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GUIDE TO SELF HELP GROUP EXERCISES
The following suggestion lasts
approximately one and a half hours and includes a small break. Select two
sayings from here or elsewhere in the text. Endeavour to adhere to the timings
suggested. Other sayings may be selected to fit a set of particular
circumstances.
You may wish to select suitable
meditative quiet background music to play as people assemble as this may help
to quieten peoples minds. The music may well be the same each time you come
together. All are requested to bring an exercise book and pen or pencil, but
have some spares just in case. It is essential that all should feel safe, we
are here to be with our own feelings.
When everyone has arrived and you are
ready, turn down or off any music and introduce "Topic A" by saying:
"We are about to consider our
feelings and thoughts on a topic that I will shortly give you. Concentrate on
your feelings rather than your thoughts. Examples of feelings are joy,
happiness, sadness, hurt, fear, anxiety, cold, numb, scared, excited,
disappointment, anger, sorrow, weak, helpless, vulnerable, etc. Eight minutes is
allowed for this section. A gentle sounding gong will be sounded after seven
minutes allowing one minute to finish. Do you have any questions?
First of all, for a minute, get yourself
comfortable, close your eyes, breathe gently and be at ease.
After that minute say:
The first topic is:
"Love is present now."
(Or any topic
of you may have chosen)
Repeat the topic title for everyone and
recommend that each present writes it down.
After seven more minutes, gently sound
the gong. Say: “One more minute.”
After the final minute Say "Breathe
deeply and slowly move your fingers and toes. Stretch yourself . Breathe deeply
again and open your eyes. Please do not talk"
This second section is again eight
minutes with the gong sounding after seven, but this time you may write down
your thoughts and feelings. Try and concentrate on the feelings. If you do not
feel like writing just again consider the saying and note any different
thoughts or feelings. Writing is recommended.
The topic again is:
"Love is present now."
(or alternative)
Are there any questions?" You may start writing now."
Sound the gong after seven minutes sound
the gong and again at the eight minute. Say: "Please complete your
writings and read them through.”
Pause.
Now pair, yourself with one other person
and share what you have written and any other thoughts and feelings that may
develop as you talk. Do not judge another’s writings, thoughts or feelings.
Just accept. Please talk quietly so as not to disturb others. You have eight
minutes for this discussion. Try and share approximately half each. I will
sound the gong after four minutes. If you do not wish to share that is fine,
please just remain quiet letting your mind be at rest or let your partner
continue. Are there any questions?
Pair off now please." (If there is
an odd number of people form one group of three. Alternatively join in yourself
to make a pair).
After the four minutes have elapsed, sound
the gong and say: “Half time” and after a
total of eight minutes again gong and say: "Now form yourselves into
groups of four by joining with another pair and again share. You have eight
minutes. Try and let each person in your group have time to comment. Again do
not judge, it is essential the environment safe for all. I will sound the gong
after four minutes to indicate half time. Form your larger group now please. (It
may be necessary to omit this stage where there are insufficient numbers)
After that eight minutes say: "Now
we come together as one group. Any person may share their own feelings or the
feelings expressed during any group discussions."
This open forum is scheduled to last a
maximum of ten minutes.
At the completion, turn on the music.
Try to remain within the given timings.
Ten Minute Break
Repeat again as above but the topic (B)
is:
" Am I in the same place?"
GUIDE SELF HELP
EXERCISES FOR INDIVIDUAL
In a similar manner select any saying you
may feel applicable. Set your meditative music on low or off.
Close your eyes and consider your
thoughts and feelings on your selected saying. Concentrate on your feelings
rather than your thoughts. Allow between five and ten minutes. After that time
, similarly, write down those
thoughts and feelings you had while meditating. Up to ten minutes writing time
is ample.
At the conclusion of your writings, again
consider what is written for a couple of minutes.
Take a break and select another topic if
you wish.
These sayings are not necessarily truths,
but hopefully they provoke truth.
It is essential that all the participants
feel and know they are in a safe, judging free, environment; physically, mentally and spiritually.
Use any of the topics found elsewhere in
these documents. Hundreds more short sayings are available.
Some of the list above are duplicated
from the main text.
You may also choose to consider them in
any different manner, perhaps just select one to carry with you during the day.
Also consider music such as listening to
Bette Midler sing “Wind beneath my wings” as “A”. Then play the
song again as “B” asking each of
the assembly to consider the “wind beneath my wings” as the inner child. There
are many other similar musical opportunities. Music alone will stimulate
feelings.
Video clips are also possible using such
as the Robin Williams movie film “What dreams may come”. Again there
are many others.
Nothing is intended to be rigid in the
above concept, but please remember not to judge the thoughts, feelings or
writings of any person. This is critical for a safe environment.
The time is here now, the home of love is within, being spiritually free, free from pain, free from hurt, where there is no more sadness. A home that is the gift of life. A loving home, seen in the instant and accepted. The home I choose.
My work of love is present on this planet: work of action, doing, bringing about, sharing, being part of, and helping expand. Work of forgiveness and being love which is my very instinct, my very essence. Work of revealing the truth within, guided by my soul. I surrender to all that is love, dissolving all illusions of a previously judged and perceived world to be where there is no ego. Where all is once again balance, symmetry, peace and silence; being the very spirit of pure life, being one; to be gathered up by all who choose to accept. Assembled as the one beginning, as we all accept forgiveness, hope, peace and wisdom: where we are all one. My work is a continuing sacrifice to surrender to my spirit and the path of my soul. Raising myself beyond the level, to reveal and be revealed as truth. To be love, joy, harmony and grace; awakened and inspired. Giving thanks, journeying in the presence of love. Being of service and in service. Being accepted in joy and happiness.
Helpers surround me and assist in my love willed decisions, nourishing me to do this work in completion; for me, for all. I share, all may share, in this perfection and all that accompanies it. Being with those who accept sharing, the ones who are prepared to accept the bliss of union. Joining with those seeking: so many, so many, for these are my true family, my comforters, my helpers. Growing as one family, as children, perfect then, perfect now. Growing toward one being, one planet, one universe. Dancing the dance of love, letting go of all that is duplicity, rejoicing in being.
The way home is my welcome. For home is the place of arrival, here, now. This true arrival is the birth, my birth. A birth all may share. Home is this place of rest, place of joy, love and happiness. Being with my soul that is love, being one, where all may join me in the presence, where all is open, where all pain is relinquished. Where peace and love reign; this place of sharing. A place of purity, where love is and I am. Where the fruit of love is ever present, where life always has been, is and always will be. Absolute beauty, at one with love and at one with nature. A realisation where there is no need for explanation, for all is revealed. Where there is no need for sacrifice, for all is surrendered. All has been let go and all has become free. All is one.
My relationship to this work, life and myself is bound by love, bound in obedience - for this is love that I love all as myself, being unity and sharing totality to bring forth the true acceptance in perfection; so that my family are one in spirit and truth. A unity of perfect beauty and harmony. Unity that may be shared by all, for all, for one. An entirety of truth freely offered to those who choose to embrace. A new life sprung up from the waters of hope and flowing to eternity, bringing compassion, caring and the creation of new birth. The invitation is: "Come home" that we may share and rejoice together in everlasting love, for all time, for ever. For this is life, that I love you and you love me, that we all may join together in the dwelling place of the peaceful spirits. There is nothing else to do.
So it is now, this moment, the time to take the helm of life and set course over the sea of love, where the stars guide the course, the moon gives the tides and the sun enlightens the way. For this is the way, given to me before time, as I now accept the presence of love.
AND THESE WORDS ARE WRITTEN IN THE SKIES FOR ALL TO SEE
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