{"id":259,"date":"2023-04-20T19:33:29","date_gmt":"2023-04-20T23:33:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/champsinaction\/chapter\/2-4-sculpture-of-suffering\/"},"modified":"2023-06-08T08:39:02","modified_gmt":"2023-06-08T12:39:02","slug":"2-4","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/champsinaction\/chapter\/2-4\/","title":{"raw":"2.4 Sculpture of Suffering","rendered":"2.4 Sculpture of Suffering"},"content":{"raw":"<div class=\"2.4-sculpture-of-suffering\">\r\n\r\n<strong>Learning Objectives:<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>To increase awareness of the human tendency to suppress or avoid unwanted thoughts and feelings<\/li>\r\n \t<li>To recognize that despite best efforts, avoided thoughts and feelings can continue to persist<\/li>\r\n \t<li>To promote understanding of the cost of avoidance<\/li>\r\n \t<li>To facilitate skills of acceptance as an alternative to deal with difficult thoughts and feelings<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<strong>Materials:<\/strong> Movable chairs for each participant\r\n\r\n<strong>Time<\/strong> <strong>Required: <\/strong>45 Minutes\r\n\r\n<hr \/>\r\n\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"margin-left: 26pt\"><\/span>Activities &amp; Instructions<\/h2>\r\n\r\n<hr \/>\r\n\r\n<h5 class=\"import-Heading7\" style=\"text-align: center;margin-left: 42.25pt;margin-right: 48.2pt\"><strong>Instructions to Participants:<\/strong><\/h5>\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li><strong>Set-up:<\/strong>\r\n<em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">Participants to sit in movable chairs in a circle with space in the middle of the room.<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">During the exercise they would<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">be<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">instructed<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">to<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">get<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">out<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">of<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">their<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">chairs<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">and<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">place<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">their<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">chairs<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">to<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">form<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">part<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">of<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">a<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">Sculpture<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">of<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">Suffering<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">and<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">then<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">remain<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">standing during the debriefing discussion. Facilitators need to be mindful of participants who may have physical<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">limitations<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">to<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">standing<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">and<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">mobility<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">issues<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">in<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">this<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">exercise.<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">Facilitators<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">remind<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">participants<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">NOT<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">to<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">touch<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">or<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">move<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">the<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">centre chair or someone else\u2019s chair.<\/em><\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">Recalling a stigmatizing experience:<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Facilitator<\/strong> <strong>says<\/strong>: \u201cMost of us have encountered a difficulty or challenging event, a stigmatizing experience, or some experiences that had led to negative feelings for us. For example, we may have conflicts with a family member, or have lost something important to us. In this exercise, we will explore these situations, the difficult thoughts and feelings they evoke, and how we attempt to deal with these feelings and thoughts.\u201d<\/li>\r\n \t<li>\u201cLet us begin with a brief guided exercise. If you are willing, either close your eyes or lower your gaze to focus on a spot in front of you. Now bring your attention to your breath, take a few slow deep breaths \u2026 <em>(<\/em><strong><em>facilitator<\/em><\/strong> <em>waits<\/em> <em>and<\/em> <em>takes<\/em> <em>2<\/em> <em>deep<\/em> <em>breaths<\/em> <em>before<\/em> <em>continuing)<\/em> \u2026Now, see if you can allow your mind to wander back to some <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">difficult situations you have encountered, choose one that you are willing to share... It can be a big event or a small event. See if you can recall who it involves \u2026 and allow yourself to be in touch with how you felt \u2026 it could be anger, sadness, disappointment, frustration, worries \u2026 and recall how you have coped with all that and how you managed the situation \u2026 and now, allow yourself to return to the present moment\u2026 reconnect with your breath once again \u2026 and come back to the present moment \u2026 and whenever you are ready, you may open your eyes.\u201d <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">(<\/em><strong style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"><em>Facilitator <\/em><\/strong><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">gauges participants\u2019 readiness [opening eyes] to begin the exercise.)