Questions & Answers

Q: What is Integral & Transpersonal Spiritual Counseling? Is it the same as Psychotherapy?
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A: Integral & Transpersonal Spiritual counseling is a holistic type of counseling that focuses on the deeper aspects of an individual's psyche and integrates spirituality with psychology. Integral & Transpersonal Spiritual counseling also works with people that have had experiences that transcend ego consciousness or non-ordinary consciousness and want to integrate that experience into their life for personal growth. My practice integrates an Eastern perspective of viewing human nature, that there is nothing to become or fix, the only thing we need to do is remember who we are already. 
 
Integral & Transpersonal Spiritual counseling is not the same as psychotherapy. I am not a licensed Psychotherapist or Mental Health Counselor and therefore not trained or licensed to diagnose mental illness. If you're experiencing mental illness, please seek a licensed mental health practitioner.
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Q: What type of meditation do I teach? Is it ok for beginners?
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A: Paul teaches classical meditation based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda. The specific technique that is taught is called “Hong Sau.” It is a technique that helps quiet the mind by watching the breath while concentrating at the point between the eyebrows. Watching the breath, repeating the mantra, and incorporating the body with a very slight movement of the right forefinger are all part of the technique of Hong Sau. Paul also teaches affirmations and visualizations that one can incorporate into the expansion stage of meditation.

Meditation is absolutely ok for beginners; in fact, it is said that regardless of one's experience level, it is best to have a beginner's mind when it comes to meditation. 

Q: Do I have to be religious or spiritual to receive transpersonal counseling or meditation instruction?

A: No, you absolutely do not have to be either spiritual or religious. Integral & Transpersonal Spiritual counseling is not about trying to make anyone religious or spiritual, it is about exploring and discovering one's deeper and more authentic Self. My approach transcends any single religion or spiritual tradition, although I do utilize tools from specific spiritual traditions that I have or currently do practice myself. I am an open-minded and nonjudgemental person and work with people of all backgrounds, including sexuality, gender, faith, race and ethnicity.  

Q: What is Jungian Psychology? What is my approach to Dreamwork?
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A: Jungian Psychology is the practice and study of the unconscious. The unconscious can be defined as the part of the psyche that lies beneath the conscious part of our mind, such as the shadow, anima/animus, and the archetypes. My practice relies on the work of Carl Jung and his ideas of the personal and collective unconscious, and the use of dreamwork as the primary tool to examine the unconscious images that occur during dreams.
 
My approach to dreamwork is to provide clients various tools for analyzing their own dreams from a Jungian psychological perspective to a yogic perspective. I will never analyze your dream that you share with me; however, with the client's permission I will offer "if it were my dream, I would be curious about..." as a way to spark further exploration of your dream and how it connects to your waking life.
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Q: What is Contemplative Spirituality? What does discernment mean?
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A:  At its core contemplative spirituality is about deepening one's awareness of the presence of Spirit or Source in one's life and the world. It holds an understanding that Spirit or Source is always present with us, including through the use of one's imagination. Contemplative spirituality is a pathway to a deeper contemplative life, leading to better decision-making, and a life of service for and with others. 

Discernment is about learning how to make decisions that align with one's most authentic self. There are specific ways of cultivating the art and skill of discernment, such as learning to pay attention to when one is in consolation or desolation. Cultivating the practice of the daily introspection is a critical part of the discernment process, as they are helpful tools in creating deeper awareness to the subtle, interior movements throughout a person's life.