This co-counselling manual has the character of a starter. Where you start is by discovering you can change. However, as you continue you find that many of your Distresses and Patterns--though in some ways very individual--are in other ways shared. Not odd, since we acquire our Patterns in our families and schools, with our friends. So our 'individual' Patterns link into 'society's Patterns', and particular social forms depend on individuals possessing particular Patterns. Think of the interlock of 'oppressor' and 'helpless victim' Patterns. Consider for example these elements in the relationships men-women, white-blacks, adults-children, rich-poor.
As people learn to change themselves they soon come up against society's Patterns. Thus Richard learned to give more support and challenge to the medical students he teaches, rather than crushing or spoon-feeding them, and then he became aware of the oppressive character of the medical training institution. As we attempt to change society we experience our own shared 'social Patterns'--a peace group may fall apart due to angry quarrels over tactics, or left wing movements may have very sexist behaviours.
We are truly social creatures, the personal and the social cannot be held apart. Readers looking for accounts of the wider applications of co-counselling could start by reading materials published by Rational Island Press.
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