The Liminal SpaceThe Liminal SpaceWhat it is the “liminal space"?What it is the “liminal space"?

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

Limbo and LiminoidLimbo and LiminoidNear Enemies: Near Enemies:

- Limbo: from the Latin “limbus” meaning on the - Limbo: from the Latin “limbus” meaning on the edge.edge.

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

Anthropological RootsAnthropological Roots1.1. StructureStructure2.2. TimeTime3.3. RitualsRituals4.4. States of ConsciousnessStates of Consciousness5.5. BeingsBeings6.6. PlacePlace7.7. Ethnographic Research and Therapy.Ethnographic Research and Therapy.

But this is not our World.But this is not our World.IndividualismIndividualismCapitalism, Capitalism, Positivist science.Positivist science.Social and political repercussionsSocial and political repercussionsImplications for coaching and consulting and Implications for coaching and consulting and

therapy.therapy.

An Individualistic Approach To An Individualistic Approach To Gestalt Psychotherapy Theory.Gestalt Psychotherapy Theory.

Gestalt prayer.Gestalt prayer.Figure bound.Figure bound.The Contact Cycle.The Contact Cycle.

Gestalt CycleGestalt Cycle

Void

Sensation

Awareness

Mobilisation

Action

Contact

Final Contact

Satisfaction

Withdrawal

Support as that which enables

Decision point Choice!

An Individualistic Approach To An Individualistic Approach To Gestalt Psychotherapy Theory.Gestalt Psychotherapy Theory.

Agentic culture.Agentic culture.Cathartic Cathartic Self-support, Self-support, Support as "that which enables".Support as "that which enables".Will.Will.

A Paradigm Shift.Emphasis on Relational Approaches—the

“between”.

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

A Liminal Model IA Liminal Model IFocus on context.Focus on context.Buber: The “between”.Buber: The “between”.Heidegger: DaseinHeidegger: DaseinMerleau-Ponty: Embodied Relationality.Merleau-Ponty: Embodied Relationality.

A Liminal Model IIA Liminal Model IIGadamer:- Hermeneutics.Gadamer:- Hermeneutics.Whitehead-Process Relational PhilosophyWhitehead-Process Relational PhilosophyNeuroscience.Neuroscience.Stern: Vitality Signs.Stern: Vitality Signs.GraceGrace

Action Practices: Graceful Living Awareness of embodied relational being-

resonanceMindful acknowledgement of current contextAppraisal of optionsSimultaneous focus on phenomenological

indicators of mobilisation/excitement

Action Practices: Graceful Living Containment of actionExperimentation with first steps-resourcingReflections on impactCommitment to the unfolding processReview, rehearse, and reflect.

Liminal Gestalt CycleLiminal Gestalt Cycle

Context

Sensation

Awareness

Mobilisation

Emergent ActionField/Relational In Contact

Full Contact

Satisfaction

Withdrawal

Support as that which Accompanies

The Liminal Space

Inaction

Sensation

Awareness

Lim

bo

Liminoid

Implications for Gestalt Implications for Gestalt Theory & PraxisTheory & PraxisWill and GraceWill and GraceStructures of ground.Structures of ground.Increase in influence of paradoxical theory Increase in influence of paradoxical theory

of change.of change.Perspectival, existential.Perspectival, existential.

ImplicationsImplicationsOpenness to being affected.Openness to being affected.Support as that which accompanies.Support as that which accompanies.Co-emergentCo-emergentResponsiveness.Responsiveness.

ImplicationsImplicationsChange as a constantly emergent Change as a constantly emergent

connection with a dynamic connection with a dynamic interconnected universe.interconnected universe.

Therapy as accompaniment.Therapy as accompaniment.

SUMMARY:SUMMARY:

• Focus on ContainmentFocus on Containment

• AccompanimentAccompaniment

• MindfulnessMindfulness

• Holistic NeuroscienceHolistic Neuroscience

• Impact Vs Intention.Impact Vs Intention.