Dr. Rollins Becker’s Concept of The Felt Sense
As a practitioner of bodywork for 35 years and a musician for longer, I think one can draw some parallels. The more you practice the deeper your knowledge and skill set. As a teacher for a long time in this profession, I always find it surprising and humorous when students have expectations with their elementary knowledge that are completely impossible to meet without hundreds of hours on the cushion (if you sit on a cushion when you practice the work). I love it when a relatively new student asks me how long I have been practicing. Because the truth is we never stop practicing. That being said, there are milestones you will become aware of that will “shake your hand” and congratulate you that you are making progress along the path and give you inspiration to continue. Progress along the journey means more successful outcomes with the challenges that walk through the door of your offices, most of which are issues of pain. Dr. Becker said he wished no one would tell him their issues when they came into his office, so that he could just listen to the system without any preconceived notions of what he needed to do. This brings us to the heart of this communique.
Dr. Becker left us in his writings the concept of a holistic shift, where a change in the “environment” you are listening to creates a palpable change. There is a distinctive and qualitative change based on a felt sense that something has definitely shifted in the field. Now, the important thing is for you to begin to recognize what this felt sense is for you.
Some practitioners see changes or shifts in colors or a slower sense in the rhythm, especially with their eyes closed. Others who work predominately with their eyes open might see fluidic movements in their field of vision. Others feel a change in their own body somewhere. It could be an expansion or potentially a contraction heat, cold. Others might actually smell or sense something based on a historical event in their own lives. There are more that have been reported to me by students and other practitioners. There is no one rule on this, or a right or a wrong, just a repetitive sense that you have come to feel and a deepening of connection. In my own felt sense of the Holistic Shift, in my field there is a shift that has a fluidic, oily, sensuous quality to the change and a slowing down and quieting in the field. What’s important is that you begin to notice shifts that are perceivable and repetitive in the fields that you are holding.
The most important thing is to realize that you should not in any way have expectations or frustrations based on wanting something to unfold. Just wait for the system to start to impact you. Once you have a felt sense of the field that you’re palpating, any noticeable shift will in fact signal that you’ve gone through the holistic shift and this is when the deep work begins according to Dr Becker. But let go of expectations or frustration if you are not aware of something that resembles the holistic shift. It is not a goal to obtain. It will happen, not every session, but your practice will make that a part of your skill set.
So, are there any tools that can be used in order to access this holistic shift – to allow it to become more available to you? We have talked about the concept of Stillness and holding fields which I’m sure you’re all aware of at this point. When you study our videos, we guide you with these techniques. If you haven’t studied our videos, you’re welcome to email me and I will be happy to explain what I’m talking about. But once you have a clear sense of the field that you are holding and you are firmly rooted in your practitioner fulcrum, then it’s time to focus on your heart and breathe into it. As your awareness drifts, bring your focus back to your heart center and this is the meditation/tool to help access the ability to feel the holistic shift when it transpires. Play with allowing yourself to be present for the system that you’re palpating, ultimately that you are reflecting for. This is what we call Stillness with a capital S and becoming the Witnessing Presence. Your felt sense will begin to change dramatically now. Also use your breath from your heart as a way to place your consciousness at your heart and project the fields from there. Potentially go back-and-forth during a session to see if you were correct in choosing the proper field or if that has changed.
I hope this has been helpful. As always, please do not hesitate to email me with any questions that you may have once you have read any of the blogs or any of the newsletters. I love dedicated students, and I can share from my knowledge bank with you anything that I’m capable of answering. Keep practicing and enjoy what you are doing and know that you’re on the right path.
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