Our work as a Helper is to create a safe container in which the Worker can have an inner healing experience. Sometimes it helps to take that inner experience out of the realm of thought and give it physical form.

One way we learn to do this kind of work is through the Pathwork Guide’s Meditation for Three Voices, included in Pearls: A Mind-Opening Collection of 17 Fresh Spiritual Teachings. In this meditation, the ego opens a pathway of communication between the Higher Self and the inner child.

For the Higher Self is uniquely capable of healing this young fragment. The ego, by itself, is not able to bring such a healing about.

Here is one creative way to work with this exercise, as well as others, by giving what is unseen physical space. Otherwise, the different aspects of the psyche can be difficult to distinguish.

Working with cords

While any kind of rope or cord can be used, using “honor cords” works particularly well. Honor cords are simply five-foot-long nylon cords, or ropes, readily available online in a rainbow of colors. They are used at graduation ceremonies, along with robes and caps, to identify various student accomplishments.

Taking three cords of three different colors, we create three circles on the floor.

One circle represents the split-off child fragment, one (positioned between the other two) represents the ego, and one represents the Higher Self.

The word “represents” is almost misleading, because the cords are actually doing much more than that. They aren’t just representing an aspect—they are “embodying” it. In this case, they create a space that embodies a particular aspect of our psyche.

This lets us isolate that aspect so the Worker can literally step into it more fully.

The Worker will feel the difference in these three spaces when they step into them—when they embody them. They may even feel a reluctance to step into one of them because of what they sense it expresses.

Often, the experience within the energetic state is not what the Worker thought it would be like. For example, if the Worker senses that the inner child is in fear, they may feel fear of that fear.

For this Worker, this is likely a common refrain in life. They hold themselves back out of fear of feeling fear. This experience gives the Worker a felt sense of how this pattern affects the way they move through the world. It also helps them see how their fear is illusion.

The Worker’s ego can see that these are really just circles of rope on the floor. Nonetheless, their inner reaction is very real. When the Worker feels ready to step into the circle, the ego takes this step.

Create clarity, allow authenticity

Of the many layers of our psyche, the adult ego is the one that did not exist when the child was going through their trauma. In general, it is helpful for the Worker’s inner child to realize that they now have more resources available to them.

This means the inner child can now handle these difficult emotions they could not tolerate when they were young. It is really important for the Worker to find this resource within themselves.

As Helpers, then, we refrain from coddling the Worker or physically holding them as a way to comfort them. When we do that, this young aspect remains dependent on someone else to take care of them.

As the Worker moves from one circle to the next, following their inner guidance and readiness to move, they may notice that Higher Self energies are harder to sense at first. By staying in that circle, they can strengthen its energies—strengthen their “felt sense” of their inner divinity—praying for help as needed along the way.

As the Helper, we try to have no preconceived idea of what the Worker will experience in each circle. It really will be their own experience, arising from within them. So we ask them about their experience—we don’t tell them.

That said, we will have a general idea, from our own work, of what the Worker is likely to experience in each circle. Then, when the Worker says things that don’t align with the circle they are in, we invite them to move to the circle that does.

This is where our finesse as a Helper is important. We don’t tell the Worker what they are experiencing, but we can tell when the Worker is identifying with the wrong aspect. Then we help them distinguish which aspect is actually speaking.

Often, the Worker has been manipulating their feelings for so long that they feel alienated from their actual experience. Their ego, for example, may pretend to actually be their Higher Self.

As their Helper, our work is to help the Worker tease apart these different aspects. That’s what the cords can help with. They help the Worker differentiate inner realities experientially, which helps them understand which part they are identifying with.

A few considerations

As we work with the cords, we’ll find new creative ways to lay them out. They can then represent just about anything. As the session unfolds, we can move the cords as the energy shifts. By using multiple cords of one color, we can create large spaces for the Worker to move around in.

The Worker will literally be stepping into specific energetic states. The Helper can then adjust the cords as they work. Perhaps we suggest a change to the cords, then notice how the Worker reacts. “What if the cords from that person’s circle touched yours, like this—how does this feel? What do you notice?”

The cords can be laid out to represent different people, different aspects of the self, or different situations—and can perhaps illuminate something that is difficult to see. For instance, maybe the Worker said they feel like they’re speeding down the highway of life and are about to crash.

Then lay out the highway and put something—a circle—in the road.

Let the Worker respond to what they are approaching—the obstacle. What do they think it is? Why do they fear it? Then have them step inside it and learn more about it.

Keep slowing things down and noticing what happens.

If a circle represents a person, the Worker can step into that circle and sense what this person might feel or how they react.

Or maybe the Worker literally steps over themselves and walks into a circle without being ready. They might even go numb and have no inner experience. Explore what that’s about.

A few cautions

There are a few cautions about working with cords. First, always honor what the cords represent once you’ve laid them down. Don’t change what they represent midstream.

It’s confusing to the Worker to start with one scenario, then change, saying they now represent something else. If needed, use a different color to add another element. Also, avoid having the same color represent two different things.

At the end of the session, invite the Worker to state a prayer or intention before they step outside the cords. Then respectfully pick up the cords and return them to their bag. This helps the Worker’s ego regain its position.

When a young, wounded part of the psyche is present in the work, the Worker may feel an attachment to the scenario created. Let the Worker help gather the cords—to experience the transitory nature of reality. The cords don’t need to remain in place for the Worker to feel calm and safe.

Lastly, only use the cords by laying them on the floor. Do not wrap them around the body of the Worker, except possibly over the top of their feet.

The power of the pillow

In the exercise called Meditation for Three Voices, the Worker can stand in circles created using honor cords. Alternatively, they can stand in front of three different pillows. Sitting in three different chairs also works well.

Using a pillow to represent young inner aspects can aid in exploring unseen dynamics. This is especially true when the pillow is given its own chair to sit on. Often, these split-off aspects have been banished by the Worker, so the Worker may feel anger toward them.

Most people use anger to cover up painful feelings. This anger may then be directed at these young parts. By inviting that aspect into the room, we give the inner child a place at the table. We invite feelings into the session that have not felt welcome.

If the Worker has a strong reaction to the presence of these young aspects, help them come into relationship with them. Let them choose where to position the pillow in the room. They may want to hide it or somehow bury the pillow.

Let them react and see what comes up for them. Once feelings are present, we can explore them. What memories are they associated with?

It helps to have a very small pillow available to represent a very young fragment. The Worker can then hold this precious aspect in their lap. When we hug a little pillow, we literally hug ourselves. Of course, they may first want to kick it across the room—you just never know.

Pillows are also good sound dampeners. When unexpressed rage surfaces, it is important for the Worker to give it a voice. Screaming into a pillow allows the Worker to dig deep and let that old pain out—without bothering the neighbors.

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