Reality? What a concept!

[thana ag]

Budd,

That the client  is not aware that there is more to reality than his  restricted view of it,which he calls reality-we can accept. After all the person seeks treatment.   Unfortunately too many therapists assume that their view of reality is REALITY. and that is tragic flaw.

 As long as we accept that none of us knows  what "reality is" , 
and that  what we call   reality is  a function of our beliefs, as your examples amply  illustrate - as long as  the therapist fully accepts this notion -there is no possibility of  judgment-there is a possibility of suggesting different beliefs to  "reshape reality " of the person: whether shamanism,ritual,  etc-does not matter,as long as therapists do not confuse consensual reality, with "Reality".

I liked your examples.

Anath


Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2010 13:32:14 -0500
Subject: Re: Reality? What a concept!
From: bud.weiss at gmail.com
To: anathga at hotmail.com
CC: adam at blatner.com; list at grouptalkweb.org

Here I go again.  THe client's reality? Appreciating it if they think they are horrible and should die as they are garbage and a total drain on everyone.  Bringing forth what they consider as their reality and driving it to it's conclusion following them and achieving a greater perspective which includes much more than their present view of reality YES. Appreciating how even wanting to kill yourself is a caring aspect in wanting to relieve pain when no alternative appears available, Yes; appreciating that all behavior has value as all behavior is goal oriented and often we cannot see the goal as therapists and only have our judgements about that goal. 
As a therapist guide, mentor, director, it often takes real courage and belief in your abilities as well as trusting the method if you have been well trained to take someone in the dark night of the soul on through. Here also is where I really believe that the inclusion of ritual is essential as well as engaging somehow the surrounding family, community and some figure or source such as "God", the ANCESTORS, the universe etc. is essential. Giving us all a place in the universe. It is not a coincident that the person showed up here as did I and the others attending. That is very very big. 




Also wishing you a great conference and in hopes that we all find our dance, I remain Bud in NYC Brooklyn.

On Wed, Mar 3, 2010 at 6:51 PM, thana ag <anathga at hotmail.com> wrote:



AB: If I understand this, we start with trying to bring forth the client's reality, helping the client to appreciate it more fully, deeply, and work from there. Yes? 
 AG; YES! 
AG; Wishing you an enjoyable Conference. These wishes were directed to Peter.
I will be in Phila and am looking forward to seein g you there,
anath.


From: ablatner at verizon.net
To: anathga at hotmail.com
CC: list at grouptalkweb.org
Subject: Reality? What a concept!
Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2010 16:37:04 -0600





Responding to Anath's comment (see below in darker typeface), I'm reminded of the line "Reality? What a concept!" It was said with a snort of derisive laughter by Mork (a fictional character, an extra-terrestrial from the planet Mongo I think it was), played by Robin Williams in the 1970s in a television series, Mork and Mindy. More recent takes on this theme include the series Third Rock from the Sun.  I like that line, it fits my postmodern sensibility and my leaps into playfulness.
 
   
    Thus, Anath's line (or was it Peter's) that Most ideas are an approximation of reality anyway... AB: So a postmodernist might say that there is no reality, the phrase "there is" implying an externally existent dynamic, apart from the interpreting mind, an objective truth for all time and space and all people---or beyond people. I might concede that there are many realities such as the existence of this chair or 2 + 2 = 4, but these are trivial. Non-trivial realities operate very much within a matrix of meanings, semantics, linguistics, etc.
 
   Also, there are all sorts of variations of ideas that aren't even approximations---such as ideas that have to do with clearly fictional if not nonsensical creations, and the fun in that endeavor... 
 
    Anyway, Anath said, "Just to make it more clear: all ideas are hypothetical statements about reality."
 AB: Two associations: 64% of people presenting their ideas don't recognize that they are hypothetical, provisional, and rather confuse ideas and beliefs and ultimate truths. This is a mixture of egocentricity and a lack of critical thinking in the curriculum. 
          Of course, what Anath is getting at is a more humble awareness of the fragility of most ideas, and I agree that we should be inclined to take ideas in this more critical sense.
 
   Anath: Therefore whatever methods we use to understand the reality a person/s operates in present (verb, to present) a possibility of help when requested.   AB: If I understand this, we start with trying to bring forth the client's reality, helping the client to appreciate it more fully, deeply, and work from there. Yes? 
 
AG Wishing you an enjoyable Conference. Best, anath    AB: What, won't you be there? 



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