[Adta] response to Lora, Jenn and Dani...

[Amanda Hsiu-ling Yang]

Dear all,

There was once I introduced myself to a psychoanalyst
and talked about DMT in a psychoanalysis conference.
After he listened, he only said "maybe your profession
has to think about what the body is without using too
much psychoanalytic vocabulary". I was stunned at
scene because it has been one of my most important
theoretical frameworks. I asked myself how to center
the concept of "body" in the oceanic theories and
practices. In addition to "psychological" body, there
are "philosophical" body, "social" body,
"transpersonal" body, of course, the "physical" body
and so on. I can't help delving into the abyss of
search. Search for what? I don't know yet.  

Dani's response has resonated my own experience of
becoming a more competent, congruent, and confident
DMT. When I first came back to Taiwan, my home
country, after I earned the degree from Drexel in
2004, it's been an urgent and crucial issue that
struck me on and off. Compared with DMT in the U.S.
and Europe, I pretty much called myself a pioneer in
Taiwan, which signified that I didn't acknowledge or
even depreciated those who were not professionally
trained, but still "dared" to call themselves DMTs.
Yes, I had been very "uprighteous", astringently
critiqued the mental health system and 
"ignorant"/"unethical" people. I also had sheltered my
insecurity in the umbrella of neuroscience, counseling
theories, psychodynamic vocabulary, etc., which
supported the "scientific" research in DMT. 

For what on earth was I reluctant to acclaim that
dance/movement "itself" heals without holding onto
other professions? Was it my own insecurity? my own
incompetence as an entry level therapist? my own
solitude? my fear of being mocked upon? my pride of
longing for professional acknowledgment? ... ... so
much to ask myself and the energy has swifted to a new
level. 

I realize that by learning all other professions is a
way to create a platform for discussion and
communication. It's human need to build connection and
maintain wholeness. It's a dynamic equilibrium between
sameness and differences, solidarity and discrepancy.
The more I'm equipped with other vocabulary, the more
able I am to connect with others, whether
professionals or ordinary people,  from all
backgrounds. It's like what we do, start from their
level and bring them to the next! 

I'm happy that I don't have to "fight" anymore. The
energy has transformed into an open creativity and
flexibility. Finally I learned to sail in the open see
with a compass in hand. It is freedom that grants
tranquility and vitality in the search for self and
professional identity.

All the best,
Hsiu-ling Yang, DTR.


       
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