Dear Friends,
I do have some reservation about facilitators directing / instructing
representatives and the idea of suspension of disbelief. My preference is a
deeper sense of respect for the participants and the wisdom inherent in the
field. I feel that providing options, invitation and suggestion is more
appropriate, more respectful, more open, more allowing and ultimately more
healing. Haven't they been directed and instructed enough already?
In my experience the magic manifests in a constellation not because the
representatives can keep their own unresolved issues and energies aside but
exactly because they can afford to be honest and tune into their own
feelings and energies.
Best wishes to all,
Robert
On Mon, Jan 27, 2014 at 6:05 PM, <lynxdn@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Wonderful thread!
I will share my perspective as a committed representative who will not
pursue becoming a facilitator.
Some of the comments about the off-time ruminations of representatives are
apt: "Am I an imposter pushing my own stuff into the field?" "Strong
feelings emerged that I didn't understand." "I liked constellations, I
guess, but I will avoid doing that again." Etc.
There are other pieces as well. Representatives are asked to say and move
about under someone else's direction—that is, the facilitator will direct
the actions of the representatives. Maybe some people are not used to that
degree of deference, even if temporary?
I have a background with emergent social and psychological practices, such
as Neuro-Linguistic Programming and Open Space Technology. I also attend
an occasional improv acting class and am a regular fan of live theater.
One of the assumptions of theater (and movies, etc., even popular songs)
is the suspension of disbelief. I feel the same suspension when I attend
constellations. This may suggest a tact when introducing constellations to
the circle at the beginning.
I share this with a bit of hesitancy, as I find many introductory talks
too long and would prefer the facilitator break them up and intersperse the
content throughout the session. In the legit theater the expository parts
used to be all at the beginning when two characters gossiped in such a way
as to bring the audience up to date. Playwrights don't do that anymore, and
I think facilitators might take a cue from that.
It might not take more than a sentence or two about "suspending
disbelief." In a way, this is a counterweight to how families pass along
psychological distress—an experience is too vivid and chronically
believeable.
John Perkins, Seattle, 206 524.4496
