In this article we will dive into and hopefully clarify the role that psychotherapy can play on the path of awakening.
Many spiritual teachers and schools look down upon therapeutic methods. Some even say that any work that focuses on personality level patterns is like “re-arranging the furniture in your prison cell, you think it makes you more comfortable but you are still trapped”.
Here, we’ll present a radically different, much more inclusive vision of psychotherapy that is aligned with both common sense and the vision of the tantrik traditions.
Let’s establish clarity upfront.
What Is Awakening…
The spiritual path is about awakening from the dream-like image of ourselves. This self image is entirely rooted in cultural, societal, religious, familial etc. conditioning. The world we see, whether it is safe or not, whether we fit into it or not etc. is a reflection of that conditioning. It goes without saying that this conditioning can be quite different from person to person.
Once the awakening process has begun, a good portion of the ‘work’, (and a good amount of the difficulty) concerns the dissolving of this conditioning. The dissolution of conditioning allows us to more easily recognise and effortlessly abide in the awakened state, or in awareness of our essential nature.
Moments of awakeness to the essence of being can occur at any point in space or time. Sometimes, they come during meditation practice, sometimes while sitting on the beach drinking a beer (this happened to a friend of mine).
Outside of unexpected moments of grace, the depth of this recognition depends on how much we get swept up by reactive thoughts, emotions, urges, impulses etc.
Another way to say this is, the degree to which we are identified with our conditioning defines who we think we are. Who we think we are defines how we think, feel and act accordingly.
…and the Role of Therapy Therein
The greater the hold on us our conditioning has, the more ‘asleep’ we are (i.e. unaware of that which we actually are, more intimately than conditioned thoughts and feelings).
Even seasoned practitioners who have experienced awakening to some extent, can find themselves suddenly triggered, shrinking back into a limited, defensive self image.
One of my teachers wisely notes: There are no exaggerated or over-reactions; every response reflects unresolved trauma in our body-mind.
According to the general ethos of modern, popular culture, the role of therapy is to improve or fix something that is broken, wrong or “atypical”. In contrast, a person devoted to spiritual liberation seeks spiritual support to align their outer most expression (personality, lifestyle etc.) with the values discovered within themselves from spiritual practice.
Thus, a non-dual approach to therapy offers structured support to see and dismantle conditioned patterns that may otherwise cloud our connection to the deeper truth of being. It also helps us learn through experience, that no matter how painful the emotion, it is simply an expression of our essence, just like any other thought emotion or perception.
An Important Caveat
At the risk of sounding a little confusing, it needs to be clarified that experiential insight into the essential nature of your existence does not require healing or fixing anything. It is absolutely possible to know your true self, regardless of the condition of your body/mind/personal history etc.
A harmonious personality reduces distractions, allowing us to more easily reside in the stillness of our essence without constantly being pulled into reaction. It also makes it easier to express the newly discovered depth of who you actually are through your thoughts, speech and actions.
Already curious to find out about a 1:1 session of Non-Dual Somatic Psychotherapy?
What This Is Not
“Boundless Awareness-Presence, which we are, holds with love and cherishes every experience that arises from it.” - Hareesh Wallis
On the spiritual path, we don’t seek more happiness or avoid discomfort. (neither do we necessarily seek out the pain and dark places in our psyche). Instead, we aim to stay anchored in our Being, embracing all experiences, including pain. This is possible when we experientially understand that who, or what, we truly are deeply loves, and yet is not qualified or defined by what appears on the surface level of thoughts and feelings. Consciousness, with its natural qualities—awareness, love, peace, and bliss—remains unshakeable.
Awakening does not involve seeking greater or more frequent moments of happiness any more than it involves seeking to avoid or lessen our discomfort. Rather, the trajectory is towards deeper and more consistent immersion in, or awareness of the essence of being. This is a simple, unpretentious embrace of absolutely every aspect of experience, or intimacy with all of life. In other words, an unconditional acceptance of life, which includes all experiences—pain, fear, happiness, pleasure, the taste of chocolate, the sound of wind in the trees etc.
