Creative healing with words
Endopathy as a therapeutic alternative
Article in the GEORGE HERALD, June 19, 2008
For the last two years Myra Lochner, a local writer and counselor who guides participants through art therapy, embarked on a journey of collaboration together with her academic friend professor Frans Bezuidenhout.
A merge between Myra’s very unique model of ‘endopathy’ and Frans’s model of ‘self-relational discovery’ are currently been used internationally as a tool to assist individuals with understanding and enhancing themselves - contributing to both their own and the lives of others.
What is endopathy?
In a nutshell, endopathy refers to both the "inside" (from the Greek borrowed prefix endo) and a feeling of strong emotion for the suffering of disposition of others (through the affix pathy).
"In essence, it refers to a desire to relieve souls from their burdens, but never taking control over the life of another.
"It implies that the healer and receiver move onto a common level of sensoric nearness," explains prof Bezuidenhout in the postscript of Myra’s book Patchwork People.
In his description of the difference between endopathy and empathy, Bezuidenhout refers to endopathy as "a step further, as it requires that individuals first cleanse their souls before being able to enter within the soul of another.
"It also requires honesty and openness with the self, allowing individuals to take responsibility for ownership of their life, before enabling others to journey this path." (Lochner, One Small Candle Lit, postscript by Bezuidenhout).
But what does this all mean in practice?
Myra invited me to participate in one of her workshops where the essence of endopathy is explored through poetic expression.
Working through the pain
Most of the participants at the workshop have experienced some kind of loss which has not yet been fully dealt with. Each are there in their own accord, but with a shared consciousness, linked to memories, experiences and grief.
Myra took us on a journey recalling any memory, deep or fleeting, from our total existence since childhood. We sucked strawberry flavoured sweets, touched fluffy toys and inhaled perfumed cotton wool, jotting down any memory in the form of a word, phrase or sentence that sprung to mind through al of the above exercises.
"In this way a vast spectrum of emotions may be opened up by intuition, transcending the cognitive and even the experiences from which they sprout.
"Feelings like anger, fear, guilt and sorrow, may be expressed in order to arrive at the wondrous surprises held by the rediscovery of love, hope and faith," Myra explains in the foreword of her book Patchwork People.
Combining memories
Through a combination of everyone present’s individual memories, we wrote a poem - guided by Myra - about loss, grieving and finding hope again.
No one there perceived themselves as writers or poets, no one expected to be able to make a worthwhile contribution. But the feeling of mutual understanding and expression through words wove total strangers together with the silky strings of a spider’s web, covered with pearly dewdrops, quivering in life’s wind.
Healing through creation, exploring the power of words and the process of spiritual growth - together we understand ourselves so much better.
Michelle Blanckenberg
Journalist: George Herald
044 874 2424 / 082 595 0154
GEORGE, SOUTH AFRICA
Author notes
Michelle Blanckenberg attended my last KREATIV workshop on May 31, 2008. http://allpoetry.com/poem/4288054
Please read the work of Frans Bezuidenhout at the following link:
http://allpoetry.com/FransB
In a list
Comments
1 - 35 of 35
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The gift of healing those who feel broken is priceless and you my dear have a heart of gold.
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Very Interesting!!
Thank you for sharing your loving heart and your soul's wisdom with us 
for you've helped make our world is a better place!! Wishing all the best to you in all you do. Peace Always, Cyn
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Thank you so much, Cyn ...
for your enthusiastic comment. I would love you to become all part of KREATIV''s concept in healing ... for are you not all poets?
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Hi Myra,
Thank you for your thoughtful reply. In truth, Frans told me all about your work some time ago, and I have been looking over your pages... I had never heard of "endopathy" before so I looked it up, and after reading your pages, I have become somewhat more enlightened and very interested in your work.
It's also ironic that I have conducted poetry groups at the psychiatric hospital that I work for (as clinical social worker), for a couple of years now (as well as other groups focused on substance abuse, etc), and I've found the poetry groups to be very therapeutic for the patients. They love the groups, and the hospital has even published their poetry in a hospital news magazine for the patients (last names are not used for confidentiality). The hospital has also conducted poetry recitals for the patients, inviting everyone (staff & patients) to particiapte, and to observe in audience.
