A few weeks back one of my clients who knew of my long time interest in Ericksonian psychotherapy asked me if I would go to a Philadelphia workshop on couples relationships with Bill O’Hanlon, one of the leading proponents of Milton Erickson’s ideas. Actually, I told her, I had considered it as I really enjoy Bill’s workshops, but the couples relationships idea was a little too far afield for me, I’d never use it in my practice.
Then, in one of those serendipitous idea relationship experiences, I found myself with a couple of hundred folks at the Narberth PA Presbyterian Church hearing a couple of family members play for the Offertory, and also hearing a fine sermon on “faithfulness”. Then a brilliant thing happened. There was a baptism of a one year old baby.
The baby started out at the front of the church non-related to the audience, but comfortable with the preacher. By the back row, the end of the center aisle (where I was) he was looking at people with an interested air, and looked right at me! as well as others. I got goose bumps, this was a real connection.
Now my leap of faith: this is what Ida Rolf was creating for us, the relationship with gravity, a true connection with gravity which supports us and allows us to bring together the disparate body parts (these parts are my person!) to make a real connection with ourselves and potentially, others.
P.S. Don’t forget to have a piece of cake on Ida’s birthday, May 19. Several have noted her object relationship love of sugar!