This exercise is for Stage 4 of the Odoki Method. We can reach a point where, when we bring to mind an occasion that brought a reaction, and give our attention to the felt sense, the reaction dissipates. But, it is possible to go a step further, where the reaction does not need to occur in the first place. That is what this exercise is for.
- Bring to mind an occasion that triggered a reaction.
- Notice what happens in your body, noticing where in your body it is, your felt sense of the occasion.
- Notice how the felt sense dissipates.
- Now, we notice how there was a stimulus, a reaction and a dissipation. We’re going to pay attention to what we can find between the stimulus and the reaction.
- Take your attention to the stimulus, and look for anything that makes the reaction seem necessary. An urge, a compulsion. Can you find it?
- Once found, we can engage with this as a felt sense. Notice that it isn’t a compulsion, but rather a part of us that feels an urge to act compulsively.
- Ask it, what would it be like to not act compulsively?
- Explore, with it, what might happen if it did not act compulsively.
- This is where the work happens - working with this felt sense to unpack where it’s motivation is, and to see if it is open to alternative responses. Ones that might bring some relief.