Cinemorphics and the Psychology of Selves

CINEMORPHICS
and the
PSYCHOLOGY OF SELVES


Recently, I've been having a look at the applicability of the transformational technique of Voice Dialog, developed by Hal and Sidra Stone, as a supplement to the primary Cinemorphic methodology. This approach works well in some cases but not in others. For the best introduction to Voice Dialogue work and the Psychology of Selves and the Aware Ego I strongly suggest a visit to the Stone's website -

http://delos-inc.com/index.html.

In the meantime one can get a sense of the Voice Dialogue work from the following descriptions by J'aime ona Pangaia and Astra Niedra which appear on their websites -
http://www.voicedialoguework.com/ and -
http://www.voicedialogue.com/what_is_Voice_Dialogue.htm
- excerpted below:

VOICE DIALOGUE
J'aime ona Pangaia
One extraordinary approach to transformation is a method called “Voice Dialogue” work. This is an energetic and conversational process developed by Drs. Hal and Sidra Stone. It is a practice that stems from their body of work called the Psychology of the Aware Ego.

“Voice Dialogue is a technique for the exploration of subpersonalities and the expansion of consciousness.” - Drs. Hal and Sidra Stone

A Voice Dialogue facilitation works with three aspects of the psyche: Awareness (also known as our non-judgmental witness state), Ego, and the energetic sub-personalities, or Inner Selves. Ideally, our ego is our capacity to choose or decide. In traditional psychology, the ego has been known as the “executive function of the psyche.” Before a consciousness process begins, our Ego usually gets to make decisions based on the perspectives of whatever inner selves we are currently identified with. In other words, there is no true free will as long as a person is identified with any particular Inner Self ( or system of selves). Being identified with a self means that at that moment, you are absolutely convinced that that is who you are, and the picture of reality which that self gives you IS actual and full reality. This is the self (system) who has been running “the show” and who will continue to run your show until either another inner self takes over or you have an Aware Ego Process available.

Voice Dialogue Work always begins by identifying and honoring the Primary Selves.

Voice Dialogue begins with a unique interview process between a facilitator and a subject that supports a keen, non-judgmental experience of the particular feelings, beliefs, history, mannerisms, motives and essential feeling of the inner self being explored.

This facilitation of an inner self includes:

- the subject moving over to sit, stand or move in a new physical location

- usually, an attentive verbal dialogue based on respectful inquiry between the facilitator and that part of the subject

- a clear energetic rapport between the facilitator and the subject

- an genuine acknowledgement of the living, valid reality of this part of the person

- it can even take place in complete silence, if that's how a particular inner part expresses itself

- support in maintaining a congruent energetic expression of the self being facilitated, without the interference of other inner selves

- a return to the original position with the aim of keeping a separate ego awareness of the inner self just facilitated.

- training this newly aware person to learn how to separate from and engage, by choice, the inner selves discovered in facilitation.

This is a process and it takes practice. It's like learning to play a musical instrument. Learning all the music theory in the world doesn't make you a master musician. Learning and practicing playing your instrument does. As Sidra Stone, one of the formulators of this work once put it, Voice Dialogue is like becoming a master of your own instrument, in this case, of your conscious awareness in life.

WHAT IS VOICE DIALOGUE?
Astra Niedra
Voice Dialogue and its underlying theoretical base, the Psychology of Selves and the Psychology of the Aware Ego, have their roots in Jungian psychology. The Stone's discovered that not only are our personalities made up of many different subpersonalities, or selves, which other psychological models accept too, but that these selves are real, with real needs, opinions, and perceptions about the world, and that it is possible to dialogue with these selves and to unhook from being totally identified with them. By unhooking from the selves that have been part of your identity, you make space for another aspect of consciousness called the Aware Ego. The Aware Ego is a process where your usual ego becomes aware of itself, or rather of the selves that are a part of it, and is then able to choose which selves to express, rather than have the selves choose for you.

