Family Constellation Therapy
More on Family Constellation Therapy
Thank you to the website Constellation Approach for this wonderful information. To see their site, go to:
Family Constellations
In a family
constellation, the client is invited by the facilitator to select
representatives from the group for their family as they relate to their
presenting issue. The client then places these representatives -
silently and intuitively - in particular positions around the central
working area. When complete, the client sits with the facilitator and
the process begins. The condition of the Family Energy Field can be
observed when the constellation is set up, much like that of a living
family tree.
The facilitator follows the energy of both the person presenting their issue as well as the representatives in the constellation to see where movement is needed in order to create balance, harmony and movement toward peace. It is common for the facilitator to ask some, or all of the constellation members, what they are feeling. Often their responses appear to reflect an uncanny resemblance of the client's family situation and a more complete picture of the family system begins taking shape. In this way, the hidden entanglements of the family come to light.
The facilitator follows the energy of both the person presenting their issue as well as the representatives in the constellation to see where movement is needed in order to create balance, harmony and movement toward peace. It is common for the facilitator to ask some, or all of the constellation members, what they are feeling. Often their responses appear to reflect an uncanny resemblance of the client's family situation and a more complete picture of the family system begins taking shape. In this way, the hidden entanglements of the family come to light.
The Process
When a
client looks at and takes in the family constellation configuration, a
veil seems to be lifted and profound truths - ones they know on a
subconscious level but have not been able to consciously acknowledge -
begin to appear. The facilitator moves certain representatives to
different positions in relation to each other and asks how the new
positions have affected them. When the "right" positioning is found,
there is often a visible relief and relaxation on the part of the
representatives as well as the client. Acknowledging what is, along with
seeing a different reality of the client's family, is enough to begin a
healing process.
The Use of Words
Constellations
most often involve the client or the client's representative saying
particular words to one or more representatives in the group. This
language, referred to as "statements of empowerment" or “solution
sentences,” follows a pathway of sacredness toward healing. A child
might say to her mother, “you are the right one for me." A father
perhaps may say to his child, "I will bear it myself, and now you are
free." Or to someone who has died and is terribly missed, "I will hold a
place for you in my heart." To a person who’s made a difficult choice,
"I respect your fate and will remain with mine.”
Such phrases hold enormous energy for healing our deepest level of emotional pain. When words are used with reverence and truth, a resonance or vibration is felt within all constellation participants as well as the larger group. The sentences may be said to just one other representative with whom the client has the most energetic charge, or they may need to say things to all members of the constellation. When the right solution sentences are found, it is evident – a shift in energy is felt in the room and often tears and a heart-opening experience occurs for the client. These statements of empowerment and healing movements bring the Family Soul into a wider state of conscious awareness which Hellinger has referred to as "enlightened love."
Such phrases hold enormous energy for healing our deepest level of emotional pain. When words are used with reverence and truth, a resonance or vibration is felt within all constellation participants as well as the larger group. The sentences may be said to just one other representative with whom the client has the most energetic charge, or they may need to say things to all members of the constellation. When the right solution sentences are found, it is evident – a shift in energy is felt in the room and often tears and a heart-opening experience occurs for the client. These statements of empowerment and healing movements bring the Family Soul into a wider state of conscious awareness which Hellinger has referred to as "enlightened love."
Three Levels of Constellations
The above
description of the process of a constellation is what is commonly
referred to as a facilitator-directed constellation. When there are more
experienced representatives in a constellation the facilitator is freer
to trust the representatives more explicitly with their movements. This
is often referred to as Movements of the Soul constellations. In these
constellations, the facilitator might not ask the representatives what
they are feeling or enter into the field to facilitate movement. When
more advanced students of this Approach act as representatives, it is
possible that an entire constellation be done without words and no
direction from the facilitator. Bert Hellinger refers to this level of
work as Spirit-Mind constellations.
Insights
Some of
the insights that seem to be consistently revealed are that children
stay loyal to their parents, often repeat the same patterns as they do,
have difficulty achieving a more fulfilling life than their parents and
will take on similar fates as others have in the family. In
constellation seminars, it regularly happens that members of the larger
group are deeply affected and touched by another's work. A healing
experience for one person will have a healing effect on anyone else in
the room with a similar issue.
Strengthening our Origins
A
constellation creates a picture of the Family Energy Field which allows
us to stand in the face of our familial roots more fully. When we
realize that we are deeply connected to our Family Soul and that neither
time nor distance can alter that, we are capable of exploring the
complexities of our family's past without judgment of right or wrong.
Openly looking at our family of origin provides us with the opportunity
to see the good and the bad, uncover secrets and truths as well as to
investigate the lost and unexplained.
By seeing these various components, we can acknowledge the multi-faceted truths of our Family Soul, of the things that bind us together. When we look with open eyes, mind, and heart - void of moral judgment - we are capable of letting go of that which doesn’t serve our personal growth. Most importantly, we learn to gain strength from a more meaningful conscious connection to our family ancestral lineage.
This strength feeds the Soul’s development as we re-channel the psychic energy used to distance ourselves from the realities of our family of origin into more productive efforts. We can simply, as Hellinger says, "acknowledge what is," which permits us to move on in life healthier, stronger and more at peace.
By seeing these various components, we can acknowledge the multi-faceted truths of our Family Soul, of the things that bind us together. When we look with open eyes, mind, and heart - void of moral judgment - we are capable of letting go of that which doesn’t serve our personal growth. Most importantly, we learn to gain strength from a more meaningful conscious connection to our family ancestral lineage.
This strength feeds the Soul’s development as we re-channel the psychic energy used to distance ourselves from the realities of our family of origin into more productive efforts. We can simply, as Hellinger says, "acknowledge what is," which permits us to move on in life healthier, stronger and more at peace.
Example of a Family Constellation
Reconnecting with the Male Lineage
The great grandson bows his head, his whole body, and finally in full prostration to his father, acknowledging his humble place within his lineage.
Pride is seen in each of the faces of the men as they reconnect.
The female lineage joins, standing on the left side of the great grandson,
allowing the maternal and the paternal to flow into him.
More Family Constellation Examples
Comments
Post a Comment