Turning Point

TurningPoint

Water drops on top of a rock. The first few drops run off randomly, one going here, another there. As the flow of drops continues, a pattern develops. A few more drops go this way than that. The tendency increases; drops flow somewhat randomly but more and more converge. There comes a moment, a "turning point," at which randomness stops. The drops flow down one part of the rock and no longer in other paths. Occasionally there is an errant drop going in some other direction but there is no longer any doubt that only one path prevails. After the turning point there are still changes, the path narrows and becomes more defined; the water wears a furrow, then a cleft in the rock.

Until the turning point all changes are temporary and there is the potential for the water to change direction. After the turning point, there is only one path. While it could still be disturbed by some strong outside force, it is essentially assured.

So it is with our lives, our emotions, our behaviors, our wills, and our spirituality. Whatever the grounding we begin with, we can experience a change for wholeness, health, love, grace and compassion. Our emotional problems come from many sources. Aside from organic dysfunction, however, they are changeable, though often with assistance from some trusted helper. By examination, decision and experience we are brought to the turning point. Every major spiritual path knows this. The Buddhist speaks of enlightenment. Enlightenment is not the end of a search but it is the beginning of true change. After the experience there is little likelihood of going back. The path of enlightenment requires diligence, but is not a burden, it is simply "the way." Christians also use a similar metaphor. They speak of a turning around. It comes from the Greek word Metanoia. After metanoia, setbacks may occur but they will not threaten the basic direction of life.

Twelve step programs, while stressing that life for those afflicted is a constant recovery process, also acknowledge that there is a turning point when certain commitments become central to the way the recoverer approaches life. These commitments don't guarantee success, but without this turning point, no life improvement is possible.

A similar central theme permeates the work of many counseling modes. Decision therapy, cognitive behavior therapy and Emotional Retraining help a person become self-aware and come to the turning point. They then provide a supportive environment where new ways can be learned.
For those who are distressed with emotional problems, marital difficulties, direction of life questions, relationship issues, challenges of moral choice and professional issues, the same principle applies. Therapy is less the need than is a counseling process leading to a turning point and support in further growth afterward.

The turning point is not the end of the process, but it is the keystone for spiritual and emotional health. It is the point at which the path of growth becomes clear and deviation from that path becomes almost unthinkable.

TurningPoint is based on this premise. The key to a full and joyous life is self-awareness leading to the TurningPoint and thence to Holy Awareness and Health.