<\/em><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<ol start=\"3\">\r\n \t<li><strong><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">Physicalize the internalized stigma and shame:<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong><em>Facilitator <\/em><\/strong><em>stands up and pushes her\/his\/their own chair to the centre of the group\u2019s circle, and says, <\/em>\u201cYou just recalled a difficult event and the negative thoughts or feelings that came with it. See if you can project your own unwanted negative thoughts or feelings on to this chair\u2026 if you felt anger, this chair now represents your anger \u2026 if you <span style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\">felt sadness, this chair represents your sadness \u2026 I will give you a moment to do that.\u201d <\/span><em style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\">(Pause<\/em><span style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\">for<\/em><span style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\">a<\/em><span style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\">moment<\/em><span style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\">) \u201cNow we will call this chair the \u201c<\/span><strong style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\"><em>Chair<\/em><\/strong><span style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><strong style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\"><em>of<\/em><\/strong><span style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><strong style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\"><em>Unwanted<\/em><\/strong><span style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><strong style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\"><em>Thoughts<\/em><\/strong><span style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><strong style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\"><em>\/Feelings.<\/em><\/strong><span style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\">\u201d <\/span><em style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\">(<\/em><strong style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\"><em>Facilitator<\/em><\/strong><span style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\">tapes<\/em><span style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\">a<\/em><span style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\">sign<\/em><span style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\">\u2013\u201cUnwanted<\/em><span style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\">Thoughts\/<\/em><span style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\">Feelings\u201d on the chair to remind participants what it represents.)<\/em><\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Facilitator<\/strong> <strong>continues,<\/strong> \u201cI would now invite all of you to take turns sharing a bit about the difficult situation, and the negative feelings that arose from that difficult situation and how you coped with it. What did you do to cope with the negative feelings? Since we have a fairly large group and one of our guiding principles is to share time, I would ask everyone to keep the sharing to 1 minute or less. Maybe just share in one sentence the situation, for example, my co-workers gossiped behind my back, and then your feelings and how you coped with these feelings. Who would like to share first?\u201d<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong><em>Facilitator<\/em><\/strong> <em>invites<\/em> <em>voluntary<\/em> <em>participant<\/em> <em>#1<\/em> <em>to<\/em> <em>share<\/em> <em>her\/his\/their<\/em> <em>feelings<\/em> <em>and<\/em> <em>coping<\/em> <em>strategies<\/em> <em>by<\/em> <em>saying,<\/em> \u201cCan you tell us in one sentence about the situation? What negative thoughts or feelings came up for you?\u201d<\/li>\r\n \t<li><em>(<\/em><strong><em>Facilitator<\/em><\/strong> <em>acknowledges<\/em> <em>each<\/em> <em>participant\u2019s<\/em> <em>feelings<\/em> <em>without<\/em> <em>making<\/em> <em>comment<\/em> <em>or<\/em> <em>judgment,<\/em> <em>summarizes<\/em> <em>back<\/em> <em>to<\/em> <em>participant to ensure at least 1 negative feeling was identified, and provides emotional support as needed.)<\/em><\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Facilitator says,<\/strong> \u201cThank you for sharing. (<em>If applicable, ask the next question<\/em>) Would you please stand-up? Now let your chair represent your coping strategy. Your chair now is the \u2018<strong><em>Chair<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>of<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>coping<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>with<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>unwanted<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>thoughts<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>or<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>feelings<\/em><\/strong>\u2019.\u201d<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Facilitator<\/strong> <strong>continues<\/strong>, \u201cRecall that the centre chair is your unwanted thoughts\/feelings. Please show us how your coping strategy relates to your negative feelings by placing your \u2018Chair of coping strategy\u2019 in a way that presents its relationship to the centre \u2018Chair of Unwanted Thoughts\/Feelings\u2019. You can position your own chair in any way you like, for example, upside down or on the side; place it anywhere you like in the room; or stack it on top of the centre chair or far away from it\u2026 However, you <strong>cannot move the centre chair <\/strong>and you also cannot move someone else\u2019s chair. Is that clear?\u201d<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong><em>Facilitator <\/em><\/strong><em>waits for participant to place her\/his\/their chair in relation to the Chair of Unwanted Feelings or Thoughts,<\/em> <em>and<\/em> <em>then<\/em> <em>says,<\/em> \u201cThank you \u2026 can you please return to where you were seated before and remain standing there \u2026 Who would like to go next?\u201d<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong><em>Facilitator<\/em><\/strong> <em>repeats<\/em> <em>activity<\/em> <em>with<\/em> <em>the<\/em> <em>next<\/em> <em>volunteer<\/em> <em>until<\/em> <em>all<\/em> <em>participants<\/em> <em>have<\/em> <em>had<\/em> <em>a<\/em> <em>chance<\/em> <em>to<\/em> <em>share<\/em> <em>and<\/em> <em>place<\/em> <em>their<\/em> <em>chair<\/em> <em>of coping in in relation to the Chair of Unwanted Feelings and Thoughts to form the Sculpture of Suffering.