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PSYCHIC EXPLORER:
Memos
MEMO To
all psychic explorers. So now, you have had one week to consider... what's
this all about? For
clarity, try focusing on two ideas: 1) Most of us would like to change at least some aspects of our nature-- people who are anxious may imagine what it must be like to be more relaxed; people who are highly judgmental, projective, or controlling may understand that their attitude toward life could be more 'Que Sera, Sera' ("whatever will be, will be..."). Although Falikowski's tests are only rudimentary indicators, they do tell us many things about ourselves, reminding us of things that we suspect might deserve a 'once-over' (or a 'makeover,' as the case may be). I, for example, confirmed that I was more introverted than many would have suspected, and probably needed to get out more! "If you act it out long enough, you can
make yourself believe it-- and you become that person."
Introverted
as I have been, nevertheless, I have accomplished much, performing in
award-winning bands and administering many lectures and seminars (all
extraverted jobs). Games like
'Psychic Explorer'
(© 1999, 2000
Altavilla Productions Inc.)
allow us to
practice being the people we'd like to be, surrounded by a support group of
people who like us and who are already our friends. With support and practice, try being who you want to
be. Creators
of psychoeducational team activities and games must decide whether to structure
activities according to cooperative or competitive models.
For fun, I chose a combination of both, as you will see, since I felt
that it was well-balanced by the following: I will expect you to (and I will
make suggestions as to how) create closure in your tribes by... (a)
congratulating all members of your tribe, even as you expose their true
personalities. You will be
entrusted with the sacred duty, as fellow psychotherapists, to commend all tribe
members on their performances in their new lives, helping them to understand
both that which needs improvement and that which was powerful and effective
about their PPPs (applause and cheering is always helpful, too!). (b)
helping all your tribespeople to produce the best 2 minute presentations they
can create-- you can say a great deal in this short time if you are carefully
rehearsed. All participants should be encouraged and commended at all times-- we
are in the business of 'warm fuzzies' here (see Transactional Analysis, Chapter 4). 2) A psychotherapist is a 'Psychic Explorer.'
As a participant in this exercise, you have the solemn duty of being a
strong partner for your shadow-- in effect, you are your friend's
psychotherapist, at least temporarily.
It is your job to listen to things your friend says about his behaviours
and about things he/she'd like to change. Then,
you help your friend to find a preferred personality.
What would your shadow like to be? Wiser?
Happier? More relaxed?
More adaptable and easy-going? Less
defensive? What can she do in order to become these things? Is your shadow happy with certain things, but not with others?
This will probably be the most common scenario.
Others still will wish that they were more balanced on a number of scales
(more diagnostic scores that are middling, instead of to extremes).
Practice acting according to these incremental changes in behaviour; each
partner should act as the other's acting coach and critic.
Practice stress exercises, transactional analyses, and even
conversational skills, coached by your partner.
The shadow partner (or 'psychic twin') is a cherished and special friend.
Treat this duty as an important ritual in your life.
The
fastest way to understand yourself and your communication with others is to
learn the tricks of the psychoanalyst (communications and attitudes are, after
all, observable). The best method
of learning how to be a psychoanalyst, said Freud, begins with the practice of
self-psychoanalysis. An interesting
paradox, indeed... P.S.
DO YOUR 10 SELF-DIAGNOSTICS with your partner's help, A.S.A.P. That's all for now. I'll
keep you informed. RMM
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