THE POWER OF METAPHORS AND EXPERIENTIAL ADVENTURES

THE MUD The mud examines those issues that are the primary or major problem areas. This is the issue(s) that lead you to a desire to seek help. These issues may be addictions or problematic life areas that have caused the most dissonance, lead to the most guilt and finally brought you to the need for reaching out CODEPENDENCY, ATTACHMENTS TO: ALCOHOL, DRUG ABUSE, OVEREATING, SEX, RELATIONSHIPS, ESCAPE, MONEY / CONTROL, WORK, CUTTING, THRILL SEEKING, FEMALE DEPENDENCY, MALE DEPENDENCY, PORN,LUST, RELIGION, RAGE, SHOPPING / SPENDING, EATING DISORDER, ANOREXIA, BULIMIA, GAMBLING, DANGER, GENERIC: (READING, TELEVISION, MOVIES, SPORTS, COMPUTERS, AND VIDEO GAMES), RAGE, DEPRESSION, DEPENDENCY, etc.

SEPERATE YOURSELF FROM YOUR DISEASE

THE MARSHES ► Attachments to problematic behaviors - Or character defects ► substitute addictive behaviors / attachments. The marshes are character defects or problematic patterns and personality issues that are persistent enough to cause continued problems in your walk. The major danger of marsh issues is that if not addressed they can lead to a return to the mud or your major addiction, attachment or problem. The inventory of marsh issues will be a lifelong process.

SENTENCE STEM WORK What I like about this is…. (dynamics) As long as I am involved I can…. (dynamics) As long as I am involved I don’t have to…. (dynamics) This keeps me from… (dynamics) My earliest memory of this was…..(core issue) The consequences of this for me in my life… (consequences) The price I have paid for this has been.. (consequences)

The dynamics The core – the roots The consequences THE 3 GUIDPOSTS WITHIN THE ADVENTURE

THE CAVERNS Cavern work represents examination of those core issues that accompany our addictions, attachments and learned survival behaviors. Cavern issues may include being raised in addictive or dysfunctional families, childhood traumas (i.e. physical, verbal, sexual, or emotional), unresolved childhood issues that continue to influence our adult behaviors. A cavern issue is established when events in childhood pathologically effect our view of ourselves and the world around us. Healing these wounds represent a powerful and important aspect of the Introspective Adventure.

FLOATBACKS Present day troubling situation (exaggerated responses - “get’s my goat”) Review of thoughts, feelings, resulting behaviors Focus only on universal thoughts and, feelings- not time specific Float back (“close your eyes, above your head looking down on you, find ground zero – the first time you remember these thoughts and feelings”)

FLOATBACKS EXAGERATED RESPONCE FLOATBACK TO “your getting too close” Enmeshment with mother /father “I know he/she is going to leave me” Fear of abandonment from mom / dad “I can’t trust you” Broken promises in childhood “I can never say no” Froze and unable to say no during sexual abuse “If you will change I will be O.K.” Child waiting for passed out / drunken mother to wake up