Shudosho means "Learning the Way". The term was coined in the 15th century by Zeami who co-founded classical dance drama in Japan. He was a Buddhist who believed that dramatic performance should enlighten the audience.
The individual skills of the performers were harmonised in an attitude of mutuality in relation to the group. The Shudosho concept can then be seen as a dance of mutuality and harmony between the individual self and the group or environment.
In practice much contemporary psychotherapy integrates eastern practice as is evidenced by the widespread use of Buddhist meditation techniques. Coupled with this has been an enormous amount of neuro-biological research attempting to relate psychopathology to brain activity. Concepts of mind, self and consciousness are considered to lie in implicit relationship to brain function. Any understanding of self then must parallel understanding of the underlying neuropsychological functioning of the brain. The Shudosho notion of insight reflects understanding of psychopathology within the context and limitations of current neuro-scientific knowledge.
In terms of brain development viewing the massive expansion of our brains (particularly the cortex) in the last 2 million years from an evolutionary perspective seems to make sense. This would clearly have vastly improved our survival chances and would have led to considerable change in our characterological patterns of functioning, our psychological survival drives and our neuro-biological behavioural styles.
Shudosho is a programme for those who are unhappy with their lives for a variety of reasons. Some have been diagnosed with anxiety or depression and others just have this gnawing sensation within themselves that life is somehow incomplete and unfulfilling. The Shudosho premise is that if you do not express your actual self you will continue to live an unfulfilled life and that the more you express this authentic self the more contented and secure you will become.
The Shudosho definition of enlightenment is nothing very complicated. It is just being who you actually are in other words being your awakened self. You can do this much more simply and easily than you think. Just try it.