The Liminal Space  What it is the “liminal space"?

 Etymology: from the Latin “limen” meaning a threshold.

Limbo and Liminoid  Near Enemies: - Limbo: from the Latin “limbus” meaning on the edge.

- Liminoid: Victor Turner, 1974.-common in Western Societies.

Anthropological Roots 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Structure Time Rituals States of Consciousness Beings Place Ethnographic Research and Therapy.

But this is not our World.

 Individualism  Capitalism,  Positivist science.

 Social and political repercussions  Implications for coaching and consulting and therapy.

An Individualistic Approach To Gestalt Psychotherapy Theory.

 Gestalt prayer.

 Figure bound.

 The Contact Cycle.

Gestalt Cycle Support as that which enables Action Contact Mobilisation Awareness Sensation Decision point

Choice!

Final Contact Satisfaction Withdrawal Void

An Individualistic Approach To Gestalt Psychotherapy Theory.

 Agentic culture.

 Cathartic  Self-support,  Support as "that which enables".

 Will.

A Paradigm Shift.

 Emphasis on Relational Approaches—the “between”.

 Introduction of Liminal Space-the “between” of the field.

A Liminal Model I  Focus on context.

 Buber: The “between”.

 Heidegger: Dasein  Merleau-Ponty: Embodied Relationality.

A Liminal Model II  Gadamer:- Hermeneutics.

 Whitehead-Process Relational Philosophy  Neuroscience.

 Stern: Vitality Signs.

 Grace

Action Practices: Graceful Living  Awareness of embodied relational being-resonance  Mindful acknowledgement of current context  Appraisal of options  Simultaneous focus on phenomenological indicators of mobilisation/excitement

Action Practices: Graceful Living  Containment of action  Experimentation with first steps-resourcing  Reflections on impact  Commitment to the unfolding process  Review, rehearse, and reflect.

Liminal Gestalt Cycle

Liminoid

Awareness Sensation Emergent Action Field/Relational Inaction Support as that which Accompanies In Contact Mobilisation Awareness Sensation

The Liminal Space

Full Contact Satisfaction Withdrawal Context

Implications for Gestalt Theory & Praxis  Will and Grace  Structures of ground.

 Increase in influence of paradoxical theory of change.

 Perspectival, existential.

Implications  Openness to being affected.

 Support as that which accompanies.

 Co-emergent  Responsiveness.

Implications  Change as a constantly emergent connection with a dynamic interconnected universe.

 Therapy as accompaniment.

SUMMARY: • Focus on Containment • Accompaniment • Mindfulness • Holistic Neuroscience • Impact Vs Intention.