Good morning…
One of my favorite forms of therapy is sand tray therapy, a method of self expression using a tray of sand and a shelf full of miniature items symbolizing objects or people or experiences in a person’s world. The client sitting in front of me, either a child or an adult, would choose from my shelf any miniatures sparking an emotional response. A curious intrigue. A negative reaction. A positive attraction to various items. The person would gather all the items of interest in a basket and then begin to create a “world” in the sand with these tiny objects.
When they felt finished, I would ask if I could come join them in observing and noticing different aspects of their “world.” What catches their attention first as they speak about this “world?” Where in the sand did they place the items, in the center or in one of the four corners? What would one miniature say to another miniature if they could speak? Are any items buried? What are the largest and the smallest items in the sand tray? If they had to name their sand tray, what title would they give this “world?”
Fascinating, absolutely fascinating. As people spoke of the connections within their sand tray “world,” I held up for them a mirror to see more clearly connections in their “inner world.” Resentments. Relationships. Ruminating thoughts. Hurts. Hopes. Hang-ups. Dreams. Desires. Deep dawnings. Fascinating, absolutely fascinating.
As the end of our session neared, we would sum up the experience together, solidifying what we noticed, verbalizing new insights. Often the person would offer, “May I put the items back on your shelf for you?” I would always say, “No thank you. Part of my gift to you is to put things back where they belong. The items will be right where you need them to be next time we are together.” I would say “Goodbye” to the person as they walked out in a mesmerized state, much like the integrative, “noodle like” experience one would achieve when leaving a yoga class.
I have not been a therapist for twenty years now. How do these sand tray experiences relate to my life as a wife and mother, a writer and teacher, a friend and child of God? I am constantly on the lookout for spiritual symbols in my life which spark deeper meaning. I listen, really listen to others, making soulful connections between their words. And every time someone from one of my daily classes asks, “May I help you clean up?” I always say, “No thank you.” Part of my gift to the world is to put things back where they originally belong. The blessings we uncovered together are right where we need them to be each time we gather.
“He breaks open (mine) shafts far away from where people live, [In places] forgotten by the [human] foot; They dangle [in the mines] and hang away from men.“ [As for] the earth, out of it comes food, But underneath [its surface, down deep] it is turned over as fire. “Its stones are the bed of sapphires; It holds dust of gold,” Job 28:4-6 (AMP),
Sue
