In response to Larry, Bruno and Phil:

I am fascinated with the discussion as it evolves, and here add some of my
input.

I have come to believe that it is impossible for me to think of anything or
anyone without projecting. As a therapist with a client, I am aware of my
projections. Sometimes in supervision, I find that I have not been aware...
that my projecting has altered the homeostasis of the encounter. When I
catch my self actively projecting, I consider self-disclosing this to my
client, as I have often found this models for the client 'projection' and
adds integrity to the therapeutic process.

It has been my experience that 'projection' is generally regarded as 'bad',
something that one ?shouldn?t? do. How can this be? Is 'good' not
projecting? (From a pathological view, projection can and is often harmful
to a person who is not aware of the consequences of their projections). I
see my work with my self and with those I come into contact with as
arriving at clarity and understanding... of creating something greater than
isolated entities. This is a personal projection on my part coming from a
core paradigm of mine -- 'understanding and being understood'. All my
defence mechanisms are doors to my self. When I am ready I can chose to
open them. I have opened many doors; I have many to open.

My view of reality is subjective, I do not see how can it be otherwise.
I am my own field, and depending on the context I exist in, in the here and
now, I change my field. When I experience sensory input, my thinking
process incorporates my family history, my education, my culture, my
experience up to this moment. I feel something emotionally, physically or I
suppress feeling. Then I will exhibit some behaviour reflecting what has
occurred in my field.

I also accept that there is reality independent of me that paradoxically I
am a part of. When I cease to exist, this reality will continue, only
without me, my awareness of it. Then again, maybe my spirit will continue
to exist with awareness after death, I don?t know.

Whenever I/we introduce someone to a Gestalt figure/ground drawing? what is
the reality here? I can see a field that embraces all of the positions
represented in this thread. For me this is the beauty and brilliance of
Gestalt. I can not think of a polarity that reflects the absence of field.
Even the Void is a field.

Strawberry fields forever,

Ron