by Donald Marmara, Somatic Psychotherapist Sydney
Consider this :
“IT’S EASY FOR MEAT-EATERS TO SHARE A KITCHEN
IT’S EASY FOR VEGETARIANS TO SHARE A KITCHEN
THE CHALLENGE IS FOR MEAT-EATERS AND VEGETARIANS TO FIND WAYS OF SHARING A KITCHEN WITH EACH OTHER!”
Quote from Sun Bear, Native American Medicine Man
He told me that he went to a fishing village a few days before and he was chatting with a local fisherman. The fisherman looked out across the sea and up to the sky and said:
“Tomorrow it will rain”.
The met office expert went on to explain to the fisherman, who was illiterate, had never been to school, and had never traveled more than a few miles from his village, that the met office was able to determine with the help of modern technology that tomorrow would be a sunny day.
THE TASK OF A THERAPIST IS TO START WITH NOT KNOWING
What works for one person does not necessarily work for another.
Our tasks as psychotherapists is first of all to put aside all our knowledge and theories and to listen. To embark on a journey of discovery. To discover what the person we are working with needs.
by Donald Marmara, somatic psychotherapist and educator, Core Development Sydney
At the age of 14 I was diagnosed clinically anxious and depressed and prescribed an ever-increasing dosage of psychotropic drugs. I was told that I would be dependent upon these drugs for the rest of my life.
I would probably have continued to be dependent on these drugs if I had tried to adjust to the values of society .
Core Development’s method of Somatic Psychotherapy
Core Development offers:
Core Development’s method of body-inclusive or somatic psychotherapy enables us to learn from our own experiencing.
Core Development takes the view that symptoms that are often labelled in our society as ‘sick’ or ‘dysfunctional’ are in many cases the opposite – they are pathways to creating more fulfilling and successful lives.
PERHAPS IT”S TIME TO STOP FIGHTING AND START LISTENING.
Not listening in order to convince others that we’re right and they are wrong, but listening to understand, listening to empathize.
Perhaps its time to remember that our humanity unites us all. We may have conflicting beliefs and strong feelings, but underneath all this we are all human beings.
I had an interesting conversation with an eight year old girl.
I picked her up from school. When I asked her how her day was she replied “I’m having a sad day today”
I asked her what was making her sad and she replied “I think I’m stupid”.
What makes you think that? – I asked.
What is the connection between Stress, Anxiety and Depression and the political, social and economic problems that we are facing today?
Here is a summary of the main points:
We live in a sick society and we are not addressing the root cause.
I believe that, with very few exceptions, we are caught up in an endless war and we are not addressing the root cause.
What do parents and people who work with children have in common with therapists, facilitators and group leaders?
You tend to put others first! Whilst this is an admirable quality, in doing so you may be neglecting your own needs.
When your needs are not being met, it is easy to feel stressed and concerned about the issues in your own life. It is also easy for your emotions to get triggered by your children or clients.
Core Development offers the following to Parents, Educators, and Practitioners who work with children:
YOUR NEEDS MATTER
If you parent or work with children, it is likely you are always thinking of others. In doing so, you may be neglecting your own needs.
To be a better carer, it is important to take care of yourself.
