Hello All,
Thank you, Alison for bringing this important and continuing question to this
forum.
Thank you, Eimear for bringing the specific issue out of the shadows.
Thank you, to all of the other teachers who have contributed so richly to this
thread.
For me, the Field does not rely on the form, structure or rules of
Constellations but rather, Constellations rely on the Field. Whether through
the process of Constellations or some other form, approaching this place
requires openness to wholeness: the deep place of silence, the grounded work of
analytical capacity and the personal power and maturity to find one's voice in
the co-creative process while respecting the process of another.
As Alison beautifully expressed:
"..it is Silence that holds the sacred.
It is also true that the sacred permeates all, and words can and do speak from
a genuine Truth - so it would be a misconception to say that words do not also
convey the sacred! (I don't know that anyone is suggesting that, I just felt
the need to acknowledge). Yet, we all know how words can distort and seem to
separate us from the deeper Truth. Yes."
While words can distort and seem to separate us from the deeper Truth, for me,
it is also true that a dogmatic "rule" of forced silence can equally distort to
the "Truth" - and enable denial of the "Truth". As many others in this thread
have pointed out, the dogmatic "rule" for silence is a very different thing
than the "guideline" and sacred need for silence - in the moment, within the
process - as described by Vinay, Anutosh and so many others.
I deeply value the questions and introspection that Katia invites us into.
I deeply value the clarity that Anni offers regarding the deep and pervasive
constructs that have historically commanded silence - falsely claiming
"sacredness" to gain and maintain power and dominance resulting in fear based
compliance to silence.
I deeply value Leslie's wisdom in reminding us of our tendencies for parental
transference. I do not look for the "Father" or "Mother". I look for the
"inspired teacher/ facilitator" who is humble enough to be willing to hear and
learn from the wisdom and voice of the student/seeker. When in the place of
"teacher/facilitator" I hold myself accountable to do the same - and know I
will be humanly imperfect at it.
If a question, or issue continually comes up for many and out of the larger
Field, perhaps the issue deserves wholeness - both sacred silence and sacred
voice. When we find ourselves as teacher, do we believe ourselves to be so
above our own humanness, our own entanglements, to not explore the intention
behind any "rules" of silence? Or the intention behind our judgments of who is
of value, who is "ready," or who is too small to be here or there?
Perhaps we are called to maintain full adult responsibility for our own
processes whether we are in the role of teacher or student. From the sacred
silence, from our own ancestors, we may find not only permission to speak, but
in some instances, even a responsibility to do so. While I may value and
maintain the Sacredness of Silence, I can also choose not to be silenced out of
fear. I look for inspired (and inspiring) teachers, colleagues and students who
are willing to include and embrace The Sacred Voice that comes out of The
Sacred Silence.
In Gratitude,
Carolyn
Carolyn Zahner, MSW, LISW, Inc
513-697-0260
Private Practice, Integrative Psychotherapy
www.carolynzahner.com
