In yesterday’s blog I concluded with a quote by Michael Neill describing a “deepening of the ground being of the client, and greater access to inspiration and spiritual wisdom”. This deepening of awareness is often described in coaching as a vertical approach wherein true change can only happen once a person is able to access a deeper level of her life.
In direct contrast, when we operate only the surface level of life we are floating on the ever changing field of life, rather like bobbing up and down like a cork on the ocean waves. Some people have referred to this as being a “football to circumstances” in which we are kicked around by whatever is occurring in our environment, unable to create a permanent state of stability or clear direction for change. The experience that we inevitably have to live with in this situation is one of frustration, anxiety, fatigue (as we work to little affect), and a feeling of impermanence together with an inner prompting that life doesn’t have to be like that. At this level it would be true to say that “life is a struggle”.
Traditionally, coaching helped a client define a set of goals, discussing the actions required to realise those goals, and meeting for a period of time to encourage and support the execution of those actions. “Vertical coaching” emphasises accessing a deeper level of life to empower change. This coaching model recognises that every individual is a being possessing powerful life-force and the coach is more of a guide who helps his client to discover her own strengths and capacity for change.
Such “vertical” coaching involves a process of vision, direction, and evolution. Let’s see how these three concepts are played out in coaching both for life and executive development.
Finding your life’s purpose, an awareness of a purpose, our mission or our destiny is often related to the possession of “vision”. Accessing your own inner guidance is the most profound way to give a direction to your vision. It begins by being able to describe your vision, and the assigning goals that lay the path to the realisation of the vision. In other words, clearly defining what you want. Evolution of your life starts to be experienced as you see the first signs of manifestation of your visionary plans. With manifestation comes greater enthusiasm, a sense of peace, joy, and light-heartedness.
In summary, coaching is helping access deeper levels of change and thereby directly empowering change to happen according to a desired outcome and direction.This transformational process leads to a life comprising greater understanding, compassion, and consciousness. It is a step change to greater light and awareness.
