Stage Six — Preparation for Resolution

Stage Six is both an action and a transitional stage. It helps the bodymind become more flexible so we can discharge and resolve trapped perspectives, memories, information, energy and patterns, or those aspects of our being that are no longer able to adapt to our new and stronger sense of self and therefore must be released. The release will occur at the discretion of our innate wisdom, when our nervous system becomes free of interference and our bodymind becomes flexible enough to accommodate major change.

By the time we move from Stage Five, we have gained an awareness of what is behind our illusions, even if this awareness is not conscious. At the same time our sense of self has been strengthened because we have ‘gone into the belly of the whale’ or ‘have been eaten by the big, bad wolf,’ where we have merged with our fear to move beyond it. In fact,

Stage Six involves the awareness that the dissonant aspects of our lives — the sources of our suffering — are about to be relinquished. It is the kind of feeling we may have when a powerful sneeze is coming on, or even as the uneasy feeling we have before telling our partners that our relationship is over.

A Time for Change

The essential rhythm of Stage Six involves centering and grounding our bodymind’s energy so it is prepared if/when discharge becomes necessary. This centering brings the awareness that discharge is a welcome and appropriate event in our healing journey, although, in many cases, we may be able to resolve our dissonant or alienated aspects without experiencing a forceful or violent discharge.

Stage Six provides a timely window of opportunity for us to make needed modifications in our lives in preparation for the resolution. It is often a time to change lifestyle habits, open to new perspectives on healing, and commit to wellness. It may be the time when we decide to change to a plant-based diet or increase our intake of unprocessed foods, for example. Serious long-term commitments to participate in brisk walking, jogging or swimming, often begin here. It is also a good time to begin activities like meditation, biofeedback or yoga. We become involved in these practices not so much for therapeutic reasons, but to improve our capacity for growth and needed change.

Moving Through Stage Six

Our passage through Stage Six can be both exciting and purposeful. Although we may not achieve dramatic flashes of enlightenment where we suddenly have the answers to all of our problems, the self-improvement programs now become a natural commonsense alternative. Such opportunities that are in alignment with our betterment often appear unexpectedly or as if by coincidence, as we are now more receptive to them. We may say, “Look what happened to me today — can you believe it? I was thinking of taking up jogging and my brother gave me a new pair of running shoes!”

As Stage Six progresses, we become more energized and more flexible on all levels, in preparation for Stage Seven, Resolution. Like the earlier stages, we do not need to know why we are becoming more flexible. And most of us do not know why, which is actually fortunate, because when we are conscious of why we are changing we often sabotage our movements by becoming preoccupied with the process, feeling confused about where it may be taking us, or doubting the inherent wisdom involved.

As mentioned earlier, when we move further through Stage Six, we often experience the feeling of impending release. It is not unlike the feeling we have when we are about to throw up or sneeze. For others, it may be the awareness that they need to scream or shed some tears. We may have the feeling that something is going to have to change, or that we will soon be ready to end a long pattern of addiction.

A later phase of Stage Six often brings up uncomfortable feelings. They manifest as tension builds in the bodymind while it is getting ready to discharge the rhythm, pattern, information or energy that no longer works for us and is not in harmony with the rest of our bodymind’s rhythm.

Aborting the Process

Because it can be uncomfortable, the later part of Stage Six is when many individuals attempt to modify or abort it. For example, when we feel we are going to throw up, we may reach for anti-nausea medication. Or we may experience emotional anxiety when we feel we are about to yell or scream, and we take a tranquilizer or see a therapist so as to feel more comfortable.

It is imperative that we consult the kind of healing practitioner who does not automatically treat symptoms, as impending chaos is not to be feared. Although it often involves moving beyond our comfort range, chaos is absolutely essential for meaningful change and healing to take place. Chaos offers us the opportunity to redirect our lives in harmony with the new understandings and perspectives we have gained through the earlier stages, and it can be a welcome step in the adventure we call transformation.

Although the feelings involved in a buildup of tension may be uncomfortable, if we have successfully moved through the previous stages we know this tension and discomfort is somehow OK. However, if we feel uncomfortable in Stage Six and have not had support from others to help us move through it, we may decide that something is wrong and choose to stop the process. During this stage, it is common for people to drink alcohol or take drugs, in order to avoid discomfort.

In a true Stage Six consciousness, there is discomfort, tension, anxiety, and the feeling that we need to move through it. Just as we reach for the drink or the drug or otherwise attempt to inhibit ourselves from fully experiencing this stage of healing, we somehow realize that “This is not what I need.” Although we know that something is happening as we move past our comfort zone, we also know that the process is right and that we need to participate in it, despite the transitory fear, anxiety or discomfort.

Moving with the Flow

By moving with the natural rhythm of Stage Six, initial feelings of discomfort, fear or ambivalence are replaced with calm expectation and the desire to move on, release, and relinquish. Whether it is the release of the bowels associated with cramps, or the need to scream, “Stop! Leave me alone!” we begin to welcome the prospect of discharge.

For some people, tension may build gradually as they experience a stronger sense of self. As a result, no major discharge is necessary. Sometimes the feeling of tension builds and the individual is comfortable with the increased tension. That experience may be enough for the dissonant rhythm or alienated aspect of the bodymind to naturally resolve itself. Discharge, if appropriate, may occur at a later point during the healing journey.

Stage Six Exercise

Lie comfortably on your back. Breathe gently and deeply in and out through your nose. Place your hands above the area where there is tension, and move them in circular motions on the tense region. Synchronize your breathing with your hand movements. Breathe deeply through your nose with each circular motion. Let the rhythm take over. As Stage Six completes, the rhythm of Stage Seven often takes over, sometimes rather dramatically, producing discharge and resolution.

There’s Magic In A Healthy Spine!