What does it mean to find a place of Presence?

Q. Someone who is new to Focusing asks how can she find a place of Presence. She read last month’s Focusing tips, where I said the key is to find a place of Presence. What do I mean by that, and how to do it?

A. ‘Presence’ is a shorthand way of describing an optimal inner environment which allows change through Focusing to happen. Presence links my small, personal self to something much larger and universal. It has the capacity to be with anything in my experience, without being overwhelmed by it. Difficult feelings, complex life situations, including mental and physical illness all respond to that kind of company. The best way to describe Presence is through identifying its qualities and characteristics. Quality words come to mind, such as kindness, compassion, openness, non-judgemental and spacious. You will have your own way to describe it. Another key characteristic is that it needs nothing for itself. It has no agenda and nothing particular needs to happen. There is no need to control, fix, sort or heal. And paradoxically, that is how real change and healing takes place, if you sit with something with that kind of quality of attention.

So how do you find a place of Presence? There are many ways and you will find what works for you. See if you can experience any quality of Presence right now. Notice what quality may be available to you. You may feel an ease or a warmth in your chest, or a quietness in your belly. Start with the body and notice if you can feel the support of what is underneath you. If you sit quietly and attend inwardly, you may find words to describe that ease, warmth or support in your own terms.

Another way is to be in nature, or recall a time when you were in a beautiful place that is special to you. Notice how it makes you feel. Notice what comes in your body. Perhaps there is a sense of expansiveness or freedom, or a release of tension. See if you can describe to yourself how it feels in your body, to be in this special place.

‘A place of Presence’ that I was referring to in my last Tips is located in your body, so it helps to have an awareness of your body. You can do his simply by bringing your attention to parts of your body, slowly and methodically, starting with your feet and moving up slowly, noticing each part of you. Anywhere that feels good, alive or flowing and easy somehow is already in a state of being in Presence. It doesn’t need anything for itself and so it is a resource that you can use in your Focusing. Then that becomes a starting point for your ‘place of Presence’.

When you are Focusing, ‘Presence language’ really supports an awareness of Presence and the inner relationship, so if you already practice Focusing, here’s a reminder to keep using it. It’s very powerful and it really works!