Frequently asked questions about Thinking at the Edge
Thinking at the Edge is a new way of thinking–a new way to living actually–that takes our inner experiencing into account instead of ignoring it or skipping over it because it has been labeled “subjective”, and therefore irrelevant. Because it is a new way of establishing dialog between data that comes from outside (what we read, what we have learned, what others say, what we were brought up to think) and from inside (the intricate bodily felt sense of our situations), it is natural that there would be questions about it. The best way to answer these questions is to experience Focusing and Thinking at the Edge. But for now, because you are here, we’ll do our best to answer some FAQs. If we don’t answer YOUR question here, please write to us about it.
Thinking at the Edge is learning to consult or include our Implicit understanding when we are making decisions, planning, or formulating a new idea or direction in life.
The edge is the area between our usual thought processes, and a different source of data that comes from our bodily knowing about ourselves and about life.
In order to reach the edge, you have to pause and consciously bring your awareness into the body. When you do that, you may feel that nothing is happening. That’s because it takes a few moments to switch from the usual discursive thought to sensing into the body, where words don’t come easily. Knowing this, you can breathe and be patient, in order to let a felt sense form about a situation you want to explore. Once you allow the bodily felt sense of the situation to form, it starts giving you information that is not often accessible to your regular mental processes. What you feel at first is often difficult to put into words. Empathy to your own inner experience is needed at this moment. Once you stop judging and let the body know that you are interested and receptive, words, images gestures, memories, etc. arise.
Often what “thinking” means is taking data that we have seen or heard or read elsewhere and using it to inform our attempts to make decisions or formulate our ideas. We have not been trained to explore our implicit understanding of a topic. Our own sense of the matter is considered too subjective and therefore irrelevant. But with Thinking at the Edge, we keep the outside data but also open our awareness to our implicit understanding. That way a dialog is created between the two ways of knowing, and each can enhance the other.
- Thinking at the Edge gives us confidence in the sources of our own inner knowing.
- Thinking a the Edge brings fresh air into places where we are stuck in old, circular thought patterns.
- Thinking at the Edge helps us see beyond cultural and linguistic patterns that limit our possibilities for meaningful thought and action.
- Thinking at the Edge shows us what is really meaningful and motivating in our lives.
- Thinking a the Edge helps us become aware of and heal thoughts and beliefs that we hold because of traumatic experiences.
- Thinking a the Edge takes us beyond the customary limitations of words, so that we can start of express what we really feel, and let it develop into new awareness.
- Thinking the Edge helps us respect and be open to the realities of other people.
- If there is something you have experienced that is usually not talked about in your profession or among your peers, Thinking a the Edge can help you name it and learn from it It might turn out to be your gift to the world.
- Thinking at the Edge opens us to a vast inner territory that can inform us about any situation we encounter,
- Thinking at the Edge shows us how to contact the bodily felt sense, allowing us to find our way in the challenging situations we face at this time.
Focusing is allowing the unclear bodily felt sense of a situation to form, and listening to it so that it unfolds and comes into focus.
Yes. Success in Thinking at the Edge starts with training in felt sensing and listening.
We will refer you to Certified Focusing Trainers, or you can find teachers on the Events page of the International Focusing Institute (https://focusing.org/events).
There is a real difference between talking about anxious and depressing feelings, and really acknowledging them with empathy. When we can acknowledge the way we feel without judging ourselves, our feelings become our guides to self knowledge and transformation.
Absolutely not. Focusing is something that you experience. If it leads you aliveness and change, you will probably want to bring it more into your life. It’s up to you.
Rather than trying to reframe your experience or talk yourself into having a positive mental outlook, Focusing shows you the depth of your pain. Once you learn how to listen to what bothers you with empathy, it changes. it transforms into your next step of growth and understanding.
In a Focusing partnership, two people trade Focusing sessions with each other. One partner Focuses and the other partner listens and occasionally says back the main points, so that the Focuser feels heard and understood. When the Listener acknowledges what is said, it helps the Focuser listen more carefully to their own words. As a result, the felt sense develops more. Usually Focusing turns last 25 to 30 minutes. It the end of that time, the partners switch roles. The Listener becomes the Focuser and vice versa. This simple egalitarian exchange is where some of the most important work happens in TAE.
After you learn basic Focusing and Listening, you can join the Focusing Institute’s Partnership Network and meet partners from around the world. You are also very likely to meet Focusing partners in your beginning class.
Most definitely. People can actually help each other think. This is not by brainstorming, making clever suggestions or giving prompts. We help each other think by listening closely and carefully to what our partners say in a Focusing session, and taking notes for them, or reflecting back what they say. A dedicated Listener is devoted to the emerging process of the Focuser. Try it. It really works!