Welcome to our first issue of Observing Differently for the year.

We are delighted and grateful to be able to continue running our programs this year – online, and in-person when circumstances allow. These programs have stood the test of time for 25 years across 5 continents, so we know they are very effective in different geographical and cultural settings. They are underpinned by a robust body of knowledge.

You will see below the dates for both globally acclaimed programs – the introductory/foundation Ontological Coaching and Leadership in Action workshop and the fully ICF accredited 18-month Certified Ontological Coaching and Leadership Program. Details, including brochures, are available on the website and we welcome enquiries about both of these courses.

Our experiences of the year of 2020 have most probably reinforced the uncertain and unpredictable nature of the world, in which unexpected events can be just "around the corner", potentially catching us "unawares" and challenging us to make important adjustments.

When life is viewed from an ontological perspective, it becomes readily apparent that the only place from which we can deal with life’s ups and downs is from our Way of Being. This is because our Way of Being can be seen as the location and source of our perceptual and behavioural habits. Some of these may be deeply entrenched habits that do not sufficiently position us to respond adequately to the challenges that we encounter.

Learning and understanding how to observe and shift our own Way of Being is at the heart of what is referred to as "resilient". It is about knowing how to tap into the resourcefulness deep within us that we have acquired through lifelong learning, but may not be able to utilise because of our ineffective perceptual and behavioural habits. Consequently, we can experience life like a cork in rough seas, constantly being tossed around at the whim of the ocean. When this occurs, life circumstances write the script for our lives, the quality of our lives is compromised and we can experience far too much suffering.

The ontological approach is a powerful means to embody a self-authoring existence in all aspects of life. Learning to shift our Way of Being can enable us to not only develop more adequate responses, but also to see more possibilities and recognise opportunities that we previously would have missed. And, it goes without saying, to alleviate much of our suffering.

And now to this month’s article ... While we know that breathing is essential for our biological existence, most probably very few of us have developed breathing habits that contribute to us becoming more self-authoring and reducing our suffering. The article introduces a key aspect of our everyday existence, called emotional transition, and how breathing can facilitate the way we position ourselves to better manage our emotional world for dealing with changing circumstances. I hope you enjoy it and find it useful.

Until the next issue … very best wishes.

Alan Sieler

Article

Breathing and Emotional Transition
By Alan Sieler

You have probably heard someone say at some time when you were angry or upset, “Take a deep breath and count to 10”. There is some age-old wisdom in this expression and this can be deepened by considering some key aspects of our Way of Being.

Questions

Somewhat unusually, this article commences with a series of questions to encourage you to bring awareness to aspects of your current beingness.

• What have you been doing in the previous 2-3 hours before sitting down to read this? In other words, what different activities have you been engaged in?
• What emotions have you been experiencing as you engaged in these activities?
• How were you breathing as you engaged in your activities?

Emotional transition

Why all the questions about breathing, physiology and emotions? Because they are a central part of being human and play an indispensable role in the effectiveness of our everyday functioning, whether it be in home, work or social life. And one easily overlooked aspect of this is the crucial importance of emotional transition.

It is easy to underestimate or completely miss the power of emotions. In a nutshell, their power is that they are predispositions for action, always affecting our perceptions and behaviour. (Perception is an action because it is the nervous system in action.)

When we move from one situation to another an "emotional clearing and emotional preparation" may be necessary in order to ensure that we are in the most appropriate emotional space for the next engagement. Elite sports people know this well, perhaps not in the language that is being used here, but almost certainly in practice.

»  Read the article in the Interpersonal Relationships section

The Ontological Coaching Institute operates as the Newfield Institute in Australia and New Zealand.

ASIA (online)
• 10, 15 & 17 March 2021

EUROPE and UK (online)
• 23, 25, 27 & 29 March 2021

SOUTH AFRICA (online)
• 29 - 31 March & 1 April 2021

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EUROPE and UK (online)
• Commencing 23 March 2021

SOUTH AFRICA
• Next program commences early February 2022

This program has received ACTP (Accredited Coach Training Program) status from the International Coach Federation.

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Ontological Coaching Institute
Corporate and Personal Transformation

Cape Town · Johannesburg · Brussels · Hong Kong