The Four Stages of Flower Essence Response

The Four Stages of Flower Essence Response (The 4 Rs)

by Patricia Kaminski

On the basis of four decades of case collection and practitioner clinical  reports to the  Flower Essence Society , we have observed that flower essence therapy generally involves four basic levels of outcome. This healing phenomena is referred to as the Four R's of Flower Essence Response, as outlined in the original research by Patricia Kaminski. Please note that these stages do not automatically occur in every single case of flower essence use. Also, while they usually occur in the chronological order listed below, more than one stage can operate simultaneously, or in a slightly altered sequence of development unique to the individual case.

The span of time for all of these stages of development will vary according to the individual case – ranging from a month to a year or more. A single blend of flower essences, or even one flower remedy can be used. As well, the blend of essences may be adjusted and reformulated with any number of new flower essences in order to facilitate the ongoing progressive development of the four levels of response in flower essence therapy.

Stage One: Release, Relaxation or Rejuvenation

This is the most immediate and perceptible response to flower essences. It is often felt as a physical release or shift. In this first phase of healing, the energy systems within the physical-soul bodies have been stimulated and are working toward a new center of balance. A general sense of calm, relaxation, or alertness is usually experienced, although a spectrum of other physiological responses can occur, such as changes in breathing, sleeping and eating. While most responses promote a sense of well-being, some may feel unpleasant or unexpected, such as the release of tears if being treated for grief, or pronounced sleepiness for some conditions of stress and overwhelm. These initial physiological responses gradually subside as the stimuli from the flower essences are integrated and balanced with the mind-body complex.

Stage One Summary  

Physiological 

• breathing
• sleeping
• eating
• relaxation response or energy response depending on individual

Psychological 

• release of pent-up emotion
• tears
• smiles
• general sense of well-being
• subtle feeling of a shift
• creates new center of balance or psychic reference point
• initial responses subside as these changes are registered and integrated

Stage Two: Realization and Recognition and Initial Reaction 

In this stage the archetypal qualities of the flower essences work more deeply into the soul, producing new cognitive awareness about feelings and behavior. A “witness consciousness” is developed which allows insight into the hidden, or “shadow” aspects of the personality that have been contributing to dysfunctional patterns. By recognizing these parts of ourselves, we change not only physiologically, but psychologically. As in Stage One, these initial psychological insights can at times be uncomfortable, but as we come to know ourselves more honestly and gain control over previously hidden aspects of our personality, we achieve greater emotional and mental clarity, inner resilience and well-being. 

Stage Two Summary 

Flower essences are now working into a wider strata of the body-soul complex.
These changes are usually registered in the mental field and the initial layers of the emotional being.

Positive Healing Results 

Enhanced Cognitive Insight into One’s Behavior and Feelings 
Including New Awareness about Body-Soul Relationships and Behaviors
    For example:
    “I’ve not been telling the truth to my co-workers and it doesn’t feel right...”
    “I didn’t know I was tightening my stomach every time I am around my mother...”
    “I am feeling tired and I no longer want to push myself when I need to rest…”
    “When I feel frustrated with my children, I have memories surfacing of how my parents treated me…”
Development of Witness Consciousness: Self seeing the Self
Greater Mental Clarity
Sense of Harmony and Cohesion; more of the True Self is present
More conscious dialogue Between Mind and Body aspects of Self

Possible Reactions 

• Stirring of Identity Crisis
  Feeling of Tug of War with Opposing Aspects of Self
  Self-Identity feels more complex and layered
  More Light but Also More Shadow
  Emerging Feelings of Disunity or Fragmentation as more aspects of Self appear in one’s field of consciousness
  Uncomfortable feeling of a Subversive Self: “Me and My Shadow”
  

