1
The true self is not encumbered by the limitations of a narrative. The true self is a being.
The true self is ever-changing, not stuck in the past. Our true self moves through the story and is not stuck in the story of who we believe we are. In traditional talk therapy, sometimes we get stuck in the why. You’ll come to feel that the 'why" isn't really important. Using AAIT™, we can switch from "why" to simply being; that is, directly experiencing our true self who is empty of thoughts and just “is.”
2
Taking responsibility for and tending to our inner state is the source of our freedom.
During our time together, you will learn tools and daily practices that allow you to take the driver’s seat in your life. This will allow you to take an honest look at areas of your life where you currently feel like you aren’t able to do that. When we tend to ourselves in this way, much like we do our hygiene, we recognize just how much choice we really have. I will guide you through this process of awakening to your own power.
3
Self-acceptance is a means and measure of well-being.
When we deny a part of ourselves, it affects us adversely. When we can profoundly accept the parts of ourselves that society, our families of origin, or even ourselves have once deemed unacceptable, we give ourselves the enormous superpower of showing up authentically in the world. According to AAIT™ founder Melanie McGhee, self-acceptance isn’t about liking or approving of, it is about feeling without resistance or denial. We will use self-acceptance as a way of knowing you are healing.
4
Integration of two opposing states can alleviate psychological suffering.
Giving a voice to an undesired thought, image, emotion or body sensation helps break up the power of it. It's like a hard block of concrete breaking up. When we can feel two choices (two opposing states) simultaneously, it helps us make intentional decisions from a less charged place. I will teach you how to do this during our sessions.
5
Resolving reactivity reveals higher states of consciousness.
When we go through life operating out of all the rules and shoulds that our society imposes on us, unaware of the here and now, waiting on some THING to bring us happiness, we are operating out of our conditioned self, in a lower level of consciousness. By resolving this type of autopilot reactivity, AAIT™ allows us to cultivate higher levels of consciousness: those times when you feel at one with the universe - when you look in someone's eyes and connect far beyond your own doing - when the perfect note is sung in a song - when the perfect dance is performed and the audience is quiet and in awe.
6
The non-dual states of empty consciousness are an indication and mechanism of transformation. Cultivating an awareness of these states contributes to increases in present-focused attention, empathy, self-compassion, and more skillful choices.
When I first experienced an AAIT process, the “pleroma” or non-dual state was as close to nothingness as I've ever felt. The more awe-inspiring moments or pleroma states you have, the less reactive you become, allowing you the space to make clear, crisp decisions about how to proceed in life (or not). You are able to be more in the here and now (which is all we really have) and be more mindful of the next step. The processes we do together will allow you to access these transformational states reliably.
From the Founder
“The non-dual states of empty consciousness are an indication and mechanism of change. Cultivating an awareness of these states contributes to increases in compassion and present-focused attention, and decreases in reactivity.”
— MELANIE MCGHEE, FOUNDER OF AAIT™