Thus, we come to cherish all expressions of Reality as the play of Consciousness.
Beyond a “Better Version” of Yourself
The modern self-help and personal transformation industry has generated million if not billions of dollars by playing to peoples ingrained lack of satisfaction with being themselves.
The constant yet elusive promise is that if you just buy this thing, do this course, take daily ice baths, take this supplement, learn this new technique etc. that you can finally become “your best self”, and subsequently live “your best life”.
As paradoxical as it may sound, none of these methods will ever work unless you realize that God didn’t make a mistake. You’re not wrong or broken, and you do not need to be fixed in order to be happy.
There’s no ‘best’ version of you that you need to become, there is only you, the deeply alive and mysterious conscious presence that you are and have always been. As full acceptance of the essential you dawns, the latent potentials, gifts, gentleness, strength etc. will manifest effortlessly, of their own accord when the occasion calls forth that aspect of you.
That which you truly are, has no judgement towards or problem with that which you appear to be (personality) on the surface.
About the Approach
“You cannot leave a mess behind and go beyond. The mess will bog you down. 'Pick up your rubbish' seems to be the Universal law—and a just law too.” - Nisargadatta Maharaj
The therapeutic container provides the tools, guidance, safety and support necessary to understand that your distorted self images. When held properly and lovingly, in full presence, you will see that your self image does not define who you are, but it does limit your capacity to truly express that which you are.
Thus, therapeutic processes are not a way of changing who you are to become a more acceptable version of you.
Instead they lead to the understanding that lovingly accepting and integrating these aspects of yourself makes way for a more profound expression of the love and freedom that you are, through this body-mind.
For a deeper look at Sasha’s approach to non-dual, somatic psychotherapy, check out this article on the topic.
Benefits of Engaging With Therapy in the Process of Awakening
Deeper self acceptance and comfort within ones own being
Before surrendering the ego, we must know and embrace it. Shedding one’s identity fully requires conscious awareness of and peace with the ego’s strongest tendencies. Without this acceptance, denial or self-rejection can intensify struggles.
Therapy helps us observe and embrace the parts of ourselves we’ve often resisted, fostering a sense of self-acceptance that transcends judgement.
Increased intuition, spontaneity and freedom
Freedom from a single minded focus on me and mine leaves an immense spaciousness and freedom from conditioned responses. As we release conditioned patterns, we open to the natural intelligence within, finally allowing life to flow through us more freely. This is the root of true spontaneity and intuition.
A sense of ease in life replaces the sense of struggle
Unresolved fears and conditioning often create resistance, which manifests as a feeling of struggle. A spiritually oriented approach to therapy helps dissolve this resistance, allowing us to move with life rather than against it. What would the quality of your life be if you were free from the unconscious patterns that cause resistance?
Strengthening of the energy body
Processing emotions frees our energy from holding patterns, creating resilience and strength. A clear energy body allows us to face life’s challenges from a place of openness and trust, knowing that we will be able to stay unconditionally open in the face of any challenging situation.
Conclusion, Therapy Supports Spiritual integration
As the process of awakening unfolds, we often encounter parts of ourselves we may wish weren’t there: tendencies toward selfishness, control, fear, or shame. These aren’t mistakes or signs of failure; rather, they are aspects of our conditioning rising into awareness, asking to be understood and integrated.
Therapy provides a safe and supportive space to explore these facets of the psyche without judgment. It helps us meet these parts of ourselves with curiosity and compassion, rather than rejection or shame. This work isn’t about “fixing” ourselves or hiding aspects that feel uncomfortable; it’s about integrating these elements of our humanity so they no longer disrupt our awareness of who we truly are.
When approached in this way, therapeutic processes foster a mature relationship with the self—one where we embrace the whole of our experience, even the parts we once resisted. This maturity allows for a deeper, more authentic expression of our true essence, one that feels both free and at ease within the body-mind.
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