Zen and The Art of Counseling Center Maintenance

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Zen and The Art of Counseling Center Maintenance
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Presenters

• Gregory Eells, Ph.D.
• The University of Southern Mississippi
• Gary Petiprin, Ph.D.
• East Tennessee State University

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Goals

• Understanding the different importance of using
  the head and the heart in counseling center
  administration.
• Learning specific strategies to develop balance
  and strategies to communicate that balance to
  colleagues and upper administration.
• Participate in an experiential exercise to
  translate concepts discussed in the presentation
  to each individual participants experience as a
  director.

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Two Views of Reality

• Classical (head, masculine, Western, Aristotle,
  academic affairs, technology, logos, fairness,
  analysis, goals, plans, preparation, reality,
  thinking, order, meaning)Reality is understood by
  breaking it down into structures and component
  parts. The observer is missing. Sees the world
  as underlying form itself.
• Advantage-Brings order and structure.
• Disadvantage- presumes there is just one right
  way to do things and there never is.

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• Romantic (heart, feminine, mythos, Plato,
  Eastern, student affairs, art, passion, honesty,
  connection, Love, contemplation, spirit,
  commitment, honesty, gratitude, dream,
  touching,feeling pain, fear, joy, anger,
  integrity and determination,vulnerability)
• Reality is understood by viewing the whole or the
  larger system. Sees world in immediate
  experience. Observer is present.
• Advantage-Open to new and creative ways of
  seeing the world.
• Disadvantage- insanity

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Theory of Complementarity

• Classic and romantic are often complementary
  views of reality
• Hiesenburg Uncertainty Principle explaining
  subatomic particles. Niels Bohr when asked what
  is complementary of clarity he responded by
  saying precision.
• We must seek to integrate what is complementary.
  Establish Quality

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Value Traps

• Sucked into the administrative vortex - losing
  heart
• Value rigidity-South Indian Monkey Trap
• Ego-A high evaluation of yourself weakens your
  ability to recognize new facts
• Anxiety-You are sure you will do the wrong thing
  so you do nothing
• Boredom- You are off track
• Impatience-First reaction to a setback

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Directing from The Heart

• Mind must serve the heart... for the heart is the
  center, the source of our energy and creativity
• Morita Therapy-accept our feelings, know our
  purpose and do what needs doing.

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Be Awake

• Exercise - Break the habit (comfort zone) - get
  out of chair you chose and move to opposite part
  of the room. Feel the discomfort
• Listen to feelings
• Notice and be present in the moment
• Move out of the comfort zone - grow
• Habit - comfort, too much habit - unconscious

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Be Open and Authentic

• Be true to your natural self. Dont try to be
  anyone else
• Be willing to stand naked.
• Welcome the unexpected - letting go of the
  should
• Begin each day anew (Zen mind) - wonder and new
  possibilities
• Dont be attached to a specific plan - be open
  and trust the process. Experience interruptions
  as blessings

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Remember Your Purpose and What is Meaningful

• Why am I here? - Clarity of purpose
• What do I contribute?
• Act as if what you do matters....It does

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Follow Your Bliss- J. Campbell

• Bring your unique gifts to the world. Gifts -
  what brings you joy, you do well, naturally
  motivates you.
• Learn to listen and head your spirit- dont let
  the rational mind interfere.
• Painful events - present opportunity to
  reevaluate your life/path.
• Synchronicity - informs us that we are on the
  right path.

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Step Through Fear

• Conflict worry takes away energy
• Risk - be in accord with your joy, step into your
  fear
• If you knew that there was no chance of failing,
  what would you be doing right now? 

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Be Creative

• Creativity is not forced, it springs from your
  natural self
• Collect the information and then allow the
  creativity to emerge
• When coming from the heart, it is automatic and
  effortless - time stops

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If You Meet the Vice Chancellor on The Road, Kill
Him/Her

• When we decide what is important to us and
  believe it only then can we convey its
  importance to others
• Administrators are often more classic in
  orientation and our jobs are more romantic in
  nature. We still must learn to communicate with
  them.