<\/em><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<ol start=\"4\">\r\n \t<li><strong><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">Debriefing the Sculpture of Suffering:\r\n<\/span><\/strong><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">After the Sculpture of Suffering is formed with all participants\u2019 chairs , facilitator says, \u201cI would like to invite all of you to<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">take<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">a<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">moment<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">to<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">observe<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">this<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">overall<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">sculpture<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">that<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">we<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">have<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">created<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">when<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">we<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">placed<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">our<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">coping<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">strategies<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">in<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">relation<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">to<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">the Chair of Unwanted Thoughts and Feelings.\u201d (Participants remain standing.)<\/em><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<strong><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">Debriefing Theme #1: Common experience of pain and suffering\r\n<\/span><\/strong><strong style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"><em>Question:<\/em><\/strong><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><strong style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"><em>\u201cWhat have<\/em><\/strong><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><strong style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"><em>you noticed<\/em><\/strong><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><strong style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"><em>in doing<\/em><\/strong><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><strong style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"><em>this <\/em><\/strong><strong style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"><em>exercise?\u201d<\/em><\/strong>\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\r\n<h5 style=\"text-align: center\"><strong>Facilitator Script<\/strong><\/h5>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>You may notice from this exercise that we all go through pain and suffering with our difficult thoughts and feelings. While each of our experiences may be different, as you listen to others\u2019 sharing, do you find yourself sharing some of the common struggles and identify with each other\u2019s pain? We are not alone.\u201d<\/li>\r\n \t<li>\u201cWe are also very courageous and creative in our own ways in dealing with different struggles in life\u2026 we can learn to honor and celebrate our resiliencies, and learn from one another\u2019s strategies.\u201d<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<strong>Debriefing Theme #2: Persistent Hurtful Thoughts and Feelings\r\n<\/strong><strong><em>Question:<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>\u201cWhat<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>has<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>happened<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>to<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>the<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>Chair<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>of<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>Unwanted<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>Thoughts<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>and<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>Feelings?<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>Has<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>it <\/em><\/strong><strong><em>disappeared?\u201d<\/em><\/strong>\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\r\n<h5 style=\"text-align: center\"><strong>Facilitator Notes and Scripts:<\/strong><\/h5>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Although the chair of unwanted thoughts and feelings may be surrounded or even buried, notice that it\u2019s still there. When we talk about these events, the negative feelings may still be here today.\u201d<\/li>\r\n \t<li>\u201cSo sometimes we think that the negative feelings would go away if we only try harder \u2026 or try different kinds of coping strategies \u2026 or if we go learn the latest coping strategy \u2026 It does not work like that here in this exercise.\u201d<\/li>\r\n \t<li>\u201cRegarding the various \u2018coping strategies\u2019, it\u2019s not that we should not do them. Sometimes they do help us cope in that moment. However, when we rely on them to avoid, control, or eliminate our thoughts and feelings, you can see how this turns out\u2026. Just like this Sculpture of Suffering, it keeps adding up to a very big thing that takes up most of our energy and the space in our lives.\u201d<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<strong>Debriefing Theme #3: Cost of our efforts to cope with Unwanted Thoughts and Feelings\r\n<\/strong><strong><em>Question:<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>\u201cWhat<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>are<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>the<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>costs<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>of<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>our<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>efforts<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>to<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>cope?<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>Has<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>the<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>Chair<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>of<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>Unwanted<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>Thoughts<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>or<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>Feelings<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>disappeared, become smaller, or become a bigger sculpture overall?<\/em><\/strong>\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\r\n<h5 style=\"text-align: center\"><strong>Facilitator Notes and Scripts:<\/strong><\/h5>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>\u201cLet\u2019s look at what the costs of our efforts to cope are? Has the Chair of Unwanted Thoughts or Feelings become smaller, or become a bigger sculpture overall?