"Love is the end result. It is the space and the circle."

-Carol B Webster

Lesson 30: Introduction to Module 8

by Carol B Webster

Module 8 is a powerful culmination of the Holding Space Practice modules.  LOVE is the result of this module.  In fact, LOVE is what the whole Holding Space Practice is about!

In the center circle of the Holding Space picture, on the top of the center circle, it says “Honor Individual”  and on the bottom, it says, “Holding Space without Judgment”.  This “place” of individuality, honoring, and holding is a sacred space.  It is the innermost reality.

Our temple-bodies have a sacred place where we keep our precious stories.  To access that innermost space, we must approach it with respect and preparation.  There is a journey-like process to not only “hear” someone else’s story, but to hear and embrace our own story. All of the Holding Space tools are to ultimately take us to that sacred, internal place.  

“Love is the end result. It is the space and circle.” 

When we really know someone’s sacred stories, judgment falls away.  This includes knowing our own stories. We come to honor, embrace, and love the whole person whose stories we hold.

The final module of the Holding Space Practice explores the art of personal story discovery for self as well as helping others on their journeys.

 This is a powerful skill and process!

In the video for this lesson, Carol shares a personal experience when she explored her inner story. 

She questions if everything she has been doing for the last decade or more is really what she should be doing. She considers the option of just getting a job. She is reminded that her small offering can be part of a miracle like the story of Jesus feeding the 5000 from the small offering of 5 loaves of bread.

Expansion comes when we offer what we have, knowing that with God, it can be multiplied. Sometimes we decide not to give because we assume what we have is too little. (This is contracting or the feeling of making smaller.) If you have nothing, then give nothing, but giving what little you have trains your heart to be generous and expands your faith until it expands you!

Click here to view the 13-minute video

An Idea:

Here is a step-by-step of what I did and what you might do when you are having a “bad day”.   

1.      Find a safe person or two (three at most) to share your true feelings, even if they are ugly, unflattering, raw or make you “look bad”.  ( Note: Be that kind of listener for others!  Just hold space so someone can speak their mind and see and hear the thoughts in their head.)

2.      What is another time you have felt that way or had similar experiences?

3.      Ask yourself (or pray and ask God, if that is a practice for you,) what the two times have in common so you can notice a bigger pattern.

4.      Look for answers.  They might come through your trusted listeners' words, something you end up reading, thoughts that come to you, or random experiences that happen.  

5.      With the RAW & Unedited experience I share, later that day someone randomly and unexpectedly sent me an email that was an answer to the internal concerns I was having.

6.      Connect those dots.

7.      If there is a feeling of resolve or prompting on what to do next, trust and follow it.

Practice checklist:

Journal and draw. It helps bring the answers that are inside up into your conscious awareness.

• Who are your two or three people that you trust can listen to you without trying to "fix" anything? Do you do that for someone?

• Look for an opportunity to practice listening. If you have never been a "good" listener, remember that people's answers are inside of them. You don't know their answers even if you think you do. It helps people to say out loud what they are thinking to find their inner wisdom. Your job is to be a mirror.

• Ask clarifying questions like: "When you said you wanted to quit your job, did you have a timeline in mind for that?" or "You said that you don't think you can tell that to your mom. Why is that?"

• Whenever you are deeply talking or listening, take time to notice how your body feels. Take a deep breath as you scan for tension and release it on your gentle, slow exhales.

• Show gratitude for your people that know and listen to your story. They are priceless.

• YOUR ideas?