2.13 Intake

The Sacred Voyage: a holotropic perspective on mental health

During an intake session of two hours, prospective clients of the Sacred Voyage explain what the theme is that they wish to explore. In this process we approach the core issue at a mental level. Once we have defined the problem we shift to a different approach, to the awareness of, and focusing on the felt sense associated with the issue. The central question in this phase is: ‘Where in your body can you feel what you have just described?’

We can use what the client has described as a ‘handle’. Whatever we know about the problem at hand, the symptom or complaint, is now, through this handle, attached as a name to the associated physical sensation.

This handle will be used as a guideline, as something to help hang onto the felt sense. When this handle is stirred, the client can get in touch with his or her felt sense. Often, a handle consists of a certain negative conviction. These convictions are formed during childhood, often when a child has received insufficient guidance after a traumatic occurrence. This can lead to low self-esteem with the accompanying negative convictions, such as: ‘I’m stupid, nasty, ugly, evil, lazy, worthless, undeserving of love, etcetera’. When such a handle is employed, the frozen, traumatized energy will be stirred and feelings and emotions such as fear, anger or grief may crop up. Also, a sense of relief may reveal itself, often accompanied by a deep sigh, which is associated with the feeling that finally, what is truly inside is given the attention it requires. Loving attention and acknowledgement of this inner reality may cause an energy shift (Gendlin) to occur. This is known to us as ‘thawing of the frozen, traumatized energy’. It entails a shift in the area of focus of the felt sense, towards a different part of the somatic self. Often, the handle is replaced as well.

When the ‘problem area’ in the body has been found and defined, we work with the client to remain in close contact with it, using maitri, which is a Tibetan word meaning unconditional loving kindness towards yourself. The thought behind this is that only loving kindness can thaw the frozen energetic blockades. Only love has this power. As far as we are concerned, the opposite is also true. Fear, (when trauma is involved, fear of dying) has at a certain point been able to freeze the energy, and is still able to do so. Therefore, learning to deal with fear is one of the central pillars of the therapeutic guidance we provide. Our guidance comes straight from the heart and uses maitri and loving attention, the antidote for fear.

Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh about loving attention: ‘The moment your loving attention starts to tackle your fear, the fear will settle down. “I breathe in and calm both my body and mind.” You can calm your feelings by simply staying with them, like a mother holds her child when it cries. […] Loving attention is no judge, it should be seen more as someone looking after her younger sister, supporting her with care and affection. By concentrating on our breathing we can keep this attention alive and we can become fully acquainted with ourselves.’

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