When a client shares his or her thoughts… those deep mind boggling questions… in a raw and authentic way, something in me stirs. When this person trusts me with the things they wonder about in the silent moments, it opens up a channel. A channel allowing the two of us to start wondering together, focused on navigating a way through this reality we live in.
Today I was extremely lucky to experience exactly this.
Today I saw part of the person sitting in front of me come alive.
I saw how for the first time they openly shared very personal existential queries.
What is life?
Why are we here?
Are we the culmination of years upon years of evolution? If you read the script, and the costume fits, do you just go along with the ride?
Why do we seek to make others happy? To fill a void inside us? For validation?
What drives us to create? A need to be seen, or remembered?
Am I the person people see when they look at me? Or am I the person behind the veil I keep up?
Could it be both?
And even though these questions might seem to have a melancholy tone, it brought about something very different. Instead of becoming more despondent because of the almost gloomy topic of conversation, the chance to share controversial thoughts and personal responses brought about a sense of relief for this client. It brought the realization that he is not strange or even depressed for asking such challenging questions, but that he has now officially embarked on a deep journey of self-discovery. A journey that can allow him to become more and more alive.
Being able to share core beliefs and opinions without feeling judged for it, is at the heart of therapy. And today it was a profound privilege to see how unapologetically sharing one’s core can bring deep liberation.
I am excited to be a guide on this individual’s journey.
