I have been using the Integral map developed by Ken Wilber. It is the most inclusive and extensive map I have found. One of its main structures is the four quadrants; the inside and the outside of the individual and the collective. The integral map asserts that these are four native perspectives that need to be included for a wholistic view of reality. The other four main elements of the map are levels, lines, states and types.
One of the reasons I love constellations is that in my opinion all four quadrants are worked with, in my mind phenomenology is interwoven with ethnomethodology (or the shared interior or we space) and empiricism (who is where facing which way and having what individual physical or somatic experiences, do changes make things better or worse) and structuralism, what does the whole setup look like, what emerges when all the parts have been given a voice and included. That being said phenomenology is a critical component that seems to me to be directly connected to ones level of ego development and ones development of ability to enter higher states of consciousness.
Another reason I love constellations is its humility, it's acknowledgement of a larger ultimately mysterious spiritual field. I love that constellations claims not to have the answer but rather is a methodology for exploring the questions, for looking to find the love.
Inclusiveness, hierarchy and balance are important features of the Integral map. And I think Barbara makes a great point the map is not the territory.
And I think Chris is being very humble:)
Thanks for the thread Allison.
David SladeArboristSystemic CoachFamily Constellation Facilitator
On Apr 21, 2015, at 11:19 AM, Barbara Morgan theknowingfield@xxxxxxxxx [ConstellationTalk] <ConstellationTalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Interesting exchange. For me the map is not the territory and whilst I may have my own often unconscious assumptions and beliefs, if I work phenomenologically to the best of my ability, then I am guided by the field and what it brings via the embodied experience of the representatives. Yes words can be useful occasionally, particularly if they deeply resonate with the phenomenological experience of client and/or representative but for me, mostly words cloud or dilute the issue. Equally we cannot say most facilitators work in this or that way. There are now thousands of facilitators working in the field and many of them will not necessarily work in the same way every time. I think we need to be cautious about dogma or generalisations in our work. I recall somewhere Bert Hellinger saying this was one of the reasons he was initially against having anything written down. In response to Chris' comments I would come at it from the other end of the spectrum and see humility as the prime quality needed as facilitator. Many many times, as client, representative and facilitator I have witnessed constellations having effects which were nothing at all to do with the client's original conscious intention but nonetheless very valuable and very healing. I do not see this way of working as lazy or lacking skill. Following or responding can be much harder than leading. 'No action' is often much harder than 'action'. We have to be so careful of our egos in this work. We may think we are working in this or that way to influence the field but in the end the field carries us where we need to go. And why would you want to banish or send away anything? Everything and everyone belongs. best wishes from a beautifully sunny EnglandBarbara
Sent from my iPhone
On 21 Apr 2015, at 12:48, "Heiki Eesmaa heiki.eesmaa@xxxxxxxxx [ConstellationTalk]" <ConstellationTalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:To the point of what the map of family constellations consists of: I think we need to pay attention to how the limits of the use of representatives structures the body of knowledge we have. In a visualization you can banish or send away elements; if you send away a representative, he will sooner or lately knock at the workshop door and ask to be re-admitted :) So that might have to do a little with the principle of inclusion. The principles and tools mutually condition one another.
But as to the question of how the map shapes what presents itself when representatives are set up, I have been wondering about the same thing. There is shaping happening before the constellator visibly intervenes.
all the best
Heiki
On Tue, Apr 21, 2015 at 2:32 PM, Alison Fornes maitreya71@xxxxxxxxx [ConstellationTalk] <ConstellationTalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:Hi Heiki,
Thanks for your response. As a point of clarification, I'm not referring to the physical arrangements of the representatives as the "map".
Rather, what I'm suggesting is that in the subtle space of the Field, most facilitators make sense of that space by pairing their intuition with their "map". The map is made up of a set of principles, and insights/expectations from previous experiences and from other teachers. My wondering is to what degree this map shapes what presents itself when they set up the representatives.
In your question, for example, you named some of the basic principles Hellinger identified (exlusion, order, balancing give and take). This is your map (and mine as well, usually).
I am inclined to agree that different maps give different results. This is true in our ordinary physical space as well. Most western trained psychotherapists use a map (their understanding of the inner psychological space) that doesn't include an ancestors. From the view of most constellators, that map reveals a very limited landscape.
Your question of the many ways to do a constellation is a good one. Perhaps others will comment on that.
On Tuesday, April 21, 2015, Heiki Eesmaa heiki.eesmaa@xxxxxxxxx [ConstellationTalk] <ConstellationTalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:With classic constellations, the tools (setting up representatives) and the map (consisting visually of the ideal image of family and of the rules of systemic order) come together harmoniously. The image of the family would be much harder to work with purely in the mind's eye.
On the other hand, when using representatives in another map, yeah, everything seems to work, somewhat, but the field feels much less neat.
Also, in another map, there is a question as to what extent principles of family constellations apply -- yes, there are certain elements that must belong or be included, but what are these? How do we find out the hierarchy between them, assuming there is one? How to work with balancing give and take in another map?
Also, is the minimalist, so-called 'phenomenological' stance still helpful? (This one though I have the least questions about.)
I admit all of the above might be a question of developing the craft skills of constellation work, but perhaps the artistic vision is placing impossible demands on the craft? Sure you could do a constellation on muscle tension, but perhaps there is still a place for bodywork :/
all the best
Heiki
On Mon, Apr 20, 2015 at 5:09 PM, Alison Fornes maitreya71@xxxxxxxxx [ConstellationTalk] <ConstellationTalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:Hi all,
I'm fresh off of a beautiful weekend workshop facilitated by Jakob and Sieglinde Schneider, so I've got lots of thoughts I'm processing.
What I'm interested in are the maps that we use when we are in the Field. Clearly, all of us are familiar with and probably apply Bert's map, recognizing the orders of love and other dynamics at play. Franz Ruppert has a map of trauma that he applies with his constellations of intention (which I only know academically, not through personal experience). Other maps may be more shamanic, working with soul retrievals and fragments of the self, others may be from a psychological view of the interior, such as the inner child. Dan Booth Cohen uses a map of the Three Dimensions of Consciousness.
I am curious about our maps and how conscious we are of them. What I am noticing is how each map has it's own features, and through the observer effect, actually creates the landscape of the Field that we experience when we work.
I have had the thought that I would like to be knowledgeable of many maps, and intentional about which I am using each time I enter the Field.
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It is the courageous heart that loves. It is the loving heart that heals.
alisonfornes.com
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It is the courageous heart that loves. It is the loving heart that heals.
alisonfornes.com
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