\u201d<\/li>\r\n \t<li>\u201cNotice that the Sculpture of Suffering has just taken over the space in the room and our collective energy and attention? Sometimes, we may find our lives revolve around trying to cope with our hurt and our pain, with our coping strategies adding to our suffering and taking up all of the space in our lives, with little room left for anything else.\u201d<\/li>\r\n \t<li>\u201cNotice \u2013 when the sculpture was up, were you able to sit? Instead of sitting comfortably as a group, we were left standing. We do expand and sacrifice our energy when we cope, just as we had to give up our own chair in this exercise.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ol start=\"5\">\r\n \t<li><strong>Physicalizing Acceptance of Painful Thoughts and Feelings:<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<strong style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">Facilitator<\/strong><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><strong style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">says,<\/strong><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> \u201cNow I would like to invite you to take one last look at the Sculpture of Suffering, and then take back your own chair and sit around in a circle for our final debriefing.\u201d<\/span>\r\n\r\n<em>After all participants take their chairs back and sat down, leaving only the Chair of Unwanted Thoughts or Feelings in the<\/em> <em>middle of the room, <\/em><strong>facilitator says<\/strong><em>, <\/em>\u201cNow please take a look at the Chair of Unwanted <em>Thoughts or <\/em>Feelings, look at how it looks like now, and compare it to what it was like a moment ago, with all our coping strategies around, above, or next to it forming the big Sculpture of Suffering.\u201d\r\n\r\n<strong>Debriefing Theme #4: Mindfulness Acceptance\r\n<\/strong><strong><em>Question:<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>\u201cLook<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>at<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>the<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>lone<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>chair<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>in<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>the<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>centre\u2026<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>what<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>is<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>it<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>like<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>now<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>for<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>you?<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>What<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>happens<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>if<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>we<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>accept<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>it<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>as<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>just<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>being here and not let it take over our attention and energy?\u201d<\/em><\/strong>\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\r\n<h5 style=\"text-align: center\"><strong>Facilitator Notes and Script:<\/strong><\/h5>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>\u201cWhat if we treat our unwanted feelings with mindful acceptance \u2013 just willing to have the feelings here with us? Notice the space it opens up in the centre. We do not have to be fused with it and get consumed by it \u2013 just as we don\u2019t have to be sitting in the centre chair. We can sit right where we are, make room for the centre chair, and just simply observe it.\u201d<\/li>\r\n \t<li>\u201cWhen we talk about acceptance, it is our willingness to experience and not run away from what is already here, our internal thoughts and feelings.\u201d<\/li>\r\n \t<li>\u201cHowever, acceptance does not mean we need to love our negative emotions or thoughts. It also does not mean giving up. Most importantly, accepting the negative thoughts or feelings does not mean we are accepting the underlying oppression or social injustices that give rise to our suffering. Where possible, we should still work to change our situation and environment through our actions.\u201d<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<h5 class=\"import-Heading7\" style=\"text-align: center;margin-left: 42.25pt;margin-right: 48.2pt\"><strong>Key Summary Points:<\/strong><\/h5>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>We all experience challenging situations that evoke <strong>negative<\/strong> <strong>thoughts<\/strong> <strong>and<\/strong> <strong>feelings<\/strong>. Further, it is natural and being human that we all try our best to <strong>cope <\/strong>with them.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>While coping strategies can be helpful and some coping actions such as problem solving or getting help are inherently beneficial, the negative feelings nevertheless can <strong>persist<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>If we spend all our efforts in coping and avoiding our negative feelings, it can completely drain us, and our life will all be about coping, and this ends up <strong>increasing our suffering<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>One alternative is to <strong>observe<\/strong> and <strong>accept<\/strong> these negative feelings and thoughts <strong>mindfully<\/strong>, i.e., neither being consumed by them nor struggling against them, such as suppressing them or running away from them.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\" style=\"margin-left: 11pt\"><strong>Source:<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li>Fung, K. P., &amp; Zurowski, M. (2016). Chair sculpture of suffering exercise. In A. Peterkin &amp; P. Brett-McLean (Eds.). Keeping reflection fresh: Top educators share their innovations in health professional education. Kent, OH: Kent State University Press.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Inspired by \u201cBox Full of Stuff Metaphor\u201d in Hayes, S. C. Strosahl, K. D., &amp; Wilson, K. G. (1999). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: An experiential approach to behavior change. (pp. 136-138). New York: Guilford Press.