Your last message also intrigues me... as I am very much interested in your work, and wish I lived closer, I would love to join you!! I have already been thinking about buying some of your material - and if you know of any way, or if you have any ideas that could help lead me along the path you are on, I would be grateful, because I believe in what you are doing 100% and am fascinated by your ingenius muse!!
Sincerely,
Cynthia
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I'm "springheel"'s girlfriend. I signed up so that I could comment on this because he suggested it to me. He's right, I am always looking for new paths to enlightenment, or really to ease. This looks interesting. I'm not really sure what else to say, so hello!
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Hallo Kitiris!
Welcome here. I shall be of help in whatever way possible.
I hope you come to stay forever!
Love
Myra
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thanks. how did you come upon this technique?
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During my training as Social Worker ...
I saw some gaps in the empathic approach and seeing that my forté is group dynamics, I started to develop modules in healing on certain aspects I thought should be refined. To find a vehicle to carry expressed emotions was not difficult, for the spoken and written word fascinated me since early childhood. The real challenge is to UNBLOCK the participants in order to resocialize them, for many are taught to NOT express their innermost feelings. The inability to verbalize leads to feelings of inadequacy, loneliness, worthlessness, frustration, depression and even anger and self-mutilation. My task and sole purpose are to help people to heal themselves and to re-establish a connection between Creator and souls. As I am a Believer, this comes very natural to me, for I believe that the Holy Spirit acts through me and that I am merely obedient and a channel ...
Thank you for asking. -
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Here, here! Very Ghandi-esque, although it's not solely his idea I'm sure. I've been to conferences about personal views and the like, and always always the number one obstacle is flock mentality. Silence. I've been under the influence as well. Personally, the most valuable thing I've gotten from any conference I've attended is communion with others in a group setting, once all of the "shoulds" and masks of whatnots go away. It's traumatic for a lot of people, but in a birthing sort of way. It's kind of literal to get people together to experience that communion and also to talk about their childhood. Very to-the-point.
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This is beautiful. I'm certain my girlfriend would love your program. She searches for resolution to any of the terrible items that make up her past and comes short with each psychological endeavor. She is a poet of some talent, additionally. Too bad you are in south america.
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I am in South Africa Love ...
I shall do for her what I can. Ask her to contact me.
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wonderful excerpt... what it has always boiled down to, communication. Skills within society lack alarmingly, and this causes so much of societies ills... sorry, just my opinion, but I believe your approach will be quite effective in assisting people...
awesome stuff
peace and light
Rob.
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I do almost nothing ...
except doing in obedience ... Then all fall into place. Does that make sense? Thank you for reading and commenting, Rob!
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perfectly. instinct , intuition and faith would sum it up yes ?
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I think that's it!
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what am uplifting concept...I found it very interesting, especially when you wote on my page that you were endopathologic...I kinda scratched my head....glad I cane to look you up.
Shelly
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LOL you made me laugh, Shelly ...
for adding that pathological Hahahahaha I guess you can say that too, but actually I am endopathic. There is a difference of logic I think Love you!
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i thought this was good hun i might take this and use it in my life
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Ah Margaret!
Please do that! You will be surprised how it infectious healing is: when you are healed, you heal others too!
Love to you, Precious One!
Myra
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My goodness!
I wonder how I missed this. It is clear and assertive and a wonderful overview of the steps required for us to face!
I love it and it only extends your already brilliant application to the sub-conscious.
I will print this for the next reading in USA!
Love and blessings, Dianne the CookieZ
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Hallo Dianne Love!
Please know I am in spirit with you at your reading tomorrow! Wish I could be there.
I know you excel at all you do, and that God is with you every step.
All my love and blessings
Myra
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I had healing experiences like these and they are indeed very healing. Thank you for posting this for the audience at large.
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I am glad that you can relate to this, Zayra ...
there is no healing like healing by the Hand of Him who holds all wounded souls in His embrace. To see oneself in the hurt of others, by truly BECOMING them, speeds up the process.