Starting an Aware Ego process is an incredibly empowering and freeing experience as it enables you to unhook from and stand between opposite parts of your psyche, and not be identified with either of them. The choices that are opened up for you in such a state are real choices as you are not being carried along with the beliefs and rules of a particular self.

Voice Dialogue is an experiential technique which involves having a facilitator engage in a dialogue directly with the various parts of your psyche. The aim is to discover which parts of your psyche you have been identified with, to gain awareness of these parts and of how they have been affecting you and your life, and then to separate yourself from these parts so that you can start to be in charge rather than having one of your selves or subpersonalities being the decision-maker. So the facilitator can ask to speak with your Inner Critic, your Perfectionist, your Pleaser, your Responsible Parent or whichever self or selves you are identified with. After you have separated from the selves in you who have been 'you' (called primary selves), and you have what is now a more Aware Ego from which to make your decisions from, you can meet the many other aspects of you psyche which you might not have had access to before.


HOW MANY SELVES?
A question that naturally arises when one is introduced to this work is how many selves are there? The answer is - probably unlimited, but an individual typically only identifies with a few Primary Selves. One of the main objectives of the work is to identify these Primary Selves as well as the Disowned Selves an individual has lurking in the background but having an effect on their lives nonetheless.

In her article, Me! Me! Me!: Subpersonalities Tug Of War (Yen Magazine, Australia, 2003) Astra Niedra provides a list of some of the selves who may be encountered in Voice Dialogue sessions:

Rulemaker
Someone identified with rules will follow the rules of their family and social group. They will choose a lifestyle that fits in with family and cultural expectations and they will do well in that field. Identifying with this subpersonality leads to acceptance by your family and the wider community to which you belong.
Rebel
The rebel breaks the rules! This personality does the opposite of what is expected by their family and culture. Rebels find their own way of doing things and often rock the boat. The rebel likes to think of itself as having no rules but it does have one golden rule which is to break all the rules.

Cautious Observer
The observing and cautious self likes to suss out a situation before it takes action. It needs to understand how something works before it participates. It stands back and observes and can be seen as shy but really just likes to know what is going on.
Spontaneous
The spontaneious self jumps in and participates and then thinks about what it has done later, if at all. It engages with people instantly and takes action quickly. It does not plan or consider consequences of its actions. It is a very 'enjoy the moment' self.
Pleaser
The Pleaser is a great personality for others to have around because it makes other people feel so good. It is considerate, kind and helpful. However, it does not get its own needs met and can feel drained from all the energy it gives to others.
Selfish
The selfish self considers only itself. It makes sure its needs are met - it always comes first. It does not care about other people's needs and has no qualms about stepping over others for its own interests. The selfish self rarely becomes tired or sick because it makes sure its needs are always met, and it does set great boundaries.
Pusher
This is the force which propels us to action. Someone with a strong pusher will get many things done. The pusher is constantly on the go and is always thinking about what needs doing next. Nothing is ever finished - there is always more to do on its list. It leads to high achievement and high energy but unchecked leaves a person stressed, tense and unable to relax. Pushers are unable to enjoy their achieve-ments because they never stop long enough to do so.
Perfectionist
The perfectionist makes sure everything is perfect. Perfectionists look over everything they do countless times and they keep improving. They can stand in front of the mirror for hours doing their makeup and they can get stuck on one task at work, re-doing and revising until everything is just right. Perfectionists find it difficult to finish things and can take so much time doing one small thing.
Slob
The slob does not have any standards. Everything is fine as it is. Mistakes are not a problem, mess is not noticed. You would not want this self performing brain surgery but it is easy-going and relaxed compared to the uptightness of an absolute perfectionist.
Critic
We all have one an unfortunately most of us become victim to our own inner critic. The critic points out our weaknesses, flaws, mistakes, and generally anything less than perfect about us - yet perfection, even by its own admission - we can never achieve. A great friend of the perfectionist and pusher, the critic keeps us trying harder and harder. then directed outwards, this self is a judge. The judge looks on others and does to them what the critic does internally to us.
Shy
The shy personality is not confident with other people or in groups. It is quiet and soft and more sweet. They shy self is introverted and feels as though it is hiding. It is often perceived more negatively than the outgoing self in our culture but it has the qualities of sweetness and sensitivity.

