acknowledges what many of us know, but ignore. That therapy is an immense responsibility, and should not be treated lightly.

If we take on the responsibility of helping in the facilitation of change, then we have to hold ourselves to the highest standards.

And the highest standards are those first espoused in western literature by the humanistic psychologists - complete respect, regard and empathy for the client.

The next step in NSY is to slowly increase the client's ability to deal with “negative” emotions in the context of a warm non-judgemental alliance.

What this means is that the NSY therapist has to increase the clients own cognitive dissonance about his concepts of the world, of the Universe.

I will describe that step a bit more, in a subsequent post.

Cheers

Non-Dual Non-Cognitive Therapy

Swami [no longer around] said Jan 3, 2007, 6:19 PM:

Since the term Nirvikalpa Samsara Yoga is frequently misunderstood, especially in the west, this form of non-dual psychotherapy is also called, Non-Dual, Non-Cognitive Therapy

Here is a brief introduction.

Non-Cognitive therapy, NCT, is a practical method of achieving Self-Realization, based on Advaita philosophy.

From a completely western perspective, NCT can be classified as a form of existential and humanistic psychotherapy.

From a East-West perspective, it is part of a school of non-dual therapy.

And from an Eastern perspective, NCT is a form of Yoga; more specifically, NCT is consistent with the overall philosophy and teachings of the Kashmir Shaivite school, and the Tantra shastras.

NCT rests on a theoretical framework of principles, some of which I have covered in previous writings, and also through allegorical stories.

From a neurobiological perspective, both hemispheres of the cerebral cortex - grossly, the intuitve and the logical, the emotional and the intellectual - are accessed and stimulated in parallel in a gentle and manner. Further, the dominant prefrontal cortex is also stimulated through prescribed meditation and contemplative exercises.

From a spiritual perspective, this involves a gradual disidentification with the limited ego, and a gradual increase in the absorption into the Self.

One could see a NCT trained therapist, who would aid in the journey to the Self. But one does not really need a therapist or guru or teacher.

A central tenet of NCT is that everyone has within themselves the Ultimate Therapist . The Ultimate Therapist knows the answers to questions that have not yet been asked by the client.
The Ultimate Therapist is beyond countertransference, bias, prejudice, or fatigue.

And best of all, the Ultimate Therapist is free!

As the name suggests, an important feature of NCT is that cognitions themselves are of limited value in the well being of the client.

While NCT recognizes that “negative” cognitions worsen mental distress, these cognitions are not seen as central to the Self. In other words, the Blissful Self is non-cognitive, beyond thought, beyond depression, beyond anxiety, and yet encompassing all those “negative” emotions and cognitions within a Blissful whole.

An aphorism from NCT,a guiding principle of sorts, is : You know the answers. You just have to know that you know.

I will describe the steps more, in the next few posts

Re: Non-Dual Non-Cognitive Therapy

Billy said Jan 3, 2007, 6:51 PM:

Thank you so much for your continued explanations. I am really enjoying this!

Billy

Emperor's New Therapy - Cognitive Therapy

Swami [no longer around] said Jan 3, 2007, 8:10 PM:

Thank you, Billy, for your interest.

Let us briefly talk about cognitive therapy, to understand why the non-cognitive non-dual approach is a better solution.

Now, while the success of cognitive therapy has legitimized psychotherapy, it is no more useful than any other therapeutic modality that is used today. In addition, Very few well-designed trials have examined the efficacy of cognitive therapy beyond the short term. In addition, research indicates that the efficacy of cognitive therapy is probably due to the
therapeutic alliance rather than the actual interventions.

A recent, very well designed study, Long term Outcome of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Trials in Scotland - Durham RC et al concluded that ”The positive effects of CBT found in the original trials were eroded over longer time periods.”

Further, the study found that “Long-term outcome was found to be most strongly predicted by the complexity and severity of presenting problems at the time of referral, by completion of treatment irrespective of modality.”

In my opinion, cognitive therapy is one of the biggest hoaxes perpetuated by and within the mental health community and our clients.
That is not to say that it has no role at all, but that its efficacy and its preeminence amongst psychotherapeutic modalities has been overstated and overemphasized.

This pod, your efforts and this discussion group, is a testament to the fact that a growing number of therapists have come to realize the futility of cognitive therapy.

Firstly, Cognitive therapy is rarely practiced as per the protocol, beyond research settings. Most therapists, human as we all are, bring into the mix of therapy, humanistic values - of empathy, nurturing, non-judgemental attitude and so on.

While these are compatible with cognitive therapy, most therapists do not and cannot focus on cognitions alone.

From a neurobiological standpoint, the limbic system - the emotional “lower” parts of the brain are not addressed at all using cognitive therapy.
In fact, the artificiality of cognitive therapy is often apparent to both the therapist as well as the patient, who persevere on because “research” proves that cognitive therapy works.

Now, one might argue that cogntive therapy, like other therapies, is to be used judiciously, for a certain type of patient, in specific situations.

Lincoln might have said of therapies, as much as people - Any modality of psychotherapy will work for some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time, but not all of the people all of the time.

But what if there was such a therapy? What if there was a long-term, panacea for mental and spiritual distress?

A tall claim, I agree. One that is certain to be met with some disbelief, suspicion, and scorn.

However, a synthesis of Advaita along with more modern western psychotherapeutic methods will achieve a true balance of the limited ego as well as the Self, of the limbic system as well as the cerebral cortex, of the superego, the ego and the id.

Will talk to you soon, looking forward to hearing your thoughts and experience!

Re: Emperor's New Therapy - Cognitive Therapy

baumbach said Apr 5, 6:40 AM:

While I agree in theory with most of what swami says, in practice there are often problems. We who have a wider view of what being alive is all about naturally want to bring our clients, suffering from their narrowed perspective, to where we are, and thus we invite them and give them “travel instructions.” What often happens with this approach is that, ultimately, they don't get there. There are several reasons for this.
1) Their narrow vision is perceived by them as who they are. It is thus background and invisible and accompanies them wherever they go.
2) They add the illusion of change to their perspective and thus think they're on the way when they are still where they started.
3) Our own situation differs from theirs not in kind, so much, as in lack of attachment. In order to remain in the world, we must limit ourselves, as they do.

That's why I find the best approach is not to try and bring them to us, but to bring ourselves to them. To enter their world and take up residence. To adopt their perspective (without their attachment) in a sort of individual-sized Boddhisatva vow, and just hang out and help them find their own way rather than to try and give them ours.