Contents
Preface - Part 1 Active Meditation & contemplation exercises** - Part 2 Guided imageries & visualisations - Part 3 Discover your element** - Part 4 Suggestions and recommendations on how to use the book and the CD - Acknowledgements, Appendix **also suitable for older people BOOK Dance into an Inner Light ISBN 13: 978-0-473-14764-8 128 pages, illustrated ToneColorSpace CD Playtime 75 minutes 4 guided visualisations with music |
Why did we publish Dance into an Inner Light – book and CDs?
I wrote Dance into an Inner Light, because for many years teachers and parents kept asking for a “template” and a manual to support their children and students. In the beginning, I distributed copies of individual “journeys”, before finally making time to write it all down to provide an easy-to-follow guide for all who wanted to help children and youth to hold a space for self-connection.
The book was well received (I also included active meditations that I used with children who don’t find it easy to sit still). However, some people didn’t feel confident to guide the children. “How do I know, how fast to speak?” – “It worked when you came into the class, but when I did it, the children were too agitated and didn’t calm down.”
These comments made me realise that it requires some “self-connection-skills” from the “guide” to be able to lead others into what I call “self-connection space” (SCS). A lot of people don’t feel confident enough yet, and the children instantly pick this up and reflect it back – which is usually interpreted as “disruptive” behaviour.
How could I help?
My friend and partner at the time, Peter Prestel, a composer and musician, explored the healing qualities of sound and suggested that I should record the journeys – as an example and also for situations when people didn’t feel confident or experienced enough to guide the journeys themselves. At first, I was reluctant as I considered the direct link between listener and guide as an essential part for the success of the journeys. A change in perspective came, when I spent time at the Hauner’sche Children’s Hospital in Munich. I was overwhelmed by the reaction of severely ill children in the wards. “Wish we could have you here more often”, the nurses said. “We wont have time to sit and do this with the children. Don’t you have a recording?”
After seeing how much the journeys meant to the children and how easily they applied the given tools to ease their path and to face challenges, I decided to “compromise” and to produce a CD after all. At least, I would have an “audio pill” that could be enjoyed by the children without somebody having to do the journeys with them.
Peter composed the sound tracks, using special frequencies that support the listener to easily enter a state of deep relaxation (alpha state). The length of the SCS break is an average based on my experience when guiding journeys. We also recorded an instrumental version to allow listeners who became familiar with the guided imageries over time to journey in their own way and practice journeying without guidance.
The CD was equally well received as the book and is used in schools, therapy centers and hospitals. Parents told me they use it with their children before bedtime to ease the transition into dream-land, to help them process and deal with difficult situations (emotional, physical, mental, spiritual), before exams, treatments, etc. and also on long car/train/bus/plane trips.
I wrote Dance into an Inner Light, because for many years teachers and parents kept asking for a “template” and a manual to support their children and students. In the beginning, I distributed copies of individual “journeys”, before finally making time to write it all down to provide an easy-to-follow guide for all who wanted to help children and youth to hold a space for self-connection.
The book was well received (I also included active meditations that I used with children who don’t find it easy to sit still). However, some people didn’t feel confident to guide the children. “How do I know, how fast to speak?” – “It worked when you came into the class, but when I did it, the children were too agitated and didn’t calm down.”
These comments made me realise that it requires some “self-connection-skills” from the “guide” to be able to lead others into what I call “self-connection space” (SCS). A lot of people don’t feel confident enough yet, and the children instantly pick this up and reflect it back – which is usually interpreted as “disruptive” behaviour.
How could I help?
My friend and partner at the time, Peter Prestel, a composer and musician, explored the healing qualities of sound and suggested that I should record the journeys – as an example and also for situations when people didn’t feel confident or experienced enough to guide the journeys themselves. At first, I was reluctant as I considered the direct link between listener and guide as an essential part for the success of the journeys. A change in perspective came, when I spent time at the Hauner’sche Children’s Hospital in Munich. I was overwhelmed by the reaction of severely ill children in the wards. “Wish we could have you here more often”, the nurses said. “We wont have time to sit and do this with the children. Don’t you have a recording?”
After seeing how much the journeys meant to the children and how easily they applied the given tools to ease their path and to face challenges, I decided to “compromise” and to produce a CD after all. At least, I would have an “audio pill” that could be enjoyed by the children without somebody having to do the journeys with them.
Peter composed the sound tracks, using special frequencies that support the listener to easily enter a state of deep relaxation (alpha state). The length of the SCS break is an average based on my experience when guiding journeys. We also recorded an instrumental version to allow listeners who became familiar with the guided imageries over time to journey in their own way and practice journeying without guidance.
The CD was equally well received as the book and is used in schools, therapy centers and hospitals. Parents told me they use it with their children before bedtime to ease the transition into dream-land, to help them process and deal with difficult situations (emotional, physical, mental, spiritual), before exams, treatments, etc. and also on long car/train/bus/plane trips.
