As neither a client nor a practitioner I would
like to try and explore some thoughts.
I have delighted in being a representative. Each time I have had
the sense that the space is safe and supported by the facilitators and I am
therefore willing to take the step and let go of my apprehensions and
attachments to allow what may be asked of me to emerge when stepping into being
a representative. It is more that the vessel in the centre is being
worked on and those around ‘hold’ the space for change or movement to occur.
Sometimes
this is like the Jungian concept of alchemical transformation of the ‘shit’ or
shadow into gold. Anyway several thoughts arise around the topic.
The
title of this thread seems inappropriate. Suffering may be experienced but
also joy and resolution and a new beginning or insight. What we focus on
may
be what we get out of an experience – half full or half empty or it may
require time in the dark night of the soul before there is light and that we
are afraid of that because of a lack of understanding.
Each
time I have been to a workshop it has been a gift but one that takes time
to integrate and settle and so not something I want to
disturb, interfere with or load onto by attending another workshop. I
need months and occasionally years to allow the threads of the work to
filter into my life and that includes being a representative too. We don't
go demanding that a newly sprouted apple tree produce fruit, nor should we
expect the psyche to rush its gestation. This is not an on-tap, mass
production line work but work with the soul and therefore perhaps not
something that you should aspire to happening on regular basis.
Sometimes
people may come to a workshop to attend to an issue they have and then go
back to their outer lives attempting to integrate and still deal with the
challenges of work and their day-to-day lives. It may seem to them that
they do not have the time or energy for themselves much less for anyone
else.
Perhaps
it requires the practitioner to create a paradigm shift to allow
participants
to see that there is such a wealth in being a representative. I am aware
that Chris does this and as a result I think we all feel a sense of shared
journey and a lovely sense of walking together in facing issues rather
than a sense of 'you are alone' and 'I want this for me'. For me, it feels
as if we are all nurturing, working in the space together, not anyone at
the expense of another.
Sometimes
our working lives do not encourage the breadth and depth that perhaps we
need in a spiritual/soulful manner and this scarcity does not reflect on
the facilitator or the client's wish to be or not be a representative but
is just a perceived energy maintenance issue.
The
very difficulty we have in conveying what Constellation Work is about
means that people new, and not so new, may be prone to grasp at popular
or incorrect beliefs about what is 'best' i.e. doing your own
constellation as opposed to being a representative. The beliefs of the
facilitator in setting the tone may therefore greatly influence the group
dynamics. CheersSue
To: ConstellationTalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
From: chris@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Sun, 26 Jan 2014 23:30:12 +1100
Subject: Re: [ConstellationTalk] suffering from representatives
I agree Heike,
In my workshops & all the workshops and trainings I have attended, the majority
of people are actually keen to represent. While I believe the reluctance and
fear does exist, I also think it has been overstated in some of the posts over
the last few days
Cheers
Chris Walsh
Melbourne, Australiaph +61 (0)3 9487 4647
www.cwalsh.com.au
On Sun, Jan 26, 2014 at 6:46 PM, Heiki Eesmaa <heiki.eesmaa@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Very interesting thread! I didn't even realize so many people had some
adversity towards representing, somehow it hasn't ever been a problem.
Even contrary to adversity, much of the times even people without training in
energy work experience strong vital energy movements. Movements of the Soul can
be quite similar to Spontaneous Movement Qigong.
all the bestHeiki
On Sat, Jan 25, 2014 at 10:48 PM, Janice Crawford <jcrawford4000@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
I particularly liked Chris's suggestion. And in terms of anything additional,
it of course so much depends on what one sensed as a possible form of defense
against natural movements of love and service within this person. For example,
I wonder whether this client is someone with whom one might go a bit
scientific/logical? Perhaps speaking generally to those in the group who might
be having difficulty with understanding representing (vs. focused on him) about
empathy to both pain and pleasure being a naturally occurring quality in
infants - motor neurons, etc.,- that is too often injured by adulthood in many
of us. One might then gently question whether it would it be worth it to feel
some temporary discomfort as a representative if it also helps us more
pleasurably feel our own and others joy?
All the best from my igloo in New York City,Jan Crawford
On Sat, Jan 25, 2014 at 1:04 PM, Dan Booth Cohen, PhD <danboothcohen@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
Dear Meike –
In my experience, very few people are willing to offer themselves to go through
the pain of another person. I agree with the responses you received, especially
Sheila’s and Zaquie’s. That is why I am always willing to represent. However,
for most people, it is not something they want to do. For me, a good day is
when I can stand as a women’s sexually abusive grandfather, then as another
women’s kidney disease, and finally represent a man whose children won’t speak
to him. It heals and enriches me. …And, it’s not to everyone’s taste.
When I was in Norway this fall, I worked with a group of older men with
prostate cancer. The concept of standing in representation and allowing another
man’s hidden family soul to fill their awareness was entirely foreign to them.
They found the suggestion inappropriate and distasteful. Who is this crazy
doctor from America and what he is asking us to do?
The answer I have found is that very few people want to offer themselves in
this way. This is why I prefer to do personal Constellations in a 2-way or
3-way format. When I work with groups, my preference is that those who attend
are coming for a group experience built on ceremony and conceptual
Constellations.
Dan
From: ConstellationTalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:ConstellationTalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Maria Goossens
Sent: Saturday, January 25, 2014 5:47 AM
To: constellationTalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [ConstellationTalk] suffering from representatives
Hi,
One of my patients looked from the outside of the circle to a constellation and
wondered why representatives offer themselves to go through the pain of another
patient. I couldn't give a right answer. Six days later he repeats this same
question. Again, I wasn't able to answer correctly.
Has anyone an answer on this question ?
Thanks,
Mieke
Maria Goossens, MD
www.dokter-goossens.be
goossens.maria@xxxxxxxxxx
