Your Sacred Space

Often, during coaching sessions, I use IFS (Internal Family Systems) to help my clients.When guiding my clients inside to connect with their parts, I suggest that they close their eyes to minimize external distractions.

Going inside helps the client notice what they may not otherwise be aware of. For example I might suggest, "Notice what you are feeling in your body when you think about this challenge. Notice any emotions you have related to the challenge. Notice your thoughts."

Eventually, we settle on one part or a trailhead to pursue.

This connection with parts actually occurs. At first, clients feel funny closing their eyes and being asked to "go inside" or to ask a part a question. But, without any effort at all, most clients can sense a response when they go inside with the intention of learning about one or more of their parts.

"Inside" is such an important place in the IFS model. This is the place in the mind and body of the client where they meet with their parts. This is where they develop relationships with their parts and eventually offer to help them.

This is a Sacred Space.

Recognizing the value of this space, I created two meditations. One for going inside and the other for re-entering the external world.

I've posted them both on YouTube. Here they are.

When you’re ready, go inside.

What do you notice?

This space exists

in the realm of your imagination.

In your inner world, what you imagine exists as reality for you and for your parts.

To spend time here, you only need to pause and shift your conscious attention from out there to in here.

You can modify the look or the feel of this space in any way you wish.

Is there light? If not, would you like there to be light?

Is there anything about the light you would like to change?

This is your sacred space.

This space is where you meet your parts.

Does the space feel comfortable to you?

What, if anything,will you change to make it more comfortable?

This space is where you meet your parts,so it is sacred ground.

What is missing that you would like to add?

What do you want more of?

What do you want less of?

This is your sacred space.

This is where you meet your parts.

Open your eyesand look around.

This is your external environment.

Close your eyes and return to your sacred space. Look around. Are you pleased?

Feel the contrast between your external environment and your sacred space.

Open your eyes and feel your external environment.

Close your eyes, go to your sacred space and feel the contrast.

Open your eyes and return to your external environment.

Now, keepingyour eyes open, go to your sacred space.

Return to this space often.

This is your sacred space.

This is where you can find your power.

This is where you can find your peace.

This is where you can connect with your parts.

 

This is your sacred space.Rumi wrote,

“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing,there is a field. I’ll meet you there.When the soul lies down in that grass,the world is too full to talk about.Ideas, language, even the phrase “each other” doesn’t make any sense.”

 

This is your sacred space beyond the ideas of right and wrong.

This is the field of connection.

Invite your parts, one at a time.

Then meet them here.

End the meditation and re-enter the external world.

Or remain in your sacred space and spend time with one or more of your parts.

 

Open a period of connection with one or more of your parts using The Sacred Space meditation.  When your Sacred Space session ends, use this closing meditation.

Our time together is coming to a close.

Before leaving your sacred space, acknowledge those parts who have joined you here.

Take a moment to reflect upon what you have learned and what you now appreciate about them.

Recognize those parts who agreed to allow connection with other parts and extend appreciation for their cooperation and support.

Invite your parts to either remain in this sacred space or to join you as you shift your attention now to the external world.

For those who choose to stay,encourage them to make themselves at home until you return.

Before leaving your sacred space, look around one last time.

See who is here.

Notice who is coming with you.

Set an intention to return often to restore your power and peace and to reconnect with your parts.

When it feels right to do so, re-enter the external world.