|
|
|
|
|
3-days Training Workshop on Focusing
19-21 October, 2005
Peshawar
|
|
|
|
|
In this 3 day workshop participants are offered a simple and easily recognized means of dealing with emotions, trauma and stressors of everyday life specially those NGO workers who are helping in relief for the earthquake hit areas.
This system, called Focusing, is not new and it is not Western. It taps into what we consider to be a very human process. And this way of coming into one’s emotions has been documented throughout history by poets, philosophers and modern psychotherapists. The famous poet and philosopher, Rumi, addresses this same process in many of his writings. Focusing is safe, because as one focuses, one learns to trust the body to protect and to move forward at the speed and the depth that the person is able to manage with emotional safety.
Focusing
Focusing is an experiential process developed by Eugene Gentling in the early 1960s based on his research into what are the key factors needed for successful psychotherapy. What he found is that those who can be in touch with their inner body sense, which Gendlin calls “felt sense”, were more successful in the results of their therapy. It did not matter which method of therapy was used, what mattered was the individual’s personal ability to tap into her or his felt sense.
Focusing allows the focuser to deal with emotions and reactions from emotions without ever having to tell anyone what is the cause of the emotion. This means that as a Focuser, you can deal with the emotions and felt sense of a situation or event without having to feel shame because of the social consequences of disclosing information. Yet, it allows you to address their reactions and emotions and feel the relief of emotions being heard.
The 3 day workshop had 3 components: Focusing, Listening and Building Resiliency. Time was also allowed for participants to ask broader questions about psychosocial wellness. Because of the way the workshop built on basic skills, participants were asked to attend all three days.
Guest House
O young man, this body is like a guesthouse, every morning a new guest comes running to this place. Beware; don’t say that he has become a burden on you because he too will fly back to the nonexistent world. Whatsoever comes to you from the invisible would to your heart is your heart’s guest; take care of him (It).
If sorrow (Pain) hides happiness, it is making preparation for another joy. It is cleaning the house of everything else so that real happiness may come to dwell here from a positive source. It is scattering the yellow leaves from the bough of the heart in order that evergreen leaves may grow here again. Whatever sorrow takes away from the heart in return it brings something better.
(Jalaludin Rumi Masnavi V/3644-6 and V/3678-83)
The theme of focusing is mainly based on this passage from Mulana Rumi masnavi.
Participant’s views about how to increase resiliency:
Safe sharing
During focusing the focuser should adhered to the rule of keeping his/her confidentiality while listener should keep the confidentiality of the focuser.
Excellent listening
Listening in Focusing
Your guest is feeling……
Your guest is……
Guest
How to Focus?
· Looking for the guest
· Treating guest kindly
· Safe space inside
· Difficult guests- patient dealing
· To go deep in ourselves without they want to will come to where they change to positive
· Good listening skills
· Link this with our spiritual lives
· Language of ‘something” or part of you instead of guest
· Saying thank you to guest
· To find the particular words for the description of feeling—pain
Next part of the training would be held soon. Just Peace International is very thankful to all the participants for their presence, Pak-CDP for providing space and the two facilitators from American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) Afghanistan for conducting such a wonderful training event.
◄ Back
Copyright © 2002-2004 justpeaceint.cjb.net. All rights reserved
