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IFS Exercises: Contacting the Green Guide
Before I dive in to talk to troubled aspects, I thought checking in with the helpful aspect or guide, “Summers,” would be in order.
What follows is my dialog with her as I allowed it to unfold in my imagination. My part is labeled “Self”.
< -- summers and self--> 
SELF: First, I just wanted to thank you for working with me and joining me in my new self-help attempts!
SUMMERS: Oh, honey. I think they're more than just attempts, don't you? I mean, you're doing active work here! But you're certainly welcome. I love doing this, and I'm glad to help in any way I can.
SELF: Thank you. Are you my Green Guide? If so, how come you didn't show up with a green rose or something in a dream?
SUMMERS: The name Summers fits because of the predominance of green in the summer, and I've always showed up in your dreams outside with lawns and trees… It wasn't as obvious because I didn't often have a specific assignment to work on with you. Your heart has always been really warm and pure and strong. You don't need much help from me most of the time, despite what you think…
SELF: But you showed up before and during my divorce in dreams…
SUMMERS: Yes, because your heart, to use a classic term, was being broken. And so I was suddenly needed, and it was pretty obvious what the problem was…
SELF: Okay, yeah. I see that.
SUMMERS: I know your relationships with your other Chakra Guides has been very illuminating, and I'm glad it helped you to put all our roles in context. All you need to do is ask about that, and I or any of the others will happily step up to lend you assistance.
SELF: That's interesting. That last bit you said almost made me want to cry. But in a good way.
SUMMERS: Ah, see-? That's that vigorous heart of yours kicking in to tell you that its okay to believe something is true because it feels true, even if its a subjective truth. So what? *shrugs* Does it help? Well, then, you can invest in it with confidence.
SELF: Very cool. Moving on, more specifically, I wanted to thank you for your role in helping me to calm down pretty quickly in the restaurant after I started to lose my dignity.
SUMMERS: You're welcome, Sweetie.
SELF: And I wanted to discuss a little about the situation and the other aspects involved. I hoped you could provide me some insights. Like I got a sense earlier today that part of why Crybaby (for lack of a better name, I hope to change names as aspects heal) falls apart, because its like if some part of me doesn't stay vulnerable, like her, I might turn into a monster like my father. And the thing is, I know that's not likely at this point, but I wondered if you could shed some light– even a “Green Ray” get it?– on things.
SUMMERS: Green Ray? Yeah! Sure! *laughs, then- more seriously* Well, let's see… I think your instinctive belief, that only our openness to life, which includes the ability to feel pain, can prevent us from surrendering to darkness, whether that means despair or evil. So, yes, I do think there is some truth to that.
Getting more specific, I think we see in the restaurant situation that very dilemma playing out in real time. One Ray wants to protect your vulnerable side, wants to fight the dark and advocate for your more sensitive sides, believing them to be precious. The other Ray wants to make life easier for you by destroying your vulnerability. One Ray reaches for light, the other– more like a 'Reverse Ray'– wants to succumb to darkness, but in a strange way, even he thinks he's doing you all a favor by imitating your father!
SELF: Blech! I know I'm not supposed to hate my Rays, but its really hard not to feel very frustrated with those who agree with enemies from my past! I get what I need to do now, but, wow!
SUMMERS: I know, Hon, I know…
SELF: Do you agree that all Rays are trying to be Protectors? Like the IFS books say? Can we have true 'Inner Enemies'?
SUMMERS: Oh, I think its obvious people often have inner Saboteurs. However, I think its important to remember that most often, even with very twisted aspects, its about survival and avoiding pain. Just those two things sometimes are all the most primitive parts of us care about, so if you can figure out a way to up your survival game and avoid pain, you can take the power away from those Darker Aspects who don't seem to be making decisions in your mutual best self-interest.
SELF: Okay. I feel familiar with 'Rottenred'. But I'd like to know more about the others. What can you tell me about Bitterwitch? I will talk to her as well, so I'll let her speak for herself, but what advise or insight could you offer?
