This exercise may be done by yourself or with a guide. Identify an area of concern on which to focus. You may take a few minutes to write after each function, or to talk with your guide about what you experienced, or you may write or talk at the end of the exercise. Spend as much or as little time as you want in each function. If desired, you may tape this exercise and listen to the tape as you do it.

To begin, take a few relaxed breaths, a bit slower than you normally breathe. Allow yourself to come to rest in that part of you that is aware. Rest in your center, in your self.

1. Body/Sensation: As you breathe, slowly and naturally, become aware of your body. Pay attention to your physical sensations; listen to what your body has to say about this area of concern. (pause) Breathing, return to your center.

2. Feeling/Emotion: Breathing slowly and naturally, become aware of your emotions. As you pay attention to your emotions, see what information they give you about this area of interest. (pause) Breathing, return to your center.

3. Need/Impulse/Desire: Breathing slowly and naturally, become aware of your desires and your impulses. Be aware of what you most want and need in this situation? (pause) Taking a breath now, return to your center.

4. Thought: Breathing slowly and naturally, turn your attention to your thoughts. Allow yourself to become aware of what your thoughts have to offer in this situation. (pause) And now, taking a relaxed breath, return to your center, your self.

5. Imagination: Breathing slowly and naturally, now turn your attention to the realm of your imagination. Allow an image or images to emerge that show you more about this area of concern. (pause) And now, breathing, return to your center.

6. Intuition: Breathing slowly and naturally, open to your intuition, the inner knowing that comes to you whole, as an understanding of your situation. Wait patiently and open to your intuition. (pause) And now return to your center.

7. Will: Breathing slowly and naturally, turn your attention to your Will, the part of you that makes choices and focuses energy on action. Open yourself to the energy of your will and see how it can contribute to your situation. (pause) And now, breathing, return to your center.

8. Resting in your center, allow yourself to take in the information you have learned through this exploration. Be aware of any shifts or changes that are happening inside of you. When your are ready, open your eyes.

Copyright © Janet Messer, Ph.D. 2006