Introduction to Constellations

Family Constellations are an effective way of revealing unconscious connections with the fates of family ancestors. Events such as the premature death of a parent or sibling, the exclusion of a family member, a murder of or by a family member, or victimization of others by a family member can all lead to "entanglements" which disturb one's life and relationships. Severe consequences may result, such as feelings of isolation, depression, mental and physical illness, accidents, financial or relationship issues and even suicidal thoughts or attempts.

 The Workshop Setting

In a workshop, clients come with a particular issue they want to address. The issues are often long-standing problems that plague a person's life, regardless of repeated attempts at change or developing insight. This intractability arises from the "blind" love of a child towards a family member, and may be resolved with solutions that allow "enlightened" love to flow.

In setting up a family constellation at a workshop, a client chooses workshop attendees to represent members of his or her family, then places them in relationship to each other, without comment, based on how it "felt" to be in the family. The representatives become a living model of the original family system. (See "Private Constellations" for further information on individual sessions).

In this work, even small gestures can provide useful information. Words are kept to a minimum and thus become quite powerful. When the family members are represented by workshop attendees who do not know them or the events that took place, a phenomenon occurs. The representatives begin to notice feelings and thoughts which reflect those of the actual family members.

The best explanation for this phenomenon can be found in the work of renowned author and biologist Dr. Rupert Sheldrake. A field of energy, called the morphic field, connects people, places and even animals, and has memory and influence. Dr. Sheldrake has documented the existence of this field in a number of books, one of which is entitled "Dogs Who Know When Their Owners Are Coming Home". Bert Hellinger, having observed the presence of this "knowing field" (a phrase coined by Dr. Albrecht Mahr), learned how to use it to modify previously hidden dynamics, so that the natural order supporting love can be reestablished and love may flow again.

Growth of systemic constellation work continues around the world as facilitators adapt it to include their own experience and professional backgrounds. Bert Hellinger's original synthesis, called "family constellations", can be seen in innovations encompassing the fields of business, health, education and a wide array of other specialties. Constellation work can be found on every continent and in more than 35 countries worldwide.

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