What are the typical starting places for doing Focusing? Read on…
Dale writes:
When I’m bothered by something a feeling comes naturally to my body—usually in my stomach—and I do the steps: sensing, saying hello, etc.
However, and this is my question, when I ask myself “how are you doing today?” as suggested in another of your videos I don’t sense anything. Not emptiness or numbness, just nothing. It’s like my body only wants to communicate spontaneously!
Dear Dale:
I hate to take back something I said in one of my videos! But actually, saying “How are you doing today?” isn’t the most facilitative thing to do.
Truthfully, I don’t do it much myself!
There are three common starting places for a Focusing session, and “How are you doing today?” isn’t one of them.
The first is what you do: starting with a feeling that has already come into your body.
The second is to start with an issue or question that you want to know more about. For example: “What’s in the way of finishing that project,” or “That whole thing about talking to my partner about money.”
You bring awareness into your body, and then you raise the issue. That’s the invitation. And you wait… and be ready to notice something that comes, however small. You chose the issue… so I guarantee you feel something about it!
The third way of starting a Focusing session is to have no plan, no agenda. Just your curiosity. Again, bring awareness into your body, and say something like, “What in my life, in my body, is wanting my awareness now?”
Be aware of your body and of your life, because it’s at the intersection of the two of them that felt senses arise.
Any of these are great ways of starting… and if nothing comes with one of them, that’s your cue to switch to one of the others. As long as you are alive, there will be something!
