Because this page is only meant for people who are participating in Focusing Level 3, you won't find a link to it in the navigation bar of my website. I suggest you bookmark it for easy access.

Practice sessions
Focusing is a learned practice. Please find time to practice at least once between meetings. Plan on allowing each person time to Focus for approx 20 minutes. The exchange should then be able to fit into an hour time slot.

Partner practice crib sheets will be sent by email

The overall theme for Level 3:

Peeking Behind the Veil -
a more nuanced understanding of the process

Meeting dates

May 9

May 21

May 30

June 14

July 25

Reading and meeting themes

Meeting 1, May 9.

Theme: Increasing awareness of self- guiding

The Focusing Student & Companion’s Manual, Part One

Please review pages 6-12, 28 and 50-54.

Here is a link to a Focusing demonstration

The demo is 15 minutes long. It is interesting to note that the Focuser didn't mention aloud the issue she was focusing on before the session nor did she refer to specifics about the issue even though she was clearly in an inner relationship with something.

During your practice session after the first meeting, the companion will offer "reflections" to the Focuser. The Focuser will give her own self-instructions, also know as "reminders". As you listen to the demo, write down one or two self-guiding instrctions that the Focuser gave herself.

Meeting 2, May 21

Theme: Giving Reminders, Cushions

The Focusing Student & Companion’s Manual, Part Two

Section Nine: A Reminder or Two, Pages 133-142

The role of the companion

Transcript, Short Focusing Session

Below in a link to a demonstration where the companion offers reflections, waiting for the Focuser to pause before reflecting. Notice that if the Focuser says a lot without pausing, then only the last thing is reflected back. The companion doesn't reflect the Focusers self guiding instructions. For the most part, during this session, the Focuser leads herself with self instructions. Aligned with the partner practice exercise after meeting 2, the Focuser asks for a specific reminder a couple of times. The companion then offers a reminder, prefaced with a "cushion", based on that specific request. One time the Focuser does not specify the reminder she wants. Rather than interupt the session for the sake of a more "perfect" demonstration, the companion simply chose a reminder to say to the Focuser based on what she might have said to herself.

Demonstration, Focuser asks for specific reminders

the demonstration is about 16 minutes.

Here is a link to a demo Ann made of solo focusing. As you want it, notice some of the self-guiding that Ann is doing.

https://youtu.be/yTl2atf8F3o

Meeting 3, May 30

Theme: Making Contact

The Focusing Student & Companion’s Manual, Part Two

Section Seven: Going Deeper, Pages 82-98

Section Nine: The Stages of a Focusing Session, Pages 149-150

Making Contact, Section B of the Supplemental Manual

Below is a link to a demonstration of a Focusing session where the focuser offers herself some reminders and also requests reminders several times during the session. She does not request specific reminders during the session. This demonstration is aligned with the partner practice after meeting 3. After the session, the focuser and companion talk about the process. Several valuable teaching points about Focusing come out during this after sesson exchange. The video is close to 24 minutes long.

https://youtu.be/-3WEWeFfLcc

Meeting 4, June 14

Theme: Settling in and Deepening Contact

The Focusing Student & Companion’s Manual, Part Two

Section Seven: Going Deeper, Pages 99-109

Settling In, Section C of the Supplemental Manual

Deepening Contact, Section D of the Supplemental Manual

Compassion and "No wonder"

the "Bottle" handout - this "crib sheet will be emailed

Here is a link to a demonstration where the Focuser gives some of her own self-guiding suggestions and she sometimes asks her companionfor a reminder. Aligned with the practice session after meeting 4, the companion gives reflections and occasionally, without being asked, adds a reminder after the reflection. After the session both focuser and companion share about the process (not content). 19 minutes.

https://youtu.be/ulJ-NnjWGBw

Meeting 5, July 25

Theme: Two or More Parts, Coming Out & Positives

The Focusing Student & Companion’s Manual, Part Two

Section Seven: Going Deeper, Pages 110-113

Section Nine: A Reminder of Two, Pages 151-153

Coming Out, Section E of the Supplemental Manual

Two or More Parts, Section F of the Supplemental Manual

Positives, Section G of the Supplemental Manual