Workshops

Life Integration Process (LIP)

The Life Integration Process (LIP) is a new form of therapeutic work with constellations. The LIP is new in two ways: First – unlike family or system constellations – it is not about relationships with other people or about the place and role in a system, but only about the individual and their inner attitude to them self. Secondly, constellation representatives get set places in a LIP constellation. These places result from Wilfried Nelles’ theory of the development of human consciousness and the seven stages of life and consciousness described therein.

The LIP is based on the understanding that our life is completely without alternatives to everything that has happened in it, and that in this sense everything is “right” as it is and as it was. Second, it is based on the realization that the past only exists in our heads. The past is what has passed, and when it has passed, it no longer exists. Everything that exists is now. The past worries us only to the extent that we (often unconsciously, for example as a result of trauma) have not realized, deep down, that it is over, or because we give it a meaning to avoid letting it go. Therefore, the entire focus of the LIP lies in the now. We look at earlier stages of life (time in the womb, childhood, and adolescence), but only in the sense that we integrate what is revealed (that is, take it with us without any change). The view is that the cause of our problems is not in the events themselves, but solely in how we relate to them now.

The fetus, the child and the adolescent and their history are left as they were – without regret, without reproach, without remorse, without shame. In the serenity that emerges as a result of this process, the client relaxes completely. This also reduces the tension in the adult client and they come to terms with how they are today and with everything that has led up to this point. At the same time, the adult client comes into contact with what is laid out in them as a spiritual source: their very own, original potential, and consequently the way towards this potential becomes clear so that it can unfold in full.

The LIP is often regarded as a new or special “constellation format”. Although this is also true, it is merely the surface. For our lives to really become integrated with our consciousness, we need a certain attitude towards life: respect for all shapes and expressions of life, including, and especially, those that we find painful or frightening. Creating awareness and understanding of this attitude is the core of the LIP and all our work.

We mainly work with the LIP format, that is, the constellation of the life stages of the unborn child, child, and adolescent. These positions are taken by representatives. The client occupies the position of the adult (level 4) and observes their previous life stages from there. Older participants may be placed at stages 5 or 6.

The constellation session is prepared and introduced by a short dialogue between the facilitator and the client about their concerns and current life situation. In some cases, the session is limited to such a talk if it results in an important understanding that makes a constellation at that time superfluous or inappropriate. Another alternative is that instead of a LIP, a thematic constellation is set up (in relation to an illness, a family or relationship, or a work topic). Off course this depends on the client’s request. Even in these life constellations or family constellations, we leave what is shown as it is and do not intervene in history (for example, that of the parents). The decision on how we proceed with a client’s request is made on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the client but ultimately lies with the facilitator/course leader.