Burdened

When parts of taking on painful beliefs and feelings about themselves, or have distressing physical sensations from external sources, for which they cannot escape, until they are unburdened 

Burdens

Negative self-referential beliefs (I’m unlovable.  I’m worthless.) and intense, trauma-related, feeling states ( terror, shamefulness, rage), physical sensations, or visions (flashbacks).

Parts

Internal entities or subpersonalities to function independently and have a full range of feelings, thoughts, beliefs, and sensations. These entities vary in appearance, age, gender, talent, and interest. They exist and take on various roles within the internal system. When not exiled or in conflict with each other over how to manage exiled parts, they contribute in a variety of ways to efficient functioning, and general well-being.

Exiles

Revealed in feelings, beliefs, sensations and actions, these parts have been shamed, dismissed, abused or neglected in childhood, and are subsequently banished by protectors for their own safety, and to keep them from overwhelming the internal system with emotional pain. A great deal of internal energy is expended to keep exiles out of awareness.

Managers

Proactive helpers who focus on learning functioning being prepared and stable. Managers are vigilant in trying to prevent exiles from being triggered and flooding the internal system with emotion.

Firefighters

Reactor protectors share the same goal as managers; they want to exile vulnerable parts and extinguish emotional pain. However, reactive protectors are emergency response workers.  They get activated after the fact, when the memories and emotions of exiles break through despite the repressive efforts of managers. Reactive protectors tend to be fierce and use extreme measures. That managers abhor,  like alcohol and drug abuse, binge eating, excessive shopping, promiscuity, cutting, suicide and even homicide.

Self

The innate presence each in each of us that brings balance and harmony along with certain nonjudgmental, transformative qualities (curiosity, caring, creativity, courage calmness, connectedness, clarity, compassion, presence, patience, persistence, perspective, playfulness) to our internal family. While parts can blend with (overwhelm and therefor obscure) the Self, the Self nevertheless continues to exist and is accessible as soon as parts separate (that is unblend).

Unburdening

The painful emotions, traumatic sensations and harsh beliefs of an exiled part is ceremonially released, often using imagery that involves one of the elements (light, earth, air, water, fire).