Practical ReSurfacing®

Notes from the Field

by Maria Styles

It’s another one of those days when the mind is spinning and the To-Do list exceeds three Post-It notes in length. All there is to do is to just do it.

Of course, the phone rings. It’s someone calling about my long-distance carrier with a deal that can’t be passed up. She won’t take “No, thank you” for an answer. I listen and marvel at her persistent pursuit of my business. She’s even incredulous when I say that I don’t see the savings. One perspective that occurred to me was that she rides on the inherent politeness of most people who just find hanging up on someone unthinkable. It’s similar to someone starting in on their hard luck story. You just can’t say, “Yeah, yeah, been there, done that,” or “Heard it all before.” You listen, lend an ear, maybe even empathize. But what do you say? Really, I’m asking, what do you say to help? Keeping in mind that therapizing the individual, agreeing with them, or giving them advice doesn’t seem to be the most empowering strategy.

After years of being “Dear Abby” to those close to me, as if I had something significant to add to their lives other than a few words of encouragement, I was ready for a change in my strategy. I was so relieved to discover that Releasing Fixed Attention, one of the wonderful exercises from ReSurfacing, could save hours of disempowering conversations. If those with whom I spoke were willing, we’d use Releasing Fixed Attention on the situation that was bothering them. Within a few minutes, total relief! Solutions emerged, pain or suffering eased. It was miraculous. Not only were they empowered, but I had a real sense of satisfaction in being able to truly help. Being a good friend just got easier.

Maria Styles, Florida

 

Back to the Basics

by Kathy Gulrich

In the last six years I’ve done The Avatar Course, The Master Course, The Professional Course, both Masters’ Empowerment Workshops, and I’m on my way to my third Wizard Course. I must say, it’s been quite a trip. One that has totally changed my life.

On the way, I’ve learned many powerful Avatar tools. Tools I use effectively, and frequently, to live my life more deliberately. So I find it a bit surprising to notice how often I go back to the basic tools from ReSurfacing — the ones I learned in the first two days of my Avatar adventure.

Sometimes I just leaf through the pages of the ReSurfacing workbook and find an exercise that just feels right at that moment. Other times, I turn to my old favorites. You know, the ones that make a difference time and time again. If I’m feeling a bit scattered, or kind of aimless, there’s Restoring Attention. Feeling stuck in something? Minding the Edges consistently helps me shift out of the problem and into a place where I can widen back, see new perspectives, and take deliberate action.

And then there’s Walk for Atonement. When Harry wrote “This is a miraculous process,” he wasn’t kidding. All I can say is “wow” — and “thank you, Harry.” Walk for Atonement is an exercise I go back to often.

Here’s something else that surprises me. I’ll sometimes be zipping around Manhattan, feeling great, and realize that I’ve been doing a ReSurfacing exercise — Viewpoints, for example — without even thinking about it. That’s real integration, I guess. Shows me one more time how much all the Avatar tools have become part of my daily life.

Does this mean that I don’t use the tools from the other Avatar courses? Certainly not. I continually make primaries to create the life I prefer. And I routinely discreate beliefs, or patterns, that I no longer want in my life. Best of all, I know that no matter what comes up, I can handle it with Avatar. And that’s an incredibly powerful feeling.

In Living Deliberately, Harry wrote, “Realize that in this present moment we are exactly where we once decided we wanted to be.” I’m very grateful I once decided to take The Avatar Course, because I really enjoy being where I am right now. More aware, more alive, and much more appreciative of everything and everyone around me.

Like me, you may find yourself re-doing ReSurfacing exercises long after you’ve completed Wizards. Or you may do the ReSurfacing workshop and never go on to another Avatar course. Either way, though, once you do ReSurfacing you’ll have an arsenal of simple, powerful, tools that will be there to help you every day — for the rest of your life.

Kathy Gulrich, New York City

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