In philosophical practice

In the early stages of philosophical counseling, the counselee usually starts noticing how much of her life centers on a narrow understanding (or ‘theory’) of herself and her world. Often, the mere fact that the person notices her prison-walls is enough to open a door to the outside. The counselee then starts ‘connecting’ to other aspects of life beyond her ‘theory.’ She starts connecting to new facets of human reality. This openness allows her to advance to later stages of counseling.

In philosophical workshops it is harder to deal with the life-story of each individual participant. For this reason, the workshop can focus on some general aspect of life—meaning, love, freedom, sex, etc. Through various exercises and discussions participants examine aspects of their perimeter, and experience moments of going beyond it and connecting to a new aspect of life. The group activity allows the process to be more intensive and experiential. It also allows the participants to compare themselves with others, and to give and receive feedback.

Exercise

Catch yourself in a familiar situation, for example an interaction with somebody you know: a polite conversation with the neighbor, a conversation with the boss, and so on.

While you are conversing, open inside yourself a silent awareness—an awareness of yourself. Don’t examine yourself ‘from the outside’ and don’t analyze yourself—just be with the situation: with your bodily sensations, with your gestures, with your words, your thoughts, your emotions. Your awareness is like a space that contains the entire situation.

And now broaden your awareness even further: Bring into your awareness other parts of yourself that are not active, for example: a hidden irritation, a cynical thought that you repress, a pleasant memory from yesterday, an urge to do something you don’t dare to do, an idea that has been on your mind for the past week, and so on. Let all of these (in addition to your current situation) be present together in your awareness.

Normally, our awareness is focused on one single event, and it neglects everything else. But now your awareness contains a broader scope of events. If done well, this exercise offers you a glimpse beyond your usual perimeter.

Lesson 3