Here is a simple exercise you can do yourself or with another to assist you in problem solving. Making use of cause and effect, you introduce an unknown (for now) resource into the equation that can help you get past your blocks to solving your own problem.

Exercise

Start with 5 sheets of paper. Write one of the following words on each sheet – Symptom, Cause, Outcome, Resource, Effect. These are your 5 anchors.

- Symptom means the set(s) of present behaviors or feelings that reflect the problem.
- Cause means the cause of the problem, as you think it is/was.
- Outcome is the outcome that you want/will have when this is no longer a problem.
- Resource is the resource (what it will take to correct the problem) that escapes you, for now.
- Effect is the effect that the change will have on you.

Then…

1. Think of a problem you are trying to solve

2. Lay out, on the floor, your four spatial anchors (papers with the words you made before) in a sequence representing the cause, symptom, outcome and effect related to the problem. Keep them close enough so you can step from one to another. Set the Resource anchor pad separately like this:

< -------------------[Resource]---------------------->

[Cause] –> [Symptom] –> [Outcome] –> [Effect]

3. Physically step on each paper one at a time in order (cause, symptom, outcome, effect), and associate into the experience an internal state related to each anchor point. Pay attention to the pattern of movement associated with each location, intensifying it a little to help build your sense of the physiology associated with each element (notice how your body moves, feels, and senses at each point – so, if you feel like your body wants to jump up and down and throw a fit, do it, right there; if you have an itch, scratch it; if your body gets hot, notice it).

4. Starting at the cause anchor, walk slowly through the entire sequence – notice how you feel at each point. Repeat this process several times until there is a sense of a single movement from cause to effect.

5. Step on the Resource paper, and let your mind and body lead you to a special movement representing the appropriate RESOURCE to bring into the sequence. This is the same process as in step 3. Intensify this movement.

6. Starting in the cause location, incorporate the resource movement into the other movement associated with that location. Walk through the other locations, or anchors, adding the resource movement until you have reached the effect anchor.

7. Repeat the movement through cause, symptom, outcome and effect until you have transformed it into a kind of dance.

Variation for RET Technicians:

Use the exercise above with the Circle of Creation Walk – do it yourself or with a client. Place the “Connection to God” pad in the center of the circle (or, for clients who don’t care to use “God” or “Source”, create a pad called “Ultimate Resource” instead). Repeat the above exercise on each pad of the Walk, in proper sequence from Environment to Spirit – creating a body movement for each pad.

Make sure to create a movement or “dance” on the “Connection to God” or “Ultimate Resource” pad – and add that dance to the other pads in reverse order back to the “Environment” pad (the beginning) – each pad’s new dance adding to the overall dance. Before they step off the Environment pad prepare them to dance the ENTIRE dance in their own personal space – a new energy circle they create when they step off the Environment pad.

Treat this step-off area like you would an energy circle – put all the new positive feelings, etc., gained from the walk into the circle – plus the “dance”. Then jump into the new energy circle and instead of pulling the energy up like clothing, DANCE your DANCE – full out!! (note to Technician: you may need to step back a bit from your client for this part) If a song comes to mind, sing it out loud as best you can to support your dance.

This dance will imprint your recourseful state into your cells in a body-centric way. Remind your client (or yourself if doing this yourself) that your resourceful state will follow you when you leave this session – and return to you whenever you dance your dance or think of dancing your dance…

When faced with challenges about your goal in the future, just start dancing!