SITUATION DISCLOSES LIFE DIRECTION: FELT SENSE OF A POSITIVE SITUATION

Context of the day: I went to a Women-In-Networking (WIN) holiday luncheon. I had fallen just before needing to leave and severely bruised several boney parts. I iced them a little, but had to rush off --- I am turning 62 on Dec. 24, and this enters into "feeling more fragile."

 

At the meeting, the Emcee, one of few men involved in the organization, told a story about how his single-mother mom had worked and sacrificed to make a home, a living, a life for her children. Throughout the entire telling, he kept completely choking up, being almost unable to speak, tearing up, but he continued on. Noone freaked out. Many people teared up along with him. Occasionally he would make a joke or articulate a point. It did not seem to phase him at all. His main point: (and this made him cry/choke up a lot!) That we here at WIN were supporting each other in a way that his mother did not have support, and how precious and important that was.

 

Then a woman minister spoke about her ministry, about "women who live dangerously," meaning "women who are willing to 'lose' their life in order to 'find' it" (I tear up a little here right now). She told stories of her own widowhood at age 45, about women in third world countries struggling to raise, not only their own, but children orphaned by AIDS. She told stories of how women seem to have a special talent for rising to the occasion in the midst of adversity, being able to pick up the pieces and go on, helping themselves and others. Again, many people were wiping their eyes and sniffling.

 

And I am sitting there thinking/feeling: this is what I am working on.

This calling of mine about integrating masculine and feminine, work and home, about the way in which "tears of being touched and moved" are our body's "signposts that we are on the path to profound meaning---and I wondered how I could remind these people of this teary and heartfelt experience they all went through, happily, in a holiday mood, when I proposed (which I was getting clarity on doing as a next step) that we add real Listening/Focusing Support Groups (for creative thinking, problem solving, and emotional clarity -- that these two things are not separate but go hand in hand) to the networking meetings that we have.

 

And, in there, is the crux of my work (at least in this area --- that leaves parenting support groups, relationship support groups, etc., etc.) -- but this thing right here is the crux about bringing work and home, masculine and feminine, thinking and feeling together in a business setting---

    4.  The "Felt Sense," The "Intuitive Feel" of a Situation-Allow 15 to 20 minutes

 

---Let's start with The Counting Meditation for initial Relaxation:

2 minutes

---Spend a few minutes coming to a peaceful place inside, noticing your breathing---

2 minutes

---Now, bring to mind an incident or a situation from the past week which feels unfinished, left behind an uncomfortable or confusing feeling---

2 minutes

---Set aside all your ready-made words or images, and try to get a fresh "intuitive feel" for how you felt in that situation, paying attention to the center of your body, around the heart/chest area---

1 minute

---Try to find some words or an image to describe the "intuitive feel" of it, The Creative Edge before words---

1 minute

---Keep checking until the words or image are just right.

1 minute

---Ask yourself, "What's that about for me?" and wait for a felt sense, an "intuitive feel" that is more than words, to form---

1 minute

---Find some words or an image to capture that "intuitive sense". You are letting your body's Wisdom tell you about the situation, instead of answering with everything you already know.

1 minute

---When you are ready, come slowly back into the room.

  Remember, it can be much easier to learn Intuitive Focusing in the company of a Focused Listener. You can learn all about Focusing Listening, and find resources and teachers, at the website for Creative Edge Focusing

 

You will also find this Getting a Felt Sense exercise in the Complete Focusing Instructions download, p.12 : B. Getting A Felt Sense #4: "The Felt Sense of a Situation". You get it by joining our e-support group for further support in practicing Listening and Focusing, or you can download it from the link at the top of any recent Creative Edge Focusing(TM) blog.

 

If you order our Self-Help Package, you can listen on audio CD Intuitive Focusing: Disk One , Track 12, "The Felt Sense of a Situation," with Dr, McGuire's peaceful voice to keep you company -- and help you stay on track!!

 

And many of these exercises are in the Spanish version of the manual, Focusing En Comunidad. Order from our Store Self-Help Manuals, CDs, DVD.

 

Kathy McGuire, Director

Located by Beaver Lake in Rogers, AR, our goal is to support people in the practice of listening/focusing skills, throughout the world, and for personal growth, interpersonal conflict resolution, and creative individual and group problem solving.

Disclaimer: The instructions in Creative Edge Newsletters are offered purely as self-help skills. In providing them, Dr. McGuire is not engaged in rendering psychological, financial, legal, or other professional services. If expert assistance or counseling is needed, the services of a competent professional should be sought.