(?)
Quotes are added by the Goodreads community and are not verified by Goodreads. (Learn more)

“One of the obvious implications is that a person will have to face the fact that she cannot meet other people’s expectations. This signals the end of what might be called the “camel” phase of human development. I believe it was Nietschze who suggested that for the first part of life, we are camels, trudging through the desert, accepting on our backs everybody’s “shoulds” and “don’ts.” Camels only know how to spit; they don’t think for themselves or talk back. As the camel dies, a lion is born in its place. Lions discover both their roar and the art of preening. The lion may be a little shaky at first, so support and encouragement are vital. But once the camel begins to die (e.g., signaled by depression), there is no turning back. Symptoms occupy the space between the death of the camel and the birth of the lion. A therapist can be a good midwife during this liminal phase.”

Stephen Gilligan, The Courage to Love: Principles and Practices of Self-Relations Psychotherapy
Read more quotes from Stephen Gilligan


Share this quote:
Share on Twitter

Friends Who Liked This Quote

To see what your friends thought of this quote, please sign up!


This Quote Is From

The Courage to Love: Principles and Practices of Self-Relations Psychotherapy The Courage to Love: Principles and Practices of Self-Relations Psychotherapy by Stephen Gilligan
43 ratings, average rating, 1 review
Open Preview

Browse By Tag