Reflections

Moral platitudes are a funny thing, in that they tend to be cliche, but simultaneously like a Zen koan. A koan is a story, or question, or statement that is deceptively simple with the goal of proving an empirical truth. Meant to be provocative, creating doubt through its simplicity. Often, it is clear to me that clients and students feel I am being deceptively simple with my teaching style and guidance. But, this is the strange part of being a teacher, mentor, healer, often the answers are so simple and obvious, that they seem to be un-seeable by the student/client.

How often does this happen in our lives? We complicate and rush so much, that simplicity seems absurd, like it is an insult to our effort if we embrace ourselves as the healer and hero of our own lives. Yet, there are some empirical truths in life and they tend to be made into moral platitudes, which in some cases can dilute their power. “Small things often”, “keep it simple”, “follow the seasons”, “you deserve rest," "You are your best healer." You get my point. The ego-mind loves to complicate life. Yet, our wise spirit often call us to slow down get clear on the present moment.

"To the Light of September"
W. S. MERWIN

When you are already here
you appear to be only
a name that tells of you
whether you are present or not
and for now it seems as though
you are still summer
still the high familiar
endless summer
yet with a glint
of bronze in the chill mornings
and the late yellow petals
of the mullein fluttering
on the stalks that lean
over their broken
shadows across the cracked ground
but they all know
that you have come
the seed heads of the sage
the whispering birds
with nowhere to hide you
to keep you for later
you
who fly with them
you who are neither
before nor after
you who arrive
with blue plums
that have fallen through the night
perfect in the dew

Narrative therapy can be defined as a type of counseling which helps the client get some distance from their struggles in order to become more objective. At the end of each month, I will guide you through some reflective journaling, grounded in narrative therapeutic strategies. You will reflect as a way to transform. Give yourself at least thirty minutes to work through these prompts.

• Where in my life am I avoiding simplicity?

• Where could my life use more ease? How can I give it to myself in small ways, often?

• What small daily habit can I include next month as a way to enhance my wellness? How did the small daily habit from this month impact my wellness?

• Where do I need rest? How can I give that rest to myself today? Tomorrow? Next month?