Strength based approach

” The only real voyage of discovery exists, not in seeing new landscapes, but in
having new eyes.
 Story of Hanuman
As a child, Hanuman acquired a lot of boons from various gods. He was blessed with speed
and strength. However he was a mischievous child too.

He uprooted the trees, tossed the boulder and teasing the sages were his
favorite childhood play. He was absolutely uncontrollable.

Those activities of Hanuman were annoying and disrupted the sages

meditating there in the forest.
Infuriated, a sage cursed Hanuman to forget his all power and
strength. On the request of others sages and his parents, the
sage reduced the intensity of his curse saying that in his dire
need, his power and strength can be used by reminding him his
unparalleled power and strength.
Until and unless the capacity
of Hanuman is reminded, his
potential remains latent.

A situation occurred when

someone was required to
cross a huge ocean to reach
Lanka in the search of Sita,
who was abducted by Lanka
king Ravana.
Reminder of Hanuman`s power
Everyone was a hush in silence
including Hanuman.
Yamavant, a bear warrior, knew the
potential of Hanuman and the curse
was imposed on him.
He reminded Hanuman that the
crossing that ocean was nothing before
his power and strength.
After realizing his power, Hanuman
easily crossed the ocean and located
Sita. He incarcerated the land of the
demon king and helped Rama unite
with Sita.
Learning points

What can we learn from this story?

How can we apply these learning points to ourselves?

There is power and potential of Hanuman is hidden within everyone.

From time to time, reminders are needed to cross the ocean of obstruction

of life to meet the set goal as Sita for Hanuman and burn the impurities like

Lanka, and break the bondage of limitation as Hanuman did when Ravana

tried to bind him.

Implementing strength based approach
Principles

• Challenges are ever present

• Everyone has some resilience in managing adversity and

potential to change

• Move away from labels

• Relationship is key and important in facilitating change

Forming positive relationship with self
• Think of the strengths that you have. (Internal qualities and external
resources like relationships, reputation and etc).

• How did you manage to acquire them and sustain these qualities?

• Affirm yourself.
Affirm yourself
In all the world, there is no one else exactly like me. Because I alone
chose it. I own everything about me…my body, my feelings, my mouth,
my voice, all my actions.
Whether they be to others or to myself, I own my dreams, my hopes,
my fears. I own all my triumphs and successes, all my failures and
mistakes.
I can see, hear, feel, think, say, and do. I have the tools to survive, to be
close to others, to be productive, to make sense and order out of the
world of people and things outside of me.
I own me, and therefore I can engineer me – I am me and I am ok. ©
Virginia Satir, 1975
Maintaining wellness – having a balance
Summary
• Strength based approaches values one’s capacities, qualities and
potential.
• However it does not mean ignoring one’s challenges.
• Strengthening potential by fostering a positive relationship self and
others are important steps towards mental wellbeing.
• Having a balanced life helps to
THE END