Sometimes our ability to perceive things from out of our own eyes (first-person perception) and from out of the eyes of another person (second person perception, the "empathy" perspective), and from an observer position (third-person perception) gets out-of-alignment. Structurally, each of these perceptual resources can operate as separate ways of functioning or "parts."
Given that the three perceptual positions refer to three ways we can "look" at the world, we can become stuck in any of these positions.
C Stuck in first-person position: Here we become so self-referencing in our view of things so that we think-and-feel narcissistically. We will process things only in terms of ourselves.
C Stuck in second-person position: Here we become so completely other-referencing in perspective that we can get stuck in the role of rescuers and caretakers to the exclusion of taking care of ourselves.
C Stuck in third position: Here we take a historical view, a cultural view, etc, so that we become so dissociated from our body and emotions that we seem more like robots than people, the Satir Computer stance.
Not only can we get stuck in a single position, we can also experience an out-of-alignment between these positions. Problems may also arise from having parts of ourselves react from different perceptual positions. When that happens we end up working against ourselves. Aligning perceptual positions in all representation systems, results in inner congruence and personal power. This pattern also enables us to resolve inner conflict and attain internal alignment.
Use this triple description pattern whenever you or another lack a full awareness or perspective on a given problem. Take all three positions to broaden your thinking-feeling. This can truly enrich perspectives in such situations as conflict resolution, mediation, influencing others, personal flexibility, etc. The technology enables us to gain an expanded perspective and information on problem situations.
1) Identify target information.
Specify a limitation, a problem. or a situation in which you (or another) feel stuck.
"Please describe the situation in which you would like to have a more congruent response." Identify the visual, auditory and kinesthetic factors within each perceptual position.
a) Visual:
What and how do you see the situation? From what perceptual position?
If you have two or more "conceptual parts" that reference this same subject, check what perceptual position each part uses.
Do some parts see the situation as an observer or from the eyes of another person?
Locate the position of each part. Point out (internally or externally) where you find them. Do some of the parts seem closer to the situation than others?
How does each part see the situation. What does each part actually see?
What differences occur between them?
b) Auditory:
What sounds and words do you hear about the situation?
From what perceptual position do you hear these things?
If you have two or more parts in reference to it, what does each part say?
Listen for the pronouns that each part uses. A part in the observer mode will have a neutral voice and will refer to "he" or "she." An "other" voice will typically refer to "you" with a more judgmental tone. The "self" voice will use "I" and "me."
Where exactly in your body do you hear each part? [Side positions often indicates other or observer, self usually comes from vocal chord area.]
c) Kinesthetic:
What do you sense about the situation? From what perceptual position?
For multiple parts, where do you sense each part in your body?
What emotions do you experience with each part?
Do you have any neutral parts as if you only observe and don't experience life?
2) Realign perceptual positions in all representation systems.
For the Observer alignment (3rd position), go through the sensory checks.
a) Visual:
Ask the observer part, "Would you communicate any information you have gathered to the self part?"
Continue the dialogue until self and other similarly view the situation.
b. Auditory alignment:
Ask the observer part, "Would you shift pronouns to support the self using 'I', 'he,' or 'she?'"
Also, please use "self" tone of voice.
c. Kinesthetically:
Ask the observer part, "Would you be willing to shift feelings to those compatible with self feelings."
Also move feelings to the place where "self" holds feelings.
3) Align your Self in terms of the sensory perceptual positions.
"Make sure you see from your own point of view and out of your own eyes. Make sure your voice location arises from your own vocal chords and that you use 'I' pronouns. Make sure that all feelings come from inside the 'self' and reflect resourceful states."
4) Do an other alignment (2nd position) in the same way.
"Please adjust your perceptions to make them compatible with the view held by self." Move the location of "other" to the place occupied by self. Please move the voice you hear to the vocal chord area and have it represent 'self' bringing any enriching information to the 'self' position. Align feelings from 'other' to those of 'self.' Integrate feelings in such a way as to make the 'self' more flexible and resourceful.
5) Run an ecology check.
Do all the parts feel aligned and in harmony?
6) Future pace.
Allow yourself now to become aware of new behavioral possibilities. "Describe any new abilities and behaviors that now becomes available to you. And you can notice yourself performing in the future as the 'self' part increases in richness and
flexibility." If the "other" part objects to integration, you can request that this part return to the person to whom the thoughts and feelings belong.