Starbridge Centre Online Counselling Course. Lesson #7 Body Language

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1 Starbridge Centre Online Counselling Course Lesson #7 Body Language

Consciously or subconsciously we often lie to ourselves, and to others. A common example is the everyday question How are you?, and the ritual answer: I'm fine.

2 Body language The Body Is not an object It's not even A concrete event, It's not even Materialistic. It's a molecular process, It's a moving event Stanley Keleman Emotional Anatomy When one bodily expression is exaggerated, there is a hidden polarity. Consciously or subconsciously we often lie to ourselves, and to others. A common example is the everyday question How are you?, and the ritual answer: I'm fine. Stanley Keleman has in his book Emotional anatomy elaborated on how we bodily harbour more than one approach to situations, here illustrated with one outer and one inner, but there may as well be more. Our body speaks our Mind (Stanley Keleman)

Stanley Keleman Emotional Anatomy p 151 When one bodily

Never uncover this hidden polarity in a client unless you

Before you uncover unpleasant or difficult material which is

she also has the means to work constructively with it.

3 Stanley Keleman Emotional Anatomy p 151 When one bodily expression is exaggerated, there is a hidden polarity. Never uncover this hidden polarity in a client unless you already have a qualified idea of what it is about. Before you uncover unpleasant or difficult material which is unknown to the client himself / herself, make sure that he or she also has the means to work constructively with it. The Character armour The CHARACTER is the totality of the mechanical, automatic and unconscious ways of

reacting, by which the individual maintained his or hers psycho-physical balance; a balance that makes sure that the feelings, emotions and bodily impulses which

According to Alexander Lowen Reich named this CHARACTER STRUCTURE - the Character armour, because of its function as a defence.

4 reacting, by which the individual maintained his or hers psycho-physical balance; a balance that makes sure that the feelings, emotions and bodily impulses which from various reasons have been blocked, remain separated from the consciousness of the individual. According to Alexander Lowen Reich named this CHARACTER STRUCTURE - the Character armour, because of its function as a defence. This armour has a bodily side in the form of chronic muscular tensions, where the repressed material is hidden. Alexander Lowen: "Bioenergetics", page Stanley Keleman Emotional Anatomy p.77 A habit pattern To live, move and have ones being within an attitude

5 "An individual experiencing temporary fear, grief or Anger, all too often carries his body in an attitude of that muscular emotion. If he persists in this dramatisation or consistently reestablishes it, thus forming what is ordinarily referred to as a "habit pattern", the muscular arrangement becomes set. Materially speaking, some muscles shorten and thicken, others are invaded by connective tissue, still others become immobilised by consolidation of the tissue involved. Once this has happened, the physical attitude is invariable; it is involuntary; it can no longer be changed basically by taking thought or even mental suggestion. Now what the individual feels is no longer an emotion, a response to an immediate situation; henceforth he lives, moves and has his being in an attitude." Dr. Ida Rolf: "Structural Integration" (Here from "Bodymind") Suppression: Don't wait for a catastrophe to happen Suppression [...] is the house where you go on throwing into the basement things that you want to do but you cannot because of social conditions culture, civilisation. But they go on collecting there, and they affect your actions, your life, very indirectly. Directly, they cannot face you - you have forced them into darkness, but from the dark side they go on influencing your behaviour. They are dangerous, it is dangerous to keep all those inhibitions inside you. It is possible that these are the things that comes to a climax when a person goes insane. Insanity is nothing but all these suppressions coming to a point where you cannot control them any more. [...] The real message [...] is to find a healing outlet for this potential explosion. It is essential to find a way to realise whatever tensions and stresses might build up inside you right now. Beat a pillow, jump up and down, go out into the wilderness and scream at the empty sky - anything to shake up your energy and allow it to circulate freely. Dont wait for a catastrophe to happen. Edited from: Osho Zen Tarot; Conditioning Unless you drop your personality you will not be able to find your individuality. Individuality is given by existence; personality is imposed by society. Personality is social convenience. Society cannot tolerate individuality, because individuality will not follow like a sheep. Individuality has the quality of the lion; the lion moves alone. The sheep are always in the crowd, hoping that being in the crowd will feel cosy. Being in the crowd one feels more protected, secure. If somebody attacks there is every possibility in a crowd to save ourself. But alone? - Only the lions move alone. And every one of you is born a lion, but the society goes on conditioning you, programming your Mind as a sheep. It gives you a personality, a cosy personality, nice, very convenient, very obedient. Society wants slaves, not people who are absolutely dedicated to freedom. Society wants

