The idea is to grab two chairs – one for you, and one for your Mentor. Sit down as “you” and start talking about whatever’s going on – something you’re having a hard time with, a place you’re stuck, etc.

 

Then get up, sit in the Mentor’s chair, and ask the Mentor to talk to you.

 

I’ve been shocked many times by the power of this exercise. It’s fascinating to me that I can be sobbing away, mumbling nonsensically into the recorder, thoroughly stuck in some conditioned mess, and then suddenly go sit in the Mentor’s chair and a calm, reassuring voice takes over and cuts right through said mess. It’s very Jekyll and Hyde, in the best possible way! 

 

When I listen to these two chair recordings, I really can hear this dear person called me, and feel such compassion and love for her. I hear her struggling, frustrated, despairing, confused…and it’s obvious that she, like all of us, is a dear, sincere, lovely person.

 

I have such a love for her now, and have more and more moments of disidentifying from her and feeling deeply motivated to help her live free of the garbage conditioning throws at her in its attempts to sabotage a perfectly good life.

 

And then that Mentor…Wow!! I’d always liked the idea of a Mentor, but conditioning had me believing that I couldn’t quite “get” that whole Mentor experience. With the two chair exercise, there I’d be – totally identified as the person despairing, struggling, whatever else — and suddenly this amazing presence was there! It is a presence that loves me no matter what, and will help me work through anything.

 

I am so deeply grateful for these incredible experiences.