PARTICIPANTS
Guide, the one who gives verbal cues to the Mediator, the one who wishes to travel a path toward his or her true Self.
Meditator, the one who freely and in a relaxed and safe state undertakes a practice--a series of steps--to experience Buddha mind (or whatever name s/he wants to call it).
INTRODUCTION
I'm going to ask to speak to some various aspects of your self, some different voices you have inside you. Everything is already there, within you. It's all there. You are not lacking any of the wisdom, any of the compassion, or anything that has ever been discovered or revealed. It's all there. That's why your true Self can be revealed. We're all born with this unborn Buddha mind. This exists within all of us, and I am here to accompany you on a way, a path to experiencing your true Self.
I know this to be true. I know you can realize your true Self, to make this shift. There's no reason not to. The only thing that might keep you from making this shift would be that you don't want to, or we might not proceed at the same pace along the path. Communicate with me if it happens. Let me know if you start to feel lost, or sidetracked, or you need more time at one or another point. Give me a signal so that I know when we are not in sync. That way we can have 100 percent success, and you can experience your higher being.
You can feel safe to just talk as yourself, like an observer. You are not to re-experience anything negative. Just report, don't re-live. Assume a "been there, done that" perspective, and just step back and observe as though you're watching a home movie. If I see you getting agitated, I'm going to remind you of this by simply asking you to "step back," and you will automatically know that you are safe, are not re-experiencing anything, simply reporting past events or reasons for your being. You arose out of circumstance, and although you are still here and now, those circumstances are not.
Make a physical shift in your posture to help make the mental shift when talking to each new voice. We're going to learn about each voice in you in order to drop your self, to set aside your ego. Keep your answers, your insights, very simple. Start with the most obvious. This will make more sense as we progress. Are you ready to begin?
STEP: Relaxation
[If the Meditator wants help to get into a relaxed state, use a suitable procedure.]
When you are completely relaxed, you can tell me by moving your finger. Take as much time as you need. I will check with you in a few minutes.
Are you relaxed?
[If yes . . . ]
STEP: Induction (addressing the voices)
[When the person is relaxed . . . ]
I am now going to help guide you down a path. With their permission, I'm going to speak to the various voices who hold the keys to the gates along this path. Some of these voices want to be heard; others may be reluctant to come forth, but I want to assure you that it is with the intent of bringing you towards peace and joy and fulfillment that we are doing this exercise. Each voice is important, and so each voice that needs to be heard will be.
It is completely safe for these voices to separate and speak out on their own behalf and yours. They play a vital role in your being and play a vital role in your journey to enlightenment. There is no need for censorship; just let the aspects of yourself speak freely and openly. There is no judgement here, only understanding and awareness. These voices have manifested themselves to serve you in this human existence. After listening to them, I'm going to ask for their permission to step aside for a while to help reveal your true Self, of all time, all worlds, of everything and of nothing. This is our goal on the path we follow. With the help of your voices willingly surrendering the keys they hold, you will unlock the gates along the way to your Self.
Ready? Signal with your finger.
[If yes . . . ]
May I now speak to the controller?
[Proceed based on answers given and intuition.]
What do you do?/What is your job?/What is your role?/What is your function?/What are your duties?
What do you want?
How big are you?
Where are your boundaries?
Will you ever stop doing what you do?
Why are you important?
What are the benefits of your presence?
What are the disadvantages/dangers of your presence?
What are the disadvantages/dangers of your presence?
Are you appreciated? Needed? If you weren't around, what would it be like? You have a very important function and need to be appreciated.
[At a point of completeness or surrender, ask . . . ]
Will you do me a favor? Would you allow other voices to speak so that your true Self can have complete and total access to what is? [alternatively, to be with the non-seeking, non-striving mind?]
[If yes . . . ]
OK, thank you for giving access to a clear channel.
[At the conclusion of talking with the controller, ask permission to speak to other voices. Let the person name the voice that rises in consciousness for him or her.
The following are possible other voices.
The Skeptic
The Vulnerable Child
The Protector
The Damaged Self
The Fixer
Seeking Mind
Non-Seeking Mind
Academic
Wounded Animal
Fear
Anger
Competition]
Whom am I speaking to?
[Proceed based on answers given and intuition.]
What do you do?/What is your job?/What is your role?/What is your function?/What are your duties?
What do you want?
How big are you?
Where are your boundaries?
Will you ever stop doing what you do?
Why are you important?
What are the benefits of your presence?
What are the disadvantages/dangers of your presence?
Are you appreciated? Needed? If you weren't around, what would it be like? You have a very important function and need to be appreciated.
[After exploration of each voice . . . ]
Would it be possible to step aside for a while?
[Yes/No]
Are you ready to step aside now?
[If yes . . . ]
Thank you.
Is there another voice who would like to speak?
[If yes . . . ]
Whom am I speaking to? etc.
[In the event of some apparent blockage or disruption . . . ]
Who am I talking with now?
Is there anything else I can help you with? that you need to say?
Everything is all right. Everyone is safe. Would it be possible for me to speak with [previous voice] again now?
[If yes . . . ]
Thank you.
STEP: Are all voices set aside?
You have set aside the different voices that compete for attention. You can experience your true Self. Reside here. I will be quiet now. Move your finger if this is OK. If you have another voice that needs to speak, please speak.
[Allow 15 minutes of silence.]
Are you ready to come back? Move your finger if you are. Otherwise I will remain silent.
[Allow more silence then repeat.]
[If yes . . . ]
STEP: Reintegration
I am going to slowly help you return from where you are. You can remember this space or place and return anytime you want.
The voices I have spoken with may now take their proper places.
[Slowly name several of the voices the Meditator mentioned.]
STEP: Awakening
When you're ready to return, come back into your body and this current life on the slow count of three, remembering what you have just experienced and knowing it's always there any time you wish.
One. Your eyes slowly open.
Two. Refreshed and radiant with vitality, wiggle your toes and fingers.
Three, begin moving and raise your head, fully awake.
Proceed from this moment forward, thanking yourself and the universe for the shift that has occurred within you by opening your mind and heart to its power.
__________
* Special thanks to Colleen Grimard for substantive contributions to this protocol and her interest in and willingness to be a guide.
