UNSTUCK
This talk was originally talk three in this course and has been moved to week six. Please don’t be thrown by Ralph saying. “welcome to week three,” in the beginning. Also, don’t miss the bonus closing video at the bottom of this webpage posted just below the journal prompt!
“There’s the suffering that you run from that then follows you everywhere, and then there's the suffering that you turn towards that opens the door.” — Ajahn Chah
This week, we work with our inner critics. Although these voices of self-criticism, doubt, and reactivity seem to sabotage us, we remember that they are protective parts trying to keep us safe from danger. The work, then, is to caringly appreciate them and converse with them so they can begin to act as allies instead of enemies.
Week 6 Meditation:
Please alternate between the Inner Critic Meditation or the DAD Protocol Meditation and the Heart Breathing Meditation from day to day.
IN THIS LESSON
JOURNAL PROMPT: WEEK 6
Clarifying the Affirm Step: The most challenging step in the D.A.D. protocol is the Affirm step. It’s also a step that truly asks us to take the mindset that our parts want to be treated just as other people do, and that they have a psychology all their own. Internalizing this mindset is the key to being able to fruitfully do this work on your own, and so this step presents an opportunity.
To help bring clarification about this step, consider the following:
What are some of the things your more extreme defenders and inner critics say to you? What are some empathic responses you can offer that affirm what the part is screaming about? When you offer such a response, what do you notice shifting? Is there any feedback from the defender? It might come in the form of sensations changing, different emotions arising or “thoughts” (aka this part saying things).