In my experience, low workshop participation has nothing to do with wanting to
represent or not represent. In most English-speaking countries, only
lip-service is paid to the value of the family, while in fact it is the
individual that is actually valued. I believe this is the obstacle.
In addition, it seems that most successful facilitators were successful
therapists before adding constellations to the mix. They therefore had a pool
of people to introduce to constellation work, that already knew and trusted
them.
Sent from my iPad
On Jan 26, 2014, at 11:01, "Dan Booth Cohen, PhD" <danboothcohen@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
Hi Chris –
Reflecting on your thought that the reluctance of most people to represent
has been overstated, if the majority of people are keen to represent, then we
would expect attendance at Constellation workshops to grow. People would
return again and again to groups and they would bring friends and loved ones
to stand in representation. From a monthly group of 12 workshop participants,
in a year’s time, the facilitator could expect to have 20 people attending
twice-a-month groups. After 5 years, they would be having weekly workshops
and students from their training programs would be having regular monthly
groups.
Fifteen years after Hellinger introduced Constellations in English speaking
countries this is far from the reality. Many of our most senior facilitators
have only monthly groups. Many others have left the scene because too few
people attend group workshops to make working as a facilitator sustainable.
The situation is different in Non-English speaking countries.
Chris, if your sample is people in a group workshop, then I agree that the
majority are keen to represent. But if you look at the broader sample of
people who are invited who decline, those who attend one or two workshops and
then stop, and how many participants return with friends and loved-ones, it
supports my view that the majority of people are not keen to stand in
another’s painful field.
I am not meaning to be discouraging or depressing. In my view, the
Constellation experience remains the most potent, beneficial and
cost-effective therapeutic modality available. In terms of how good they are,
my high aspirations keep being confirmed and exceeded. However, I feel that
the classic way of delivering them is an unsurmountable barrier to their
becoming widely available. There are many effective and efficient ways to
provide the healing experience of a Constellation besides personal therapy in
a group setting. Our dependence on the willingness of a group of strangers to
pay money and devote a day to standing as representatives in other strangers’
Constellations is a big obstacle.
The answers provided in this thread to Meike’s patient’s question are all
valid. And still, the majority of people when provided with these answers
will say, “No thank you.” What makes most sense to me is offer Constellations
to people who want them; representatives optional.
Dan
Family Constellations Intensive in Ireland
http://hiddensolution.com/ai1ec_event/eire2014/?instance_id=176
From: ConstellationTalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:ConstellationTalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Chris Walsh
Sent: Sunday, January 26, 2014 7:30 AM
To: ConstellationTalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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, Australia
ph +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 best
Heiki
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
