A Representative's experience - "Knowing Field"

We do not live in isolation, though it often may feel that way. However, on a deep level, a soul level, we know that we are connected to each other, to our ancestors, to nature, to the universe.This “knowing field” is what we tap into to see the expanded view, to find the resources to create a new image in relation to our 'story'  when engaging in Constellations work. (a quote from Nancy Kehr)

A representative's experience:

Hi Nancy,

In reflecting on whether it's the Field or one's own mind...In my limited experience, I too have had thoughts while representing and wondered if I was being influenced by my mind.  I believe that the more you know about someone, the more "tuned in" you can be and that's not a bad thing, necessarily.   I have found it very helpful for me to practice our grounding technique of counting breaths as I represent.  This way if/when my mind interferes,  I let the thought pass and get right back to counting, which allows me to feel/listen to what is going on inside my body and then act on it.  

Feel free to share this if you like - J

A person has been selected by a member of the group to represent a person or a concept in this other person's life...

This person chosen to represent will typically begin by directing her/his attention to her current awareness within the body...bodily sensations (hot/cold; heavy/light ect) and feelings... (sad, scared, angry, content ect)

and then may begin to notice spatial relationships in relation to other representatives and what ever urge to move toward or away from

 internal images may also arise... more from embodied awareness than from rational thought

When less experienced in representing - people may often find themselves startled by their experience - feeling compelled by the body to move in a certain way or place

Ordinarily we are used to thinking about our experience...however, 'Thinking' tends to move us to analysis and may cause a missing of meaningful physical and emotional information... people new at representing may find it helpful to simply practice increasing connection with the body... and noticing when moving back into the head... come back to the body

The representative experience is, for the most part, a physical and emotional experience... movement may also be a part of the experience - the person representing may express (laugh or cry) the felt emotion or simply describe what they are feeling...
a person chosen to represent a member of a family system who holds secrets may feel "restrained"

A person representing may tend to enter a kind of 'trance-like' state - which is more connected with our Right brain (intuition) rather than our left (logic & reason)...  For many, this is, initially, an unfamiliar place to be - so may be initially uncomfortable in it's unfamiliarity - when we're used to 'knowing' with our linear brain

In Right brain - our boundaries become less rigid - we are more open to receiving impressions - and experiencing of feelings and interconnectedness rather than the usual sense of separateness

Constellations work challenges our ordinary way of 'knowing' (logic) and of believing (in separation)... and opens us to increased connection with ourselves and others

At the moment of being chosen to represent another... a connection is formed... sometimes individuals even seem to sense that they are going to be chosen to represent before the person actually picks them

The person who is picked to represent tends to have similar issues and energy as the person they are picked to represent (this fact is unconsciously felt by the client selecting her representatives). So, the person representing may gain insight into her own issues in this representing of another

Representatives experience feelings and emotions that belong to the person or thing which they are representing - constellations work shows us that, contrary to our beliefs, feelings don't belong to us - they move through... and can/will simply disappear - like clouds that appear and disappear

Our left brain may find it hard to believe that one can NOT 'make a mistake' representing

Truth illustrated through constellations work is a metaphor to be experienced... a means of understanding a path from tension and entanglement - moving into more balance and freedom.
"Fields" are areas of interconnectedness such as fields of study, occupational fields, our family fields... There is a field that connects all of life. Scientists call it the morphogenic field, philosophers refer to the universal consciousness. It is not subject to time or distance and in effect does not adhere to any of our physical laws. This field is a repository for memories; experiences; and great knowledge that goes back to the beginning of what we call time….this is the “knowing field”.

our ancestors

constellations work

Point Of Light - Remembering

 

 

 

 

I woke up this morning with a keen realization regarding an emotional difficulty I experienced a few weeks ago... and, thanks to the influence from listening to Unmani (http://not-knowing.com/) last weekend as well as reading A New Earth... I sat and wrote this in my journal... it all simply poured out... with some refinements added, later.

 
Our culture keeps us asleep... one of the many ways is through language... which reinforces our beliefs. Perceptions from early childhood... how we... how I interpreted my events... reinforce the (misperception) that someone... or Life... is doing something to me.

