In this episode, we invite you into a contemplative journey through the shifting landscapes of perception and meaning. Host Paul Whitehead (Vidyapala) draws on personal experience, Buddhist practice, and therapeutic insight to explore how our lives are shaped not just by what happens, but by the images, stories, and symbols we live by.

What if reality isn’t something we simply observe, but something we help create through attention and imagination?

Through reflections on meditation, moments of beauty and grief, and the role of imagination in therapy, this episode explores how mindfulness and creativity can transform the way we meet life. Listeners are encouraged to engage with their own inner images - not as fantasies, but as vital forces shaping their relationship to self, others, and the world.

My name is Paul Whitehead (Vidyapala). I'm a Gestalt Therapist working in Derbyshire, Central Manchester and online. More info: www.paulwhitehead.co.uk

In this episode, we explore what it means to truly listen and how we can speak with greater honesty and vulnerability. Guided by Rumi’s timeless poetry and Martin Buber’s reflections on genuine connection, we explore what it takes to meet others with openness and curiosity. We’ll look at the delicate balance between “I-It” and “I-Thou” relationships, the hurdles of expressing ourselves authentically, and the transformative power of deep listening. This episode offers insights and practical tools to help you cultivate deeper, more meaningful connections. Join us as we reflect on how presence, curiosity, and vulnerability can transform the way we relate to one another. My name is Paul Whitehead. I'm a Gestalt Therapist working in Derbyshire, Central Manchester and online. More info: www.paulwhitehead.co.uk

In this episode we dive into the profound connections between mental health and the social, political, and economic systems that shape our lives. Moving beyond the traditional individual-focused lens, we explore how Gestalt therapy, particularly through Field Theory, looks at the broader environment—class, power, capitalism—and how these forces influence our emotional well-being.

Inspired by the ideas in James Davies' Sedated and the radical critiques of Deleuze and Guattari, we challenge the medicalisation of mental health and discuss the real-world pressures that contribute to distress. What if depression and anxiety are less about internal imbalances and more about external forces? Tune in as we unpack these complex dynamics and consider how awareness of the "field" can lead to deeper healing and personal empowerment.

Join me as we explore the intersection of therapy, social change, and the need to question the systems that impact our mental health.

My name is Paul Whitehead. I'm a Gestalt Therapist working in Derbyshire, Central Manchester and online. More info: www.paulwhitehead.co.uk

In this episode, we delve into the complexities of growth, loss, and awareness, reflecting on the profound words of James Hillman: "Any time you're going to grow, you're going to lose something."

Through this conversation, we uncover the ways therapy helps us illuminate our habitual patterns, face our shadows, and embrace suffering as a path to deeper understanding. Drawing from the teachings of Carl Jung, James Hillman, and Buddhist practices, we explore how confronting discomfort and integrating our shadow selves can lead to greater awareness and more fulfilling choices in life.

Whether you're in therapy, curious about your own journey of self-discovery, or seeking to understand life's more profound questions, this episode invites you to reflect and grow moment by moment.

My name is Paul Whitehead. I'm a Gestalt Therapist working in Glossop, central Manchester and online. More info: https://www.paulwhitehead.co.uk/