“Even if it costs me my life” by Stephan Hausner is a delight to read. People who want to learn and integrate more about constellations into their practice often ask me for reading lists. I would recommend it unreservedly. It is set out as a series of story-like accounts of constellations, with descriptions of the moves and reactions of representatives and clients.
It describes what we might call ‘classic’ constellations, outlining the process step by step. And then it has the extra quality that comes from Stephan’s work as a homoeopath and cranio-sacral therapist. He shares valuable insights into the clients, he brings a wealth of experience and his particular knowledge about illness, health, attachment and bonding, respect for life and death and the repeating dynamics he has observed throughout his work with constellations.
Although the subtitle of the book is ‘Systemic constellations and serious illness‘ in my opinion it is definitely of more general interest and relevance. The dynamics and ‘orders’ of love, as described initially by Bert Hellinger are all there in the constellations that Stephan describes. Its a great way to learn about them by witnessing how they occur naturally, and with less of the feel of ‘here are the rules, this is how it works’. There’s always a danger with books and written material on constellation work, that those who are eager to learn take on what is written as if it were the truth, or another and better moral code. When we work phenomenologically and mindfully, we do our best to avoid this, and books like this one help to demonstrate that way of working, with precise detail and careful and compassionate attention to the body.
As my colleague Sheila said “ It is doesn’t shame us when we lend it to people, it does us proud!”
Stephan Hausner will be in Edinburgh in June 2012. If you would like to attend this unique workshop, please book here or contact me.
