Grief, Letting Go, and Return
Joanna Naxton
August 3, 2026 DOI: 10.4324/9781003662686-12 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study |
|---|---|
| Key findings | Argues that releasing intellectual frameworks and embracing radical acceptance and nondual awareness can lead to profound emotional release and personal transformation. The author contends that being fully present without over-striving is crucial in therapeutic work with clients who self-injure, and that embodied, reflective exploration fosters a radical shift in relating to self, others, and practice. |
Abstract
This chapter captures the author’s deeply personal and transformative journey with the practices of nondual consciousness and radical acceptance. It sets out the struggle to release theoretical frameworks and intellectual defences, leading to profound emotional release and the eventual acceptance of aloneness and vulnerability. This inner journey parallels professional experiences, including autoethnographic study and therapeutic work with clients who self- injure, highlighting the importance of being fully present without over-striving for understanding or connection. The chapter culminates in a symbolic spa experience, where the stillness and sense of unity inherent in nondual awareness are vividly felt, illustrating how reflective and embodied exploration serves as a vehicle for personal growth, fostering a radical shift in how the author relates to self, others, and therapeutic practice.