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I'm glad this works for many, I'm sure it's a very worthwhile cause..
I've heard quite a few people say they find art a way to release or get in touch with pieces they've lost along their path, and for that alone it's not only worthwhile but irreplaceable.
Sadly for me it's never worked, but it's wonderful for those it can help.
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Liza ...
thank you for reading and commenting -- in your very special honest way.
Now: the beauty of endopathy is not in what your words do for you, but what they do for OTHERS with you in the group, or in your immediate family/community/work group. In the workshops modules are used to let you "step into the shoes" of others ... Writing poems with THEIR words; bringing solace to them ... and ... SUDDENLY you yourself are starting to heal!
You may see I said: starting to heal. I know of NO soul in this entire world who is TOTALLY whole or healed. Healing is a process; every day may inflict wounds (especially if old burdens are not discarded of) and every day may be a opportunity to heal. Healing is a constant conversation with self and with God ... and should become a conversation with those around us.
Ah, precious One, I would give my entire repertoire to have YOU in one of these workshops ...
I shall ... pray?
Love to you.
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You are welcome
Yes, I can see how that would work, very much so, as often when one realizes they have touched someone with their words there is a switch back from that perspective into the self, and suddenly .. when it is strong what one finds is that it isn't the words, but themselves they are seeing reflected.. and the power of that can be incredible..
I may not have worded that as well as I'd like to have, but hopefully you understood what I meant. I agree with you, healing is, and if someone were to ask me I'd say it's a lifelong process.. and that communication, real communication beyond all of what some consider customary is one of the very best places to start.
and yes I did see you said 'starting' but then even that is a huge thing.
I don't know about the thought of me in a group, as I usually don't thrive in them... but in my own way I give as much as I can.. for the same reasons, and each little piece I rediscover is a gem
but maybe someday
maybe..
and to you.
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The changes made in a persons spiritual growth are incredible when they start writing down their thoughts and feelings and memories, I have seen it first hand and I have made enormous progress too by expressing myself through writing. It's extremely therapeutic.
I have guided many people to writing as a way to express their feelings and promote healing and I would love to read your book Patchwork People and learn more about it.
This was a really insightful and inspirational read Myra, thank you.
Annie
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Annie ...
please send your postal address and your full name to myrataal@mweb.co.za with this request, and I shall post PATCHWORK PEOPLE to you. You may use the same approach towards healing in your community.
Thank you for a kind comment; I appreciate this.
Love
Myra
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this is very good and i liked it alot
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Way cool. What possibilities...
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A woman after God's own heart you are. This write is amazing to me. You are gifted in so many ways poetess, please say a prayer for me
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It is something of which you can be extremely proud, Myra. I don't understand the language and technical terms at times but I know a pure heart when I meet one. And it takes a pure heart such as yours to deliver a message of love, light and healing to a hateful, dark and desperately ill world.
Sincerely,
Leo Long
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This was very nice. You have found a window to the soul and opened it for many to let fresh air in. What a wonderful vocation to have!! We are blessed to have your presence and I feel confident in speaking on behalf of all the Earth on that point. YAY!
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myra
'n pragtige berig. My kop begin draai oor die moontlikhede. Hierdie verloopte Afrikaners ondersteun die Duitse sokker en bier tot die eindstryd!! Ek sal hierdie blad ook met jou toestemming op my blad lys. Liefde-groete. Frans
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Jong, daar wag baie werk as jy terugkom!
As jy eers in Barcelona was, sal ons die moontlikhede ondersoek ... Miskien loop ek ook weg ...
Dankie vir al jou ondersteuning en dat jy deur al die jare van die min akademici is wat verstaan waaroor dit werklik gaan in multi-dissiplinêre heling.
As ons die studente sover kan kry om abstrak te dink en ook hul kennis te integreer, en daarbenewens hul koppe kan krink sodat hul harte op die regte plek sit ( ) dan sal die wêreld heelwat anders lyk.
Ek wonder of ons Amerikaanse vriende kop of stert sal kan uitmaak waaroor dit gaan ...
Lekker bly ek is af vir 'n kuiertjie met 'n kollega.
Myra
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