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Integrated Awareness¨ has been described by founder, Lansing Barrett Gresham
as "... a state of consciousness." However, I experience it as a very powerful process
which promotes personal healing and transformation. Development of healing
tools, positive changes in behavior and mental state, and awareness of various
states of consciousness naturally arise out of the personal healing and
transformational process.
Formal Integrated Awareness¨ processes can be divided into
three sections: Table Sessions, Workshops, Training/Healing Programs.
Table Sessions
Table Sessions are usually, but not always, conducted on a massage table. The
sessions are *not* like anything else commonly seen in Holistic Medicine (e.g.,
CranioSacral Therapy, Massage, External Qigong, Reiki, Zero Balancing, Visceral
Manipulation, Shiatsu, etc.) There may be some aspects of these and other
powerful modalities used on occasion, but it is quite different and difficult
to describe.
Basically, the client comes to the Table Session with an "intent" (or desire)
for the session. For example, eliminating a chronic illness,
improving an intimate relationship, having more energy, etc. Based on the
client's intent and subtles in the client's body structure, movement and
energy patterns (and other factors), the practitioner begins a customized
session that can help the client find ways to move towards or attract his or her
stated intent. The Table Sessions can change significantly from time to time and
from practitioner to practitioner due to differences in client goals, body
structure, movement, energy patterns, and due to differences in practitioner
experience and styles.
The first few Table Sessions I received led to me obtaining my stated
intent. This was somewhat surprising (shocking?) to me since I had tried
to achieve these goals for many years using other techniques and had an
equally hopeful attitude while trying those other techniques. As my stated intents
got bigger, it became clear that it would take me more time and more Table
Sessions and some time to reach those goals -- these are powerful sessions, but
they aren't magic. Others have reported to me similar results, depending, of
course, upon what the intent was. A desire to eliminate asthma (for example),
probably will not be realized after one Table Session as some things take time
to change. (In addition,
Nutritional
changes may be useful in conjunction with Table Sessions for someone with
asthma.) A number of people have pointed to slow progress where they did not
realize the extent of the positive change until they looked back on the situation.
It varies from situation to situation.
Table Sessions seem to average in cost about $50-60 for an hour, but experienced
teachers sometimes charge more. The cost is often dependent somewhat upon the
economy of the area. Sessions usually last approximately one hour.
In some cases, it is highly-desirable for the practitioner to work with one
or more assistants (or other practitioners) to increase the amount of
change possible.
Workshops
Workshops are usually 2- to 3-day events where processes based on body
structure and movement predominate. In some cases, a Table Session is
given to all workshop participants. For some people, the processes during
the workshops can lead to significant change and healing. For others,
like me, the workshop processes led to frustration and confusion. I
am one of the people who get much more out of Table Sessions and
especially the Training/Healing Program (see below). It seems to vary
significantly from person to person.
Training/Healing Programs
This has the potential to be the most powerful healing and transformational aspect of
Integrated Awareness¨. The programs usually consist of several
workshop-like gatherings per year over an extended period (e.g., 3 years),
plus other optional workshops, study groups, Table Sessions, assisting
of practitioners, etc. For example, the New England 3-year program meets
three times per year in New England and the optional events occur
between these meetings.
The first year focuses largely on personal healing. Subsequent years continue
with personal healing, but focus on working with others. Graduates of the program
can become practitioners and teach Integrated Awareness¨ on a
professional basis, or they can simply use what was learned to move towards other goals
and dreams.
None.