What does Dance into an Inner Light has to offer?
- tools to develop and practice valuable and essential life skills from a young age
- techniques to self-balance, connect to Self/other, self-manage, self-empower on a deep level, thus promoting overall health and wellbeing
- a practical manual for parents/grandparents/uncles and aunties, educators, social workers, therapists, doctors, nurses,... to support them to set-up and hold a space for healthy development, balancing and self-healing of their young ones
What are the key factors of Dance into an Inner Light?
A) Visualisation and mental imagery
The power of visualisation has been well-known and used since ancient times by our ancestors. Modern neuroscience and other scientific disciplines gradually discover the huge value and potential of visualisation in order to enhance brain development, focus energy and consciously influence co-creative processes. Nowadays visualisation techniques are not only used by shamans and indigenous peoples but become more and more popular and widely accepted in many areas of modern life, from medicine, sports and business coaching over engineering to psychology. Dr. Carl Simonton, an American oncologist, used visualisation very successfully in cancer treatment to boost the immune system. Research and development departments in Silicon Valley use visualisation techniques as part of their development and planning processes. Neuroscientists recently found out why these age-old tools are so effective: When we practice visualisation and mindfulness techniques on a regular basis, we physiologically create new neural patterns in our brain that harmonise our whole body-mind-soul system.
There are more and more studies that show the power of visualisation, and analyse how we are able to manifest things and influence the formation of energy on a physical level through visualisation. Click here to see a brief overview of studies...
Here a brief overview on some of the benefits of visualiation:
Visualisation...
B) Connection to Self
To know who you are is one of the most essential factors to live a successful and happy life. People who know themselves well and are able to center themselves live from an inner place of power – which is especially valuable when dealing with life’s challenges.
Establishing a habit of self-exploration and nurturing self-connection will give you/your children precious insights and guidance when needed most and foster self-confidence, self-healing and self-management.
Humanity and other life forms are suffering from “disconnection sickness”, formulates Otto Scharmer (MIT/USA), author of groundbreaking books Theory U and Leading from an Emerging Future, his concerns. And he is not alone with this view. We are hitting the limits of symptom-focused fixes: medication, rising academic standards, technology and science promoting infinite growth all increase the divide and the disconnection rather than foster connection. We can observe the consequences of disconnection within ourselves (illnesses and behavioural, mental, physical “issues” such as depression, violence, aggression, cancer, obesity, sleeplessness, etc.) and around us (war, economic crisis, environmental exploitation/pollution/destruction).
The simple tools shared in Dance into an Inner Light open the door and ease the way, and support children from an early age to strengthen their self-connection – or to re-connect with their centre of power if they have been affected by external factors. In a playful and fun way, the children get used to hold a space to connect in their busy modern-day lives on a regular basis. This will have a balancing effect on all areas of life and affect their internal and external reality: health and overall wellbeing, relationships and social interactions, behaviour and attitudes, and last but not least their happiness.
Here a brief overview on some of the benefits of self-connection:
A) Visualisation and mental imagery
The power of visualisation has been well-known and used since ancient times by our ancestors. Modern neuroscience and other scientific disciplines gradually discover the huge value and potential of visualisation in order to enhance brain development, focus energy and consciously influence co-creative processes. Nowadays visualisation techniques are not only used by shamans and indigenous peoples but become more and more popular and widely accepted in many areas of modern life, from medicine, sports and business coaching over engineering to psychology. Dr. Carl Simonton, an American oncologist, used visualisation very successfully in cancer treatment to boost the immune system. Research and development departments in Silicon Valley use visualisation techniques as part of their development and planning processes. Neuroscientists recently found out why these age-old tools are so effective: When we practice visualisation and mindfulness techniques on a regular basis, we physiologically create new neural patterns in our brain that harmonise our whole body-mind-soul system.
There are more and more studies that show the power of visualisation, and analyse how we are able to manifest things and influence the formation of energy on a physical level through visualisation. Click here to see a brief overview of studies...
Here a brief overview on some of the benefits of visualiation:
Visualisation...
- ...influences brain activity and “wiring” (synaptic connections)
- ...stimulates creativity
- ...activates problem-solving abilities
- ...fosters awareness of interconnectedness of all life (= ecological consciousness, empathy, social skills, relationship skills, sustainability)
- ...enhances self-balancing/self-control/self-management/self-guidance
- ...strengthens ability to focus and concentrate, and to influence energy in a conscious way
B) Connection to Self
To know who you are is one of the most essential factors to live a successful and happy life. People who know themselves well and are able to center themselves live from an inner place of power – which is especially valuable when dealing with life’s challenges.
Establishing a habit of self-exploration and nurturing self-connection will give you/your children precious insights and guidance when needed most and foster self-confidence, self-healing and self-management.