Alexander Lowen THE SCHIZOID THE ORAL THE PSYCHOPATHIC THE

6 slaves because all the vested interests want obedience. From: Osho Zen Tarot; There are 5 Character structures According to Alexander Lowen THE SCHIZOID THE ORAL THE PSYCHOPATHIC THE MASOCHISTIC THE RIGID The human body has six major areas of contact with the external world

Changed into a dynamic diagram the six areas will from an energetic

THE SCHIZOID CHARACTER STRUCTURE Basic conflict: Isolation; if I

7 Changed into a dynamic diagram the six areas will from an energetic point of view look like this 1. THE SCHIZOID CHARACTER STRUCTURE Basic conflict: Isolation; if I express my need for intimacy and relatedness, my very existence is in danger. Background: Lack of bonding, rejection within the very early months of life. Psychology: Inner frozenness with disassociation or withdrawal of feeling and energy; fragmented or fragile ego structure often compensated by high intellectual achievement or hidden arrogance. According to Alexander Lowen

Treatment: Working with the spine and Pranayama 2.

8 Treatment: Working with the spine and Pranayama 2. THE ORAL CHARACTER STRUCTURE Basic conflict: Needs versus dependency. The world owes me a living Background: Deprivation in early infancy. loss of warmth and support during the breastfeeding period. Psychology: Feelings of disappointment, longing and self pity. Weak and dependent ego often compensated for by false independence and exaggerated growth. Treatment: Gardening According to Alexander Lowen

Bullying or undermining others through a seductive approach. Need of never being subject to the use and needs of others. Denial of feelings and of experiences.

9 3. THE PSYCHOPATHIC CHARACTER STRUCTURE Basic conflict: Need of closeness versus independence; denial of feelings and experience. Background: Power games for dominance and control between (sexually) seductive and / or abusive parent and child. Psychology: A complex character structure. Strong investment in self-image. Bullying or undermining others through a seductive approach. Need of never being subject to the use and needs of others. Denial of feelings and of experiences. Treatment: Emotional releasing therapy, preferably within the frames of an enlightened being. The counsellor or therapist has to take care of own safety. 4. THE MASOCHISTIC Character Structure Basic conflict: Need of closeness versus freedom and self-assertion. Background: Conflicts of submission and opposition during the toilet training period that starts around 18 month of age. Feelings of suffering, humiliation, guilt, hidden hostility and of being stuck are common experiences. Psychology: The stagnation of energy charge owing to the strong holding-in leads to the feeling of being unable to move freely, to being stuck in a morass. On the conscious level the masochist is identified with trying to please; on the unconscious level however, this attitude is denied by spite and negativity. Treatment: Love - in whatever form. According to Alexander Lowen

Immature sexuality and erotic sensations is activated between three and six years of age, and are mixed together with (/mixed up with) love.

10 5. THE RIGID Character Structure Basic conflict: Freedom versus surrender: I am free as long as I do not loose my head and surrender fully to love. Background: The right to wants and to move directly and openly towards the fulfilment and satisfaction of these wants. Immature sexuality and erotic sensations is activated between three and six years of age, and are mixed together with (/mixed up with) love. The parents rejection of this love is a (/causes a feeling of) betrayal and hurt. Psychology: On guard against being taken advantage of, being used or trapped. Fear of giving in and loose his freedom, equating it with ridicule, submission and collapse. Characteristics as ambitions, worldly orientation, pride and aggressiveness are present. Treatment: Massage According to Alexander Lowen MAJOR ASPECTS OF EACH CHARACTER STRUCTURE PERSONALITY MAKEUP According to Barbara Brennan, Hands of Light, p.111 SCHIZOID: Arrest of development: Before or at Birth. Trauma: Hostile mother Pattern: Hold together Sexuality: Sex to feel life force, fantasy Fault: Fear Demands the right to: Be / Exist Presenting complaint: Fear / Anxiety

