"The Grain of Truth" is shorthand for a life-changing technique. It may not be ‘sexy’ enough to get top billing on a workshop flyer or complex enough to fill a seminar. Yet applied with any regularity, this simple practice opens a doorway into deeper spiritual practice.
During my first years of Pathwork studies, looking for the ‘grain of truth’ helped me to curb my defensiveness, take a breath, listen, and open my heart during discussions. The process required a shift in perspective from ‘me’ to ‘us’ in order to catch a glimpse of myself. Those brief pauses allowed space for my Objective Observer to develop. Seeing things from a different angle often led to a change in attitude.
Reversing the process also works. Noticing my own negativity, no matter how tiny (rather than focusing upon the ‘greater distortion’ of the other) showed me how I contribute to disharmony. In addressing the ‘little bit’ of untruth in myself, I became less self-righteous and more receptive to the grain of truth in the other’s point of view.
“So I beg of you, my dear friends, consider the outer conflicts that come to you as an answer to your prayer. If you will only turn into the other direction. Instead of becoming defiant and hurt, turn inside, turn around, no matter how wrong you think others may be! Ask yourself, ask your Father in heaven, ‘Isn't there some grain of truth somewhere? By recognizing it, I will continue to learn and develop.’ ” from Pathwork Guide Lecture 43, Personality Types of Reason, Will and Emotion
No matter what we are invited to face, taking a deep breath and accessing the deeper reservoirs of our faith can calm our fears and help us to be more fully present. Searching for the Grain of Truth can demagnify negative force fields created by suspicion, distrust, and defensive posturing. It can build bridges of trust and support with our brothers and sisters. It can turn an argument or disharmony into an opportunity.
Blessings upon your personal journey! Jan Rigsby
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Austin Ongoing
South Austin Sessions and Lecture Study Tutorials
By Appointment
$90 / 1 hour 15 minute session $70 / 50 minute session
Individuals or Groups
Teleconference Process Groups: Form on your own, choose a geographical region to affiliate with, or volunteer to be assigned to a group. Groups are encouraged to meet on their own, by phone or in person, between teleconferences. A group may become self-led or continue with facilitation.
Facilitated Group Formation requires a commitment for 2 months at a time. Members will participate in four 90-minute facilitated group teleconferences plus four 50-minute individual sessions. Individual sessions can be used to support your process, work on inter-group relationships, or deepen understanding of Pathwork concepts. Minimum of 4 participants.
Module Fee: US$240/A$270, paid in advance, covers one 8-week module of group teleconferences and private sessions. If members decide not to continue in the group. private sessions may be completed.
Topics: During the initial 2-month module, topics will be selected which encourage and develop group formation, create a common agreement for how the group will operate, and offer suggestions for conflict resolution. Understanding personality types is crucial, as defenses are naturally activated when we attempt to change equilibrium or balance. Topics for successive modules may be selected by the group. Audio, video, and self-study materials from past teleconferences are available at www.janrigsby.com
Ongoing groups may request facilitation at individual rates.
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Workshops and Teleconferences
January
Final Teleconference Saturday 30th
New Discussion Forum www.janrigsby.net/forum
February
New online process groups
for further details, contact Jan at rigsby@pathworktexas.org
One of the most difficult aspects in forming self-led groups is ‘getting everyone on the same page’. Transformation is the spiritual purpose of human life, our basic positive intention. Yet this implies that we are transforming something that we are not fully ready to let go of. We are attached to our negativity. Developing consciousness and awareness can accelerate the process of transformation. It also activates our defenses, since we feel shame and guilt about our resistance -- compounding our sense that we are bad and creating a vicious circle. Group work unleashes both -- our positive intentions, and our fear that we are only our negative resistance. process group needs to develop and maintain a safe container for members. Repressed thoughts and feelings may need to be expressed and explored. What follows is a proposal for developing process groups, which may continue on their own or with facilitation.
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