Humanity and other life forms are suffering from “disconnection sickness”, formulates Otto Scharmer (MIT/USA), author of groundbreaking books Theory U and Leading from an Emerging Future, his concerns. And he is not alone with this view. We are hitting the limits of symptom-focused fixes: medication, rising academic standards, technology and science promoting infinite growth all increase the divide and the disconnection rather than foster connection. We can observe the consequences of disconnection within ourselves (illnesses and behavioural, mental, physical “issues” such as depression, violence, aggression, cancer, obesity, sleeplessness, etc.) and around us (war, economic crisis, environmental exploitation/pollution/destruction).
The simple tools shared in Dance into an Inner Light open the door and ease the way, and support children from an early age to strengthen their self-connection – or to re-connect with their centre of power if they have been affected by external factors. In a playful and fun way, the children get used to hold a space to connect in their busy modern-day lives on a regular basis. This will have a balancing effect on all areas of life and affect their internal and external reality: health and overall wellbeing, relationships and social interactions, behaviour and attitudes, and last but not least their happiness.
Here a brief overview on some of the benefits of self-connection:
What is the point of difference of Dance into an Inner Light compared to other guided imageries/journeys/visualisation publications
Most guided imageries I have come across are guiding the listener through the whole “story”, from beginning to end. When I worked with children and with my Self I observed that there was no space for individual images to emerge during the “journey”. From shamanic journeying I know how beneficial it can be to hold a space where own inner imagery can come up, without the potential distraction of a guiding voice. The images that pop up hold essential messages from deep within – or deep without, depending on your perspective. They provide important guidance and advice to support you on your way through physical life.
How could I initiate and hold a space for journeying?
“Journeying” is a useful skill that has been used and practiced since ancient times. I imagined the great benefits on many levels if children in modern societies would grow up with this precious tool. It would literally affect all areas of life and support human beings to find balance, rekindle creativity on all levels, thus helping restore a feeling of empowerment, purpose and wellbeing. It would also help to foster life-affirming attitudes and the ability to think and feel "outside the box". I definitely wanted to share the gift of journeying with my own children, and so I began to search for existing templates and pathways I could follow. As I couldn’t find anything that seemed to be suitable for young children, I began to make up my own “exercises” and experimented with “free journeying”.
Fast forward 20 years, I found that, in general, it worked best when I took the children on a journey to a certain “place” within themselves resp. within their imagination, then left them to journey on their own for a bit, before guiding them back to "dense reality". I observed that the journeys worked best when I provided a reliable safe platform from where the children could start their own journey. I adapted the length of the “free journeying” according to the needs of the listener. Body language of the child and my intuition usually give me clear signs of how to adjust the flow of language, tone of voice and the duration of what I call the “self-connection-space” (SCS).
From my observation, the SCS allows for a strong identification and deep connection processes. It is a space where the children are able to follow their inner guidance and find tailor-made insights, relief and support relating to their current situation and/or question. It provides a reliable, safe and familiar framework for ever-changing topics, “issues” and unique images to pop up, depending on the actual situation and circumstances of the listener.
Most guided imageries I have come across are guiding the listener through the whole “story”, from beginning to end. When I worked with children and with my Self I observed that there was no space for individual images to emerge during the “journey”. From shamanic journeying I know how beneficial it can be to hold a space where own inner imagery can come up, without the potential distraction of a guiding voice. The images that pop up hold essential messages from deep within – or deep without, depending on your perspective. They provide important guidance and advice to support you on your way through physical life.
How could I initiate and hold a space for journeying?
“Journeying” is a useful skill that has been used and practiced since ancient times. I imagined the great benefits on many levels if children in modern societies would grow up with this precious tool. It would literally affect all areas of life and support human beings to find balance, rekindle creativity on all levels, thus helping restore a feeling of empowerment, purpose and wellbeing. It would also help to foster life-affirming attitudes and the ability to think and feel "outside the box". I definitely wanted to share the gift of journeying with my own children, and so I began to search for existing templates and pathways I could follow. As I couldn’t find anything that seemed to be suitable for young children, I began to make up my own “exercises” and experimented with “free journeying”.
Fast forward 20 years, I found that, in general, it worked best when I took the children on a journey to a certain “place” within themselves resp. within their imagination, then left them to journey on their own for a bit, before guiding them back to "dense reality". I observed that the journeys worked best when I provided a reliable safe platform from where the children could start their own journey. I adapted the length of the “free journeying” according to the needs of the listener. Body language of the child and my intuition usually give me clear signs of how to adjust the flow of language, tone of voice and the duration of what I call the “self-connection-space” (SCS).
From my observation, the SCS allows for a strong identification and deep connection processes. It is a space where the children are able to follow their inner guidance and find tailor-made insights, relief and support relating to their current situation and/or question. It provides a reliable, safe and familiar framework for ever-changing topics, “issues” and unique images to pop up, depending on the actual situation and circumstances of the listener.