Update – 6/22/22: This post assumes the presence of Type I PD.
Although I've said only a bit about it here, often on my mind has been how very paradoxical aspects of this process can be. The paradox I have in mind for this post concerns the goal of turning off pause. Paradoxically, you have a better chance of achieving this goal if you don't focus too much on the goal itself. I offered a passing thought on this topic in this post where I mentioned the folly of “chasing an experience.” And past posts on such topics as surrender may at times overlap with it.
I suppose the reason I haven't addressed this topic more directly, more often is that by its nature it can be a slippery, slightly confusing subject. That said, at some risk of oversimplifying, I'll try to summarize here as succinctly as possible what my experience so far tells me about this important paradox that appears in the JWH protocol.
When it comes to the nuts and bolts of the protocol, perhaps the topic I've touched on here most frequently is the question of how to increase the continuity of connection to my invisible Friend(s). (Is it clear this has been a challenge for me? :–) I have tried an array of different methods, some more helpful for me than others. Here I'll provide a brief update on my progress in this area, and will describe one more useful technique.
One very encouraging sign is the progress I see in this area when I compare my early efforts with the protocol to now. For example, in those early days, when I would take a walk, trying to use it as a time to dialogue with my Friend, distraction was a constant problem. I had to use techniques such as seeing every tree I would pass as a reminder to stay in touch with my Friend. Every tree, in a town full of trees! That's how prone I was to losing my focus on the dialogue, to losing my connection with my Friend. Today, on the other hand, I barely have any trouble at all maintaining the connection on walks. The dialogue is largely constant and distraction is minimal. I could say something similar about the dialogue within the dedicated sessions I do. So in those places I've come a long way!
The fact that my recovery seems to fit in the gradual category, taking more time than is needed for some lucky folks, actually has its pluses. One is that, by constantly observing and assessing what I'm doing over an extended time, I get to learn about aspects of this protocol in some detail. And so I hope readers here will be able to benefit from some of the details I can report. Today I'll say a bit about what I've learned about doing the first two auxiliary exercises (see RFP, 2020, pp. 131-132).
As promised, here's how I've been dealing in recent months with the fear of a recurrence of the medical issue I detailed. As mentioned, most of my work with it has involved some blend of CBT and the distinctive exercises of the JWH protocol. Though few readers are likely to have to contend with exactly the same fear, I hope outlining this process may provide ideas to help others contend with their own fears.
I've mentioned before that my brief hospitalization in July presented an obstacle to my feeling consistently safe enough for pause to turn off more frequently or more lastingly. In recent months I believe continued concern about the possibility that the medical issue would recur has been the main obstacle I've faced.
I've added another video to those featured in this prior post concerning CBT. I'll embed it below as well. It keeps things simple, and might be especially useful to those intimidated by the idea of trying CBT as a self-therapy.
JWH has released two new videos on her YouTube channel. These follow on her webinar video, providing supplemental information on such topics as finding a healthcare practitioner to help you with her approach (spoiler alert: you're better off not doing so), some details about what is needed to recover from Type 1 Parkinson's, and some facts about supplements.
Below is a link to a segment from the BBC radio program World of Wisdom. I think it complements this prior post in which Ram Dass talks about perceiving your whole life as a dialogue with God, opening your heart to love with no boundary.
The last couple of months has been a time of concentrated focus and progress. Much of the progress probably wouldn't be visible to an outside observer, but I have enough experience now in the protocol that I believe I can tell when I'm making tangible progress. Here's an example...