Mindfulness

By Jim Pangrazio

Four persons in their early 20’s have decided that a more satisfying life may be achieved with a few minor social adjustments. Toward that goal they are participating in group therapy sessions conducted by Lauren, a practitioner of dialectical cognitive behavioral therapy. A certain camaraderie develops between all involved that eventually leads to Lauren's friend Miguel joining the group in a final informal session during which the two senior members recount the torturous processes, some of them related to their own experiences, that may lead to enough social adaptation for survival without the often required capitulation to its soul crushing oppressiveness.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jim Pangrazio
• Release date: Jan 12, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370034505

Jim Pangrazio

The general consensus is that change is urgent. Yet those claiming to work toward that end choose illusory paths that serve more as an impediment to the change they profess to seek. It is a closed loop -- a path that follows itself -- a safe at home tour rather than an expedition in search of wherever. My plays attempt to untangle the complex knots created by repeated trips to nowhere by focusing on the fearful simplicity of uncontaminated life where acceptance and rejection meet to hash out what's bothering them.

Book preview

MINDFULNESS

Published by Jim Pangrazio at Smashwords

Copyright 2016 Jim Pangrazio

ISBN: 9781370034505

Cast: Lauren, Brian, Melanie, Raymond, Julia, Miguel.

[Melanie, Raymond, Julia and Brian immediately before they join Lauren]

JULIA: (to those present) Don't you think it a bit strange – that we've come to meeting in advance like this? It's as if we were plotting something.

BRIAN: But we aren't really. I wouldn't even call it a meeting – more like a gathering.

RAYMOND: It's neither – it's a session. It is because we need gentle euphemisms to justify our presence. Let's be honest – life is a plot. We chose this arrangement; thus we are plotting.

MELANIE: For or against?

BRIAN: I wouldn't be a participant if I thought that had anything to do with our coming together. What's the sense of our even doing this if we think in those terms about –

RAYMOND: – I had nothing like that in mind. Life involves a plan. Isn't that like a plot? I'm always developing a plan when I enter new situations – How to proceed. It’s not necessarily for or against what other people are doing or thinking.

MELANIE: How dreary. I openly absorb the new and act on the spot. You can't plan your role in everyday interactions.

BRIAN: I've noticed – rather impetuous – (after Melanie glances at him) which I find rather charming.

JULIA: But seriously, if we all go in singly as we arrived we'd be chatting with Lauren and each other before it began and –

RAYMOND: Ah! – Julia gets it – Sizing each other up before we proceed –

JULIA: That's not what I had in mind – but, maybe –

BRIAN: Oh, come now! It's just that there is strength in unity – so when we go in there together – I mean, we all have a reason for being here.

MELANIE: Then it’s just the mildest sort of plot. (checking watch) In any case – It's time – Let's begin the unfolding.

JULIA: (as she moves toward door) – Just to be clear; I wasn't thinking in terms of sizing up anyone – I only meant –

RAYMOND: – That it's time to talk to your therapist!

(They enter a room. Lauren is seated at a table reading. Chairs for others are around the table.)

LAUREN: Welcome – Nice to see everyone is here for another session. It's great that you all troop in at the same time. That way we have a clean start.

(the four glance at each other)

JULIA: We're sticklers for time, Lauren – It's not as if – (catches herself)

RAYMOND: (under his breath) Jeez, Julia.

LAUREN: What's that?

MELANIE: Traces of the conversation we were just having.

BRIAN: We kind of enjoy each others company.

LAUREN: That's wonderful. Then I guess this has not been such a grueling experience.

JULIA: To be honest, I thought it might be. Dialectical Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Gee Whiz!

LAUREN: Unfortunately, that’s a bit of nonsense that we professionals have to present in order to get paid for our services, otherwise people will more easily recognize that therapy is merely an effort to improve a person’s condition; behavior is what will be adjusted toward that end; cognitive means we will use reason to effect the change; and dialectical signifies that humans are social with relationships the core of their being, and those cannot be less then two because there is always the other.

BRIAN: That’s plain and simple enough for a layman to understand.

RAYMOND: Yeah – It’s nothing like psychoanalysis.

LAUREN: Actually, the dialectical process encompasses the interactions of the human race, and subsumed among them is a concoction known as psychoanalysis. But enough shop talk. Has anyone acted upon the suggested task from our previous session: to focus on an incident in our everyday lives to the extent that we can experience how it affected us emotionally? – (Looking at clients) Anyone. (as she notices that Brian appears to want to say something) Brian?

BRIAN: Well, I had what was for me such an experience. Because yesterday was a picture perfect day, I decided to make a concerted effort to leave my stuffy den and get some exercise while mingling with our fellow beings. So I took a walk downtown. It was most enjoyable. I paid close attention to everything I saw. The sky – the clouds – and blue. The flowers in the window boxes before I reached the business district. Then the window displays – and the people. The way they were dressed. How they interacted – especially children with their parents or guardians. So natural and honest. I was feeling good in every way. My steps quickened. I breathed more easily and deeply. It was like I was one of those people – Enjoying the day like everyone else. Then I heard someone speaking through a sound system. I couldn't quite make out what was said, but I could see