The Three Positive Connections For Generative Change Stephen Gilligan, Ph.D.

The general idea (1) Mindbody centering (2) Positive intention/goals The central dimension in successful therapy is creativity—that is, the client’s capacity to create positive and meaningful realities. While focus on problems is important, it is secondary to activation of solutions. Significant positive changes are best made in a state of creative flow featuring three positive connections: (1) Mindbody centering (2) Positive intention/goals (3) Positive resources

Theoretical Overview

Premise 1: Creativity is a conversation This conversation is between the creative unconscious (quantum) and the conscious (classical) worlds. The creative unconscious is a holographic wave field containing “infinite possibilities” The conscious mind “collapses the quantum wave” to create one reality. Creativity moves between these two worlds; each completes the other.

Premise 2: This reality construction occurs via filters Filters translate quantum imagination into classical reality Three general types of filters: Somatic, Cognitive, and Field All we know is what our filters produce: Our maps are our reality We can generatively work with our filters

Premise 3: Filters are held by human consciousness: “Mindless” or “Mindful” 1. When held mindlessly with neuromuscular lock-- fight, flight, freeze, or fold--problems develop and repeat themselves 2. When held mindfully with creative flow, solutions and new learnings are possible

The Underlying Context of Symptoms The CRASH State The Underlying Context of Symptoms Contracted Reactive Analysis Paralysis Separated Hurting/Hating/Hitting

CRASH as “neuromuscular lock” The Four F’s of Neuromuscular Lock Fight Freeze Flight Fold

The Basis for Creative Change The COACH State The Basis for Creative Change Centered Open Aware Connected Holding

CRASH vs. COACH: Whether a system is problematic or creative When systems are in CRASH state, they are de-generative and problem-creating. When (the same) systems are in COACH state, they are generative and solution- creating holons. The goal of Systemic Trance Work is to move systems from CRASH to COACH, thereby facilitating transformation and generativity.

6 Steps in Generative Change Open a COACH field Set Intention/Goals Develop a generative state Take action Transform Obstacles Deepening the Changes

Open the COACH field: Relax, ground, center, open awareness Step 1 Open the COACH field: Relax, ground, center, open awareness

Revivifying client’s COACH experiences Settle in, settle down Set intention to open COACH field Ask Client to identify COACH experiences in personal life (e.g., peaceful place, deep connection), or an imaginary place. Ask client to slowly describe sensory elements of experience, alternating with silence/breathing through body. Coach limbically attunes and uses/feeds back Client’s description to unfold parallel state Use self-rating (1-10) to identify when deep Coach state has been developed

Step 2: Goals/Intention Move creative focus towards positive, meaningful goals

The core question for the hero’s journey of the generative self: What is it that you most want to create in your life?

Three ways to represent intention Verbal statement (positive, succinct, five words or less, resonant) Visual image (color, literal or symbolic) Somatic model (posture and movement) copyright@Stephen Gilligan - all rights reserved

Exercise: Speaking intention Client: What I most want to create in my life is (verbal statement) --The image that goes with that is _____ --And the somatic model of that is (show movement) Coach: feedback 3 statements and adds: And I send you much support for making that real!! (Partners switch back and forth, 3-4 times)

Three application domains for creative intention Professional life (future goal, work relationships, relationship to money/time/etc.) Personal relationships (family, intimacy relationship, children, friends, etc.) Relationship with self (body, future self, past self, cognitive pattern, “negative” self pattern, etc.)

Step 3: Develop a Generative State “Your reality is a function of your state”

Generative state Dimension 1: The three positive connections

The three positive connections: The platform for generative change Positive intention/goal (succinct: 5 words or less; resonant) What do you most want to create in your life? Mind-body center (experiences of well-being) Where do you most deeply feel the connection in your body? Positive resources (people, places, things, skills, ancestors, etc.) What connections would best help you achieve your goal?

The relation of the 3 positive connections to trance experience When the positive connections are at high levels, trances are positive and generative When the positive connections are at low levels, creativity is low and negative experiences are more likely

Walking a Timeline with the 3 positive connections Preparation: Layout timeline, COACH. Set general intention for session, develop somatic model (1-10 scale): This is what I want to create.... Attune (1-10 scale) to somatic center (heart, belly): To do so, I stay connected with my center.... Attune (1-10 scale) to general resources (guides, protectors, friends, nature places, etc.) ...and also to all that supports me... Walk timeline slowly, maintaining 3 positive connections, noting changes. Integration: Review, future orient, vows, gratitude

Generative State VISION/ Goal Field of RESOURCES Center/Source © 2016 Conscious Leaders Mastermind

Self-scaling as helpful tool The three connections can fluctuate along a continuum Self-scaling is a very simple and helpful tool for tracking and optimizing the connections Self-scaling can be used any time, anywhere In Generative Coaching sessions, it is used intermittently to gauge and shift intensity levels

The Three Positive Connections: Practical notes The connections need to be held in both cognitive and somatic consciousness—hence, limbic resonance and mind- body attunement are crucial There is no fixed sequence of developing the connections—use whatever unfolds optimally If positive connections seem impossible to develop, shift contexts first: somatic movement, humor, topic shift, relaxation, etc. Remember: Deeper than the conditioned (wounded) self is an unconditioned (unwounded) Self

Thank You..... And May the Force be with you! Stephen Gilligan, Ph.D. www.StephenGilligan.com