What is the Self in IFS

The Self in IFS (Internal Family Systems) Therapy

The “Self” is the most spiritual aspect of IFS Therapy.

The founder, Dr. Richard Schwartz, discovered that, at the core of each one of us, exists a core state of consciousness that emanates qualities like compassion, calm and curiosity.

Apart from the 8 C’s of Self, which you can find here on my article, there are many more qualities and aspects to the Self. The Self emanates a form of energy that we call “Self Energy”, which can also be embraced and used by any part of our system.

According to the founder, and also to other writers like Susan McConnell (author of “Somatic Internal Family Systems Therapy”), not only every person has a Self, but the Parts of our system have their own Self.

Self and Self Energy are always there, like the sun behind the clouds.

The Self is like the conductor of an orchestra.

The conductor gives instructions, but it is up to the Parts to play their instrument and follow the conductor. This metaphor is richer than the idea of sun and clouds. The clouds do not move of their own volition, while the musicians in an orchestra have their own role, specialty, skills and, above all, consciousness and will that is separate from that of other Parts.

Accessing Self or Self Energy happens automatically when our Parts allow us to enter the state of consciousness of Self.

Sometimes we can feel the Energy of Self just by reading out loud the qualities of the Self. For this reason, I have created what I call the “Mandala of Self” in many languages.

Click here continue to the Mandala of Self in many languages>>