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\"><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>","rendered":"<div class=\"2.4-sculpture-of-suffering\">\n<p><strong>Learning Objectives:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>To increase awareness of the human tendency to suppress or avoid unwanted thoughts and feelings<\/li>\n<li>To recognize that despite best efforts, avoided thoughts and feelings can continue to persist<\/li>\n<li>To promote understanding of the cost of avoidance<\/li>\n<li>To facilitate skills of acceptance as an alternative to deal with difficult thoughts and feelings<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Materials:<\/strong> Movable chairs for each participant<\/p>\n<p><strong>Time<\/strong> <strong>Required: <\/strong>45 Minutes<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"margin-left: 26pt\"><\/span>Activities &amp; Instructions<\/h2>\n<hr \/>\n<h5 class=\"import-Heading7\" style=\"text-align: center;margin-left: 42.25pt;margin-right: 48.2pt\"><strong>Instructions to Participants:<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Set-up:<\/strong><br \/>\n<em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">Participants to sit in movable chairs in a circle with space in the middle of the room.<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">During the exercise they would<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">be<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">instructed<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">to<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">get<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">out<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">of<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">their<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">chairs<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">and<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">place<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">their<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">chairs<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">to<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">form<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">part<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">of<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">a<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">Sculpture<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">of<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">Suffering<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">and<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">then<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">remain<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">standing during the debriefing discussion. Facilitators need to be mindful of participants who may have physical<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">limitations<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">to<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">standing<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">and<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">mobility<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">issues<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">in<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">this<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">exercise.<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">Facilitators<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">remind<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">participants<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">NOT<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">to<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">touch<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">or<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">move<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">the<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">centre chair or someone else\u2019s chair.<\/em><\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">Recalling a stigmatizing experience:<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Facilitator<\/strong> <strong>says<\/strong>: \u201cMost of us have encountered a difficulty or challenging event, a stigmatizing experience, or some experiences that had led to negative feelings for us. For example, we may have conflicts with a family member, or have lost something important to us. In this exercise, we will explore these situations, the difficult thoughts and feelings they evoke, and how we attempt to deal with these feelings and thoughts.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>\u201cLet us begin with a brief guided exercise. If you are willing, either close your eyes or lower your gaze to focus on a spot in front of you. Now bring your attention to your breath, take a few slow deep breaths \u2026 <em>(<\/em><strong><em>facilitator<\/em><\/strong> <em>waits<\/em> <em>and<\/em> <em>takes<\/em> <em>2<\/em> <em>deep<\/em> <em>breaths<\/em> <em>before<\/em> <em>continuing)<\/em> \u2026Now, see if you can allow your mind to wander back to some <span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">difficult situations you have encountered, choose one that you are willing to share&#8230; It can be a big event or a small event. See if you can recall who it involves \u2026 and allow yourself to be in touch with how you felt \u2026 it could be anger, sadness, disappointment, frustration, worries \u2026 and recall how you have coped with all that and how you managed the situation \u2026 and now, allow yourself to return to the present moment\u2026 reconnect with your breath once again \u2026 and come back to the present moment \u2026 and whenever you are ready, you may open your eyes.\u201d <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">(<\/em><strong style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"><em>Facilitator <\/em><\/strong><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">gauges participants\u2019 readiness [opening eyes] to begin the exercise.)<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol start=\"3\">\n<li><strong><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">Physicalize the internalized stigma and shame:<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><em>Facilitator <\/em><\/strong><em>stands up and pushes her\/his\/their own chair to the centre of the group\u2019s circle, and says, <\/em>\u201cYou just recalled a difficult event and the negative thoughts or feelings that came with it. See if you can project your own unwanted negative thoughts or feelings on to this chair\u2026 if you felt anger, this chair now represents your anger \u2026 if you <span style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\">felt sadness, this chair represents your sadness \u2026 I will give you a moment to do that.