....etc...etc...etc...


The Stones discovered that these selves are real, with real needs, opinions, and perceptions about the world, and that it is possible to converse with these selves as if they themselves were individuals with complete personalities and to disengage from being totally identified with them. Additionally, quoting Sidra Stone, "…as people enter different selves their blood pressure changes, and so does the color of their skin. When you talk to the vulnerable child, the brow will flatten out and wrinkles often disappear. Some selves stutter because they're insecure. After a while, you get adept at identifying the selves and their different energy fields."

As far as the relationship of these multiple selves/personalities to mental illness is concerned, a common fear when one first encounters the Voice Dialogue work, Sidra Stone explains, "Psychotics have a full amnesiac barrier between the different selves, and none of them connect. Healthy individuals have a strong ego that allows them to communicate with all these personalities and come away with new experiences and new insights." (The above quotes are from Multiple Selves: Expanding Our Notion of Identity by Valerie Andrews taken from Intuition Magazine, Issue 20, February 1998.)

***



USING VOICE DIALOGUE WITH CINEMORPHICS™

Most people in today's global culture have a basic knowledge of how movies are made and are familiar with the players and their roles, if only through familiarity with Academy Award and Golden Globe categories or the tabloid media be it paper, TV or online. The terms producer, director, agent, writer, star have appeared with such frequency that they are in some ways pop archetypes. In adapting Voice Dialogue to the Cinemorphic model a whole new cast of characters (selves) is being brought to the stage of the individual's "Theater of the Psyche", so to speak. (Please pardon my mixing movie and theater metaphors. I may even bring some references in from the music business, carnival and circus. All kinds of Show People are archetypal in some way, I think.)

It should be reiterated that Voice Dialogue is only one of the tools that may be used in Cinemorphic work. Its use may enhance the effectiveness of the overall Cinemorphic approach in some cases, but this use should only be viewed as an adjunct, not the primary method.



Some of the selves that may be addressed via Voice Dialogue in a Cinemorphics session are the Executive Producer, Producer, Line Producer, Director, Writer, Editor, Star, Supporting Actor, Extra, Casting Director, Critic, Exhibitor, Audience Member, Make-up & Costume Designer, Art Director, Manager, Agent, Entertainment Attorney, Union Representative, Publicist, Paparazzi, Caterer…etc.

(Please note that movie and theater related selves are not the only ones addressed in Voice Dialogue Cinemorphics sessions. The other, more typical selves - e.g. Protector, Controller, Vulnerable Child, etc. are also addressed. The movie/theater selves just expand and enhance the possibilities and provide a different point of view.)

Addressing one or another of the selves from the movie/theater population of selves may be particularly effective in certain situations. e.g. Input from Make-up & Costume, possibly a self not considered important before, could greatly enhance one's presentation in the world. The Line Producer self may provide a similar contribution. Conversely, some movie and theater related selves may be irrelevant. The idea is to identify selves from this population that have something unique to add to the mix, some aspect that opens a new window on the world.

(For those not familiar with the basic roles of movie and theater people a good reference is the Internet Movie Database's online film glossary at: http://www.imdb.com/Glossary/
Here, you will find definitions of terms and phrases frequently used in the world of movies, film, acting, and cinema-going.)

The ontological status of the selves addressed is not called into question here. i.e. they are not referred to as "fictitious" as in Cinemorphic re-write sessions. Their existence is not threatened in any way which would lead to them "not wanting to talk". Which selves are "put in front of the camera" by the Aware Ego, however, is a factor, particularly among the actor selves (jealousy!). The Aware Ego is a process not an entity. Most people confuse this with operating ego or one of the selves and its characteristics.

