Reply to comment

Laura and K (sorry I do not know your full name...) -

Great stuff!

Yes! You are absolutely right in interpreting that the purpose of awareness is change...that's perfectly in line with one of the main tenets of Gestalt theory, the Paradoxical Theory of Change, described below by Arnold Beisser http://www.gestalt.org/arnie.htm:

 "I will call it the paradoxical theory of change, for reasons that shall become obvious. Briefly stated, it is this: that change occurs when one becomes what he is, not when he tries to become what he is not. Change does not take place through a coercive attempt by the individual or by another person to change him, but it does take place if one takes the time and effort to be what he is -- to be fully invested in his current positions. By rejecting the role of change agent, we make meaningful and orderly change possible.

The Gestalt therapist rejects the role of "changer," for his strategy is to encourage, even insist, that the patient be where and what he is. He believes change does not take place by "trying," coercion, or persuasion, or by insight, interpretation, or any other such means. Rather, change can occur when the patient abandons, at least for the moment, what he would like to become and attempts to be what he is. The premise is that one must stand in one place in order to have firm footing to move and that it is difficult or impossible to move without that footing.

The person seeking change by coming to therapy is in conflict with at least two warring intrapsychic factions. He is constantly moving between what he "should be" and what he thinks he "is," never fully identifying with either. The Gestalt therapist asks the person to invest himself fully in his roles, one at a time. Whichever role he begins with, the patient soon shifts to another. The Gestalt therapist asks simply that he be what he is at the moment. "

Maybe this helps clarify my position. I agree that it matches pretty well with Paul's definition of mental health as well....although I would add the prerequisites of awareness and acceptance as a means to change/growth/evolution...whatever you want to call it. I just tend to stay away from these explicit terms in session with my clients, and instead focus on fostering awareness in the here and now. It also helps to deal with the issue of "normal"... I agree with Laura that while a universal standard of normal is not especially useful in any context, most individuals have some idea of what is normal for them, or are searching for it. My approach is to try and help them discover or re-discover that for themselves.

I guess a part of me also believes that as individuals, we are already "complete"...life is not so much a matter of growth as a matter of discovering what already exists...I hope that makes sense.