presence in stillness
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The technique of presence in stillness is a way of working developed by Mike Boxhall (1931 - 2019) aimed at knowing and exploring our ability to be present and in contact with ourselves. It is about providing a context that allows us to explore, in a safe and enjoyable way, what our usual ways of paying attention are and how these make it difficult or enable us to live daily experiences with full awareness of ourselves and authentic attention to those around us. .
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The wordpresence in this sense it refers to attention in the here and now, and the wordstillness refers to the receptive attitude of observation, without intention or attachment to what emerges in each of us and who accompanies us at all times.
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We are currently immersed in different contexts (family, work, social) that sometimes make it difficult for us to carry out our activities with full attention, to recognize what we need at each moment, how we feel and where we want to go. In the same way, daily rhythms tend to make it difficult for us to truly listen to those around us and clearly manifest what is really happening to us, and this prevents our communication from being true and fluid.
What often happens is that we get used to doing our daily activities automatically, that is, responding to different experiences in the same way over and over again. These ways of responding are usually learned in childhood and unconscious, and just as they offer us possibilities, they sometimes become rigid ways of responding to reality.
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Presence in stillness offers us Experience new experiences that give us authentic growth and greater flexibility with ourselves.
Objectives​ of the technique
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explore our ability to be present and in touch with ourselves
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Examinehabitual forms of relationship with ourselves and with those around us
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Know ourautomatic habits of behavior and conscious alternatives
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recognize theimportance of sensationss as a way to access the present
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Self-healing mechanismspresent in the receptive attitude
​Work modalities
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This technique can be performed in group format or in individual consultation. If it is of interest to you, you can schedule an individual consultation or receive information about upcoming group workshop dates.
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Group Workshop
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Initial Presentation: Brief introduction to the workshop: objectives, description and way of working.
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Meditation: Explore what it is like to get in touch with ourselves in a receptive way. Observing what happens to us without attachment to what emerges or the intention of avoiding those uncomfortable sensations. Emphasis on the receptive attitude.
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session in pairs: The session consists of two people who come into contact placing the emphasis on their bodily sensations. Initially, each one takes a few minutes to be in contact with himself (emphasis on breathing, sensations and a receptive attitude). Once in contact, the roles are defined: therapist and patient. The patient lies in a position that is comfortable for them and simply focuses on being in touch with their sensations and pays attention to what happens and feels during the session. The therapist places himself in a receptive internal attitude, in the sense of not trying to solve or give something to the patient, but to receive and accept him as he is. He takes as many minutes as he needs to be present and then gently places his hands on the patient. This is where the receptive attitude becomes really important: it is not about transmitting something to the patient but about receiving it as it is at this precise moment. Both (therapist and patient) experience what happens to themselves and what changes they experience when they experience a context where each one can be as they are being received and listened to by the other.
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Feedback in pairs: After the session is over, therapist and client take a few minutes to share and exchange what they want about the experience.
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Group exchange and closing: The group meets again and everyone shares what they want. Finally, different closing dynamics are carried out depending on what the group needs and has experienced throughout the workshop.
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individual consultation
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short conversation between therapist and patient: how is the patient doing, what he needs, description of the session to be carried out
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Session
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Exchange to explore how the experience was, what sensations and new realizations there are now
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About Mike Boxhall (England)
creator of this work methodology​
​Mike Boxhall was a psychotherapist, counselor, cranio-sacral therapist, acupuncturist, and Buddhist practitioner for forty-five years. Previously he had been a businessman, rubber planter and soldier. He was a disciple of Irina Tweedie and other spiritual teachers. He has been president of the UK Craniosacral Therapy Association and a board member of the UK Craniosacral Therapy Association and a board member of the US Craniosacral Therapy Association.
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He was invited to the Bert Hellinger Uruguay Center to carry out presence in stillness seminars every year, already having more than 80 years of life. He passed away at the age of 88 in 2019.