The Nature of Orientation
Special thanks to Steve Hoskinson, Anthony Twig Wheeler, and Somatic Experiencing International for their work around orientation.
Orientation is an essential building block for so much positive growth. Once this skill is developed enough, we can grow so many other nervous system skills around it.
We can think of orientation as an inherent nervous system skill that we are “getting back online” when we practice it. If we watch a deer at the edge of a field, a cat on the porch, or a squirrel about to skitter off of the base of her tree, we see the same basic actions. Mammals (including us) orient by engaging their senses and moving their heads.
We can think of orientation as a way that mammals scan the environment and determine if things are safe.
We humans have to practice getting this back online because we happen to be domesticated mammals with a big neocortex. This gets in the way of our natural instincts, so we just need to find some ways to re-mind ourselves of what our bodies already know.
Primally speaking, when you practice orienting in an environment where there is no actual physical threat, you are simply telling the soft animal of your body that things are good. When things are safe, it’s time to do stuff like rest, eat, and positively engage with others.
You are developing the habit of being here now.
There’s so much more that could be said about orientation, but the best way to learn is to experience it. See for yourself how it affects you. If you have problems or questions, contact me or bring them to our next session.
PRACTICE
Below are some ways to practice orientation. It’s your body and mind, so be creative with your approach. I do suggest not getting fancy, though. Simple is best. Get a good foundation. When you feel like you have a good foundation, you can add levels of sophistication. I suggest being curious while doing it and afterward. No assumptions or demands. Just try it and then notice what happens next.
1. Be still. Notice three things in your environment (ones that are neutral or positive) and say what you see. Speaking out loud is best if you’re in an environment where you feel comfortable doing so. (When you say what you see, you align the thinking channel with the orientation channel… you are training your mind.)
2. You can add sophistication by expanding your area of noticing. This will mean moving your head so you see to the sides, behind, and even above you.
3. You can add sophistication by increasing the level of detail of what you notice
4. The final sophistication is just letting the eyes wander and go where they want to go. Name what they notice.
5. The next stage is called the 3 cubed: Let the eyes organically go where they want to go. Let them wander. Notice what they notice and say it out loud. Afterward, you can go to the body: name three simple things that you physically feel. Start very simple and on the outside edges of the body (e.g. I feel the pressure of the ground under my feet or the wind on my right cheek). For now, choose anything that is neutral or positive or at least not-that-bad. Just noticing without assigning values to it or thinking about it. Just name three things you feel. Right after that, bring the attention back outside. Notice three things in your environment and say what you see.
That's it for now. Simple.
If you feel oriented enough, just go right into practicing the 3 cubed: eyes wander and notice 3 things; notice three in the body; eyes wander and notice three things.
Enjoy!
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