EXPLORING THE MULTIFACETED NATURE OF EXPERIENCE: THE FOUR-POINT METHOD
In a remarkable turn of events, my daughter, who had been expressing thoughts of self-harm, suddenly began to talk about pursuing her dreams of attending ballet academies abroad when she turns 15. This was a significant shift from despair to excitement about life, and it was a result of applying The Four-Point Method, developed by a fellow student in the 4DU Community, to my introspective journey. This method provided me with a structured approach to explore the complexities of our experiences, leading to a transformative outcome.
The Four-Point Method visualizes each experience as a square with four distinct points, allowing for a comprehensive exploration of our lives. Here's how I applied this method to the challenging experience with my daughter:
Positive Perception of the Experience: Reflecting on the first point of our square, we find the growth opportunities and enriching lessons provided by the challenging experience. Although my daughter’s expression of self harm was extremely stressful, it helped me discover a deeper connection with my her, enabling us both to work through our catalysts together.
Negative Perception of the Experience: Moving to the next point, we face the inherent challenges and difficulties of our chosen experience. Acknowledging these obstacles by allowing them to come through, instead of avoiding them in fear of manifestation. I spent a minute contemplating the devastating effects that the ultimate negative outcome could have on our entire family.
Positive Perception of the Opposite Experience: Moving to the other side of the square, the opposite of our initial experience brings new insights. I imagined my daughter expressing excitement about life, identifying the potential joy and growth she could enjoy.
Negative Perception of the Opposite Experience: The final point encourages us to explore the opposite experience's challenges. For me, this was the fear of my youngest child leaving our home and the sadness of her being abroad where I could no longer protect her. This helped me realize that I needed to let go of this fear for her to enjoy life fully.
By applying this four-sided exploration to the perspectives, thoughts, and emotions triggered by each point, I gained a comprehensive understanding of the complex nature and richness of the experience. It not only helped me navigate the challenges with greater wisdom and understanding, but also enabled me to manifest a brighter outcome for my daughter, shifting her from despair to excitement about her future.