In addition to re-writing the characteristics or features of a "fictitious" persona, new selves that can become a part of the mix, the "stew" that is the whole person, are evoked/addressed. The recipe is adjusted but nothing is left out. In movie making, as in a stew, collaboration is vital.

The facilitator should consciously activate, call out, recognize, call to center stage the selves or characters that are causing problems or that want to talk. Maybe they have been disowned but are still troublemakers. Call out the Troublemaker self itself. Address it directly. Make a deal with it. Negotiate with the selves who need attitude adjustment - ask the Manager, Agent or Entertainment Attorney to negotiate deals between the other selves.

The client/subject may write a detailed description of each of the Primary Selves identified with and practiced. This is not a re-write of one particular self/character designed to change things, but rather a behavior description of a self that the Aware Ego wants to evoke in the real world a part of a new configuration of selves.

Another approach would be to have the client/subject describe the self - The Star Self - that they would like to be...write it out like a character description, then ask to speak to this self and ask the self its Name.

Triggers may be used to activate specific selves/characters in the real world. (This is what moving to a new position or chair does in a session.) Use a Name as a trigger. The self with this Name has certain characteristics and behaviors based on its detailed description (above) and can create a performance - based on these - in actual situations. The self with this Name becomes a performance Ally. This process is similar to an actor evoking an archetype during character building and performance.


THE ARCHETYPE CONNECTION
To emphasize the effectiveness of this approach and its significance in the present context, I am including here an excerpt from an article by Jason Bennett, THE PSYCHOLOGY OF SELVES, ARCHETYPE WORK AND VOICE DIALOGUE.
"Some of this work is taught at The Jason Bennett Actor's Workshop, in advanced workshops. The pioneering work of Drs. Hal and Sidra Stone has profound implications for acting."

http://www.jbactors.com/

Archetype Work helps you develop consciousness of, and access to, the vast world of archetypes in you -- instead of being powerless over and unaware of this process, like most people live their entire lives. It allows you to reclaim the archetypes you have disowned, so they are available to "bubble up" when you act. Archetype Work can solve many acting problems traditional acting methods can't, liberating you from blocks and allowing you to access new kinds of "characters" and "points of view" that you didn't think you were capable of or could even imagine.

Using Archetype Work:

- You can rapidly access specific physical, vocal and emotional states-of-being -- from a calculating, sex-crazed, killer one minute -- to a playful, extremely sensitive child the next.

- You will explore a diverse library of "characters" for use in your work – with different ages, philosophies, emotional realities, voices and body language.


- You will "connect" with all kinds of new characters and understand their relationships on entirely new levels. This means you may be castable in many more roles and your work will be more dimensional and unpredictable.

Archetype: An archetype is a basic "unit" of the human psyche. Archetypes are universal "ways of being" or looking at the world programmed into your psyche. There are dozens of archetypes that make-up your personality. Archetypes have very unique thoughts, values, abilities, emotions, voices, energies and physicalizations. The internal manifestation of archetypes are images and fantasies. As an adult, you are able to access many kinds of archetypes, but many you have deeply repressed since childhood.

Archetype Facilitation: An Archetype Facilitation is the process of directly accessing archetypes in you -- including the ones you have repressed -- so you can use them for your acting. The more you do this, the more you develop a library of "character traits" for use in your work. But they are not "characters," they are real parts of your psyche.


SAMPLE VOICE DIALOGUE SESSIONS
Please check out -

http://www.voicedialoguecalifornia.com/?q=samples

- to get some idea of what typical Voice Dialogue sessions are like. These samples were not conducted within the context of Cinemorphics and, therefore, do not address the Cinemorphic population of selves per se, but they do allow one to begin to get more of an actual feel for the process.

***