Connections

From Me To You

The All-Encompassing Healing Self

#healingenergy #ifs #internalfamilysystems #sacredhealing Feb 17, 2023

In sacred healing, which we all have access to, there are various concepts of Self and being witness to.  ‘Self-energy’, ‘self-essence,’ and ‘self-leadership’. These fundamentally describe different aspects of our inner experience.

Self-energy is the energy that animates and sustains our core sense of self. This energy is characterised by compassion, clarity, and courage and is believed to be a natural part of our inner experience. When self-energy flows freely, we feel connected, grounded, and empowered.

Self-essence refers to the unique qualities and characteristics that define our core self. This includes our values, beliefs, interests, and a sense of purpose and is believed to be a fundamental part of our inner experience. We feel a sense of authenticity, fulfilment, and meaning when self-essence is connected with and expressed.

Self-leadership refers to our ability to lead and direct our own inner experience. This involves taking responsibility for our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours and being able to make conscious choices about how to interact with the different parts of our internal world. When we can practice self-leadership, we feel more empowered, in control, and able to navigate life's challenges more easily.

In IFS, it is believed that when self-energy, self-essence, and self-leadership are aligned and integrated, we experience greater self-awareness, self-understanding, and a sense of integration and wholeness. Conversely, when these aspects are disconnected or blocked, we may experience disconnection, dis-ease, and inner conflict.

I love IFS and its integration with somatic healing because they aim to help us reconnect with self-energy, self-essence, and self-leadership. They also support us in developing a more harmonious and integrated inner experience and becoming mindful witnesses.

The mindful witness refers to the part of the Self that observes and experiences the present moment without judgment or attachment. The mindful witness is often seen as a tool for developing self-awareness and reducing stress and anxiety. It allows us to step back from our thoughts and emotions and experience them from a more neutral and detached perspective.

The mindful witness is a non-judgmental observer who can see thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations without getting caught up in them or reacting to them. A neutral and accepting presence helps us cultivate greater self-awareness and see their experiences from a more detached and objective perspective.

Our mindful witness can be cultivated through mindfulness meditation, breathing exercises, and other techniques. As with IFS, the goal is to develop the ability to observe our experience from curiosity and compassion rather than from a place of judgment or attachment. This can help us reduce stress, increase self-awareness, and cultivate greater inner peace and well-being.

We also have ‘self-like’ parts. A self-like part’ is a part of our inner experience that embodies qualities and characteristics aligned with our core self. These parts reflect our ‘true self’ and are characterised by compassion, clarity, and courage.

Self-like parts are often seen as the 'positive' or 'healthy' parts of our inner experience. They are believed to be in touch with our self-energy, self-essence, and self-leadership. We feel more grounded, empowered, and fulfilled when these parts are connected with and expressed.

Through IFS therapy, you are encouraged to develop greater self-awareness, self-understanding, and self-compassion and cultivate a more harmonious and integrated inner experience. By connecting with self-like parts, you can tap into your innate strengths, qualities, and abilities to live a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

How do you access and cultivate your sacred healing abilities?

In abundant love and kindness for all gentle souls

Angela xox