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MULTI-MODAL EXPRESSIVE /NARRATIVE
PROCESS
EXPANDED
VERSION
Meditation: Guided relaxation. Be
centered. Contact your inner-guide, your wisdom or sense of
resourcefulness. Find a still/empty space. Allow an
externalized problem to present itself. At any point in the
process, you can return to a meditative place and ask for
your inner wisdom to give you guidance.
Journal: Respond to some or all of
these questions:
How does this problem oppress and limit your experience: of
yourself; relationships; actions and choices? How and when
did the problem, like a weed, take root in your life? What
is the soil it grew in? (e. g. relationships, family, and
social /cultural training). What sort of social ideas
/ideologies and practices supported it (gender, class, race,
socio-economic). If you were to separate yourself from the
problem, where would you stand in relation to these? How
would you rather be in charge of the problem than have it in
charge of you?
Draw: The influence of the problem
on your life: what effects does the problem have on your
life? Consider the background of social influences or
messages.
Choose an expressive style. Some options
could be:
#A drawing in symbolic terms.
#A map of the problem's influence.
#A cartoon series showing different areas of effect.
#An intuitive drawing using your non-dominant hand and
showing the influence of the problem in shapes and
colors
#Your own inspiration.
Journal
If the problem were to write a description of you from
its negative or dominating point of view, what would it say
about you, how would it tell your story? e. g.: This is the
way I see this person--this is what I want her to be and
do--this is what I keep her from doing. This is what I need
from him/her to keep me going--My main supports are: (other
habits, problems or ways of thinking (e.g.. perfectionism as
supported by insecurity ). Also, let me explain when I (the
problem) am a friend and when I am a foe to this person.
Optional drawing:
What would it look like if the problem were to remain
unchanged and in charge, in five or ten years
time?
Movement:
Warm up. Walk around in neutral. Allow the problem to
influence you, start to embody the problem. What happens to
your posture and breathing? Now develop a movement with the
problem in charge. How would you move under its influence?
Explore this for a while. Exaggerate it. What sounds would
you make?
Allow this movement to develop into a
transitional movement that would start to loosen the grip of
the problem. Explore the pathways to free yourself of its
oppressive influence, and into a more preferred state. What
posture, movement and breathing make a transition? Expand
into a movement of liberation, a preferred state of being.
What movement helps you find the relationship you would
prefer with the problem? What sounds come with this? Develop
this movement/gesture of right relationship. How would it be
to practice this posture and movement?
Draw or sculpt this movement
solution: find a way to respond to it using other
senses. Find some words that go with this experience.
Journal:
How did the problem convince/trick you into following
its ways rather than your own preferred ways? What are you
in touch with now (about yourself) that will encourage you
to follow your own ways? What side benefits (if any) of the
problem would you have to give up by changing? What
possibilities would open up for you?
Draw a unique outcome:
What does the movement remind you of? Think of a time
when you were able to have a different relationship with the
problem, when you were free of it, or in harmony with it. If
you can't think of a time, make one up (a desired outcome?).
Journal:
What relationship do you prefer to have with the problem. i.
e. the "right relationship"? (e. g., free of it, vanquish it
etc.) What do you know about yourself that suits and can
strengthen this relationship? What else will support or
encourage it? What threads do you see in your life that may
have been ignored before speak to this preferred
relationship? What other question would you like to be asked
(answer it)?
Sculpt or draw this relationship,
or your preferred/liberated balance in relation to problem.
May expand on previous work or start a new one.
Journal
Write a description/tell a story about yourself from the
"alternative knowledge" point of view (rather than the
problem's point of view): one that takes into account these
other threads of meaning about yourself. Can use words/and
pictures. Try to incorporate past, present and future into
your story.
Relax and close your eyes:
Visualize how you project your life to be in a week, or five
years or a time of your choice as you continue to embrace
this direction.
Ask for and receive a symbol for guidance
and healing and thank your inner guidance.
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