From first reading of the original Focusing book by Gene Gendlin I was drawn to Clearing a Space and then most interested in how adding basic art making to this activity helped me: reduce stress, manage anxiety, digest grief and loss, cope with complex emotions and deal with my job, relationships, creative projects or everyday life situations with a little lightheartedness, insight, humour and balance. However, something was also bugging me that felt distinctly 'not right' . . . and it has taken a while to articulate it.
I need to be clear about my intent before I start and be aware of the subtle matter of who is listening?
I needed to ask a few open questions about the way that Focusing was understood and being shared in books and training workshops. Following a sense of what felt distinctly 'not right' inside me, I asked: How would Clearing a Space be ~ if it integrated an intent to consistently check for self deception?
Of course, there is always the option of exploring elements of the sometimes fragmented complexity we sense in ourselves. If I manage to clear a space and am able to just rest there a little then I usually find some energy flows from doing just that alone and I. mostly, am happy enough to stop right there.
As usual, there is plenty more to share on this subject, though, for now I will leave you with Gene's view.