She/he is ignoring me... criticizing me... excluing... dismissing... not appreciating... Me... and so, a story... my story is reactivated... my child(hood) perceptions... misunderstandings--interpretations from the past overlaid onto present life events.  All arguments, offenses, hurt feelings, conflicts, war... are a result of the story of 'me'.

Of course, most are unaware that Nobody is doing anything (to us)... it's All just happening... in the only way it can... or something would be happening differently--as our stories superimpose onto each others stories... this is our so-called reality. And, it's my perception of what's happening - based on my interpretations of others learned a long time ago.

The One that I Am is a point of Light...  while 'me' is a bundle of memories... of interpretations given to life events from long ago... making them mean something based on the memories of 'my' story...
so, 'me' goes through life perceiving that things and people are happening / doing something to me

so, 'me' goes through life perceiving that Life / situations and people are happening / doing  something to to 'me'...  When 'me' likes what is happening - 'me' is happy - when 'me' doesn't like what is happening... doesn't like how 'me' is treated... or the situation is ... 'me is unhappy'... believing the story of 'me'.  And, we all have our individual version of 'story' - whether it is in relation to other people or in relation to Life, itself... the realization of the story is the necessary first step toward truth.

Such a deeply held belief! me and my story of who I am - all that has happened to me that defines my identity, my difficulties, an as a separate 'me'... separate from you... and either more special or less than...

Ego insists this is all true!  L o o k !  ego says... pointing... there you are... here I am !  of course we're separate!

and, when something happens... when you ignore me... or you say something that means I'm wrong... or conversely, your actons flatter me... ego is the one who reacts... believing its sense-based perceptions as the only truth. Ego makes up a story (always based on the memory of past perceptions and interpretations) and reacts accordingly... happily or unhappily... it has become a habit... and this is how we are imaging reality to be.

And, for others it may be less about beliefs in relation to 'others' and more about beliefs about Life, itself...
for example, the belief:  "life is hard" .. you have to work hard... meaning... there's no time to have fun or to play.... life is a struggle... LOOK!  See! Look at all the things I have to get done! I don't have time for me... for my needs!

Or the belief:  "There's not enough" - I can't have what I want/need. My needs aren't going to be met... I can't find the right partner, I can't find a job (or the right job), I don't have enough money for what i need..."

Or, "Life isn't fair --it didn't turn out the way I thought it would"- I've always done the right things; I've taken the high-road; I've helped others - and look what I get in return!"  All of which appears clearly just and true to the believer about Life as do the interpersonal stories. We are all living out of our memory bundle - our feeling of 'me' and my life.


But what to do with the story--the bundle of memories that I believe are 'me' ?... this bundle that bumps up against life... and becomes activated once again?  This bundle that seems to contain so much energy.  Where is this energy coming from? Whose energy is it? Maybe it's the energy of this point of Light... which the bundle--the story--has been stealing!  The story... in and of itself... doesn't have energy of its own... its simply a story...

How to restore the energy to its rightful place?... removing the energy from ego--  transferring the energy to the point of Light? Proper perspective helps--recognizing the ego... the paper mache covering... that contains the bundle of memories/perceptions of a story... the story of 'me'... the tightly-bound identity with interpretations and beliefs...

I can live this life while knowing full well that this ego, this story of me is--has been--imagined... over years of reinforced mis-perceptions... meaning, untruth.  Wow!  But, I've been believing it for so long! It feels So real! (this is 'me' talking)

Question every objection to 'what is'... especially if noticing this 'me' is taking something personally, or believing some self-defeating thought about life. The pull will be strong to believe the story in that moment - that something is happening to 'me'! or that Life is conspiring against my having joy.

Use the wise mind to remember - the story has been activated!  Realize>> the dream, the nightmare has just been triggered, again -  BREATHE!

Remember:  I -- this essential nature that I Am -- is a point of light... amidst other points of light... amidst a life that brings us exactly what we imagine... like it or not.  Visual perception will have us believing that this point of light is separate from those - however, like drops in the ocean - there is only the One. A quantum shift is being asked of me in this moment. Energy transfer from ego to point of light.
REMEMBER!

My next exploration will on what to 'do' with the emotions that arise when the story becomes activated.