\u201d <\/span><em style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\">(Pause<\/em><span style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\">for<\/em><span style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\">a<\/em><span style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\">moment<\/em><span style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\">) \u201cNow we will call this chair the \u201c<\/span><strong style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\"><em>Chair<\/em><\/strong><span style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><strong style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\"><em>of<\/em><\/strong><span style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><strong style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\"><em>Unwanted<\/em><\/strong><span style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><strong style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\"><em>Thoughts<\/em><\/strong><span style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><strong style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\"><em>\/Feelings.<\/em><\/strong><span style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\">\u201d <\/span><em style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\">(<\/em><strong style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\"><em>Facilitator<\/em><\/strong><span style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\">tapes<\/em><span style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\">a<\/em><span style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\">sign<\/em><span style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\">\u2013\u201cUnwanted<\/em><span style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\">Thoughts\/<\/em><span style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 1em\">Feelings\u201d on the chair to remind participants what it represents.)<\/em><\/li>\n<li><strong>Facilitator<\/strong> <strong>continues,<\/strong> \u201cI would now invite all of you to take turns sharing a bit about the difficult situation, and the negative feelings that arose from that difficult situation and how you coped with it. What did you do to cope with the negative feelings? Since we have a fairly large group and one of our guiding principles is to share time, I would ask everyone to keep the sharing to 1 minute or less. Maybe just share in one sentence the situation, for example, my co-workers gossiped behind my back, and then your feelings and how you coped with these feelings. Who would like to share first?\u201d<\/li>\n<li><strong><em>Facilitator<\/em><\/strong> <em>invites<\/em> <em>voluntary<\/em> <em>participant<\/em> <em>#1<\/em> <em>to<\/em> <em>share<\/em> <em>her\/his\/their<\/em> <em>feelings<\/em> <em>and<\/em> <em>coping<\/em> <em>strategies<\/em> <em>by<\/em> <em>saying,<\/em> \u201cCan you tell us in one sentence about the situation? What negative thoughts or feelings came up for you?\u201d<\/li>\n<li><em>(<\/em><strong><em>Facilitator<\/em><\/strong> <em>acknowledges<\/em> <em>each<\/em> <em>participant\u2019s<\/em> <em>feelings<\/em> <em>without<\/em> <em>making<\/em> <em>comment<\/em> <em>or<\/em> <em>judgment,<\/em> <em>summarizes<\/em> <em>back<\/em> <em>to<\/em> <em>participant to ensure at least 1 negative feeling was identified, and provides emotional support as needed.)<\/em><\/li>\n<li><strong>Facilitator says,<\/strong> \u201cThank you for sharing. (<em>If applicable, ask the next question<\/em>) Would you please stand-up? Now let your chair represent your coping strategy. Your chair now is the \u2018<strong><em>Chair<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>of<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>coping<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>with<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>unwanted<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>thoughts<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>or<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>feelings<\/em><\/strong>\u2019.\u201d<\/li>\n<li><strong>Facilitator<\/strong> <strong>continues<\/strong>, \u201cRecall that the centre chair is your unwanted thoughts\/feelings. Please show us how your coping strategy relates to your negative feelings by placing your \u2018Chair of coping strategy\u2019 in a way that presents its relationship to the centre \u2018Chair of Unwanted Thoughts\/Feelings\u2019. You can position your own chair in any way you like, for example, upside down or on the side; place it anywhere you like in the room; or stack it on top of the centre chair or far away from it\u2026 However, you <strong>cannot move the centre chair <\/strong>and you also cannot move someone else\u2019s chair. Is that clear?\u201d<\/li>\n<li><strong><em>Facilitator <\/em><\/strong><em>waits for participant to place her\/his\/their chair in relation to the Chair of Unwanted Feelings or Thoughts,<\/em> <em>and<\/em> <em>then<\/em> <em>says,<\/em> \u201cThank you \u2026 can you please return to where you were seated before and remain standing there \u2026 Who would like to go next?\u201d<\/li>\n<li><strong><em>Facilitator<\/em><\/strong> <em>repeats<\/em> <em>activity<\/em> <em>with<\/em> <em>the<\/em> <em>next<\/em> <em>volunteer<\/em> <em>until<\/em> <em>all<\/em> <em>participants<\/em> <em>have<\/em> <em>had<\/em> <em>a<\/em> <em>chance<\/em> <em>to<\/em> <em>share<\/em> <em>and<\/em> <em>place<\/em> <em>their<\/em> <em>chair<\/em> <em>of coping in in relation to the Chair of Unwanted Feelings and Thoughts to form the Sculpture of Suffering.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol start=\"4\">\n<li><strong><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">Debriefing the Sculpture of Suffering:<br \/>\n<\/span><\/strong><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">After the Sculpture of Suffering is formed with all participants\u2019 chairs , facilitator says, \u201cI would like to invite all of you to<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">take<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">a<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">moment<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">to<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">observe<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">this<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">overall<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">sculpture<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">that<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">we<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">have<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">created<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">when<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">we<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">placed<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">our<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">coping<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">strategies<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">in<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">relation<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">to<\/em><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><em style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">the Chair of Unwanted Thoughts and Feelings.