Thanks for this conversation about “intention.” I have to admit some occasional
frustration with the larger conversation, because it usually takes a while for
me to track what aspect of intention we’re talking about. What about the
“intention” of assigning a representative to the role of the mother? Intention
is all over the place in constellations. ;-)
Having said that, I want to respond to the specific type of intention named in
Alison’s post, which in NLP is called the “outcome.” There’s a lovely set of
questions in NLP called the “meta outcome” questions. In response to the
client’s answer to the first question which is “What would you like?” the
response from the practitioner is: “That’s terrific. And what would having that
do for you?” (This can be repeated several times.) This allows for some
meaningful exploration of the consciously named outcome. The process either
solidifies for both client and practitioner the originally-stated outcome, or
it leads to a useful conversation about what might really be the truest desire
for the client. I often wish FC practitioners had this simple and elegant tool,
because it would help focus the work on what is truly at the heart of the
client’s heart.
Having said that, I generally find that the Field works with even the most
limited, unusefully-stated outcomes so that the resulting outcome is most
beneficial and (often unconsciously) wanted by the client. I’m sure we’ve all
seen that. So, I tend to trust the Field to work with our limited human knowing
about what’s good for us. ;-)
Peace, Leslie
The Rev. Leslie Nipps
NLP & Family Constellations Practitioner
“Trust as a Way of Life…”
leslie@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Co-Director, 2015 North American Systemic Constellations Conference in San
Diego on November 12-15.
Visit ConstellateUs.com/conference2015 for more information
On Apr 20, 2015, at 3:53 AM, Alison Fornes maitreya71@xxxxxxxxx
[ConstellationTalk] <ConstellationTalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Dear Community,
Thanks for this conversation about intention.
I understand and appreciate the thoughts about intention. In practice, I would
say that I probably hear the intention in the same way that I watch where
representatives are placed: as a information that the seeker is providing me
about the system.
Having said that, I don't know if that's appropriate. For why would I, as a
human facilitator, have any clearer line to the greater intent than the client
herself?
I am in an argument with myself here. For my response is that because my
intention is to have a perspective that is broader than the seeker and align
myself with the greater movement.
I understood when Chris wrote a while back about being clear with the client
(and ourselves!) about our position as a facilitator. If they come to us with
an intention, is it not also our place to be clear with them about our own
intention? Shall I say to them, "Thanks for telling me your intention, now I
will decide for myself whether to follow it."
Perhaps more honest to say, "hmm, I don't know if we shall meet that intention,
but from my place as facilitator, with the insight available to me, my
intention is to listen deeply and do the best that I can to bring ease."
That really is my intention: to shift the constriction in the field into
greater ease/flow.
I continue to feel a tension here-but honestly, I think that is between my
intellect or perhaps ego and my heart. Alison wants to heal, but when I'm in
the field, Seeing and not forcing "healing" is always where my heart leads.
--
It is the courageous heart that loves. It is the loving heart that heals.
alisonfornes.com
