Philosophical Counseling

“Philosophical Counselling enables an individual to do thinking with someone else who understands something of the true capabilities of thinking” Gerald Rochelle.

Philosophical Counselling is a recently developed method although it has its roots since the time of Socrates and Plato. In Eastern philosophical tradition, philosophical wisdom has been effectively used to overcome various issues in life. In India, Philosophic Counselling has been widely used for more than 4000 years. Philosophical counselling is a holistic approach that employs philosophical insights and wisdom of the ages in order to assist one to think without prejudice and presupposition.

Philosophical Counselling provides a deeper insight into the vexing problem and the clients learn the art of philosophizing which helps them to manage their problems effectively and efficiently. Philosophy does not provide any readymade solution, but suggests a different strategy to tackle life’s problems. Philosophy does not fix any mental illnesses or treat any medical condition and therefore a Philosophic Counsellor never sees the client as a patient having disease to be treated. Instead, Philosophic Counsellor, being a close friend and guide of the client, adapts dialogical process and empowers clients to think analytically and logically and help them to solve their problems.

Philosophical Counselling provides the opportunity to have a deeper understanding of the problem. It assists to have a clear picture of the circumstances in which one happens to be and how to face challenges by knowing the issue with a clear and honest approach. It educates how to think without any judgment and bias. Philosophy helps to examine various issues and problems in order to obtain a clear understanding before taking appropriate decision. Finally, it addresses the crucial questions on the meaning of life.

What problems philosophical counselling can address?

Carl Jung says that, “about a third of my cases are not suffering from any clinically definable neurosis but from the senselessness and aimlessness of their lives”. Philosophical Counselling addresses many problems emerge as a result of senselessness and aimlessness. Philosophic Counsellor opens up new ways of thinking and helps the client to be happy and positive towards life.

Institute of Philosophy integrates meditation along with Philosophic Counselling and provides better service to the needful clients. IP provides various meditation techniques and helps the client to resolve many issues and problems of life. Philosophic Counselor provides guidance to those who are suffering from anxiety and depression emerged as a result of ideological conflicts.

Some of the important issues PC addresses are:

• Decision-making.
• Ethical and moral issues.
• Issues related to beliefs in dogmas and ideologies.
• Relationship Counselling.
• Feeling of guilt and fear of punishment.
• Meaning of life.
• Fear of death.

Philosophical Counselling and Meditation

IP integrate Philosophical Counselling with the practice of meditation. Philosophical Counselling helps the remove some of the obstacles in the practice of meditation. Learners who cannot experience meditative state can utilize this opportunity and gain clarity of why they are practicing some of the techniques and enjoy practicing mediation.

Relationship Counselling

In relationship counselling, counsellor suggests various interpretations of the problem of the client and ask the client to determine which of the interpretation would be more appropriate and will work to alleviate the suffering. While doing so, the client will be given the opportunity to identify which of the interpretation will work for the best interest of the client. Discussing various options, the client is free to take decision that will resolve their problem. Philosophic counsellor never dictates any solution which might be suitable for the client. What philosophic counselling does is to bring clarity to the issues of the client and client can take informed decision.

Philosophical counselling provides an opportunity to discover inner strength. Philosophical thinking will open up the possibility of philosophical wisdom and helps one to have a good preparation to meet the challenges of life. Also, it educates one to think without any presupposition and prejudice which is an issue for many people.