About The Instructor
BY ARLENE F HARDER, MA, MFT
If you click on my name, you can learn a bit about my professional background and credentials. In this piece all I want to do is give you an example of how I have used the technique of imagery in my own life, because imagery is one of those topics that can't be taught if you don't have personal experience using it. And I have definitely found it to be a most valuable resource in helping me get through many tough situations.
That is why, throughout the Support 4 Change imagery classes, you will read numerous illustrations from my own life. Here I'd like to tell you about one particular one that pointed the way toward turning an image into action.
You see, several years ago I planned a workshop and knew that someone I admired would attend. I wanted her to like my presentation. But I was afraid I would be nervous and wouldn't do as well as I would have if she weren't there. During that morning's meditation time, therefore, I reflected on the situation and wondered what I could do.
"Easy," replied my subconscious, or wherever the intuition resides. "Just remain calm and everything will go well." Great! An answer I already knew. Of course I was likely to do well if I didn't keep thinking about how well I was doing and get all tense and bothered by her presence. What I needed was something more concrete, something to keep me from focusing on my performance. That's when I then asked a specific question, "So just how am I going to remain calm?"
Immediately a flower presented itself in my mind's eye (a lovely gift from my store of images) and I knew that I had an answer I could use. Getting up from my chair, I walked out to the front yard and picked a pretty pink camellia. Then I took it with me to the workshop and placed it on a table in front of the speaker's chair. Whenever I looked at the flower, I smiled inwardly and relaxed. There are times even now when I will bring a photograph of a flower and place it next to my notes. One glance is all I need to restore a sense of calm.
As I write in The Power of Images and Symbols, such symbols, arising out of the subconscious, can ask as a guide through many difficult situations. It has been my great pleasure to share these techniques with others in my private practice, in a series of imagery tapes, and in many workshops. In fact, it was out of the creation of six-week workshops at The Wellness Community-Foothills in Pasadena, California, that I gathered material for these classes. They are my gift to you and I hope you will use them in good health.
© Copyright 2002, Arlene Harder, MA, MFT |
