PB+ Resources

FINDING OUR OWN SAFE PLACE

Aim : to recognise how it feels when we are feeling safe.

Time : 5 - 10 minutes (more if using the follow-up exercise)

Materials :

• Relaxing music
• Script for the guided visualisation

Introduction:
In this exercise you are invited to experience what it's like to feel safe. Most of us take this feeling for granted, so it can be useful to spend a little time imagining a special place which feels safe. In a moment I am going to ask you to relax and find a comfortable position for the exercise.

It is your choice whether you take part or not. If you choose not to join in, then please feel free to sit quietly and think about anything you wish, so as not to disturb others.

Activity : Guided visualisation
When doing this exercise you may want to go in your mind to a place where you have felt safe in the past, or where you would like to feel safe.
It can be real or imaginary.
If you can't imagine a safe, or special place, that's OK. Maybe now is the time to start.

This is your own special place. Nothing can hurt you. No one can harm you. You have control. It is totally safe and you are encouraged by those around you to go to this wonderful place and experience safety.

Assume a comfortable position with as much support as possible. Relax.
(Begin to play the relaxing music.)

Breathe normally.

Try to focus on the breath.
Focus on how it feels as you breathe in …
… and out …
… in …
… and out …
and when you are ready, if you choose, close your eyes.

Observe the air as it enters and leaves your body.
Breathe in … and out … and in … and out … and in … and out.

Each time you breathe out, feel the gentle pull of gravity on your body.

Feel the sense of your body s-l-o-w-i-n-g d-o-w-n and r-e-l-a-x-i-n-g as you breathe in … and out.

When you are ready, go in your mind to the place that you have decided is the one for you.

It is just the right temperature and feels perfect for you.

Remember, this is your own place.

Smell the smells in this special place …

See the sights in this safe place …

Hear the sounds in this place …

See the colours …

Taste the tastes there …

Feel the feelings …

When you are ready, come back into this room just with your ears … listen to the sounds here … feel your feet on the floor … wiggle your toes …

Now go back to the safe place you have chosen.

Smell the smells again …

Taste the tastes …

Feel the feelings …

See the colours …

Hear the sounds …

When you are ready, come back to the room with your ears first … here the sounds here… wiggle your toes … feel your feet on the ground …

Now, when you are ready, open your eyes and to the person on either side of you and give them a big grin.

• How does it feel in your safe place?
• What words come to mind?
• Would people like to share some of the words and feelings?

Optional follow up:
Suggest that participants create a visual representation of their safe place, using any medium that you have to hand.

Epilogue:
We can go in our minds to that special place, that safe place whenever we want to or need to do so. The fact that we were able to come back to this room and return to our safe place very quickly shows us that we can do this at any time. It also gives us a comparison when we might be feeling unsafe. If we can imagine, or remember our safe place even for just a moment, it can help us feel calmer and help us to think more clearly about what to do when we are feeling unsafe.

Possible adaptations or applications to the Church context:
The visualisation exercise could be adapted using one of the meditation exercises advocated by Anthony de Mello in Wellsprings in which the participants end the exercise at Jesus' feet.

The first part of the exercise would be as printed. The second visit to the safe place could begin with these words:

Now go back to the safe place you have chosen and sit at Jesus' feet.

Smell the smells again …

Taste the tastes …

Feel the feelings …

See the colours …

Hear the sounds …

Tell him how it feels in your safe space and what it has taught you.

Ask him to teach you more in the days ahead.

Then, when you are ready leave your safe place. Come back to the room with your ears first … here the sounds here… wiggle your toes … feel your feet on the ground …

Now, when you are ready, open your eyes and to the person on either side of you say 'Peace be with you.'

 PB+ Documents

• Theological Reflection
• Aide Memoire

• Theme 1
• Theme 2
• Strategy 1
• Strategy 2
• Strategy 3
• Strategy 4
• Strategy 5
• Strategy 6
• Strategy 7
• Creating & Reviewing a Network
• Feelings are Feelings
• Unwritten Rules
• The Safety Continuum
• Finding Our Own Safe Place
• Rights and Responsibilities

Hosted and Managed by
St Michael and All Angels, Shefford, UK
www.sm3a.org.uk