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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

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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