SUMMERS: I think you already suspect that Bitterwitch (and I agree you need to change the names when you heal these aspects!) has the potential to be an amazing advocate! She's got a very vindictive side– yes! That is where that comes from! But she really is trying to help you stand up for yourself and prevent pain, which has just devastated so much of your life. She feels she's got an uphill battle every damned day. I don't think she'll mind my telling you that. Also, she's addicted to anger– for the rush of strength it brings her.
SELF: Yeah, I can see that… She's concerned with justice, though.
SUMMERS: Um-hmm. She just feels so alone. She pops up and blends with you a LOT. As I'm sure you're figuring out as we talk! She's always at your side, trying to keep you strong. But she's exhausted. And constant self-righteous rage is exhausting! I think when you talk to her, let her tell you what she needs. She's one of your most regular Rays, and she could use some support. Like, a LOT!
SELF: Ah! Okay, so… with my natural medicines, would that be something that I could address as a support? Because I've already started with that.
SUMMERS: Sure! I think she needs more help not always being 'on point' so much. She rarely gets to rest. She's addicted to Outrage– which is ever so IN these days, isn't it? But I don't think she needs to cultivate it. It'll come on its own easily enough.
SELF: Its like she's practicing! Rehearsing to go to bat.
SUMMERS: Yes. And that's what you need to discuss with her. How to support her, give her a break, and take away Rottenred's power to cut her down, because that's an issue.
SELF: Okay, I'll do that. Any suggestions regarding Crybaby?
SUMMERS: Wow, well, I just feel for that girl so much! She's such a sweetheart, you know? And she's just been smashed to bits over and over, and yet she's managed to mature over the years. She's still a teenager, but she's managed to develop and grow a little, so she's not so stuck as most in her situation would get.
I think advocating for her and Bitterwitch to hang out more might be very therapeutic! Give her more active attention. And I think she's eager to talk to you, so don't worry about her not cooperating. Your Shadows are pretty impressed with you, and they're really learning to trust you to be a leader. They don't blame you for sliding back during your divorce.
SELF: Really?! Because I still look at the situation and shake my head over it!
SUMMERS: That's coming from the troubled Rays. And the ones you call 'Freakers' can't assess reality accurately. The point is, I think your work with Bitterwitch and Crybaby will be fruitful.
SELF: Good to hear! I feel a lot more sure of myself going in with those two aspects now!
SUMMERS: The tricky one is going to be Rottenred. I know you think you dismiss him, but he still has a lot of pull with various aspects, especially the vulnerable Shadows. You've learned to turn him off, but not every part of you has managed this.
SELF: *nodding*
SUMMERS: You need to hear him out, though, and talk to him about your intentions. It may take more than one session– in fact, I think you can count on that! But do your best to open a dialog and see if you can help this Ray see he's not helping survival or pain avoidance. He has his reasons for continuing your father's legacy, so discover his reasoning.
SELF: There is hate there. A continuation of the disgust my father at least pretended to have with me. Any advice for dealing with his attitude if he gets ugly?
SUMMERS: You say your father “pretended” to have disgust with you. I think that's a good way to think of it. Rottened is pretending to hate you. He's a reflection of your father in more ways than one.
SELF: Should I ask him about the child-killing dreams?
SUMMERS: Absolutely! Being curious about anything you've ever learned of him seems like the right approach to me.
SELF: Thank you for your advice. Finally, can I bring you out to celebrate life sometime in the summer? Like 'blend' with you on purpose to just have a nice time together? I was thinking that could be rather fun!
SUMMERS: Oh, gosh! *looks happy but almost embarrassed* Um… yeah! I think that would be… really wonderful!
SELF: I was thinking of a future spiritual working type thing, a joyful thing…
SUMMERS: I'll be there with bells on– maybe literally! *gives mysterious smile, then exits*
END INNER DIALOG
Source: http://lucretiasheart.livejournal.com/1217717.html
