27 results for tag: Counseling

We Can Still Be Crazy – Pema Chodron

We can practice meditation, Yoga, and Qi Gong every single day and night, and we can still be crazy! We can still be crazy if we practice all of the above, eat organic "healthy" foods, take herbs, and drink kombucha daily, and we can still be crazy. We can meet with an acknowledged expert in therapy or counseling, and we can still be crazy. In fact, it is possible that we may even become crazier if we diligently commit to these practices and follow them up with a 7-day cleanse and a weekly water fast. Nothing can guarantee that we will not be crazy. Nothing. Is the goal not to be crazy or to live an amazingly imperfect life that we get to be ourselves on a regular basis? Would you agree to practice daily if you knew you would never stop being crazy, BUT you would begin accepting yourself for who you really are? If you are curious about how we can still be crazy after daily meditation for years or decades, and that is OK, I invite you to read this short essay by Pema Chodron below. If you are unfamiliar with her and her work, please follow the link in the previous sentence; she is a living gem!  We Can Still Be Crazy - Pema Chodron - Michael Swerdloff - Providence Holistic <span class='highlight lazy'>Counseling</span>, Coaching and Reiki ...

Anger A Secondary Emotion – What Are We Protecting?

Many years ago, the psychologist who turned my life around once told me, "Michael, anger is a secondary emotion. You must feel another emotion first before you can experience anger. The primary emotion is typically fear, sometimes sadness or pain." Of course, I became even angrier when she said this! I remember thinking, "Fear, I am not scared of anything. I'm pissed off, not scared!" Her words haunted me. In the following weeks and months, every time I became angry, I often heard her in the back of my head whispering, "Michael, anger is a secondary emotion. You must feel another emotion first before you can experience anger." Notice how the fear part was left out of my process? Eventually, the part about fear also made its way into my process. That is when the shift began for me.

Anger - A Secondary Emotion - Providence Holistic <span class='highlight lazy'>Counseling</span> Services...

They See a Dark Shadow, You See the Bright Light that Casts It

Are you a bright light? Are you shining at your highest intensity? What do you need to become the bright light you were meant to be? They see a dark shadow, you see the bright light that casts it. They see the night, you see the moon. They see a mistake, you see a lesson. Published on LinkedIn on January 30, 2018 Oleg Vishnepolsky A group of students was asked to list what they thought were the present “Seven Wonders of the World.” Though there were some disagreements, the following received the most votes: 1. Egypt’s Great Pyramids 2. Taj Mahal 3. Grand Canyon 4. Panama Canal 5. Empire ...

You’re Basically Good — The Benefits of Contemplative Psychotherapy

You're basically good. This perspective is often left out of modern, Western counseling, therapy and life coaching. Here in the West, the typical approach focuses on what is wrong with you and what needs to be "fixed". The counselor, therapist or life coach gets paid as long as you are "sick" or "need" them to function in the world. This is not my approach to working with clients. I assume you're basically good. You have inside you what you need to be successful in life and relationships. You know what you need.  You have as much strength, courage, wisdom and love as necessary to enjoy your work, family, friends, relationships and the world around you. I see my role as the facilitator in helping you bring these qualities to the surface, so you can be a productive member of society and achieve what you came here to do in this life.

The practices described in the article below are not exactly what I do. There are many similarities and the concepts feel like they come from the same place.  I hope you enjoy reading this piece. I  think it is fascinating and inspiring. How about you?

You’re Basically Good — The Benefits of Contemplative Psychotherapy - Providence Holistic <span class='highlight lazy'>Counseling</span> Services

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Do Feelings Matter? Refections on Feelings in Our Lives

I was recently reading an article in Psychology Today, Life Lessons: 16 Truths to Embrace Now. Providence Holistic Counseling Services is listed in Psychology Today, so I receive a print copy monthly. I rarely read the articles because they feel like typical pop culture, sensationalistic headlines with not a lot of solid content. I also find that the cover is typically an image of a young, white, attractive, thin female Photoshopped to look seductive with thick lipstick covering parted lips. An embarrassment to the industry.  Every now and then, I am wrong and they dig a little deeper. The ideas of the various writers who contributed to this article are helpful and well written. One of them referenced how the current generation of young adults place a great preference on what they feel and their emotions. This got me thinking. The question that came to mind is, "Do feelings matter?" Do Feelings Matters? Refections on Feelings in Our Lives - Providence Holistic <span class='highlight lazy'>Counseling</span> Services ...

Drugs Don’t Cause Addiction: This Brilliant Video Will Change Your View on Drugs Forever

Drugs Don’t Cause Addiction: This Brilliant Animated Video Will Change Your View on Drugs Forever. I do not know if it "changed my view on drugs forever", but it is very interesting and the work he has done towards shifting the mindset of addiction globally is outstanding. It is time we all let go of the old assumptions about addiction and its causes. They are not correct or productive in moving towards a healthier society or reducing the number of people struggling with addiction, whatever their drug of choice may be.   Drugs Don’t Cause Addiction Video - Providence Holistic <span class='highlight lazy'>Counseling</span> Services - Change the first step staircase
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Obsessions and Compulsions: Zen Buddhism Help or Hurt?

Obsessions and compulsions, we all have them. Does Buddhism help or hurt those trying to learn how to live life without being controlled by their obsessions and compulsions? Zen Buddhism can be a very orderly and defined practice. Zen Buddhism is often regimented, or at least many practitioners and teachers practice that way. Our discussion today is whether Zen Buddhism supports recovery of obsessions and compulsions or the actual obsessions and compulsions themselves? Obsession and compulsions Zen Buddhism have a unique relationship, let's explore together.   Obsessions and Compulsions: Zen Buddhism Help or Hurt? - norman-mailer-novelist-quote-obsession-is-the-single-most-wasteful ...