The Presuppositions of Transformational Processing
Transformational Processing is based on certain major presuppositions. This is the foundation that makes processing possible at all. There is no reason to regard these statements as ultimately true. They are simply beliefs that we choose to adhere to. We are not going to attempt to prove them. Their usefulness will be clearly demonstrated to you as you get results with processing.
The reason I call these statements presuppositions is that we suppose that they are true before we proceed. Calling them presuppositions rather than axioms or truths affords us a certain honest self-reflection. When later on these rules will be proven to you, you must realize that this is because we started out with them as basis, so they will most naturally be proven when used.
We will elaborate more on the framework transformational processing is based on later. It can be explained and structured in more precise detail. At this point it is sufficient that you understand the major ideas.
Truth is relative
There is no absolute truth. The value of any datum is relative to the person using it, the context it is being used in, and the desired outcome. The "better" truths are the ones that align things in a more useful for the person using them. In process facilitator training we attempt to supply you with the truths that would be most useful for you in helping people. In transformational processing you attempt to leave people with more useful truths than you found them with.
Truth is simple
More basic, more wide-spanning, or more useful truths are usually more simple. Complexity indicates that one has moved away from basic truths. We will assume that in any complex situation there will be simple truths to find if one digs a little deeper. This process facilitator training will eventually make things very simple for you. One of your jobs as a process facilitator is to make life more simple for your clients.
A belief will prove what it assumes
Any basic belief that a person holds will prove itself. If you believe people are good, you will find good people. If you believe people are bad, you will find bad people. Therefore there is no absolute truth value that can be assigned to a belief, because they can all be proven. The only real measure of a belief is how useful it is to you. As a process facilitator you would want to choose beliefs that give the best results with your clients. And you would like to help your clients have beliefs that serve them best.
The map is not the territory
To communicate and to think, we construct maps of reality. Simplified models illustrating how we have perceived things to work. That can be very useful in discussing and teaching things. But the map is never really the same as the territory that it attempts to describe. In learning about processing you will be presented with certain maps of how people work. They might be useful to you. But never forget that they are only simplified models. People work the way they work, and if that is different from what the book says, deal with the person, not with the book.
The natural state is wholeness
People aren't really broken. They basically have all the abilities and knowledge they need. If it appears differently it is because they perceive themselves as being fragmented into parts that they aren't quite aware of. As process facilitators we help people to become aware of their own basic wholeness, and of having all the resources they need.
The person is creating her own reality
We regard the person as the center of her life. We assume that she is basically cause over anything that is going on. She might not realize it, though. We help the person to become aware of how she is causing situations in her life, so that she can consciously create the reality she prefers.
A person is not her behavior
We regard the person as being separate from anything she is doing or creating. That allows us to change anything that is not desirable. There are no negative characteristics that a person just has to live with. Anything that can be perceived can be changed.
A person is basically good
We assume that anybody is basically, deep down a good well-intentioned person, doing what she is doing because she wants things to be good, fun, interesting, pleasurable, and so forth. There is no reason to live with or suppress negative characteristics. If we dig deeper we will always find that underneath things are alright. We work on setting people free, so that they can manifest their basic goodness better in life.
Any part of a person is there for a good purpose
Anything that a person has created for herself is created with a basic good intention. It is done to accomplish something. Things don't just happen randomly. There are no parts of a person that just need to be cut off and thrown away. If we add all the aspects of a person together she will be whole and complete, and everything will fit together. We should treat any aspect of the person with respect and understanding.
The natural state of life is to have fun and learn
Life is supposed to be enjoyable, one is supposed to get something out of it. If life is hard and one doesn't see the point, then one isn't looking deep enough. As process facilitators we work on changing the hardships and mysteries of life into excitement and learning.
Exercises
- Illustrate or demonstrate each of the presuppositions to somebody else.
- Write down examples of each of the presuppositions taken from your own life.
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