Inner Resource

What Is An Inner Resource? The Inner Resource is a tool to help you feel secure, at ease and in control of your experience during working with emotions and in daily life. Consider your Inner Resource as an internal safe-haven. Your Inner Resource can be a multi-sensory image you create in your imagination and feel in your body that you can return to at any time during your practice or in daily life when you want or need to feel secure and at ease. It can also be a felt sense of ease and safety in your body. It might take the form of an image of a real place you’ve been before, or an imaginary place. It can be an image of someone you love, or the pure feeling of love. The important thing is that when you focus on it, you feel secure and at ease. It is important that your Inner Resource is your own, be it an image, or another kind of internal sensorial experience.

When Do I Use My Inner Resource? Turn to your Inner Resource while practicing working with emotions, whether in class or on your own, if you begin to feel overwhelmed by a sensation, emotion, thought, image or memory. Experience your Inner Resource until you feel comfortable again. The Inner Resource puts you in charge of your experience. You can also use your Inner Resource when you are going about your day. For instance, if you are at a shopping mall and you start to feel overwhelmed by the crowds of people, imagine yourself in your Inner Resource. Use all of your senses to bring you into your Inner Resource. You’ll be surprised by how quickly you return to a relaxed state of mind when you are diligent in cultivating your Inner Resource when you practice working with emotions. Many people also use their Inner Resource if they have trouble falling asleep at night or are experiencing physical pain. It is also helpful to use if you feel extreme emotions coming on, such as anger or fear.

Getting The Most Out Of Your Inner Resource. The more aspects of imagination, sensory input (sounds, tastes, smells, sights), and body sensation that you use to create and experience your Inner Resource the more effective a tool it will be for you. For instance you may discover a visual image that goes with your Inner Resource, or a body sensation, word, feeling, or emotion that enhances your Inner Resource.

It can be anything you want it to be, so be creative!

Some Examples Of Inner Resources. Your inner resource is completely unique to you. It’s part of you and you will learn to draw strength from it. Here are some ideas that people have found helpful:

• A special place you’ve been to before, or one that comes to you in your imagination

• Seated by a peaceful stream or a beautiful spot in nature

• In a room where you are surrounded by your favorite things

• Being with a special loved one, a wisdom figure or animal

• Floating on a cloud

• A childhood home

• A symbol that is meaningful and strengthening for you

• A felt sense of relaxation and peace in your body