Sheldrake's Theory of Morphic Resonance and Representative Perception in Family Constellations

[DanBoothCohen]

I just create 5 videos on YouTube where I talk about different aspects of the Systemic Family Constellation process. The link below is for one where I discuss the phenomenon of Representative Perception and contextualize it in terms of Sheldrake's Theory of Morphic Resonance.

Representative Perception - Dan Booth Cohen, PhD - YouTube

It's about 3 minutes. I would be glad for any questions, comments or criticisms from the Skeptiko Forum members.

Dan Booth Cohen, PhD
President
Systemic Constellations Conferences and Education
US Systemic Constellations
Hidden Solution - Systemic and Family Constellations by Dr. Dan Booth Cohen.

[billw]

So far I only watched the first video describing the phenomena. Very interesting, and sounds familiar although not by that name. The first thought that came to my mind was Richard Wiseman's comment about "ESP" being proven by standards of any other science, yet needing more proof because it is so "outlandish." I disagree, and as you indicate, I think related phenomena while not controlled, is very common. Thanks for posting.

Cheers,
Bill

[DanBoothCohen]

Here is a video of Rupert Sheldrake speaking about Morphic Fields and Systemic Family Constellations.

Rupert Sheldrake on Morphic Fields and Systemic Family Constellations - YouTube

[DanBoothCohen]

Sheldrake posted a new video summarizing his book Science Set Free.
Science Set Free -- Rupert Sheldrake - YouTube

[Craig Weiler]

I think that it was a nice summary for anyone who is not familiar at all with Systemic Constellations. I particularly liked the example you used about people putting themselves mentally in another person's body. Morphic Resonance seems to tie in well to it.

As someone who does video, here are my comments:

Lose the glasses. It's not about vanity, they reflect everything and create a distraction as well as preventing the viewer from tracking your eyes when there is glare.

As difficult as it can be, speaking directly into the camera is more effective and emotionally compelling. It just takes a lot of practice.

Your voice is smooth and your manner is relaxed and convincing. You're a good presenter.

[Wendybird]

Hi Dan,

Thanks for introducing this material about SFC, since not too many people are aware of it. Sheldrake's morphic resonance ideas certainly support this.

I have a question: How does this model approach and treat the concept of reincarnation? Especially in instances where past-life memories do not jive with the idea of genetic memory or inhereted memories/personality traits from family ancestors? E.g., memories of being of an ethnic group entirely different from one's own (being black or native american when one is white), with knowledge there is no person of that ethnicity in the family tree...

BTW, I have many years experience in film/video production. Although I agree with Craig about losing your glasses during interviews (can you wear contacts?), I don't agree with talking straight into the camera. Your presentation, as speaking to an implied off-camera interviewer is perfectly fine, especially if that is more comfortable for you. If you give any public talks, have them professionally recorded, including Q&A from the audience. If you have any graphics you could insert here and there to help convey your concepts, that might be plus, too.

Thanks very much!

[DanBoothCohen]

Originally Posted by Wendybird

How does this model approach and treat the concept of reincarnation? Especially in instances where past-life memories do not jive with the idea of genetic memory or inhereted memories/personality traits from family ancestors? E.g., memories of being of an ethnic group entirely different from one's own (being black or native american when one is white), with knowledge there is no person of that ethnicity in the family tree...

The Constellation process did not originate with a theory or belief system. Setting up the Constellation opens a field of information as described by Sheldrake in the video. While facilitators work from a framework based on their training and experience, each Constellation presents new, and often unexpected, information.

Having facilitated more than 1,000 processes for people from every continent, I have only rarely encountered past-life memories that have no reference point within the family system. For example, I once worked with a man who told me that he had a life-long depression. I asked him to set up a representative for his depression. The woman representative collapsed to the floor in overwhelming sorrow. She reported feeling utter helplessness and despair. I asked if she had any sense of the circumstances. She said she felt like a slave. I asked the client if there was a history of slave holding in his family. He said, in fact, his paternal family had owned large farm properties in South Carolina. A county was named after the family. They owned many slaves over several generations. In this example, a white man had a past-life "memory" of a black slave woman. Following this process, he not only found the depression lifted, but found a new context for his deep love and appreciation of Delta blues music.

Here is my understanding based on the accumulation of 10+ years of case evidence. The field of morphic resonance can be accessed in countless manifestations. However, the strongest references come through the continuum of life passed forward. Stray information can penetrate the mind from any source, but in looking at the weight of pain and suffering, the strongest associations are remnants of past family traumas.

[DanBoothCohen]

The New York Times published an excerpt this week from a book by one of their writers that explores the boundaries of the Inherited Mind.

"There are scientific studies exploring whether the history of our ancestors is somehow a part of us, inherited in unexpected ways through a vast chemical network in our cells that controls genes, switching them on and off. At the heart of the field, known as epigenetics, is the notion that genes have memory and that the lives of our grandparents — what they breathed, saw and ate — can directly affect us decades later.

On the Trail of Inherited Memories

[Wendybird]

Originally Posted by DanBoothCohen

The Constellation process did not originate with a theory or belief system. Setting up the Constellation opens a field of information as described by Sheldrake in the video. While facilitators work from a framework based on their training and experience, each Constellation presents new, and often unexpected, information.

Having facilitated more than 1,000 processes for people from every continent, I have only rarely encountered past-life memories that have no reference point within the family system. For example, I once worked with a man who told me that he had a life-long depression. I asked him to set up a representative for his depression. The woman representative collapsed to the floor in overwhelming sorrow. She reported feeling utter helplessness and despair. I asked if she had any sense of the circumstances. She said she felt like a slave. I asked the client if there was a history of slave holding in his family. He said, in fact, his paternal family had owned large farm properties in South Carolina. A county was named after the family. They owned many slaves over several generations. In this example, a white man had a past-life "memory" of a black slave woman. Following this process, he not only found the depression lifted, but found a new context for his deep love and appreciation of Delta blues music.

Here is my understanding based on the accumulation of 10+ years of case evidence. The field of morphic resonance can be accessed in countless manifestations. However, the strongest references come through the continuum of life passed forward. Stray information can penetrate the mind from any source, but in looking at the weight of pain and suffering, the strongest associations are remnants of past family traumas.

Thanks very much, Dan. Interesting information. The idea I bolded above seems similar to the idea of tapping into the Akashic field of eastern philosphy. Perhaps these morphic fields overlap by levels or hierarchies that eventually might encompass all of humankind? Akin also to Jung's collective unconscious that can extend from individual to family all the way up to humanity as a whole. One big family so to speak? That is also my sense as to how one might tap into the memories of another personality, across time halfway around the globe who is not necessarily related by blood.

But no matter whether the memories are actually of one's ancestor or not Iie. might be a "past life"), whether it's SFC or hypnotic regression, it's clear that as a tool to uncover such memories, it helps to resolve and clear a person of chronic issues or unproductive behavior patterns or beliefs. Both tools work, just taking different approaches. It's the result that matters.

I'd love to pursue this in more detail, but perhaps in private IMs.