And now, I found Zazzle.com that allows me to do exactly that.

You can fully customize these products.

Please feel free to add a comment to ask any questions you might have.

Enjoy!

I started a 10-month counseling certificate class with Interchange 2010.

It is a privilege and a joy.

I checked out the Interchange website and read what Steve Bearman, the founder wrote,

“ Counseling is not a subset of psychology. It is the other way around.  The psychological is only one of many dimensions of human experience, and counseling requires them all.  It needs spirituality, the source of life’s meaning.  It needs an understanding of the world of violence and oppression in which we have been raised, and in which our fear and dread reside.  It needs the healing power of nature, the insight of philosophy, the ability of storytelling to shape our worlds, the endless potential provided by learning and education.  Our psyches and our bodies are integrated into a larger system, all of which needs to be explored if we are to come to a deeper knowledge of ourselves. “

It spoke to me deeply. Then I looked at the building blocks which Interchange is built on:

• Being – practicing presence, not the doing or the technique is paramount, but the counselor’s ability to be present, to listen, to Be.
• Relationship – counseling is a relationship where change originates.
• Context – to not just look at the content, but understand the context and deeper meaning of where a person is coming from.
• Integration – Having a whole set of tools, and not being stuck in one technique or rigid thinking.
• Work on Self – one’s effectiveness as a counselor is directly dependent on how much work he/she has done on him/herself.

All these building blocks resonated with my belief and experience with life. And I immediately knew that I would be able to go deep in this work. I went for Steve’s orientation briefly, and knew within half an hour that it was the right thing for me. And indeed it has been so far.

The first weekend was not like any training course I had attended. Steve introduced the theme of love and acceptance. On being ok with….(fill in the blanks), on asking for permission, on belonging. He taught us how to stretch out the feeling of being uncomfortable with not knowing people in the group, and learning to be okay with it. He showed us how it is possible to love, drop into trust, friendship, love with everyone in the group. Even without saying much.

I left that weekend with a new pair of eyes. I felt safe, held, and connected with not only the people in the group, but with humanity at large. I realized that if I could do that with a group of interchangers, who before that, had all been strangers to me, why couldn’t i do that with other people I meet at work, on the streets, in any setting? And yes, I could. The question at the end of the day, that virtually everyone is asking is: Can you love me? Like Hafez in his poem, “With the Moon Language”; Admit something: Everyone you see, you say to them, “Love me.”… … (sigh, so easy to get lost in Hafez’s beautiful poetry.)

The space that Steve carries is so gentle, and so welcoming. It invites people to be vulnerable. It feels safe. And he is so sincere. A true inspiration.

I also learnt that week, and a very crucial lesson for me, is that we do not always have to intervene. Intervening in therapy is but one type of technique. And sometimes, not intervening, but simply “being-with” someone, as they experience what they are experiencing can be transformational as well. That woke me up. I had always felt guilty and kept evaluating myself when I feel that I had not helped my client (during ISIS), if nothing cathartic happens.

What a powerful realization, and release! Having seen that, when I practice counseling for the entire month thereafter, and simply practice “being with”, deep insights opened. I realized that I could hear so much deeper. And facilitate change, receive insights at levels I never heard before because I was still too busy thinking, having an agenda, and not dropping down deep enough. Everything flowed. And my clients were able to come to a realization of something deep, real, and profound. Guided by their own wisdom. I am awed and had the privilege to witness that. When I was listening deep enough, and being with, when I needed to say anything, the thoughts came to me, like flowed through, and I only needed to execute it. I was not really required to think much. The experience as a counselor was transformational for me.

I am so glad, so grateful to have this opportunity to learn these skills through Steve and all my peers in Interchange, my friends in Clairvision, and everyone I come in touch with in my life.

And the journey continues… …

More good things to come soon..

Visiting Ephesus was an amazing experience too. It just leaves one in wonder and in awe of it.  The Virgin Mary chapel where she was believed to had lived after Jesus died, was a beautiful experience. The presence was strong and compassionate.

Visiting Aphrodisias, the space and quality of the Venusian influence could be felt strongly.  And is it a wonder that ancient greece’s greatest school for sculpture is found in Aphrodisias too? The Venusian inspiration for art and creativity simply flows forth in this place.

Arriving in Konya felt like I had time traveled. At once I felt transported out of modern turkey, and back into an ancient Persian town.  Konya felt more Persian than Turkish. The architecture, the space, just this general aquarium effect of the connection/influence of Rumi, was so palatable. I wished I had more time in Konya and was not so tired from the many hours of travelling. Being in Konya, I felt it spoke to a part of me that I have always known and felt, but have not been able to articulate or express. It was like a magical communion.

After spending 4-5 days in cappadocia’s dry, arid climate, I was ready and happy to head for Mersin, and Kizkalesi – which are seaside towns, where many rich Turkish people have their summer homes.  We drove through the toros mountains and finally arrived in Mersin – which is Latif’s hometown. We got visit his lovely mother and sisters. We stayed in Kizkalesi and swam the Mediterranean sea to a medieval crusader castle built on a small island.