11 Negative intent: I will be split. Devices behind negative intend: Unity vs splitting Needs to: Strengthen Boundaries MAJOR ASPECTS OF EACH CHARACTER STRUCTURE PERSONALITY MAKEUP According to Barbara Brennan, Hands of Light, p.111 ORAL: Arrest of development: Babyhood Feeding Trauma: Abandonment Pattern: Hold on Sexuality: Sex for Closeness and Contact. Fault: Greed Demands the right to: Be Nurtured and Fulfilled Presenting complaint: Passivity (Fatigue) Negative intent: Ill make you give it, I wont need. Devices behind negative intend: Need vs. Abandonment Needs to: Own Needs and Stand on Own Two Feet MAJOR ASPECTS OF EACH CHARACTER STRUCTURE PERSONALITY MAKEUP According to Barbara Brennan, Hands of Light, p.111 PSYCHOPATHIC: Arrest of development: Early Childhood Trauma: Seduction, Betrayal Pattern: Hold Up Sexuality: Hostile / Fragile, Homosexual Fantasy Fault: Untruthfulness Demands the right to: Be Supported and Encouraged Presenting complaint: Feelings of Defeat Negative intent: My will be done. Devices behind negative intend: Will vs. Surrender Needs to: Trust MAJOR ASPECTS OF EACH CHARACTER STRUCTURE PERSONALITY MAKEUP According to Barbara Brennan, Hands of Light, p.111 MASOCHISTIC Arrest of development: Autonomy Stage Trauma: Control, Forced Feeding and Evacuation Pattern: Hold in Sexuality: Impotence. Strong interest in Pornography Fault: Hatred Demands the right to: Be independent

12 Presenting complaint: Tension Negative intent: I love negativity. Devices behind negative intend: Freedom vs. Submission Needs to: Be Assertive, be Free. Open Spiritual Connections MAJOR ASPECTS OF EACH CHARACTER STRUCTURE PERSONALITY MAKEUP According to Barbara Brennan, Hands of Light, p.111 RIGID: Arrest of development: Puberty. Genital. Trauma: Sexual Denial, Betrayal of Heart. Pattern: Hold back Sexuality: Sex with Contempt Fault: Pride Demands the right to: Have Feelings (Love / Sex) Presenting complaint: No Feelings Negative intent: I wont surrender. Devices behind negative intend: Sex vs. Love Needs to: Connect Heart to Genitals DEFENSIVE ASPECTS OF THE Character structures According to Barbara Brennan Light Emerging, p. 206 SCHIZOID: Main issue: Existential Terror Fear: Living in human body as an individual Experienced: Direct aggression Defensive action: Leaves body Results of defensive action: Weaker body Relationship to core essence: Can experience unitive essence; is afraid of individuated essence Human need: To individuate; to surrender to being human Spiritual need: To experience individuated essence Time distortion: Experiences universal time; is unable to experience linear time or to be in the now in the physical world DEFENSIVE ASPECTS OF THE Character structures According to Barbara Brennan Light Emerging, p. 206 ORAL: Main issue: nurturance Fear: Not enough of anything Experienced: Lack of nurturance; abandonment Defensive action: Sucks life Results of defensive action: Inability to metabolise own energy Relationship to core essence: Experiences individuated essence as not enough Human need: To nurture self; to know self is enough

13 Spiritual need: To experience individuated essence as infinite source within Time distortion: Never has time enough DEFENSIVE ASPECTS OF THE Character structures According to Barbara Brennan Light Emerging, p. 206 PSYCHOPATHIC: Main issue: Betrayal Fear: Letting go and trusting Experienced: Was used and betrayed Defensive action: Controls others Results of defensive action: Aggression and betrayal drawn to self Relationship to core essence: Is afraid that essence is bad or evil Human need: To trust others; to make mistakes and still be safe Spiritual need: To recognise and honour core essence and higher will of others Time distortion: Rushes into the future DEFENSIVE ASPECTS OF THE Character structures According to Barbara Brennan Light Emerging, p. 206 MASOCHISTIC: Main issue: Invasion and theft Fear: Being controlled; loss of self Experienced: Invaded; humiliated Defensive action: Demands and resists at the same time Results of defensive action: Dependence; inability to differentiate between self and other Relationship to core essence: Individuated essence is not differentiated from others Human need: To be free to feel and express self Spiritual need: To recognise self's core essence as self's own and claim God within self Time distortion: Experiences the unfoldment of time as stopped DEFENSIVE ASPECTS OF THE Character structures According to Barbara Brennan Light Emerging, p. 206 RIGID: Main issue: Authenticity; denial of real self Fear: Imperfection Experienced: Denial of psychological and spiritual reality Defensive action: Acts appropriately rather than authentically Results of defensive action: Inability to experience self; world is false Relationship to core essence: Does not experience individuated essence - it doesnt exist Human need: To put self into life; to feel real self Spiritual need: To experience unitive and individual core essence in self Time distortion: Experiences the constant rigid, mechanical movement of time forward

