In my new novel, Dylan conducts a Psychosynthesis therapy session with one of his clients.
Denver
June 6, 1970
I’m sitting in a chair in my office near a recliner where my therapy client Reggie is sitting. On the coffee table in front of us sits a bask of tissues. In addition to Watteau’s painting of Italian comedians, I’ve got smaller prints of Renaissance paintings on the walls and several thriving green plants. The curtains are drawn, only one lamp is on, and half a dozen candles flicker their warmth and light at us.
For all my bold dreaming, after nearly three years of doing therapy work, I’m still leaning heavily on Assagioli’s approach. Fortunately, Psychosynthesis has worked well for Reggie. He’s the same age as me, 31, my only Black client, and my most successful client.
It’s a bittersweet moment. Reggie has made a ton of progress these past several months – hard-earned progress, with plenty of struggle -- but today’s our last therapy session together.
Reggie has a winning personality, marred by far too much self-doubt. Today I’m using one final imagination exercise to leave him in the best possible state of mind.
After a few minutes of chit-chat, I give Reggie a wide smile and ask him if he’s ready for the exercise. He lays back into the recliner and raises the footrest.
“Sure thing, Doctor Steffan.” He nods and closes his eyes and I give it my best:
Reggie, begin now to leave your restricted, narrow reality. Let’s hike. Let’s walk. There’s a hill ahead of us, a small mountain. Let’s head up that mountain together. Let’s move on up. Let’s search out a new experience. Let’s ascend. Higher. Higher. Higher.
You’ve told me you believe in a Divine Being. You’ve told me you believe in an afterlife. You say that your spiritual values are important to you. Now let’s go into an adventure, deeper into the territory you believe in.
We’re arriving. We’re walking up into the transpersonal heights. Into spiritual territory. We’re exploring terrain that is extraordinary. We’re heading toward what is cosmic, what is spiritual, what is Divine. And that reality is real – as real as bricks.
You’re about to discover things that are new. You are about to encounter things that are superior. There is Beauty here, Reggie. There is Wisdom here. There is Goodness here. There is Light here. There is Love here. Does all of this enchant you? Are you ready for this adventure? Are you ready for fresh revelations? You’re about to be inspired.
We’re mountain climbers, Reggie. We’re explorers. We’re pioneers. Smell the water in the mountain stream. Feel the wind against your cheeks. Look out at the beauty, the colors, the lights of the sunrise. Let that sunlight into your consciousness.
You know what else, Reggie? You have the hand of a knight. The eye of a wise man – a sage. And the heart of a king.
So let’s walk across this bridge here, walk across this threshold, and now we find ourselves on the peak of this hill, on the summit of this small mountain here. Here we are, Reggie the knight, Reggie the sage, Reggie the king. And now that we’re here you’re really ready to embark on the heart of your Quest.
See the chapel ahead of us? Take a glimpse into this chapel. And let’s step inside it. Let’s walk over toward the altar and let’s light two candles in honor of your Quest today.
Reggie, you’ve said you hope to get a clearer spiritual vision today. And a deeper sense of the Wise Love of Deity. We’ve stepped into this chapel so you can do so.
You’ve told me that you believe that the universe is permeated and upheld by perfect and infinite Goodness. And you’ve come here today to experience a regenerating, a purifying, of your psyche and your soul. Maybe even a powerful flow of spiritual energy, light, and love. Let all this be released within you now.
Think again of your purpose, Reggie. Your purpose comes from the Divine, from the spiritual, from universal goodness, from your love for people, from your empathy and kindness, from your desire to be useful and be a blessing to your fellow human beings, from your desire to be a force for good in society, for humanity.
Your purpose is noble. Commit yourself again, even more seriously this time, to your purpose. Become even more devoted to your purpose. Forget yourself, spend yourself, sacrifice yourself, and let your soul be filled with joy.
Finally, Reggie, as we stand in this chapel in front of these candles on the top of this peak, take even deeper responsibility for your life. Determine to shape your future. Discover the locus of your personal power. Affirm your personal power. Let your conscience guide you and let your conscience be demanding. Let your will – your own individual will – guide your mind in healthy and positive directions. And all along the way, show courage.
As we leave this chapel and head back down this hill, smile. Keep your sense of humor. Be content. Experience joy. Let your inner riches overflow to people. You love this infinite, eternal, sacred harmony – again and again you’ve told me this. You are filled with wonder about it – you’ve told me this too – and you’re grateful for it. Remember as you return to your daily life that you are a tiny but indestructible note of music in the great universal symphony.
Now open your eyes.
What do you feel?
He blinks. He stares. And then Reggie is beaming. “I can’t hardly believe it, doc. My dissatisfaction is gone. With life. With myself. My feelings of inferiority are gone.”
“Terrific,” I say. His posture looks much more relaxed. He seems almost giddy. “What else do you feel?”
“A sense of security,” he says. “I feel much lighter, like a burden’s been lifted from me. I feel free. I feel serene. I feel cheerful. I feel braver and bolder.”
I smile at him and nod. “Feelings well worth holding onto.” I shake his hand and clasp his shoulder. He nods and smiles back, says “thanks, doc”, and heads out the door.
I’ve been more of a positive influence in Reggie’s life than that of any other client. I allow myself a wide smile.
Even so, I know that the Assagioli approach is not enough for me to truly be of maximum help to my clients. It’s time to get on with my bigger mission.
Powerful. I cross-posted this to https://lmoreno.substack.com/