Intention and Non-Doing in Therapeutic Bodywork

by: Andrew James Pike (Author),Ged Sumner(Foreword)

Publisher: Singing Dragon

Publication Date: 2021/9/21

Language: English

Print Length: 272 pages

ISBN-10: 1787758982

ISBN-13: 9781787758988

Book Description

Exploring the Buddhist/Taoist concept of non-doing and intention in relation to bodywork, this book focuses on how the therapist should approach their client without agenda and meet them where they are at. This requires the therapist to pay attention to their own surfacing intentions and leave assumptions behind so they may focus on simply 'being', which is a profoundly active, non-reactive expression of presence, rather than a passive state of resignation. The ramifications of sub-conscious doing and wilful intention can negatively impact expressions of health and so the author explains how therapists may skilfully navigate between intention, attention and embodied non-doing whilst treating clients, and how this creates the foundations for safe relational touch.

About the Author

Exploring the Buddhist/Taoist concept of non-doing and intention in relation to bodywork, this book focuses on how the therapist should approach their client without agenda and meet them where they are at. This requires the therapist to pay attention to their own surfacing intentions and leave assumptions behind so they may focus on simply 'being', which is a profoundly active, non-reactive expression of presence, rather than a passive state of resignation. The ramifications of sub-conscious doing and wilful intention can negatively impact expressions of health and so the author explains how therapists may skilfully navigate between intention, attention and embodied non-doing whilst treating clients, and how this creates the foundations for safe relational touch.