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Partswork 2 (May 2020) Discussion Forum
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I am sitting here pondering the question how Parts Work fits into nature connected coaching and it dawns on me: Parts are the very nature of our internal system. From day one (or so it seems) Michael discussed with us how nature does not just refer to just the green outside world, but can be whatever environment we find ourselves in or even find within us. Parts Work is very much nature connection in self awareness and self acceptance. Parts Works is the tool for discovery of the nature of who we are.
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Well said Sheri. We are nature! This had me thinking “it’s in my/his/her nature to ….” With this it brings to my mind more of the positivity of my parts and then looking at my introjects it definitely looked much clearer that those are not parts of me, or in my nature.
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Summary post–
Doing my own Partswork has helped me know more about myself, but also helps explain it to clients better, to understand it better and to be more comfortable using it as a tool in a NCC session. Knowing and exploring my introjects as well has been very eye opening in itself too. Seeing how a few of my parts have healed, been repurposed or renamed since those first sticky notes at the Starhouse is pretty amazing. Sheri told me last week that you can also change the size of the sticky notes on the jamboard and making the introjects smaller and some parts bigger was also very healing. I think my favourite part of partswork is that calmness and healing and integration as the parts settle near the end of the session. It really is like a puzzle with the parts falling into and finding their place in the system. I am sure I will never think or hear someone say “part of me…” the same way again without wondering which part lol -
Wow, amazing posts so far and juicy to read! Reading these gets me jazzed even more about partswork and how powerful it is for both us and for our clients. One of the themes that I am hearing in your posts is some doubt about how to explain this tool and whether or not clients will understand it. While I totally understand, I just want to reflect that each one of us has “gotten” it, and has been able to work with it at least to some extent. I remember Michael saying partswork is an intuitive and natural process. On some level we know we are made up of parts, as we say “A part of me this… and a part of me that…”. However, in our culture, we like to fit everything into one streamlined identity. Introducing the concept of multiplicity (both/and) can be very powerful.
I have found it helpful to create a little handout that helps explain partswork. Just creating it was helpful for me to find the words I wanted to use to explain it, which then helped me in talking about it with clients. Perhaps writing your own intro could be helpful in creating your own explanation, or practicing with each other on introducing this to clients.
It is wonderful to hear of all of your incredible sessions from this module!! Keep it up!!
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SUMMARY: My takeaway from this Parts Work 2 module is based in self-awareness. I see parts work as an out of the box free-form tool (Gestalt!) that guides us, ourselves and our clients, into the ability to dig deeper into who we are and even some of the why if they desire to look there too. A tool we are empowered through, where we can enter into discussion with our parts to uncover who we are in the present, study the why to how we became who we are, and guide our future self into who we desire to become. The study of why or how we got to where we are can show us patterns for change.
Are you, or your client, struggling with the idea of Parts Work? Explore if there is a hurdle around the need to do it right or be right. I have found the lack of guidelines in creating the list difficult as I want to get it “right.” Reassure them, or yourself, that there is no right or wrong as it is this same lack of guidelines that provides the freedom to be unique, unique to you and only you know your truth. Kim also brought up in our ToolBox discussion on Parts Work that a client struggled around identifying or accepting “Soul” and seemed to have discomfort with using that term. I’ve been pondering on that since the call. I feel the need to be very simple and open when guiding others in using Parts Work so it is not limiting or defining for them. What sets Parts Work apart from other personality typing (or similar concepts) is that others tend to put labels, or boxes, for individuals to fit themselves into. They are dictating who we are. Parts Work gives a freedom to identify who you are uniquely. That even goes for the Soul, someone’s perception of this term may change as a person grows and develops especially on their spiritual journey. The concept that Michael even brings forth with using the term “CEO of the Board” or another leadership term to guide their parts being the the leader in essence of the system of themselves so that there’s a comfort and an embracing of Parts Work as a whole as a tool to become more self-aware, self-confident.
Patience, curiosity, and openness to what comes up during the process of Parts Work is key. The importance of discovery and familiarization of our parts may be even more important than the conversations we can have between the Parts once we identify them. I am realizing that this process is truly helping me uncover who I am. The insight I am gaining from this curiosity and work digging into my Parts identification is leading to great self-awareness.
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Mel – so funny you mentioned the self-critical part. I think that’s my logical part simply stating the facts of observation. One part that serves me well! And yes, introjects are so incredibly important as well!
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Summary Post:
What I have gathered from my experience and reading others is two simple things:
1. Partswork is super intriguing and powerful
2. Partswork is super hard to explainThat being said, I am determined to figure out a way to explain it so we can get over that hump of misunderstanding and into the magic!
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INITIAL POST: establish reviewing my own mandala as part of my own personal routine – both as I am starting my day and also when I begin to prepare for interactions whether they be business meetings, general work outings, board meetings, etc. – the more attuned I find myself in general to not only those around me, but also to myself. As a result, I have a focused ear when both listening to my practice client as well as when I offer up feedback (if requested or willing to be received) to my practice client. Occasionally, I can basically sense a shift in my own baseline, or maybe the baseline of the session and my contribution to it, and by being curious myself about whether or not I have begun to shift into another part in the middle of a session, I can maintain integrity and authenticity with my practice client. The experience has arisen on only a few occasions; however, when it has (and when I am actually aware that it has) I can model that awareness and speak to my client in a way that displays some clear communication around the practice of enfolding Partswork into our sessions. I have yet to have a session with a client since beginning our intensives on this topic, where I do not hear it mentioned at least once that “part of me feels like _____…”
It is so valuable to allow that to come up organically in my experience so far and to highlight the languaging around the client’s own experience through an accurate reflection. Allows for a “This is something that most of us do quite regularly. I’m curious if you would like to establish some routine and practice around this type of self-reflection with a little more intentionality around it…” It has typically resulted in willingness as well as some foundational confidence in knowing that this is something that is not as new as they may have initially assumed.
I think that it would be a wonderful exercise to explore what sensations of connection with the environment different parts might have over the course of a long-term coaching contract. It would greatly inform me as the coach during a session as well as provide some dynamic meaning making for my client as we explored shining a light on not only how his/her/their own demeanor shifts when stepping into a new part, but also how that impacts the way the view and interact with the world. -
SUMMARY: I was not even aware of hearing the concept of an interject when we were first introduced to partswork at star house. I know it wasn’t part of that introduction section; however, it was SUCH a nuanced layer to this intensives deeper-dive that it has added such awareness to how I walk through the day. The impact of that has resulted in a boosted commitment to reviewing my own mandala and taking snapshots throughout my day. All of this greatly supports my ability as a coach to play around in Partswork. In reading through these posts and the ensuing discussion, it is reminding me of my own level of comfort with the fundamentals of Partswork and more so with my willingness to lean in to my own self-discovery using partswork as a lens. The impact of one of our practice sessions during the intensive when Michael had taken the wheel to help me suss out an interject and what the h#ll it was doing to my snapshot and perspective was such a transformative experience that it has inspired me to rekindle my efforts and commitment to all the elements of the toolbox we have been introduced to. Some may fit well with where I’m at at any given time, some may not; however, by cultivating some consistency with practicing them myself, I can be more confident and responsible in my facilitation of these practices with my clients.