The Awakening of Independence

Suffering with a psychological disorder is an unsettling time. It creates great uncertainty and in response to this we seek certainty, so we adopt various therapeutic doctrines embodying different psychiatric approaches in an attempt to achieve this.

Initially this is an understandable and logical step that holds some merit but, as time goes on, we begin to become aware that our particular approach has very little long-term significance. As a result, we consider giving up the approach, but our fear of once again returning to a state of uncertainty keeps us clinging to a method that offers no solution to the problem.
Superficially, all the approaches offered appear different but fundamentally they are the same because they are all based on dependence, a dependence between the one who is suffering and the so-called expert who we believe will alleviate that suffering.

One factor maintaining this dependent relationship is money. When money is a requirement of the relationship, there is inevitably dependence because the expert must be perceived to be giving the patient something and, therefore, the patient feels the need to reciprocate by giving financially.

Do you see what has happened?

That psychological disorder created an immense sense of uncertainty. To dissipate that uncertainty we delegated responsibility for the problem to another by accepting a method they proposed. We then continue to act out that pattern which does not solve the problem because we are terrified of returning to a state of uncertainty.

You see, the first step in solving any psychological disorder is not to find the right method or person to depend upon, but to free yourself from dependence. That means not responding to uncertainty by pursuing a form of dependence, whether it is upon a psychiatrist, guru, religion, sexual partner, money or talent. That is a danger that acts to maintain your problem indefinitely and ultimately wastes your time.

First, you must remain with the fact that your particular approach is failing to solve your problem. That fact will cause the rejection of the approach and you will once again return to a state of uncertainty (which is where you started).

Now you are uncertain. How do you respond to uncertainty?

Dependence is an escape from uncertainty, an action taken to dissipate it so that we do not have to look at it.

So, how to respond to uncertainty?

Is it possible just to look at it, to observe the thing you are afraid of without letting it out of your sight for a single moment? Feel how it feels, watch how it moves, see the thoughts and emotions that are created as a result of it. Is it possible to just remain completely with that uncertainty?

When this is done, what takes place?

Through that observation one acquires an understanding of uncertainty. A previous lack of understanding resulted in a fear of uncertainty, but through the perception of it one learns that it is not threatening. In this moment the fear of uncertainty ends and, at the same time, the desire to escape from it into some form of dependence also ends. This is because dependence is an action triggered by fear.

Now, where are you?

You are simply left with the operation of your psychological disorder and the uncertainty that arises from it but you are not afraid. For the first time the mind is capable of facing this problem and that means capable of observing it.
When one observes the problem, what takes place?

Observing the problem allows a relationship with the problem to form. Through this relationship, knowledge is acquired about the problem and, simultaneously, as this knowledge is acquired the problem itself undergoes a mutation. This mutation changes how the problem is considered and this affects both when the problem arises and the intensity of it when it is experienced. In this moment the problem undergoes a total change that causes it to lose its grip and dissolve into nothingness.

You see, through observation the problem becomes the educator of itself.

You do not need an expert to tell you about the problem; the very perception of the problem reveals the truth of itself.
You do not need an expert to tell you how to heal the problem; the very perception of the problem is its own healing.
The answer to any psychological problem is born out of the problem itself, not derived from someone else. Perception can capture that birth and nourish it for the rest of your life.

Through perception there is a natural movement from disorder to order and that does not require an expert; that movement is intrinsic to the very action itself.

The teacher is the taught

What will you do about dependence in your life and how will you respond to uncertainty from now on?