Internal Family Systems
Internal Family Systems
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a groundbreaking personality model that enables us to unburden ourselves from the hidden traumas and storylines that run our lives. IFS is essential preparation for psychedelic meditation. In the dualistic state, we perceive ourselves as singular, independent, and permanent. The sense of self is not singular. It is a multiplicity of many parts, a collection of sub-personalities.
Everyone has many parts, and all of them are good. There are no bad parts. The parts mean well. They do their best to help us be happy and not suffer. However, due to past experiences, especially experiences at a young age, some of the parts have become burdened with trauma, shame, or insecurity. There is fear of feeling the suffering of the burdened parts, and we exile them from our conscious awareness. The exiled parts feel abandoned by us and feel even worse.
Some parts act as protectors to keep our exiled parts from becoming activated and flooding us with their suffering. Some protectors are managers who are constantly scanning the environment to avoid situations that might activate an exiled part.
It is impossible to avoid all situations that can activate an exiled feeling. When an exiled part is activated and floods us with suffering, there is a reaction of aversion and fear. The aversive reaction recruits another kind of protector called a firefighter. The firefighter's job is to get us away from whatever activated our exile's trauma as fast as possible.
When parts are activated and blend with us, they occupy the seat of consciousness. The part is in charge, and we are acting as the part. When we become self-aware, we unblend from the part. When we are not blended with any part, we discover the Self, which is not a part. The Self is our true nature and cannot be damaged or burdened. It possesses many inherent good qualities, such as the eight Cs: compassion, curiosity, clarity, creativity, calm, confidence, courage, and connectedness, as well as many other positive qualities.
Identifying with our Self allows us to address and heal our parts as if they were little sentient beings with independent points of view. It doesn’t matter whether or not our parts are separate beings. The IFS process of compassion and healing works best when regarding our parts and feelings as autonomous beings, respecting their point of view, and treating them with understanding and love.
When a part becomes activated, give it your full attention. Listen to what it has to say, let it know that you fully understand what it is saying, and thank the part for its wisdom and insight. Sometimes, there will be fear about taking psychedelics. A concerned protector wants to help us avoid difficulty or danger. When you feel fear, take the time to listen to the fearful part and address its concerns directly.
Nature of mind practitioners can consider that the Self is rigpa, and parts are sems. The Self is our true identity, rigpa. IFS is the wisdom and skillful means to recognize our Self and extend our Self-energy as compassion and loving-kindness to heal the suffering of sems.
When the Self occupies the seat of consciousness, all parts unburden continuously in real time and operate in their most valuable state. Unburdening parts in real-time corresponds to the Dzogchen stage of confidence in liberation, where everything arises as wisdom.