When we went to primary school, we were encouraged to learn to read, to write and work with numbers. Some of this was fun, some not. Some of this was easy, some not. And yet we learnt so much - enough to get by and even more. It would have been terrible if we hadn't had the opportunity.
And ...
If that's all we learnt ... !!
Along the way we learnt about getting on with others, modifying our strong emotions, complying with restrictions, being kind to others, having fun, being creative, appreciating differences ...
These human life skills weren't taught in classes, we absorbed them in our daily living, and just as well. Without them we would be robots, machines, not human.
In medical school I learnt about anatomy, physiology, embryology, pathology, skills in taking a history, doing a physical examination, making a clinical diagnosis ... buit nothing about the human condition ... nothing about human beings.
It was only after graduation that my doctoring began to include people, and it was a shock.
I have noticed that so much therapy training is technical, mechanistic, scientific, theory based, and almost completely lacking in humanity. Where can we learn how to be with another human being as a legitimate human being? How can we learn to be with another's suffering without feeling compelled to treat them so our suffering can be lessened?
It seems self evident to me that it's time for us to put aside the technology, theories, and techniques, and return to a simpler, more human approach where we can again genuinely connect with another so we can move past "treating" and allow healing to happen.
We have extraordinary technologies, and we also have even more extraordinary capacities for empathy, connection and humanity.
We have both, so let's use them both.
Thank you, Rob. I find that most people are deeply appreciative of simply being *heard* in a deep, respectful and compassionate way. Our clock-driven world now makes it possible for almost everyone to post a comment that will be seen by masses of other people and yet studies seem to point to increased individual loneliness. As you say, "Where can we learn how to be with another human being as a legitimate human being?"
One important such place for me to continue to learn is in forums such as this, shepherded as it is by your own kindness, thoughtfulness and skill. Your teachings, along with the thoughtful comments of others in the circle, give me much to ponder, and to appreciate. Thank you.