The other day someone asked me if there is a difference between spirituality and therapy. This is a question I often am asked. And the answer is yes and no. No because we can't divide ourselves in little segments. Every part of us is related to every other part, and so any work we do on the therapeutic level (our past, our wounds) affects every other part of us. I can't even imagine where or who I'd be without the--count them!--more than thirty years I spent in therapy.
And yes because their focus is somewhat different. In my book The Craggy Hole in My Heart, I wrote that: With a therapist, you have direct experiences of being your best self--loved, strong, worthy, whole. With a spiritual teacher, you have direct experiences of being the space in which that best self manifests. With a therapist, you learn that you are loved. With a spiritual teacher, you learn that you are love itself.
Love this!
I believe in therapy one thousand percent. I needed to find out what my wounding was. I had a hole of not loving myself for who I was. I did not feel like I could speak up for myself. I was a people pleaser.
And I was not aware of this to the extent of how it affected my life! I thought it was normal to be anxious day in and day out and to stay fearful of most of life's activities. I thought it was normal to stay in place and react to life and people instead of going out and living my own life.
And then therapy came along. And it was painful and wonderful and exhausting and eye-opening. And I found God! I really truly wasn't expecting that.
I think because my spirituality was hidden and suffocating in Religion. Now I know better!!
My image of God was distant, judgmental and out there. Now I understand, God is within. God is LOVE. And it has taken a while to change the tracks of what I have believed for so many years.
I love the distinctions Geneen makes in these paragraphs and furthermore, I understand them up close and personally.
Thank you Geneen!
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