Re:Mindfulness & Acceptance in Psychotherapy

Dear Meditator,

So much of what you wrote rings true with me. I'll pick a few things to comment on and you'll sense where I'm coming from:

>What appears to be acceptance can be avoidance. And, this can cause much confusion and frustration, not to mention more damage.

Yes, indeed. Acceptance is the heart's act of openness, while avoidance is the ego's act of denial.

>I have the sense that Buddhism often maintains that shifts in consciousness in meditation aren't as important as practicing Buddhist ideas, which are transforming.

I think you're right about this. And it leads directly to your later comment:

>And acceptance, if it is true acceptance, is often about finding what truly is, true peace, true happiness, true self. It is a "feeling" and not a "thought".

Yes! Acceptance - indeed, all inner work - is ultimately in the domain of the heart, the non-rational part of the mind. I once noted a definition of Zen - the art of getting out of your own way. So true....

>Actually, I tend to understand all religions in terms of mysticism and ideology. And, not unlike Buddhism, Christianity also promotes acceptance, but it's framed a little differently in my mind. "Know the truth and the truth will set you free." Reframed by Mary Baker Eddy, Christian Science, "There's no life, truth, substance, or intelligence in matter. All is infinite mind." My limited knowledge of theology.

Beginner's mind - the best place to be. You're open to the truth in whatever form it takes. That sure beats detailed knowledge in my opinion.

With metta,

Dave

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