\u201d (Participants remain standing.)<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">Debriefing Theme #1: Common experience of pain and suffering<br \/>\n<\/span><\/strong><strong style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"><em>Question:<\/em><\/strong><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><strong style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"><em>\u201cWhat have<\/em><\/strong><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><strong style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"><em>you noticed<\/em><\/strong><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><strong style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"><em>in doing<\/em><\/strong><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><strong style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"><em>this <\/em><\/strong><strong style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"><em>exercise?\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\n<h5 style=\"text-align: center\"><strong>Facilitator Script<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li>You may notice from this exercise that we all go through pain and suffering with our difficult thoughts and feelings. While each of our experiences may be different, as you listen to others\u2019 sharing, do you find yourself sharing some of the common struggles and identify with each other\u2019s pain? We are not alone.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>\u201cWe are also very courageous and creative in our own ways in dealing with different struggles in life\u2026 we can learn to honor and celebrate our resiliencies, and learn from one another\u2019s strategies.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Debriefing Theme #2: Persistent Hurtful Thoughts and Feelings<br \/>\n<\/strong><strong><em>Question:<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>\u201cWhat<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>has<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>happened<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>to<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>the<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>Chair<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>of<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>Unwanted<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>Thoughts<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>and<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>Feelings?<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>Has<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>it <\/em><\/strong><strong><em>disappeared?\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\n<h5 style=\"text-align: center\"><strong>Facilitator Notes and Scripts:<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li>Although the chair of unwanted thoughts and feelings may be surrounded or even buried, notice that it\u2019s still there. When we talk about these events, the negative feelings may still be here today.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>\u201cSo sometimes we think that the negative feelings would go away if we only try harder \u2026 or try different kinds of coping strategies \u2026 or if we go learn the latest coping strategy \u2026 It does not work like that here in this exercise.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>\u201cRegarding the various \u2018coping strategies\u2019, it\u2019s not that we should not do them. Sometimes they do help us cope in that moment. However, when we rely on them to avoid, control, or eliminate our thoughts and feelings, you can see how this turns out\u2026. Just like this Sculpture of Suffering, it keeps adding up to a very big thing that takes up most of our energy and the space in our lives.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Debriefing Theme #3: Cost of our efforts to cope with Unwanted Thoughts and Feelings<br \/>\n<\/strong><strong><em>Question:<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>\u201cWhat<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>are<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>the<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>costs<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>of<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>our<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>efforts<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>to<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>cope?<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>Has<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>the<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>Chair<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>of<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>Unwanted<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>Thoughts<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>or<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>Feelings<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>disappeared, become smaller, or become a bigger sculpture overall?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\n<h5 style=\"text-align: center\"><strong>Facilitator Notes and Scripts:<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li>\u201cLet\u2019s look at what the costs of our efforts to cope are? Has the Chair of Unwanted Thoughts or Feelings become smaller, or become a bigger sculpture overall?\u201d<\/li>\n<li>\u201cNotice that the Sculpture of Suffering has just taken over the space in the room and our collective energy and attention? Sometimes, we may find our lives revolve around trying to cope with our hurt and our pain, with our coping strategies adding to our suffering and taking up all of the space in our lives, with little room left for anything else.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>\u201cNotice \u2013 when the sculpture was up, were you able to sit? Instead of sitting comfortably as a group, we were left standing. We do expand and sacrifice our energy when we cope, just as we had to give up our own chair in this exercise.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ol start=\"5\">\n<li><strong>Physicalizing Acceptance of Painful Thoughts and Feelings:<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">Facilitator<\/strong><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> <\/span><strong style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\">says,<\/strong><span style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\"> \u201cNow I would like to invite you to take one last look at the Sculpture of Suffering, and then take back your own chair and sit around in a circle for our final debriefing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>After all participants take their chairs back and sat down, leaving only the Chair of Unwanted Thoughts or Feelings in the<\/em> <em>middle of the room, <\/em><strong>facilitator says<\/strong><em>, <\/em>\u201cNow please take a look at the Chair of Unwanted <em>Thoughts or <\/em>Feelings, look at how it looks like now, and compare it to what it was like a moment ago, with all our coping strategies around, above, or next to it forming the big Sculpture of Suffering.