Would You Rather Call It Fear?
June 7th 2007 23:01
Sometimes I think, with our revered intelligence and ability to intellectualize, that we take away the deeper meaning and value of events, experiences, and all else in our human lives. Simply speaking, simple words lead to clearer and more meaningful understanding.
Why then, do we hypothesize about this phenomenology or that eventuality? What could be the value of identifying the etiology of this malady or that peculiarity? And, what drives using terms such as stress dysfunction and stress-related psychogenesis rather than simply speaking of fear?
I recall my dissertation days. Scholastic, academic, and seemingly dead language and style that distanced me significantly from the passion that drove my interest in the subject in the first place. Quite a lesson, that! Very heady, you know.
Intellectual. Cognitive. Cerebral. Abstract.
I have found when I do my stress wellness coaching and consultation, one of the first steps in the process is to remove the language barrier. No, I am not speaking to the issue of someone speaking a language that I do not understand. Unless, of course, I don’t understand the deadness of a language that removes us from the ‘down-to-earth’ nature of what we truly wish to describe with our words.
Translating what is described on intake as stress and anxiety and such has become a primary function of the successful practitioner.
“Oh, you mean you have a fear?”
Such a simple mirroring of what they have spent the last 20 minutes telling me will often take a client by uncomfortable surprise. After all, they have been using the intellect and the words that come with it to distance themselves from the very issue that they need to face. Once we get into the meat of the fear, or whatever other process is being disguised by the wordy abstractions, it is often remarkable how quickly the work will then proceed.
Opening doors, I suppose. Translating to simple and basic is often the very thing we need to regain ‘touch’ with what has been objectified by a dangerously complex and intellectualized ‘distancing’ process. (Oh, did I just say that?)
Go figure…
deorre
Why then, do we hypothesize about this phenomenology or that eventuality? What could be the value of identifying the etiology of this malady or that peculiarity? And, what drives using terms such as stress dysfunction and stress-related psychogenesis rather than simply speaking of fear?
I recall my dissertation days. Scholastic, academic, and seemingly dead language and style that distanced me significantly from the passion that drove my interest in the subject in the first place. Quite a lesson, that! Very heady, you know.
Intellectual. Cognitive. Cerebral. Abstract.
I have found when I do my stress wellness coaching and consultation, one of the first steps in the process is to remove the language barrier. No, I am not speaking to the issue of someone speaking a language that I do not understand. Unless, of course, I don’t understand the deadness of a language that removes us from the ‘down-to-earth’ nature of what we truly wish to describe with our words.
Translating what is described on intake as stress and anxiety and such has become a primary function of the successful practitioner.
“Oh, you mean you have a fear?”
Such a simple mirroring of what they have spent the last 20 minutes telling me will often take a client by uncomfortable surprise. After all, they have been using the intellect and the words that come with it to distance themselves from the very issue that they need to face. Once we get into the meat of the fear, or whatever other process is being disguised by the wordy abstractions, it is often remarkable how quickly the work will then proceed.
Opening doors, I suppose. Translating to simple and basic is often the very thing we need to regain ‘touch’ with what has been objectified by a dangerously complex and intellectualized ‘distancing’ process. (Oh, did I just say that?)
Go figure…
deorre
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Comment by Stanley
i do have a rather curious question though: do you watch the sopranos? and if you do what is your take on dr. melfi and her counsel?
Comment by Deorre
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Right on the money, Deorre. That's very perceptive.
Great post!
Comment by Deorre
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