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Crisis and Transcendence: When the Worst that can Happen Becomes the Path to Growth

Crisis and Transcendence: When the Worst that can Happen Becomes the Path to Growth. Dr. Linda Chamberlain Pasco-Hernando Community College New Port Richey, Florida Lchamber.psyd@earthlink.net.

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Crisis and Transcendence: When the Worst that can Happen Becomes the Path to Growth

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  1. Crisis and Transcendence: When the Worst that can Happen Becomes the Path to Growth Dr. Linda Chamberlain Pasco-Hernando Community College New Port Richey, Florida Lchamber.psyd@earthlink.net

  2. The Nature of Crisis“You can only go halfway into the darkest forest, then you are coming out the other side” – Chinese Proverb • Crisis are • painful, difficult, and threatening situations • unexpected, unpredictable and unwanted experiences • unavoidable events and circumstances • emotionally, psychologically and physically challenging • opportunities for transformation

  3. “Fear is a natural reaction to moving closer to the truth” – Pema Chodron • Fear is a universal experience when faced with crisis • Fear provides us with the energy needed to travel through the crisis • Fear that is faced diminishes; fear that is avoided strengthens • All decisions are choices between love and fear • “Openness doesn’t come from resisting our fears, but from getting to know them well” -P. Chodron (2001)

  4. Transformation • Adversity leads to diversity; diversity leads to choice; choice leads to freedom • Crisis affords the opportunity to be victim or victor • It is no longer possible to be who one was; it is only possible to become who one must be - “How can I be myself when I can’t do the things that maintain my image of myself?” –Rosenbaum, 1998

  5. The Paths of Transcendence • The Path of Understanding • You can’t learn less • The Path of Action • Sometimes you hear the truck coming • The Path of Acceptance • Don’t just do something, sit there

  6. For Therapists • See the client as they can be • Look for resources and strengths that can be useful in transformation • Normalize the fear, pain, sadness and sense of loss • Support discovery, risk-taking, curiosity, and newly emergent patterns that promote well-being and growth • “Look for the pony”

  7. References • Chodron, P. (2000). The places that scare you: A guide to fearlessness in difficult times. Boston,MA: Shambala. • Chodron, P. (1997). When things fall apart: Heart advice for difficult times. Boston, MA: Shambala. • Epstein, M. (2005). Open to desire: Embracing a lust for life. New York, NY: Gotham Books. • Rosenbaum, R. (1998). Zen and the heart of psychotherapy. Philadelphia, PA: Burnner/Mazel.

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