|
The Four Aims of Life
The name of our center was originally inspired by ancient and perennial wisdom teachings gathered and developed over a great span of time, thousands of years ago in India, called "the Vedas" (knowledge) . These Four Aims continue to be four major motivations and goals shared by all humans. Together they comprise cornerstones for the health, prosperity and peace of individuals, their families and their communities.
Since the mission of this Center is about developing deep, healthy connections with ourselves and others, and ultimately, with expanding our consciousness, I have taken the liberty to modify the classic, vedic Four Aims to better illustrate the goals of this Center.
Briefly, the classic Four Aims of Life are:
Dharma, variously translated as Natural law, Duty and Virtue. Very relationship-driven.
Artha, which means Wealth, is how one deals with money, success and power.
Kama, anything having to do with Pleasure, Desire and Nourishment.
Moksha refers to "Liberation," or spiritual practice.
The Four Aims, then, offer a reference and point of focus for us as we scurry through our busy lives. My modifications, in order to best serve my clients, are:
Relationship: this includes self, partner, friends, work and community. How do I show up for self and others? What is problematic in the way I see myself or inter-relate? What am I doing that actually works well, that I don't see? Knowing that I, as all humans, have blind-spots, am I open to receiving feedback in order to create the relationships I yearn for? What I offer here includes individual, couples and family counseling, exploration of various therapeutic models, and the chance to be in community through yoga classes.
Nourishment: having to do with not only supporting well one's fundamental physical needs, but including pleasure in all its forms. Few of us undertake a truly conscious journey of the creative, sensual or sexual, and due to how easily abused this path is by so many, it's easy to understand why. Learning how to nourish oneself and experience enjoyment without over-indulgence, and learning to embrace life's bounty is an exhilarating practice! As well, getting in touch with one's creativity, partaking of the arts, deepening one's awareness of one's sexuality, and/or opening up to new attitudes and experiences, is food for the soul and an imporant aspect of this Aim. I work with many individuals and couples about these concerns.
Growth: developing greater insight (consciousness), compassion, resiliency, self-soothing skills, basis for choice and healthy behaviors. This is the bread and butter work of counseling with Kat: learning how to access these qualities (and more) anywhere, anytime. See the counseling pages to get an idea of methods employed.
Peace: the experience of stillness or expansiveness; usually developed through some kind of connection to that which we often term the sacred or spiritual. "Liberation," or Self-realization are the eastern philosophical terms used to describe the classic fourth Aim. Kat utilizes methods of meditation, inquiry, contemplation and ritual to help clients explore and strengthen their connection to what is sacred to them.
The Four Aims (either set!) offer a reference and point of focus for us as we scurry through our busy lives. Good questions to ask ourselves:
• Am I finding a balance between responding to my own needs and the needs of others?
• How am I experiencing and attending to what I hold sacred?
• How do I nourish myself with proper nutrition, exercise and rest?
• How am I relating to myself and others through healthy sexuality?
• How is the quality of communication with my partner or children?
• Am I attending to my financial responsibilities?
• Am I engaging my creative self?
• How do I stay connected to my friends and neighbors?
• How am I helping those in my community who are under-served or misunderstood?
• How can I express my values concerning global issues of the environment and social justice?
Using any of the above Aims as a reference, try doing a weekly "check-up" with yourself on how well you are achieving the balance in your life. Whether you're looking for ways to bring greater balance into into the life you seek, live with greater joy and more fully, heal wounds past or present, deal with addiction, implement change, or to connect with other like-minded people, I hope you can find what you need here.
, and under this heading we include meditation, devotion, contemplation and ritual: any practices that strengthen our connection to what we hold sacred.
Liberation, or Freedom is the forth Aim of Life.
|