Grounding and integrity - Psychologically speaking That the individual is able to be present and partake in everyday life with its duties and joys.

intact Ungrounded Spiritually speaking Do as you please and lament the consequences Spiritual and or psychological ungroundedness will also show up as physical ungroundedness, cold feet or hands,

14 Grounding and integrity - Psychologically speaking That the individual is able to be present and partake in everyday life with its duties and joys. Ungrounded Psychologically speaking Inability able to be present and partake in everyday life Grounding and integrity Spiritually speaking Openness for the higher with the integrity of the Mind intact Ungrounded Spiritually speaking Do as you please and lament the consequences Spiritual and or psychological ungroundedness will also show up as physical ungroundedness, cold feet or hands, Lack of balance. Here from Basic counselling Skills The spine The base of your body and Mind Shiva said: Consider your essence as light rays rising from centre to centre up the vertebrae, and so rises livingness in you. Many yoga methods are based on this. First understand what it is, then the application. The vertebrae, the spine are the base of both your body and Mind. Your Mind, your head,

If the spine is dull and dead, you will have a very dull Mind. The whole of yoga tries in many ways to make your spine alive, brilliant, filled with light, young and fresh.

15 is the end part of your spine. The whole body is rooted in the spine. If the spine is young, you are young. If the spine is old, you are old. If you can keep your spine young, it is difficult to become old. Everything depends on your spine. If your spine is alive, you will have a very brilliant Mind. If the spine is dull and dead, you will have a very dull Mind. The whole of yoga tries in many ways to make your spine alive, brilliant, filled with light, young and fresh. Osho: Meditation the First and Last Freedom. P Energy gushing out from the spine This is an aura-reading of someone with a sincere commitment to growth, but with quite a few integrity problems. This illustrates graphically the predicament someone with integrity problems is in - The build-up of your own energy, necessary for you to have stamina and push in your own life, is impeded by energy leaking out from your aura, making you less able to stand up for yourself, more in need for one or more people to lean on. The energy leaving your spine does not just leave you - it attaches itself onto whoever you believe is a support for you, meaning that you loose your own energy, and give someone else power. Integrity problems can be worked with on many levels A good start, before difficult psychological work is attempted, is to strengthen the connection with our backbone, the physical spine via hatha yoga, swimming, running, gymnastic, massage etc. Psychologically by working with projections in psychotherapy Meditatively by consciously connecting to the feeling in each vertebrae, and contemplating the different feelings etc the invariably discovered gaps will uncover.

16 Body language Multiple Choice questions For Week 4 Multiple Choice Answer 1: True / False (Cross out the wrong answer): When you communicate with others the main thing is to in fact understand the words the other person says. Understanding the words is enough in order to understand someone, Multiple Choice Answer 2: True / False (Cross out the wrong answer): If you counsel someone that appears rigid and unemotional, that is a sign of them being strong so you can give it 'full blast'. Multiple Choice Answer 3: True / False (Cross out the wrong answer): THE SCHIZOID THE ORAL THE PSYCHOPATHIC THE MASOCHISTIC THE RIGID These five categories describe psychiatric diseases. Multiple Choice Answer 4: True / False (Cross out the wrong answer): Body language is a direct message about what needs to be worked with for someone to become free, to become who they are rather than a history book of their identification with the past.

CORE ENERGETICS. Training and Certification Programs. Grounding in Core Energetics (2 years) Certified Core Energetics Practitioner (4 years)

CORE ENERGETICS. Training and Certification Programs. Grounding in Core Energetics (2 years) Certified Core Energetics Practitioner (4 years) CORE ENERGETICS Training and Certification Programs Grounding in Core Energetics (2 years) Certified Core Energetics Practitioner (4 years) Montreal, Quebec, Canada TO LIVE FULLY ALIVE The key to this