Losing focus

Reflecting on my psychedelic experiences and the ensuing understanding of mental ’lenses’, I find a striking parallel in the journey of psychotherapy.

This parallel highlights a transformative process, akin to the exploration encountered in psychedelic states, emphasising the importance of ’losing focus’ to gain a broader perspective, followed by a deliberate ‘refocusing’ on specific areas.

Losing focus #

Psychotherapy begins with ’losing focus’, a phase of expanding one’s perspective. This isn’t about disengagement but about gaining a holistic view of oneself and the surrounding world.

This step is vital in understanding the complex web of an individual’s life, mirroring the experience of psychedelic states, where the universe appears as an interconnected expanse of thoughts.

In this phase of therapy, individuals step back from the immediate concerns of daily life. This allows for an exploration of deeper, often unconscious patterns, beliefs, and emotions that shape their existence. It’s about understanding how past experiences, current relationships, and personal beliefs intertwine to influence one’s mental and emotional state.

Memory and identity #

In this broadened state of awareness, therapy often revisits memories and the construction of identity.

Just as psychedelic experiences can lead to a temporary loss of connection with one’s usual world anchors, leading to an active reconstruction of reality, psychotherapy too engages in a similar reconstruction.

It explores how memories and interactions with others serve as stabilising forces in our lives, helping us navigate and maintain a sense of collective understanding and existence. This exploration often reveals how our memories and perceived identity significantly influence our present mental state and behaviours.

Refocusing #

After this expansive exploration, therapy transitions to ‘refocusing’.

This stage involves a more precise examination of specific issues, behaviours, or thought patterns identified during the initial phase. The broader perspective gained earlier guides this targeted approach, ensuring that the areas of focus are understood within the context of the individual’s entire life experience.

This refocusing is about fine-tuning the mental ’lenses’, aligning them in a way that allows for a clearer, more empowered view of oneself and one’s interactions with the world. It’s a process of deconstructing and reconstructing the understanding of self, akin to the transformative insights gained in psychedelic experiences.

Integration #

An essential aspect of both psychedelic experiences and psychotherapy is the integration of insights into one’s daily life.

This integration is where the true transformation occurs, as individuals learn to apply their newfound understanding in practical, everyday contexts. It involves taking the broader perspectives and targeted insights gained from therapy and weaving them into the fabric of everyday existence.

This process often leads to significant changes in how individuals relate to themselves and others, fostering a deeper sense of connection, empathy, and understanding.

Self-realisation #

Psychotherapy, like psychedelic experiences, offers a unique lens to view and transform our mental landscape.

This transformative process goes beyond immediate solutions, fostering a nuanced understanding and reformation of the self. It’s a testament to the human ability to adapt, grow, and find deeper meaning in our experiences, reshaping the lenses through which we view ourselves and the world.