Why I Chose Phenomenological Study for My Recovery and Life Coaching Journey
My journey through a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) was a significant challenge that reshaped my academic and personal life. Overcoming this injury became a core part of my identity, leading me to seek a pathway that offered both therapeutic and philosophical insights. Phenomenology, a philosophical methodology, became the guiding light for my recovery and inspired my current role as a Life Coach.
From Traumatic Brain Injury to Cognitive Therapy
My struggle with a TBI, combined with the desire to recover cognitively, led me to pursue cognitive therapy as a means to regain my mental abilities. During my community college years at Central Catholic of Pittsburgh, I enrolled in diverse psychology and philosophy courses in the hope of finding a school of thought that resonated with my experiences. It was here that I discovered phenomenology, a perspective that spoke directly to my journey.
Phenomenology: A Guiding Light
Phenomenology, as taught at Duquesne University, provided the framework I needed to understand and develop the resilience required to face my injuries and their aftermath. This philosophy, rooted in the study of the structures of experience as experienced, offered a profound exploration of consciousness, identity, and the subjective experience of individuals.
Transition to Graduate School and Beyond
After completing my undergraduate studies, I continued my academic journey at Grand Canyon University, while still carrying the principles of phenomenology with me. Today, I am a phenomenological Life Coach, utilizing the insights of this field to help others navigate their own challenges and achieve personal growth.
My Epiphany and Personal Perspective
At the age of 12, a profound epiphany struck me while doing schoolwork. I realized that despite the daily restrictions I faced, my mind could be an limitless space of thought and imagination. This revelation became the foundation of my personal philosophy. I dedicated myself to understanding as much as possible about phenomenology and metaphysics, treating these knowledge systems as a religion that provided me with the moral and ethical grounding I needed.
One of the most intriguing aspects of this journey was the realization that my spiritual grounding, which was as solid as I could comprehend, was rooted in the incomprehensible: consciousness itself. This concept, which I equate with the notion of God in my personal beliefs, provided me with a sense of absolute freedom and control. It enabled me to stay within a state of grace, constantly affirming my own existence and the boundless potential of my consciousness.
Conclusion
The choice to pursue phenomenological study was not just a scholarly decision but a deeply personal one. It has informed my recovery, my academic pursuits, and my current role as a Life Coach. Through the lenses of phenomenology, I have found a way to navigate the complexities of consciousness and identity, and to approach life with a profound sense of freedom and purpose.
If you are struggling with your own challenges or seeking to understand your identity and consciousness, consider exploring the principles of phenomenology. It may provide the insights and inspiration you need to transform your life.