The Art of Holding Space
Being a facilitator is not just about what you know...it is about how your transmit that. It is about holding space; a term that describes the space of consciousness you create. People open up not by being forced, but by feeling safe in your rpesence to express themselves, to release energy, or to receive love.
Your capacity to hold space is directly correlated to your capacity to hold space for yourself.
What does this mean?
Basically, you have to do your inner work before trying to guide others. For example, you must be able to handle your own deepest fears or wildest rage in order to stay present when others express these things.
In Tao Tantra you must be able to hold space for your own sexual energy, your own opening to love and for higher states of consciousness if you are going to be able to facilitate others into these states. If you recognise that you are not yet ready in one of thee areas, then focus on sharing areas in which you are awakened, and continue to attend workshops of other facilitators to open up in your other areas.
Never ever take on more than you can handle!!!! The result: chaos! Not being able to hold space is really uncomfortable and the students will lose trust in you.
You also need to prepare to teach every session. Yes you may have something going on in your personal life...so meditate, shake...do whatever you need in order to become a clear channel.
Some General Guidance on Holding Space
Your capacity to hold space is directly correlated to your capacity to hold space for yourself.
What does this mean?
Basically, you have to do your inner work before trying to guide others. For example, you must be able to handle your own deepest fears or wildest rage in order to stay present when others express these things.
In Tao Tantra you must be able to hold space for your own sexual energy, your own opening to love and for higher states of consciousness if you are going to be able to facilitate others into these states. If you recognise that you are not yet ready in one of thee areas, then focus on sharing areas in which you are awakened, and continue to attend workshops of other facilitators to open up in your other areas.
Never ever take on more than you can handle!!!! The result: chaos! Not being able to hold space is really uncomfortable and the students will lose trust in you.
You also need to prepare to teach every session. Yes you may have something going on in your personal life...so meditate, shake...do whatever you need in order to become a clear channel.
Some General Guidance on Holding Space
- Always consecrate. This may be in the form of a prayer ("I offer this session to Highest Consciousness and call pure presence into this space..."), or by raising your hands to the Heavens and letting divine presence flow into your hands and crown and drawing that down into the space...or both!
- Make the space clear. An altar, smudging, ringing bells or a rattle...all kinds of space creation makes for a stronger energy field for facilitation.
- Expand your aura. Imagine your energy field expanding to contain everyone in the class..You may like to call on each participants angels, guides and guardians to support them in their process.
- Project your voice. Speak to the far corners of the circle. Find your power voice.
- Be clear in guidance. People want to surrender to you so be CLEAR. For example, make it clear when you are introducing and method and when you are actually guiding it. Watch out for guiding breaths...that your timing is reasonable and you are not making them hold their breath too long whilst you talk!!! Be clear with the obvious "open your eyes" or "keep you eyes closed"....be so clear that they never once have to wonder what to do. Clear but not controlling...it is an art form!
- Use music to create an energy. Spend hours listening to your music and make notes: relaxing, uplifting, energising, sexy, sensual, stillness meditation, heart meditation, emotional etc. If you use iTunes you can add a column for "comments" and add the comments in there and also make playlists of different styles of music. Make a playlist for each meditation or technique too. It takes time at first but you will sue it over and over again! See our music page for some suggestions.
- Ground them into the class. Watch how dropped in everyone is. If they feel a bit tense or un-present guide a few deep breaths and sighs and watch how everyone drops in. This is a grounding technique.
- Deal with Resistance. Talk about resistance at the very start...before anyone goes into it (hopefully!)... Warn people that this is common in transformative work and empower them to own it if it comes. Suggest that they open their heart to make space for the resistance. It is best not to identify with it, but allow it to be there. If it comes suggest they feel the resistance and also find the part within that wants to evolve and change, and let both parts co-exist in the heart space. Also warn them that if they do not stay aware it is easy to move into projections and judgements of others.
- Listen to your students. They are there to be witnessed by you...so listen to them, see them...hold them in your awareness.
|
Soul Searching Questions Every Tantra Teacher Should Ask Themselves
This is a good place to begin. Check in with your deepest intentions and motives about wanting to teach tantra. Even if you have a whole bunch of noble motives, you may still have a little shadow here or there. It is really important to shine the light on any shadow areas so that you can be of highest service in this work. |
|
RegulationShould tantra be regulated? It is worth looking at what can be traumatic for people in this field. As a facilitator you want to hold a safe space for your participants. How can you self-regulate? Click here to read more. |
