Re: No-thing-ness in psychotherapy

Meditator wrote:

>Your reply leads me back to my observation. Mindfulness instructs the novice to numb himself to his feelings.

What I was trying to say is that mindfulness does not involve numbness to feelings, but rather being aware of them as they come up and subside. To oversimplify a bit, one cannot both accept and reject the same thing; one cannot be mindful about something one is pushing away.

>Unlike dissociation, disturbing thoughts and feelings exist fully, I am able to feel them and experience them fully, I am able to react to them, and I am able to stay happy and peaceful--free from anxiety and depression. There's incredible clarity.

That's mindfulness.

>I can only conclude that most people, who already struggle to free themselves from anxiety and depression, are often being lead to create, or fine tune, a thought process that reinforces their angst. A thought process is being taught to override natural feelings, creating numbness and anxiety and depression.

If that's what's being taught, then people are being led down the wrong road.

>I'm just wondering whether a better meditation for many people might be one that is more kinesthetic and less intellectual.

There are many forms of kin(esth)etic meditation: e.g., standing, walking, and yoga. I'd also include things like canoeing, bicycling, X-C skiing, and any other activity that brings one fully into the moment and doesn't occupy 100% of one's attentional capacity. I think the key is whether you can be aware of, or reflect on, your experience as it's happening.

>perhaps it's better in many, if not most, cases to put the emphasis on feeling rather than controling feelings with thoughts.

Meditation is just the opposite. It's about controlling thoughts, not feelings. It can also be about not controlling thoughts, but in any case it isn't about denying one's emotions.

I hope this helps. Perhaps you'd like to participate in an online discussion group on this subject. If so, contact me privately at birren@execpc.com and I'll give you a few references.

Be well.

Dave

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