CHAPTER 1

Despite being a doctor, my blush phobia was actually cured through Morita therapy. 

 It all started when I was in high school, with a comment from a classmate. As I mentioned in my introduction, my motivation for getting involved in Morita Therapy was via my own experience. 

  Morita therapy has freed me from the blush phobia that was so debilitating, and has allowed me to move forward - despite my fear and anxiety. 

I know there are many people all over the world who have the same problems as I do, and face the same difficulties every day. I hope that you, too, can be encouraged to overcome your own problems, through my experience of Morita therapy.... 

 ....This ability to: do what you need to do, even while feeling scared and nervous is what I call the "First goal!" 

I advise my patients with interpersonal phobias, including blush phobia, to aim for this, first and foremost. 

For those who are struggling: 

This is the most important stage of your training! 

Many people have setbacks at this early stage ...

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CHAPTER 2

The recent increase in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder [OCD].

 Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a disorder characterised by two things: obsessions and compulsive behaviour.

 

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a particular thought, or obsession, that won't leave your head. 

You get sucked into its depths as you attempt to rid yourself of it. 

When it is compounded by continued behaviour, it becomes an obsession.... 

 

 ...Dr Morita says obsession is 

"always trying not to feel a particular thing and therefore becoming constantly afraid of that thing." 

He lists many types of OCD phobias...

 

CHAPTER 3

When you are restricted [held captive] by your phobias - you are like a closed or only half-open umbrella. 

 ‘The captive state’ is like a closed, or half-open umbrella! 

  Walk Training Therapy is like one single strut of an umbrella. 

Your ability to walk, or ride a train is like when that one strut of the umbrella beginning to open. 

 Then, as that one strut opens, the other struts begin to move… and the whole umbrella begins to open. Likewise, as you slowly ‘open’ you will be able to do more things! 

You will be able to meet people. Your relationships, such as parent-child relationships, or marital partnerships will also improve!

 In the final stage, all the struts of the umbrella are firmly open. Likewise; your heart will open up (like an umbrella) with a snap! 

I have seen many such examples of this, through my patients' experiences. The previously mentioned patient is a classic example of this ...

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PURE HEART

“Pure of heart” [Illustration above] means: 

By nature, your heart is both pure and innocent. 

 For example: 

If you break a teacup - you say "Oh, no!” Then you quickly pick up the broken pieces. 

This is ‘Pure of heart’. 

There is no excuse for breaking the teacup - nor is there regret or remorse. 

"I shouldn't have been so careless!" 

or 

"I should have been more careful!" 

are not ‘Pure of heart’. 

 This 'Pure of heart' is the first feeling of realisation. 

Or, as we say in Zen, 

‘SYO ICHINEN' [初一念: '1st thought’]. 

 Bear this in mind; when you encounter a similar situation, and you won't repeat it. 

All the excuses, regrets and reflections that follow are nothing more than Zen's ‘NI NEN’ [二念: ‘2nd thought’] and ‘SAN NEN’ [三念: ‘3rd thought’] etc that cloud your initial feeling. These, then, become ‘hesitation’ [迷い]. 

So - we make the same mistakes; over and over again. 

 [Note: You might think of how we say ‘Live in the moment’. And after a problem: ‘What’s done is done’ Also ‘Regrets are futile.’]

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ABCD Morita

....The ABCD Morita way of dealing with daily life. 

 [NOTE: During this current COVID-19 PANDEMIC with major disruptions to our daily lives and routines ABCD MORITA may be VERY HELPFUL.] 

 ABCD Morita - catagorize daily activities: 

 'A' - Important things to do. Study, work on your computer, verbal communication, etc. 

 ‘B’ - Fun things. Watching TV, listening to music, reading magazines, comics, etc. Play with pets, make crafts, eat sweets, etc. 

 'C' - What you should do on a daily basis. Cleaning, tidying, laundry, cooking, writing letters, etc. 

 ‘D’ - Necessities of Life. Eating, toiletries, washing up, bathing, sleeping, etc. 

 Change between these A.B.C.D.s - one after the other – doing them for 5-10 minutes per activity. 

Don’t do more than 30 minutes at the most, and keep randomly changing activities, one after another.

 [Example] A → C → B → A → D → B → C........

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Dr Morita's words of support.... 

in times of trouble.  

..... Morita sensei's words help me a lot - when I am feeling ‘stuck’ or in trouble. He offered this advice: 

"JIJITSU TADASHIN" [事実唯真: to be factual and realistic]. He also advised: "FUAN SOKU ANSHIN" [不安即安心: Peace comes through worry.]

 Anxious feelings are always harrowing, unsettling and stressful. However, relief comes not in calming these emotions. 

Relief is gained when you are able to achieve everything - even with an anxious mind....

 

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