Hello Dabdoob - You have received some great advice from Jeanne and Iam2 and they are both much more experienced than myself, but thought maybe I could add a couple of other suggestions that have helped me move along in my journey. To me that's what SFQ is all about - a journey, not so much a destination - and there may be apprehension about getting started and many bumps along the road, but I remind myself to take my time, keep it simple and enjoy the experiences along the way. If you believe, the journey will continue regardless of your questions and you will move forward. When I feel discouraged (which still happens frequently) somehow the support and encouragement that I need eventually appear for me. Frequently this comes from a posting that I read here - I often go back and re-read Iam2 and gallen's postings many times over, each time finding something else of importance for me - thanks so much guys. Other times I just "happen" to come across a book that changes my whole perspective - most recently I found "You Can Heal Your Life" by Louise Hay - it has given me so much to ponder! This book had been sitting on my shelf unread for weeks, but suddenly after putting myself on the weekly healing list, I felt the need to open it - and it has had such an impact on me -just fate, I wonder?? Thank you to all those who participate in the weekly healing. If you are open-minded, this is a book that I think would really help you get started. If you check a previous posting of gallen's on "mindfulness" you'll find that this book fits very well with what gallen recommends. I've never used affirmations in the past, but I've found that combining affirmations such as "I approve of myself" with the SFQ is very powerful. In this way you can give yourself permission to just "be" and not expect too much or judge yourself or your results.
As for the actual techniques described in the SFQ manual, I agree it's a lot to handle all at once. I decided to start with the breathing and as it became more automatic, I would choose another area to focus on - just one step at a time - I still have many more steps ahead of me. In short, I think what I'm trying to say is try to stop questionning yourself and the method so much and just believe in yourself and the SFQ. I've chosen just a couple of active exercises that feel right for me and do only those every morning. Each evening I do a sitting meditation - if my mind won't stay still, then I just repeat "I approve of myself" over and over and give myself permission to feel whatever. After months of practice I still don't see the energy move the way the manual and others describe it, but I have my own experiences, I believe what's right for me at the moment.
I hope this helps some - Not the practical suggestions that you're looking for, just some hopeful experiences from someone who has found many bumps along the journey, but is beginning to recognize the beautiful colours along the way.
Love
Etoile
