...sign of our times...
Upon being handed a journal as a gift, a nine year-old asks his mom what it was. The mom says that it was a notebook to record his thoughts and feelings, every day. The kid replies, "You mean, it is a blog...on paper." Reader's Digest, Oct 2008 issueFamily Constellations-Lucia Capacchione-Be Well Center, Atascadero, Calif.
The workshop was an eye-opening one; came with a Bonus – Great hospitality from the hosts of the workshop, Janet and Roel. Thank you.
The workshop on Family Constellations was organized by the Be Well Center (Sep 12-13, 2009) in Atascadero, Calif., in a quiet, safe and comfortable space a little away from their center.
Both days, Lucia played a Native American flute beautifully to invoke the Ancestors’ blessings before getting started. Then she followed it by expertly guiding the workshop’s participants to understand the technique and get involved.
A Family Constellation is a group of people, each (rep, stand-in) representing a person or an aspect of the “client’s” stated problem or issue. These “stand-in“s are chosen by the client. Once the process starts, it appears like the rep simply begins to feel the person/aspect he/she is representing. Each rep is reminded that s/he is not to think but allow their feelings to surface, verbalize their body sensations at all times. No mental analysis required on the part of the rep. And, the facilitator (Lucia) carefully watches for these body language/feelings and guides the proceedings.
The workshop was mostly intense since this technique discharges emotions, removes blocks in some and/or allows closure. Each of us (total of 7) had a constellation to address personal issues. Lucia deftly guided the proceedings to bring them as close as possible to closure.
We were lucky to have a few “naturals” – Michael, Janet, Suzanne, Abe and Roel, folks who could and did quickly slide (emotionally) into the “stand-in” roles. So, that made the proceedings shockingly accurate and eerie in some cases (e.g., “blind” constellation).
For me, all of my “stand-in“s were most accurate in their representation (same for others too). It was surprising to see that observers almost always got some sort of a healing from just watching another constellation unfold. This could have been something that rang true of the constellation in their (observers’) lives, maybe not the most pressing matter, but a bother all the same.
Lucia and the Be Well Center folks want to do more of such in the future. Our shared impression about the workshop was that this first one was organized very well — fruit, coffee, tea, cookies, chocolate, water, healthy lunch and dinner!! The best part: All offered with genuine caring and love.
It was educational, healing at some deeper level and fun. Check them out.