2012 - Images/ Guatemala & Winter Solstice Ceremony

Mayan community preparing for 2012 Solstice sacred Fire Ceremony - San Pedro de la laguna

 Welcome to my still photo documentary of my visit to Guatemala during the 2012 Winter Solstice.

Such a remarkable experience meeting the Maya people in the village of San Pedro - an experience like no other...a different world. Because i know the images speak for themselves with feelings over words, i will simply explain the highlights of the trip -- allowing an immersion into the culture as best i was able - experiencing the amazing Heart of a people who, materially, have so little...yet so kind and open-hearted!

 Experiencing the Solstice sacred Fire Ceremony and the amazing and rich Maya-cosmo-vision that is awakening in this community - a vision of compassion and caring for each other; working through deep wounds and injuries; understanding life purpose and inner and outer meaning of each day; doing one's own part in caring for the environment--bodies of water, land, animals and air; integrating a spiritual perspective in daily life....

     Mayan fire ceremonies are elaborate and moving - lasting anywhere from 3-4 hours. Sacred symbolism. Similar to other indigenous cultures - deep reverence to Nature and Spirit.

    Another pivotal aspect of my visit was connecting with the heart of Taa 'Pit...  Taa 'Pit Kortees, the Center for Intercultural Learning Tz'utujil Mayan  - reintroducing/restoring their 'disappearing' culture and language back to the children and their families--is unique, founded by Maya, nonprofit, in the highlands of Guatemala, Lake Atitlan, San Pedro la Laguna.
you can visit their website, just below... by pasting into your browser.....
       http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=es&u=http://www.taapit.org/&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dtaa%2Bpit%26hl%3Den%26c 
     The trip was dreamed, birthed and offered through Compassionate Listening Project - creating the program and making all the arrangements for our remarkable event experiences, beautiful lodging, dining, and meeting Maya people of the community. 

     In my photo images, you will see the preparation of the Sacred Fire Ceremonies; the children of Taa'Pit and those working hard to bring the Mayan culture & their native language back to the children and their families; may you enjoy the beauty of this magical place... and feel the Heart of these remarkable people.

I think you'd very much like to see this brief video- of 2 minutes:  http://vimeo.com/52769887

Hotel Antigua in Guatemala

Rooftop in Antigua Guatemala

Selling wares in the market - Antigua Guatemala

Old Ruins in Antigua

Antigua Guatemala

Street in Antigua

Field off the roadway heading to San Pedro

View of Lake Atitlan atop the mountain - see San Pedro at base in distance

A white egret? or crane or heron ?  at Lake Atitlan - San Pedro

See how Bananas grow - and the long hanging maroon colored thing hanging below

Sunrise in San Pedro and Lake Atitlan

Hotel facing the Lake - my room is bottom floor, second from right

Street in San Pedro

View from Home Restaurant - San Pedro

On the road to San Pedro - bags of coffee beans lining the street

old looking building in Antigua

Blankets hanging - San Pedro

At dawn arriving at San Marcos for Solstice Sacred Fire Ceremony

Atop of mountain, looking across Lake Atitlan at dawn - fire ceremony soon to begin

Fire pit to be prepared - see dark objects on ground just to right - and musicians

Daykeeper preparing firepit in a sacred way- (after cleaning) beginning with the sacred 4 Directions

large round pine sap balls are added

Sacred Four Directions

Adding the large round pine sap balls in building the sacred fire

Elements for building the sacred fire - round ball of pine sap

Chocolate and kindling added

White candles are handed to Daykeeper - 4 colors for each Direction

Beans and rice are added to sacred fire

4 colors of candles are utilized in sacred fire

Mayan musicians at fire ceremony

Kindling being lit with sacred fire and prayer - the actual Fire ceremony is not permitted to be photographed

Lush vegetation in San Pedro

Children of San Marcos

                                                           

Calle in San Pedro

Tuk-Tuks in San Marcos

                                                             Canal in San Pedro - Santiago dock

Hotel reception area in San Pedro

Lush vegetation - San Pedro

Narrow 'calles' in San Pedro

Home Restaurant in San Pedro

Mother & son who is student at Taa' pit - school reinvigorating Mayan children back to their beautiful culture