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Debriefing Theme #4: Mindfulness Acceptance<br \/>\n<\/strong><strong><em>Question:<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>\u201cLook<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>at<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>the<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>lone<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>chair<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>in<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>the<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>centre\u2026<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>what<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>is<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>it<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>like<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>now<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>for<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>you?<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>What<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>happens<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>if<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>we<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>accept<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>it<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>as<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>just<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>being here and not let it take over our attention and energy?\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\n<h5 style=\"text-align: center\"><strong>Facilitator Notes and Script:<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li>\u201cWhat if we treat our unwanted feelings with mindful acceptance \u2013 just willing to have the feelings here with us? Notice the space it opens up in the centre. We do not have to be fused with it and get consumed by it \u2013 just as we don\u2019t have to be sitting in the centre chair. We can sit right where we are, make room for the centre chair, and just simply observe it.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>\u201cWhen we talk about acceptance, it is our willingness to experience and not run away from what is already here, our internal thoughts and feelings.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>\u201cHowever, acceptance does not mean we need to love our negative emotions or thoughts. It also does not mean giving up. Most importantly, accepting the negative thoughts or feelings does not mean we are accepting the underlying oppression or social injustices that give rise to our suffering. Where possible, we should still work to change our situation and environment through our actions.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h5 class=\"import-Heading7\" style=\"text-align: center;margin-left: 42.25pt;margin-right: 48.2pt\"><strong>Key Summary Points:<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li>We all experience challenging situations that evoke <strong>negative<\/strong> <strong>thoughts<\/strong> <strong>and<\/strong> <strong>feelings<\/strong>. Further, it is natural and being human that we all try our best to <strong>cope <\/strong>with them.<\/li>\n<li>While coping strategies can be helpful and some coping actions such as problem solving or getting help are inherently beneficial, the negative feelings nevertheless can <strong>persist<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>If we spend all our efforts in coping and avoiding our negative feelings, it can completely drain us, and our life will all be about coping, and this ends up <strong>increasing our suffering<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>One alternative is to <strong>observe<\/strong> and <strong>accept<\/strong> these negative feelings and thoughts <strong>mindfully<\/strong>, i.e., neither being consumed by them nor struggling against them, such as suppressing them or running away from them.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"import-Normal\" style=\"margin-left: 11pt\"><strong>Source:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Fung, K. P., &amp; Zurowski, M. (2016). Chair sculpture of suffering exercise. In A. Peterkin &amp; P. Brett-McLean (Eds.). Keeping reflection fresh: Top educators share their innovations in health professional education. Kent, OH: Kent State University Press.<\/li>\n<li>Inspired by \u201cBox Full of Stuff Metaphor\u201d in Hayes, S. C. Strosahl, K. D., &amp; Wilson, K. G. (1999). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: An experiential approach to behavior change. (pp. 136-138). New York: Guilford Press.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":486,"menu_order":16,"template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-259","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"part":289,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/champsinaction\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/259","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/champsinaction\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/champsinaction\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/champsinaction\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/486"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/champsinaction\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/259\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":739,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/champsinaction\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/259\/revisions\/739"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/champsinaction\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/289"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/champsinaction\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/259\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/champsinaction\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=259"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/champsinaction\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=259"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/champsinaction\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=259"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/champsinaction\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=259"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}