Self/Other Grid II
The Self/Other practice or modality grid mentioned in an earlier post left out the body level.
With it, the rough outline could look like this:
Self/Body
Various forms of exercise, including aerobic and strength, and diet, sleep and self-massage.
Other/Body
Forms of bodywork, such as massage, other-assisted stretching, medicines, surgery.
Self/Energy
Forms of yoga, including indian yoga, tai chi, chi gong, and related practices such as Breema.
Other/Energy
Forms of healing and energy transmissions such as reiki and diksha.
Self/Consciousness
Forms of inquiry and meditation, such as The Work, headlessness experiments and shikataza.
Other/Consciousness
Changes in content or context of consciousness catalyzed by an apparent Other, by a teacher, Christ and God.
Interactions
This grid overlays Ground and its many manifestations, so it is one fluid whole before and after we put on this grid. This also means that through the filter of this grid, we will see interactions between each of the areas.
When I or somebody else works on my body, it has effects on energy and consciousness levels. Energy may start flowing more freely, I may feel more relaxed and/or alert, and so on.
When I or somebody else works on my energy aspect, it has effects on my physical body, maybe healing of or relief from physical problems, and my consciousness aspect, maybe an experience of bliss or clarity, maybe even glimpses of Big Mind or selflessness.
When I or somebody else influences my consciousness, it also affects on the two other levels. My body may change, maybe it relaxes and tension melts away, and my energy system may change, maybe knots unravel and energy flows more freely again.
Integral Life Practice
The Other portion of this grid is often left out of integral practice discussions and frameworks, but it seems that for it to be more inclusive, and more aligned with the what is out there and available to us in terms of practices and tools for healing and awakening, both the Self and Other sections must be included.
Labels: awakening, healing, integral practice, model, practice