 -

Children at Taa'pit learning about computers

Taa'Pi't School reviving Mayan culture for Mayan children

Taa'Pit school operating on a shoe-string budget

Children of Taa'Pit learning about protecting environment & their Lake

on the walk to my hotel room

Solstice eve in San Pedro village- Children in the streets with sparklers

Sunset on Lake Atitlan - San Pedro

San Pedro Community Solstice Fire Ceremony preparation - preparing flower petals

San Pedro Mayan community preparation for Solstice Sacred Fire ceremony

San Pedro Mayan community preparing flower petals for sacred fire

quietly coming together for preparing the sacred fire for solstice

Beautiful, devout women in their traditional San Pedro shawls

 Preparing ingredients for sacred Fire Ceremony - for Solstice

 Multi-colored candles representing each Direction to burn in the sacred fire

Candle colors of 4 Directions - see fire pit prep in background

Spirit Water

Candles and other sacred ingredients for the fire ceremony

Daykeeper preparing for sacred fire

enhanced fire pit and community participants

Mayan families of San Pedro participating in sacred Ceremony

Mayan family

Daykeepers of sacred fire ceremony

Daykeeper of sacred fire ceremony

Sacred fire at end of ceremony

San Pedro - garden in foreground - houses behind

view of Lake Atitlan from my room

butte, above, is location for San Pedro fire ceremony

yard just in front of my room - looking out to Lake Atitlan

three dogs napping on a step along the roadside

Maria, scarf-weaver in San Pedro

Gathering of Mayan families & students of Taa'pit

17-year-old interpreter

Home visit of Mayan family - three generations of women

Middle woman, age 97, she's in the photo (years earlier) above her head in the blue skirt with her husband

The son of the 97 year old woman - in kitchen area

Washing the corn to be prepared to make tortillas

 The whole corn is now put into a crusher

The corn is crushed and falls into the bottom bin as dough

Here the woman is carrying the corn dough - the corn that
had been crushed

stove with live wood burning fire

Rolling out the corn tortilla dough

kitchen area

      corn tortilla - hand made

sleeping areas behind the curtains

 Kitchen area

This lovely man is holding photographs of my grandmothers

This appears to be at least four generations of women

This woman holds a snow globe from seattle. The curious little boy later dropped it on the cement floor.

Young girl selling fruit at front door

Market in San Pedro

 

Highway buses - not for use in the village

Teacher of Taa'pit and her 12 y.o. student

Strong supporter (left) and Founder of Taa'Pit

San Juan hand-made weaving - shawls

Demonstration of yarn-dying

Mayan spirit image/mural on a wall in San Juan

Religious procession in the street - San Juan

our wonderful grilled chicken prepared for lunch - San Juan

Mural in San Juan capturing reverence for Nature

Artist by his mural depicting Mayan bone healer

Mayan fisherman

Symbolic Mural in San Juan depicting Maya community

Mural in San Juan on a building wall

Street in San Juan - neighboring San Pedro

my room in San Pedro

work party at Taa'Pit school

 Symbolic art work representations for the students

Painted wood carving - related to Nature & Environment

owner and the chef at La Puerta

 

                                              La Puerta Restaurant - lovely entrance & cabana

                                                    Coffee cups steps - La Puerta Restaurant

                                                          Sweet Isabel at La Puerta

Idea Connection Internet Cafe

                                            Street of La Puerta, Internet Cafe and hotel

local tienda 

selling beans, rice... their staples

Calle in San Pedro ... No CARS ! :)

Walkway to my hotel by the Lake

Looking east toward volcano

                                       

Juan Martin, Deborah and Juan Manuel - the heart of Taa'Pit

Leaving San Pedro heading toward San Juan and over the mountain

heading over the mountains back to Antigua

up in the clouds traveling back over the mountains

van shuttle between Antigua & San Pedro - i sat shotgun w/ the big guy

streets of Antigua - you can feel the difference

memory of sunset on Lake Atitlan from my hotel

      memory of full moon rising on Lake Atitlan - San Pedro de laguna

A most welcome invitations to your comments and questions on this photo documentary.
Thank you for visiting. Please do share the the link to this blog with others who may 
find the material interesting. ~ Nancy B.