a therapist who`s inspired you the most?I was enormously inspired by Halko, seeing his capacityto really touch the essence of people in a really briefmoment. I also have a great regard for a sort of fiercenessthat I see in Manuela, a real warrior woman quality that I love.What is Hakomi `Gai` style?Having fun and feeling at ease in myself. Learning to bein my `back` and holding my practice lightly. I supposetheres a generosity and a warmth that I like to bring.What sustains you on your personal journey?Nature, flowers, gardens, ancestors, music, the love of myfriends and my fantastic relationship with my daughter.Anything you want to add?Maybe my final thing is that I think I underestimated whata deep and profound process this has been. I`m really gratefulfor all the trainers and tutors along the great way.What brings you here?Roving journalist RYTA KUNCIUNAS talks to Hakomi student GAI LONGMUIRabout what first attracted her to Hakomi.18In our ongoing series that looks at common problems of therapeutic practice,Hakomi trainee CAROL PERRY invites Hakomi Teacher SUHARI BOHM for suggestions onworking with a meditation practitioner yearning for liberation.CAROL:Margie is a committed meditation practitioner. We have hadtwo sessions so it is very early in the process to be offering acase study. She is yearning for liberation and is looking for aBuddha as she put it to show her the way. I have been castinto that role.SUHARI RESPONDS:How do you as the therapist experience this transference?What does that evoke within you? Where do you gowith this demand?CAROL:There is also a belief about who am I to experience liberation?There is a lot of tiredness and along with this oceansof sadness sequencing into frustration and anger. There isprobably quite a lot to explore in the anger.SUHARI RESPONDS:She wants you to guide her towards liberation but is alsodefended against it. Who am I to experience liberation shesays? The tiredness suggests perhaps deep-seated angerand depression perhaps. Lots of energy is needed to holdit down. That is tiring.I wonder about her need to have somebody show her theway. It feels child-like, a child needing the guidance of anadult to show her the way. Oceans of Sadness about havingto know it all??? To be good, productive, etc. Experimentaround that. Notice what it is like when I take you by thehand and lead you? Two things might emerge: 1) resistanceor 2) relief. Also, further exploration around the tiredness,such as a probe It is OK to rest and study the defence.CAROL:It is relatively easy for her to access sensations and to see herresistance to having lots of strong emotions. There is alsostrong judgmental rejection of her resistance: I cant evenbe with whats there, and I know thats what I have to do.Along with this belief there is some shame.SUHARI RESPONDS:Suggestion of mindfulness and studying the defence,contacting, deepening keepening at the same time alsohonoring her defence. You are here working at the barrier,no nourishment is getting through.It is really hard to hang out with that huge level ofjudgment and shame around not getting it. Lots of supportis needed. Really supporting the child that was shamedabout NOT GETTING IT. Also