Deepening self-work: Resources for Healing
SO much beautiful work comes through in sessions. It’s literally my favorite thing. I call it healing ‘work’, and then I catch myself and think it’d probably be better known as healing play. Or growth, or communion, or some other more joyfully connotative phrase.
That said, this is a post about the work that happens when we’re alone. Which is most of the work (err, play).
Not everyone is drawn to explore and resource their nature through internal awareness—maybe it’s few who are!—but if you’re one of those few, I’d love to share some of the practices and resources that have given me enough structure to apply my creativity towards change.
Books for healing.
Books!
Internal Family Systems Therapy, Second Edition by Richard Schwartz and Martha Sweeney.
—Sounds like the most technical title, but this book is both accessible and incredibly generous. I don’t know of other therapy systems that give you all the tools the way IFS does. If you are interested in exploring parts work, this book offers a way to connect with your internal landscape and bring unburdening and compassion to unexpected places.
The Process of Embodying Emotions— by Raja Selvam
—The technique—and it really does feel like one big technique—detailed in this book offers a revolutionary way to work with emotions. If you want something to help process the back catalogue of emotion, this is a treasure.
Ocean of Dharma Series—Chogyam Trungpa
—Problematic genius teacher giving a wild vast overview of Buddhism. One book for the hinayana path, one for the mahayana, and another for the vajrayana. 2000-ish pages total and enough practice to last lifetimes.
Astrological Remediation—Andrea Gerhz.
—For people born with hard aspects in their charts, or for all of us moving as we are through the transits of big energy bodies (planets), having techniques to soften and redirect cosmic energy can be a life changer. Fun too!
Anchored—Deb Dana
—For years the polyvagal theory was something people knew was important but didn’t know how to apply the findings in a practical way. Awesome writers like Deb Dana have been making polyvagal theory accessible and actionable. This is a great resource for understanding and befriending your nervous system.
Videos:
Mindrooms 1—Personal Mindrooms—Betsy Bergstrom.
https://www.spirit-wise.com/recorded-courses
—This video series made by my teacher Betsy Bergstrom offers a launch point to explore the personal landscape—the room, if you will—one has in relationship to any given thing. What’s your mind like around creativity? Abundance? Love? Is it a dusty hovel or someplace vital? Would you like to alter it? This simple approach can offer countless hours of healing play.
Miscellaneous:
The Work, Byron Katie.
https://thework.com/instruction-the-work-byron-katie/
The four questions Byron Katie asks can help uncover and restructure fixed beliefs. Take your assumptions through the work.
Energy Hygiene Practices— I don’t feel comfortable wholesale recommending any of the books I cobbled together my energy hygiene practices from. One day, I’ll write a blog post compiling different practice descriptions of my own, but for a now, here’s a list of practice names. If you’re into this approach (highly recommended), google will take you find instructions.
—Chakra clearing
—Grounding cord
—Decording exercise
—Circulating light
—Auric field patching
Physical—
Perhaps what most people think of when they think about having a practice!
No recommendations, but I sure recommend having one!
Yoga nidra
Grief circles
Taking a training
The ways to engage are as varied as people are. Whatever the means, it’s the engagement that matters. The above resources are some of the most user-friendly tools I’ve encountered. Blessings !
