THE AWAKENED GUIDE

The structure of the therapist-client relationship gets a revamp in this guide for life coaches, healers, and teachers.

Therapy in the West includes a wide array of strategies and approaches, but when it comes to understanding a client’s spiritual motivations and aspirations, many therapy models fall short. In an effort to redefine the goals and objectives of healing therapy, Leela Foundation founder Jaxon-Bear (Fixation to Freedom, 2019, etc.) provides a concise but detailed road map to a more fulfilling therapist-client relationship. The basic premise is quite simple; most people, the author says, are stuck in a false sense of identity that stems from the ego. This skewed, self-centered perspective not only causes suffering, but also impedes people’s ability to discover their true purpose, he says. Each chapter offers concrete examples of how professionals can integrate concepts, such as how to be a “true friend,” with illustrated diagrams that show intended results. His topics include hypnosis, the role of the therapist, and methods for transcending ego, and, along the way, he includes probing questions. He also emphasizes the importance of staying the present moment during therapy sessions: “When you do not have a personal agenda for how the moment should be, you can experience the moment as an intimate embrace.” The therapist’s willingness to be fully engaged and “awake” is central to his or her success, Jaxon-Bear notes, which is why his book includes personal worksheets to complete after sessions, in order to track progress and client feedback. There’s also a helpful glossary of key terms, as well as comprehensive examples of client-therapist discussions. The overall tone of the book is formal but instructive, and it’s meant for serious students who are committed to expanding their professional wisdom. Jaxon-Bear’s consistent encouragement and passion for the work shines on every page.

An insightful treatise on the transformative power of self-reflection.