Thought Word and Deed IAC Mastery # 6 Clarifying

Definition:
Reduce/eliminate confusion or uncertainty,
increase understanding and confidence of the client
by Martha Pasternack

I live in Indian Country. Our culture here is diverse and enriched with sacred
history; a dynamic present and a promising future of possibility. The month
of June is a time of many gatherings and ceremonies bringing families and distant
communities together. June heralds a summer of joy and celebration among people.

As a non-Indian, being included in many Native American ceremonies over the
years has honored me. I have learned a lot about respecting others and life
on our Mother Earth.

One of the many lessons I have learned is how to pray. In our ceremonies, it
is not about reciting a memorized prayer, which is what I learned as a child.
In our ceremonies, prayer is about centering in our hearts, speaking from our
hearts, and listening with our hearts.

Many
times I’ve heard: "I will now pray in my own language."
This language is not English, but the mother tongue of the person
praying out loud.

I do not understand the depth of a prayer spoken in this way mentally; rather
it is made available to me somatically when I listen with my heart rather than
my mind. This enables me to join the sentiment and the power of the prayer.
This is beautiful.

I
use this wisdom of "praying in one's own language" with my coaching
clients that speak English as a second language. When my clients become stuck
in trying to "translate" their confusion, insight, wisdom, dreams,
goals and desires into English, I ask them to pause and take a refreshing breath.
I ask them to center themselves in their hearts. I ask them to speak to me in
their own language. This may be Spanish, German, Mandarin, Russian, Finnish
or Italian. I can't understand what they are saying, but I can feel
what they are saying. Only when they are complete do I ask them to translate
the parts that they most want me to hear into English.

A sense of calm envelops our session and deep person-to-person connection ensues.
My client is centered with the power their native language, rather than being
stuck in the mental exercise of translation. This helps them create the meaningful
changes they yearn for. By encouraging them to "pray in their own language,”
their:

• 
  Thought is brought to consciousness
• Words
  are deeply expressed in their own language
• Deeds
  emerge from deep peace and understanding of what they care about and what
  they desire
• Next
  steps are embodied in deep knowing

And I have done my job.

IAC Mastery #6 guides us to remember that as we engage in life coaching relationships
internationally it is important to support our clients in moving forward into
purposeful action.

Inviting the client to “pray in their own language,” meaning speak
in their own language, helps the coach avoid some of the ineffective behaviors
associated with Mastery #6, such as:

• Missing
  or ignoring what is most important
• Making
  assumptions
• Being
  distracted by the client’s chaos or confusion

The effect is then more likely to be that:

• The
  client and the coach move forward in a direct way
• Possibilities
  are increased
• Uncertainty
  is decreased
• The
  unknown can be discovered

As evidenced by:

• 
  Key values and needs are identified
• The
  coach can support the client to align purpose, vision and mission
• A
  potent block to progress is addressed

And
you and your client are free to move forward together.

Martha Pasternack MMC www.CircleofLifeCoach.com
My passion for witnessing the beauty and mystery of life, healthy
healing and the promotion of Peace on Earth are integral to my daily
life. I have been life coaching since 2004 after working 30 years
as a health care professional.