Apr 30

Written by: admin
30/04/2009 9:58 AM

Often, when we talk of the "lived experience" or "experiencial knowledge" of living with a mental health issue, people don't understand what we mean. They feel that because they live with or, as in the case of mental health professionals, work with us, that they have this knowledge. Recently Dr. Linda Bayers, my Executive Director at work, came across this quote that I think explains it nicely. Thich Nhat Hanh is a Zen master, poet and teacher. This is what he says: 

"You cannot talk about apple juice to someone who has not tasted it. No matter what you say, the other person will not have the true experience of apple juice. The only way is to drink it" 

Roy Muise CPS, President, National Network for Mental Health 

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