PD Revelation

When it comes to the nuts and bolts of the protocol, perhaps the topic I've touched on here most frequently is the question of how to increase the continuity of connection to my invisible Friend(s). (Is it clear this has been a challenge for me? :–) I have tried an array of different methods, some more helpful for me than others. Here I'll provide a brief update on my progress in this area, and will describe one more useful technique.

One very encouraging sign is the progress I see in this area when I compare my early efforts with the protocol to now. For example, in those early days, when I would take a walk, trying to use it as a time to dialogue with my Friend, distraction was a constant problem. I had to use techniques such as seeing every tree I would pass as a reminder to stay in touch with my Friend. Every tree, in a town full of trees! That's how prone I was to losing my focus on the dialogue, to losing my connection with my Friend. Today, on the other hand, I barely have any trouble at all maintaining the connection on walks. The dialogue is largely constant and distraction is minimal. I could say something similar about the dialogue within the dedicated sessions I do. So in those places I've come a long way!

During the times between sessions I still have some trouble maintaining a focus on the connection, though I do see some progress there as well. I've described previously one of the most effective techniques I've used for that purpose. I termed it the “stop in your tracks” technique.

Though I'm not sure, I suspect part of my difficulty in this area stems from some unconscious resistance to recovery. If I were to keep the dialogue going nearly all the time I have little doubt it would hasten the speed of my recovery. Perhaps the trouble I have doing so reflects the part of my brain that wants to maintain the status quo. In any event, I'll keep chipping away at it and my desire for recovery will win out!

Call-backs

One technique has lately proven especially effective for maintaining the continuity of connection during sessions and, to some degree, in between sessions. I simply ask my invisible Friend to call me back to her when I get distracted. I might say something like, “I'm going to need call-backs, as long as you think that would be good for me.” (I add that proviso because it would seem counterproductive to ask her to do something she knows would not be good for me.) Then, when I get distracted, though she may give me some slack for a minute or two, my Friend will typically give me a nudge of one sort or another, reminding me it's time to come back to connection with her. As mentioned, I've found this to be very effective during sessions. And I've recently been trying it between sessions with encouraging results so far. Highly recommended.

It's worth adding that the most direct route past the resistance to maintaining the connection may simply be a level of surrender to the guidance of my Friend that I have not yet quite achieved. And so this is an important part of my current focus.