30 December 2007
Maturation
Posted by Carleton Schade under: Philosophy .
The following entry is the third of three from Neal Goldsmith, philosopher and psychotherapist, at http://www.nealgoldsmith.com/philosophy.html. One can–without much distortion –substitute “society” and “our civilization” for the role of the “client” in Dr. Goldsmith’s model. Then, it would be the healers’ calling to facilitate the natural development of an individual and of society. As part of our maturation, we–individually and collectively–become more in tune with what it means to live with others we progressively widen that circle of community. A child first learns the sustainable way to live with family, then with friends, school, etc. To live sustainably with the rest of life on earth, however, we can no longer afford to stop our sphere of inclusion at family or town or nation or humanity as traditionally has been our wont. We will have to become far more mature than we have been. We will have to continue expanding our community to include all life, the Earth, and even universe…
“I view the Universe as fundamentally alive, with mind as an emergent property of that complexity. I view mind and body as two sides of the same coin, life as a global mind and the planet as a Gaian organism. And I view all this as simply the normal state of nature, with spiritual development “just” the advanced end of the normal human development. From this perspective, then, “healing” takes place only when we get underneath our modern imago to rest at the ground of our being, so to naturally unfold according to our perfect, internal template for development.
“A post-modern science that can theorize alternate universes can (and must) also accommodate alternate phenomenologies. How do states of mind differ from neurotransmitters — and how do both differ from “spirituality”? When we finally bind the rift between matter and energy, brain and mind, body and spirit, particle and wave, what will our science be like? Our psychotherapies? Our religion? And what can we do today to help society into that maturation?
“In other words, what does healing mean? The very question implies the prior question of what is it that needs to be healed. Of course, we would welcome healing of our psyches, our relationships and families, our nation, our politics and history, but how can we heal? Medicine? Drugs? Therapy? Spiritual practice? Compassion? Service? Love? What perspectives and methods have emerged over time as consistently effective and what would such a “perennial” medicine look like – and what would be a reasonable action path to a future with a healing world view?
“As a beginning, over time I have come to view behavior generally labeled “neurotic” as not pathological at all. Rather, I see “neurosis” as the organism’s natural response to developmental stress on our varied and unique road to maturation. From this perspective, “neurosis” is better seen as a developmental challenge – the surmounting of which brings maturity, or wisdom – rather than as a pathology. In essence, I want to send schizophrenics to psychiatrists (doctors who can prescribe medical, nowadays usually pharmacological, treatment) and want to return psychology to the study of the psyche, in all it’s beauty and complexity, as it unfolds.
“Another way to see this is that I am moving away from the words “patient” and “healing.” With the exception of biologically-based illness, psychology is the science of spiritual maturity. We call someone “neurotic,” when in reality, it’s not a medical illness they are suffering from, but spiritual immaturity.
“Finally, I define “spiritual” as simply the upper end of normal adult developmental psychology. As such, I don’t differentiate between body and mind, or mind and spirit, but look at them as all part of the whole organism. An example comes from when my seven year old was learning to walk. As with all kids, while learning, he used to fall a lot, yet I didn’t label it pathological, just developmental. He didn’t need healing by a helping professional, just his natural resources, a supportive environment, and me getting out of the way. Another example is a rose bud. We could say that it would be nicer if it were open now and begin to peel back the petals, but of course that wouldn’t work. Rather, Sun, rain, soil and protection from trauma are all that are required – other than that, let it unfold. In my practice, I want to be less like a farmer, who plants in a row and harvests systematically, and more like a forest ranger, who keeps a look out for forest fires and otherwise simply embraces the sprawl.
“So I don’t believe that the neurosis concept is in any way accurate or helpful. In fact, one of the most negative influences on mental health is the “sick” concept, which in itself tightens and distorts, keeping people from a natural unfolding and realignment. I find that big-picture understanding, active listening and fundamental positive regard work much better.
“Conclusion
“We all want to forge a broader, more parsimonious and inclusive view of reality, one that is discriminating among ideas, flexible to change, reasoned in assessment and systematic in perspective. Our ultimate goal is a more curious, open, accepting intentionality toward the future – and the present moment – of our development.
“I see my clients as already, fundamentally perfect – and my practice aims first at the completion of childhood issues and then to facilitate the further awakening and the successful unfolding of your true self, the self you were at birth; the self that’s there in between your thoughts.”
One Comment so far...
Jeff Selin Says:
5 January 2008 at 8:47 am.
Thanks, Carleton. As I’m in the process of community development for writers, this post was especially interesting. I need to rethink how I’m thinking about community. I’ve been limiting myself to, well, ya know, people. On the other hand, I think Howard Shultz used some of this Goldsmith philosophy to create the Starbucks model. Because in an inclusive version of community, we must accept the smelly dude wearing all black, the paper cup itself, and of course the coffee bean, and especially that green circled mermaid witch… here, and across the street, and down the road, and around the corner, and… Maybe I missed something here. I’ll go back to read the earlier posts. BTW, Happy New Year!