Pretend is a powerful word.

It is a word from our childhood, when we are much more connected to our bodies. As children we pretend. Usually we think we are a teacher, super hero, ballerina, or a famous basketball hero.  What makes a pretend so powerful is that we have different sensations and/or emotions for each pretend.  When a trauma comes along, the child forms a thought or belief about themselves, and embodies a sensation about that belief.  So now they are pretending that they are an idiot, or ugly, or fat, or helpless, etc.  The most powerful pretend happens when we “grow up” and pretend that we no longer pretend.  Meanwhile all these beliefs  connected to sensations and emotions are embodied and unconsciously running our lives.

People and/or events in life often trigger these old, embodied pretends.  We think it is about that person, or that event.  The sensations and/or emotions embodied in the past are now directed into our present situation.  Because we are now adults, our reactions of fear or anger which we could not express when we were children are now poured out at that person or that event.

Pretends are not always negative.  If you were loved a lot as a child, you expect, see, and draw love toward you.  If you were praised for accomplishments, you are probably successful in whatever you do.  Whatever you believe, you will achieve as they say. That is true, both negatively and positively.

In New Thought, they call every thought and action an affirmation.  However, I have noticed that the people who were most successful in there affirmations, really “felt” or experienced the affirmation in their bodies.  And of course we are all doing affirmations or “pretends” all the time. Watch yourself when you watch the news or hear a story about someone. What happens in your body?  What is your “pretend” about that situation?

In this workshop, which you are about to hear, we are exploring, experiencing, releasing, and recreating these experiences.