How to Coach Yourself and Others Grief Coaching and Counseling | Page 29

pains, illusions, and concerns behind the suffering. At this major stage of healing, we can appear on the other side or our illusionary self. For many of us, the alienated, isolated, abused, ignored, denied, or redirected aspect may be one of "light", or "goodness", or "pure child". Merging does not mean we have to face our Beast, but rather, it means allowing us to merge behind the consciousness, which was generated by the creation of our separateness. When we merge with our illusion, we feel a new sense of personal empowerment on intellectual, spiritual, and emotional levels. This strength comes from discovering the truth about certain aspects of our being that lie beyond the veil of illusion. Most of the time this "knowledge" is not cognitive. Merging may not be forced. It can only safely occur when the bodymind is ready for it. Merging comes about naturally, as interference in the spinal system and the connective tissues of the body is removed. Becoming consciously aware of what is behind the illusions, which produced the suffering, does not occur in the Stage 5 of healing. Here, we observe ourselves during our interaction with our pain and suffering. Stage 6, PREPARATION FOR RESOLUTION: This stage of Healing represents a point of increasing momentum and flexibility of the bodymind in preparation for the discharge and resolution of trapped perspectives, memories, information, energy, and patterns. Here, there is awareness that the energy behind the dissonant aspect of our life is about to be relinquished. This may be the type of feeling or sensation that we may feel, when we become nauseous, or before we actually throw up. It may remind us of how we feel just at the point of having a powerful sneeze, or at the point when we are about to make a change in our relationship. Stage 6 involves more than preparation for the discharge and resolution that takes place in the next stage, Stage 7, Resolution. We may be able to resolve the dissonant or alienated aspect in this stage, without having to experience a forceful or violent discharge. The essential rhythm in Stage 6 involves centering and grounding the bodymind’s energy, so it is prepared in the event that discharge is necessary. This centering brings with it an awareness that discharge is a welcome and appropriate event in the healing journey. Knowing that there is a buildup