A Divine Presence
A sacred window into psychotherapy rarely spoken aloud—healing the spirit and the soul—bringing together the mind, heart, and body in a way that reveals our truth.
Many therapists avoid talking about the spiritual, afraid it might make their work sound less scientific—or evidence-based. But in protecting their credibility and checking all the boxes, they risk losing touch with what gives their work its soul—the very source of healing we hope to help others find.
I’m proud to share that I once had a hard time saying the words “Core Self.” I worried I’d be seen as a little hokey—maybe even “out there.” In truth, I couldn’t yet see that the Core Self is who we were always meant to be. And who I was meant to be is a reflection of God.
Oh no… did I just step over some kind of holy, therapeutic line? I keep hearing my patients ask that famous question, “Why did this happen to me?”—or “Why me?” for short. And I say to myself, “I’m not God—or anyone’s higher power.”
I'd better give a reference and explain why I think this question is important. After all… that’s what I’m trained to do.
As the “good book“ says, we are created in the image of God—a reminder that the divine exists within us all. Call it what you like. It’s our humanness—the capacity to sit with both light and darkness side by side.
It’s the holding together that helps us appreciate life—and awakens the healing capacity already within us.
Without pain, we would not know joy. We need not fear or deny either. They are part of the human experience that can help bring us together rather than tear us apart—by shunning or trying to remove what makes us different.
That would be like amputating a part of ourselves we didn’t like, or that was in pain—like our parents tearing down part of the house we grew up in just to throw bigger parties, or make room for the boat. Sometimes the solution is part of a larger problem.
Even though our differences can feel threatening at times, welcoming them into the room helps us remember that those very differences are what make us whole. We can’t exist without them. That’s what makes us perfectly human.
That’s what helps us move beyond therapeutic presence—into Core Self presence. It's a sacred force of strength shining brightly in our hearts, quietly connecting us as one—nourished by the light and love that sustain us, not by others’ approval.
In a quiet moment, place your hand on your heart and listen as you watch the video below—Einaudi’s “Nuvole Bianche.”
“Be patient, little ones. Bad things can happen to us, but you are not bad—and are not being punished. You didn’t deserve the pain you went through. It’s just part of our journey. The adult you’ve become is leading the way. You’re home now, and you’ve always been here.”
Like the fairytale “The Emperor's New Clothes,” healing often begins the moment we dare to see what’s been right in front of us all along. This is the real antidote for trauma—the simple, sacred act of seeing and honoring what’s true. When we honor each moment fully—without rushing—we transcend time itself.
That's our Core Self, the spirit of God within us. We all hold the power to use it—to heal and be healed. It’s our soul—and science can be a part of it if we keep an open mind and heart.
We don’t need to know all the answers to life’s mysteries. It means a lot just to know the questions, and to remember that there will always be things we don’t understand.
You don’t need to believe in God—have the courage to believe in yourself, and hold onto your emotional integrity. That’s how the spirit of God within you becomes real.
Sleep well—live better. Awaken to the light within, welcoming the “White Clouds”—a loving reminder that light and darkness belong to the same sky.
And if I should die before I wake, you will know that I am still here, celebrating life.
Like this music, we are a blessing to all.
That’s the light of invisibility, proclaiming our greatness—a divine presence.
Nuvole Bianche—White Clouds… from the clouds we see above to the light we feel within.
Confidentiality note: Any resemblance to your own life is both coincidental and universal—reminding us that our stories echo one another in the shared fabric of human experience.
Comments or questions? Email me at mcecilvt@aol.com. Feel free to share these words—and this blog—with anyone you hold close or long to be held.
Dr. Cecil is a licensed psychologist, certified AEDP supervisor, approved EMDR consultant, and senior CSRT consultant. He specializes in treating complex relational, developmental, and transgenerational trauma, bringing therapy to life through heartfelt stories and images of connection and healing that emerge from the light of invisibility.