The Nature of Self

The Self, in IFS, refers to the person's core or essence — it's who you fundamentally are beneath your changing thoughts, emotions, and roles. 

The Self cannot be damaged, the Self doesn’t have to develop, and the Self possesses its own wisdom about how to heal internal as well as external relationships.

The Self isn't a part; it doesn't carry burdens or play roles like the parts do. It's the "you" that remains when you're not identified with or carried away by any of your parts. 

The Self is characterized by qualities like curiosity, compassion, confidence, calmness, courage, clarity, creativity, and connectedness — often referred to as the 8 Cs of the Self.

 When a person is leading from their Self (Self-leadership), they can listen to and understand their parts without becoming overwhelmed by them.

 The Self provides a stable, compassionate presence that can heal and transform the parts.