Focusing And The Philosophy Of The Implicit

Take a look at these situations. There are times that you feel blocked, like writer’s block but with other activities, you have to do in your life. You have recent achievements that people commend you for, but you feel unworthy or fake somehow. You react mainly to everything, overreacting to even the smallest of things. You feel overwhelmed by all the decisions you have to make lately, feeling like everything has been happening so fast.

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If you’ve experienced any of these, you may feel as if you’re not entirely in control of yourself. Wanting to rid yourself of it, you try to seek help, but you don’t know where to start. Some people may suggest therapy, but you don’t know what kind of therapy to explore. Let me introduce you to Focusing.

 

What is Focusing?

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Focusing is a client-centered form of therapy developed in the 1950s – 1980s by Dr. Eugene T. Gendlin. It’s similar to “focusing” that most people are familiar with, meaning to pay close attention to something. Focusing as a process is similar, except you look within yourself.

 

This form of therapy gives you better access to knowledge within yourself — an inner compass. It’s similar to how BBC’s Sherlock Holmes goes to his “Mind Palace” when he solves a crime. It’s drawing from a source within you to help you seize control of your life once again.

 

What Does Focusing Do?

Having a wide range of uses, people will find that Focusing can be used in many situations. One method is to remove any blockages to action. For example, if you’ve been putting off cleaning your room because of some reason you can’t explain, Focusing will help rid you of feeling the need to delay the task. It’ll free you from any feelings of being held back somehow.

 

At the same time, focusing can also help with making decisions. From the simplest of choices such as what to wear today, to large life decisions such as concluding to move into a different state, Focusing can help. By drawing from your inner source of knowledge, you’ll be able to know what it is precisely you want in life.

 

Additionally, for those feeling insecure, you’ll also find progress with Focusing. As it is some form of therapy, you’ll see that Focusing helps build your self-confidence and self-worth. A greater understanding of your emotions and feelings will also be created.

 

Moreover, artists and other creatives will also find the process useful. Focusing lets you look at yourself for inspiration. It’ll keep you creative and productive. You’ll be able to develop better talent by believing in yourself and being connected to better energy.

 

What is the Philosophy of the Implicit?

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Something you will often hear when learning Focusing will be the “Philosophy of the Implicit.” This is the groundwork from which Focusing was built on. It was likewise developed by Dr. Gendlin.

 

The Philosophy of the Implicit is a school of thought that connects spirituality with science. Primarily, it talks about how we seem to come to know and do things, without even realizing it. For example, we know how to walk and drive, but if we were to ask to explain the process in words, it would be difficult. The philosophy looks at how we can do some complicated actions without having to think about it. With Focusing, we draw from that source of “knowing.”