Peter Gill (video) Focusing, listening to the wisdom of your body.

The Locked up Living Podcast: Surviving and thriving in prisons and other challenging environments

Peter Gill is one of the UK’s foremost Focusing Teachers, and has been
teaching Focusing for over 20 years. Prior to this, he spent a decade practising
and teaching meditation. Also trained in trauma healing, grief work and nature
connection. Peter brings an embodied, accessible and honest approach to his
writings and teaching. He published his first book “The Way of Curiosity” in
2024. Peter is qualified with the International Focusing Institute and the British Focusing Association.

https://focusing.org/

https://www.focusing.org.uk/

See Peter's book here https://www.livingfocusing.co.uk/curiosity.php

keywords

Focusing, meditation, therapy, emotional healing, Eugene Gendlin, mindfulness, interoception, self-awareness, personal growth, Focusing, personal development, therapeutic techniques, mindfulness, emotional awareness, peer support, mental health, trauma, listening skills, body awareness

summary

In this conversation, Peter Gill, a leading teacher of focusing, discusses the method of focusing, its origins, and its benefits. He explains how focusing differs from meditation by emphasizing the importance of listening to the body and engaging in a dialogue with one's inner experiences. Through personal anecdotes and examples, Peter illustrates the transformative power of focusing in therapy and personal growth, highlighting its ability to foster self-awareness, emotional healing, and decision-making. In this conversation, Peter discusses the concept of focusing, a therapeutic technique that emphasizes personal development and emotional awareness. He explores various methodologies within focusing, the types of individuals who seek this practice, and the challenges of raising awareness about its benefits. The discussion also touches on the transformative power of listening, the adaptability of focusing for different populations, and its potential applications in mental health settings. Gill encourages listeners to engage with focusing as a skill for life, highlighting its egalitarian nature and the importance of peer support.

takeaways

• Focusing is about listening to the body.
• It involves a dialogue with one's inner experiences.
• Focusing can help access deeper emotional truths.
• The process can lead to significant personal insights.
• Focusing is often practiced in pairs for mutual support.
• Eugene Gendlin developed focusing based on therapy research.
• Not everyone is ready for focusing at all times.
• Focusing can be beneficial for trauma survivors.
• It helps individuals navigate their emotional lives.
• Focusing fosters self-compassion and reduces inner criticism. Focusing is a living process, not a rigid technique.
• People seek focusing to connect with their deeper selves.
• Learning focusing takes time and practice.
• Focusing can be beneficial for everyday emotional support.
• The method is adaptable for various populations, including children.
• Listening is a transformative skill developed through focusing.
• Focusing has potential applications in mental health settings.
• Peer support is a key aspect of the focusing practice.
• Focusing can help individuals process grief and anxiety.
• There are many resources available for learning focusing.