Feeding the Roots—Developmental Sources and Methods for Initiating and Sustaining Embodied Contemplative Practice and Psychotherapy

The congenial, confidential bond between Tantric mentor and student or psychotherapist and client has been recognized by both traditions as at once the crucible and the catalyst for the embodied transformation of trauma into well-being. This module explores the developmental preconditions and relational factors needed for clients/students to form and sustain an effective mentoring bond in the context of contemporary psychotherapy and traditional Tantric practice. It compares and contrasts the prerequisites spelled out by the Tantras—existential readiness, embodied renunciation, compassion, and insight—with the existential readiness, expectancy, relational and insight capacities that are the major factors in psychotherapeutic change.