Family and Human Systems Constellations Work—developed by German author, psychoanalyst, poet, and healer Bert Hellinger, who passed on recently in his 90s—was probably Europe’s most innovative and provocative psychotherapist, and a best-selling author.

Implicit in Constellations work is the insight that there is a natural order within all systems. Problems and intractable situations arise when one or more of these natural “orders” are being ignored or violated. Bert Hellinger, www.hellinger.com, states that these natural laws and orders are given by nature itself. The ability to resolve problems, and/or “settle” a disturbed system, is often found when we consent to and follow these orders rather than resist them.

Systemic Constellation work is new in the field of psychotherapy, and it is both integrative and almost revolutionary. This powerful, innovative process can be used to untangle the many levels of subtle, hidden webs that operate within systems (individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities). Constellation work is especially useful in helping to resolve difficult and intractable problems not accessible by other means.

Constellation work addresses a variety of issues including:

• Unexplained sadness, grief, anger, and shame
• Addictions and other destructive behaviours
• Relationship failures and confusion (with parents, siblings, partners, or children)
• Depression and unhappiness
  
• Business failures and money problems
• Illnesses and chronic health problems
• Organizational confusion
• Adoption issues
• Loss of direction and purpose
• Repeating “accidents”

Out of love, we unconsciously “reproduce” the life of one of our forgotten or suffering family members. We do not fully live our own lives, but in part, someone else’s. When we experience one or more of the symptoms above, then chances are we are entangled in our family system.

Within a Constellation is the opportunity for the family system to create new relationships in which healing and healthy belonging can occur. For the individual observing his or her family constellation unfold, a new “image” emerges that can have transformational influence at a “Soul level” for the entire system, and thereby help prevent further entanglements in the next generation. Family and Human Systems Constellations can re-establish the flow of love in a family, break the bonds of generational trauma and limitations, and provide powerful insights into gifts and barriers in one’s own family system.

This method may be used with business personnel and management, and has been found to often provide substantial assistance in identifying roadblocks to profit and productivity. Because the Family Constellation method uses representatives (workshop participants who represent different family members, business associates, or other life issues), actual family or business associates don’t need to be present to do a constellation.

Harreson and Blanche Tanner are Family Constellation facilitators, who have trained and studied with many of the top facilitators in the world. They have been co-facilitating workshops for personal development and life enhancement for over 35 years in Canada and Europe. Harreson is an Atlasprofilax Practitioner (www.atlasprofilax-canada.com), Bowen Therapist, Medical Qigong Practitioner, and a Registered Massage Therapist for over 40 years. Blanche is a certified Breath Practitioner and Counsellor for over 35 years. Blanche and Harreson have been practising and teaching meditation for over 45 years. www.lifeshiftseminars.com. For more information see the display ads on page 17 of the 25.6 March/April issue of the WHOLifE Journal.