We explore proximal to distal layers. Bidirectional between dispositional-state and emotion (remember emotion in ANTB is defined by affect+narrative).
We use the affect streams and action-tresholds for distinguishing kind-degree that foster insight.
Anything that is not yet an affect and anything that is laden with narrative and between those the affects with their energy channels and further distinctions.
- A "dispositional state" is described as something that is "not yet an affect" and can directly influence gesture, posture, movement, and breath. It's a fundamental level of energetic state. The distinction between a calm dispositional state and a depressive state is noted as not being a "psychological state" in the same way, implying a deeper difference in their fundamental nature or energy.
- Affects, such as FEAR, CARE, PANIC, SEEKING, PLAY, ANGER, and LUST, are identified as discrete "affect streams" rooted in our animal nature, with continuity throughout the animal kingdom. Affects are described as a "particular configuration the body takes on", and it's emphasized that they are distinct from human emotions, even though Panksepp names them with human emotion terms. For example, the FEAR affect in a deer is a bodily state of being "prepared and in its evolutionary-biological power," not necessarily "fearful" in the human sense.
- An "emotion" is distinguished from an affect by having "thought impact into it". The goal is to easily discern between an affect and a thought. The transition from affect to emotion is an important interface to understand.
- The ability to "feel the difference" between a dispositional state, an affect, and an emotion as they arise in the body is a key practice. This highlights that these are felt experiences that have distinct "flavors" or "energies" in the body, even if language can be too coarse-grained to capture them precisely.
- It is suggested that certain affect streams can have "contracted forms" versus "highly functional forms," and the work involves seeing how one moves away from the functional form.
Structur:
We withshare our experience using constraints that help us make sure we stick to an embodied up-hierarchy. So you have to start each sentence, really every sentence, EXACTLY like this:
• I sense … [relaxation, pain, lightness, activation, hypoaraousal, hyperarousal etc.]
• I feel ... [affect]
• My head thinks, [that/whether] ... [that I'm ok / whether I am doing
the practice correctly?, etc.]
- Each participant can talk undisturbed for 10 minutes (can vary depending on the size
of the group). Share from all 3 levels, i.e. emotions, affects and body sensations, what moves them at this moment. (If possible, no stories from the past and no thoughts about the future, thought they are perfectly welcome if phrases as mentioned above) It is important to not push yourself too hard and feel uncomfortable, e.g. “I would like to stop here and not add anything more".
- All other participants give their full loving attention to whoever is speaking. The rest of the group listens with all their attention (100%)! The process only works if you (want to) listen openly!
- The Group Leader makes sure that nobody speaks in between, that the time is kept and that the focus is always on who is currently speaking. He / she takes part in the process in the same way as the participants and has the same amount of time to withshare.
So this is the practice, which is basically combining the structure of honest-sharing.md with the affect model.