Hi all.
Regarding narrative, I recently read (in Slavoj Zizek) of the
distinction between story and plot. Story is what happened,
while plot is how you have chosen to tell what happened, and
is more significant.
Ed
---- Original message ----
Date: Fri, 18 Jul 2003 11:53:37 +1000Ed Levy
From: Soni Stecker <literal@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [ConstellationTalk] I am Sam
To: <ConstellationTalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Dear Chris and all,
Some thoughts on the topic of constellation themes
in art and everyday life... I agree absolutely with
your statement that narrative (although distracting
from the issue in the actual constellation) can add
to the depth of our understanding of the work.
Since I've been doing constellation work I have seen
many movies (and read some novels) through that
lens, for example Last Orders, in which the adopted
son refuses to take over the (adoptive) father's
business. Of course narrative fiction often thrives
on conflict - without conflict and its subsequent
resolution, there would be no story to tell.
On a personal note, the themes of constellation work
have reverberated in our personal lives. My partner
and I began living together two and a half years ago
and his three teenage sons are staying with us once
a week and every second weekend. (I have no
children.) Their integration into our household
wouldn't have happened so smoothly had we not had
the understanding of the 'orders of love'. Because
we (the adults) are clear about our place in our
blended family, we are able to model a lifestyle
that gives every member their respective place. As a
result the kids have managed the transition in their
lives remarkably well: after overcoming their
initial reluctance they are now happy to stay with
us and their school reports have improved.
Reading Hellinger's books has made me more aware of
the importance of families and family ties and this
has also reverberated in my relationships with my
family of origin.
I think it's important to recognise and acknowledge
the influence of constellation work in our own
lives, not just in those of our clients.
With love and respect,
Soni
on 12/7/03 8:21 AM, Chris Walsh at
info@xxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
Thankyou Vera for Jalob Schneider’s article. It
would be great for us auslanders if someone who
sprechen zie deutch could translate even part of
it. – PLEASE!
On another note, I find it very validating when I
see reflections of Constellation work &
Hellinger’s ideas in day to day life as well as
in the arts. It certainly deepens my understanding
and appreciation of the work.
One example of this is the reconciliation between
the aboriginal community and the white community
in the case of Tuckiar which I recently posted. I
had another example recently when I saw the movie
(on video) “I am Sam” The summary is below;
Sam Dawson (Sean Penn) is a mentally-challenged
father raising his daughter Lucy (Dakota Fanning)
with the help of an extraordinary group of
friends. As Lucy turns seven and begins to
intellectually surpass her father, their close
bond is threatened when their situation comes to
the attention of a social worker who wants Lucy
placed in foster care. Faced with a seemingly
unwinnable case, Sam vows to fight the legal
system and forms an unlikely alliance with Rita
Harrison (Michelle Pfeiffer), a high-powered,
self-absorbed attorney who takes his case pro bona
as a challenge from her colleagues. Together they
struggle to convince the system that Sam deserves
to get his daughter back and, in the process, fuse
a bond that results in a unique testament to the
power of unconditional love
Sean Penn’s acting was as brilliant as ever.
This movie shows the relationship between
biological and adoptive parents. It illustrates,
very overtly, the same dynamics we often see in
constellations. Being a movie, it added the
dimension of a narrative or story, which we
don’t let into constellation work; because it
interferes with the phenomenological stance.
Nonetheless I believe these stories can add to the
depth of our understanding
Do other people agree or disagree with this?
Do other people have similar examples that they
would like to share?
hasta la vista
Chris Walsh
An Australian Constellation Website:
www.constellationflow.com
<http://www.constellationflow.com>
Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ADVERTISEMENT
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
ConstellationTalk-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo!
Terms of Service
<http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/> .
Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
ADVERTISEMENT
click here
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
ConstellationTalk-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo!
Terms of Service.