Stage Three: Resistance, Regression and Reconciliation 

The first two stages deal mostly with present time, and can be sufficient healing for body-soul issues which are not deeply patterned. However, in most healing work we can trace far more profound soul influences that operate at subterranean depths of consciousness, affecting the over-all health, belief systems, attitudes and creative potential of each individual. These more significant soul wounds usually involve soul history, such as early childhood experiences at times of great vulnerability; religious, political or other cultural conditioning; traumatic stress which was not fully resolved at the time of occurrence; or karmic patterns inscribed into the soul destiny at birth. Skillful application of flower essences in Stage Three facilitates deep psychological work, combined with complementary modalities like counseling, dream and journal work, meditation and visualization, art therapy and other self-awareness techniques. This stage may appear retrogressive when old patterns leap up to oppose forthright efforts of change. The alchemical stage is set for an "awareness crisis" which releases both physical and psychological residue from the past. By reconciling the buried aspects of self-identity and integrating them with conscious understanding, the soul achieves in-depth healing and transformation.  

Stage Three Summary 

The Third Stage is the most challenging stage, and yet the most necessary for deep healing.
In the soul’s spiralic movement it may appear that we are moving backwards.
What we are really doing is re-visiting a past part of our consciousness.
We are bringing new insight and energy to heal these patterns.
The past is not dead; it is alive with potential. 

It affects our present awareness and future potential. 

Hallmark of Stage Three: Healing Crisis 

Physical symptoms which appeared to have been healing suddenly get worse.
Old habits or addictions return with powerful force.
Grief, depression and other emotional wounds appear to bleed again.
Early childhood trauma returns in memories or dreams.
Other post-traumatic trauma becomes more vivid, as though re-experiencing it full force.
Feelings of discouragement: This is not working. I am not getting better.

Healing of Stage Three: Practitioner Skills and Client Engagement  

• Practitioner Presence
  Enhanced Counseling: the art of asking questions
  Journaling
  Guided Imagery
  Affirmations
  Dream Work
  Art Therapy

Goals 

• Continue to Develop Witness Identity in the Soul
  Reconcile new and old parts of Self
  Create Soul Dialogue with “Opposite” or “Opposing” Aspects of Self
  Create Greater Awareness and Flexibility in the Soul
  Create the Still Point that leads to Soul Turning 

Stage Four: Renewal, Re-Constellation & Re-Visioning of the Self  

While the first two stages operate primarily in present time, and the third stage reaches into the deep past of the human soul, the fourth stage in flower essence therapy points to its future destiny. In Stage Four we are able to identify new possibilities concerning life purpose and the ability to manifest that purpose. One of the profound truths of genuine flower essence therapy is that when soul wounding is addressed in a transformational manner, those very areas of previous pain and limitation become nodal points for new potential and soul evolution. For instance, an individual who may have been the victim of social discrimination and suffers from low self-esteem, anger and poor physical vitality, can use flower essence therapy to transform these limiting conditions into positive qualities of inner-strength, self-worth and compassionate consideration for the suffering of others. These soul virtues will in turn lead to new possibilities in the destiny and creative potential of such a person.

Stage Four Summary 

Core Themes

The soul wound becomes a luminous portal for new soul experience and expansion of consciousness
Engagement of the Wounded Healer Archetype: Parts of the soul that had been in pain or dysfunction now hold virtue and strength.
Personal suffering or misfortune now leads to greater compassion and capacity for understanding the pain of others.

Examples of Growth and Transformation in Stage Four  

• May find a new career
  A new expression in current job or tasks
  The healing of one’s addiction or dysfunction imparts skills and sensitivity for helping others with similar suffering
  New friends or social network
  New relationship to family based on love and strength rather than victimhood or anger
  Feeling of inner soul strength – life is not necessarily easier but we can handle more
  Self and World and Self and Other feel more dynamically connected
  
  Stage Four healing does not mean one lives “happily ever after.” The gift of Stage Four healing, is that one proceeds with greater strength and consciousness to the next steps of soul evolution. 

Timeline 

• Stages One and Two: Orienting ourselves in present time: literally becoming present through soul consciousness
  Stage Three: Recognizing our past and how it creates the present
  Stage Four: Taking Hold of our Future: Re-creating and Re-visioning Soul Possibility