UNSTUCK
“I love you just the way you are,” Mr. Rogers says.
We consciously turn toward our exiled parts in the holding environment of our practice. This is healing that isn’t trying to heal, healing that naturally arises from simply bearing witness, being with. As we bear witness to our exiles’ experiences and burdens, we build trust with our inner system, expand our capacity for adversity, and reclaim our vitality, freedom, and authenticity.
Week 4 Meditation:
Please alternate between the Parts Work Meditation with Exiles or the Holding Environment Meditation (a lighter version of Parts Work with Exiles) and the Heart Breathing Meditation from day to day.
IN THIS LESSON
JOURNAL PROMPT: WEEK 4
Talking to the Inner Kids: Reflect on how Mr. Rogers’ mantras of “I love you just the way that you are” and “There’s no one else like you — that’s what makes you special” were what you needed growing up. Reflect on how this might affect the way you approach your parts and how you might offer these attitudes and energies.
You realize that they’ll never talk to you if you approach them with resentment and animosity. You finally relax out of your negative reaction towards them and find a bit of appreciation and maybe even good humor about the situation. You’re finally ready to talk to them — except that you’ve yelled at them and tried to get rid of them so many times that they don’t trust you and are even a bit upset with you.
So, from that place of appreciation, friendliness and maybe even compassionate forgiveness, you set out to resolve the relationship. What do you say? What might need to be said first for them to be willing to listen? And once they’re listening, what more could you say or ask them that might help get them to become your ally? How might you earn their trust so they can relax more?