Somatic Memories, Metaphors & Magic (SMMM) is one of the Authentic Self Empowerment (ASE) methods developed by Jevon Dängeli, to support individuals, couples and groups to optimize the conditions for healing, transformation and growth.
For individuals, the SMMM process involves first establishing soma centred open awareness and then allowing the most prominent sensation in the body or the emotion to lead one’s awareness to the relevant memories and/or metaphors (images or concepts) that represent the cause of the condition that the individual wants to heal or resolve. The ‘magic’ of this process lies in how the individual holds space for the memories and/or metaphors that arise, observing them in open awareness – as they evolve or transform from moment to moment – evoking insights and motivating action.
The process can be adapted for couples and groups by attending to the combined/collective state, memories, metaphors and the participatory input from both/all individuals to promote insights and action.
SMMM steps for individuals:
- Identify an issue that you want to heal or resolve.
- Establish soma centred open awareness.
- While in open awareness, notice the issue’s most prominent sensation in the body or the emotion associated with it.
- Intend to have the sensation or emotion lead your awareness to the relevant memories and/or metaphors (images, concepts or parts of you) that are linked to the cause of the issue.
- Still in open awareness, observe the significant memories and/or metaphors that come to mind. Identify, without judgement, your experience of all phenomena – physiological, psychological and metaphorical – as they shift or evolve from moment to moment.
- Allow any meaningful insights to arise in awareness and commit to take action as appropriate – supporting healing and integration. Using a journal or spacebook to note or illustrate your key experience in this step can be helpful.
- Spend a few moments in soma centred open awareness, appreciating the value of the experience that you have just had, as well as the experiences that you are looking forward to.
DISCLAIMER: SMMM is not a replacement for medical or psychological care. Although SMMM is a safe process, individuals who are suffering from an acute medical or psychological condition should avoid using it by themselves, and rather seek the guidance of a qualified practitioner.
The Licensed ASE Facilitators and Transpersonal Coaches are trained to facilitate the SMMM processes and apply them as part of more comprehensive interventions.
