Transpersonal/Nondual EMDR (fm "The Sacred Mirror: Nondual Wisdom&Psychotherapy)

[Mike]

One Barry will like

From a brilliant book The Sacred Mirror: Nondual Wisdom and Psychotherapy, edited by John J. Prendergast, Peter Fenner, and Sheila Krystal (currently 5* frmo 11 reviews at amazon.com where there are some good reviews).

A snip from http://www.nonduality.com/hl1894.htm

The Sacred Mirror 

Chapter 5. A Nondual Approach to EMDR: Psychotherapy as Satsang, by Sheila Krystal 

Introduction: Psychotherapy as Satsang 

This section lays out the nondual approach to therapy. These are the main points from this section. They could be elaborated with material from preceding and following chapters to form a more complete listing of foundational points, and the reviewer will do that at a later time: 

-- Nondual therapy has roots in traditional spiritual discipline: Dzogchen, Advaita, Taoism, Kabbalism, mystical Christianity 
-- Nondual psychotherapy is a coming together of therapist and client in a way that is like satsang (association with truth). 
-- Nondual psychotherapy begins dualistically or conventionally with identification and description of the client's problems and the development of a personal history. 
-- In the nondual approach to therapy there is the absence of promotion of method, theory and mind. "The Self meets itself in the sacred mirror of satsang." 
-- Though no method is promoted, methods that are part of the therapist's repertoire are used. Their use arises spontaneously within the moment. They are not held to any more than a sip of tea at an appropriate time is held to as method. It arises. The therapist's focus is on that which exists prior to thought and emotion. It is naturally on Presence. 
-- The practice of nondual psychotherapy can be a sadhana or spiritual practice for the therapist. 
-- Over a period of time the client comes to rest in Presence and the idea of the problem becomes deconstructed in that space.   [MB:      ]

...

It is clear from the above quotations [not included here - see the link - Mike] that EMDR supports the arising of nondual awareness.

A Transpersonal EMDR Protocol

Realizing the nondual effectiveness of EMDR in her practice, Krystal redefined the acronym to "eye movement disidentification (from the self and its apparent problems) and recognition (of the one Self)."

Krystal likens EMDR to an alchemical container which structures the therapy session so that the "great work" can simmer and the spontaneous arise. The protocol does not impose form but flexes and evolves as the client deepens in nondual awareness. Even with that intimacy between method and nondual perception, Krystal asserts that EMDR is not to be limited to transpersonal psychotherapy, nor is it to become established as method of "nondual EMDR." She says, "It is a suggested form to help discover and dissolve distractions from the formless." Since both client and therapist mingle in the alembic of the EMDR protocol, satsang is promoted. That is, both client and therepist benefit from the protocol.

In this section of the chapter the protocol for Transpersonal EMDR is described. Enough detail is given, along with a bibliographical reference to the complete protocol, so that a potential client or practitioner can decide whether or not to pursue their interest in the nondual approach to EMDR. In any case, the reader becomes informed and will probably find resonance with the author's approach and her commitment to Transpersonal EMDR as a vessel for transformation.

Case Study

Both classic and Transpersonal EMDR were used to treat phobias and traumas experienced by a 55 year old professional, successful woman who had had "plenty of therapy" over the years. The results were beneficial and long-lasting. Details of the client's problems and verbatim transcripts from the sessions are given. The client reported:

"I have had a radical alteration of consciousness which is not a small leap. My normal fear state is not what it used to be. I've lost it. I can't find anything to be afraid about. Fear just comes from images in my mind. There is a bigger opening."

Krystal concludes, "I hope that this chapter shows that nondual wisdom enhances and transforms any form of psychotherapy." Krystal has clearly demonstrated that.

 

I was interested in the comment (in the bit I didnt cut ans paste that eye movement may not be necessary (tapping alternate handsd or tones?!)) - fascinating but makes a dogs dinner of the acronym EMDR lol

Mike

[Barry]

Interesting. I have got a book with a chapter on transpersonal EMDR but read it a long time ago. Will have to dig it out.

I have had a couple of clients recently seem to enter an entirely new experience. They have talked about a stillness they find hard to describe. In fact one of them just say there for a while slightly shaking his head.

EMDR as a tool for transformation is imo awesome. People change. It has allowed me as a therapist to bring in a lot of things that work from a number of other areas like voice dialogue, soul retrieval, shamanic medicine place, and energy practices. And it is all done within a protocol that is approved within NICE guidelines and assessed by APA as five stars for both evidence base and efficacy.

Barry

[Mike]

I have had a couple of clients recently seem to enter an entirely new experience. They have talked about a stillness they find hard to describe. In fact one of them just say there for a while slightly shaking his head.

well there you go ... just a different version on TP sitting around doing nothing ... same endpoint  

EMDR as a tool for transformation is imo awesome. People change. It has allowed me as a therapist

yeh you should have a link to your website as your signature in fora and that way plenty of people get healed and you get rich 

i'd photocopy the chapter from the book but its a long one and with just a scanner its a pain.  you should buy the whole book tho ... its what i was pointing to a long time ago as the apogee of psychotherapy - psychotherapy has incorporated lots of Buddhist tools, and you have used silence, but "top of the shop from the East" is of course this nondual "(non-)state" [which doesnt fit conventional Buddhist terminology easily (mindful of something)].

keep up the good work 

[Barry]

yeh you should have a link to your website as your signature in fora and that way plenty of people get healed and you get rich

Thanks for keep nudging. Finally paid for some domain names and hosting this evening and have got designer working on it.

Barry