Focusing is the process of accessing the body’s wisdom by turning inwards and being present to its inner sensations. It was developed by Eugene Gendlin and colleagues at the University of Chicago in the 1960s. According to Gendlin, conscious thoughts emerge from the entangled inner awareness that he called “the felt experience” which holds the key to psychological resolution.
The following videos are a series demonstrating the Focusing process with Liz Baring and Charlotte and Sharon.
12 Avenues Demo with Sharon
FOCUSING
12 AVENUES
Name the issue in no more than 6 words. Pause – check with the felt sense.
Is there an emotional quality to the felt sense?
Ask for the location.
Ask for at least three descriptive words of the emotional/FS qualities. Maybe try changing the order of the words.
Does it have a shape – how big is it?
Does it have a kinesthetic quality? Texture, temperature?
Does it have a metaphor?
Does it have a sound?
Does it have a gesture/posture?
Does it have an image? (Check the image with the bodily feeling sense)
What in my life is like this?
Where and how do you sense it in your body?