What Is A Part?

We have all experienced inner conflict and distress. We have all had the experience of having multiple feelings and thoughts about the same concept, object, person...etc. For example, a part of you may want to have a deeper connection with another person, including one of the persons of the Trinity and the Virgin Mary. At the same time, another part may be afraid to, another part may try to rationalize, another part may try to spiritualize the situation, another part may feel confused, and another part may feel overwhelmed. All of those are different parts of you and when they are active with high intensity, it can feel distressing.

Each part has a location in the body. People tend to feel anxiety in the chest, nervousness in their stomachs, stress on their shoulders, and inner critics in their heads. Noticing the location of the part can help people gain contact with the part to better understand what the anxiety, nervousness, stress, or inner criticism is about.

For some people, their parts present themselves in the form of mental images, which can change over time. If you were to close your eyes, notice the anxious part in your chest, or wherever it shows up, and focus on that area of your body, a mental image may naturally present itself without you trying to come up with an image. (Side note: IFS should feel natural and effortless. If it does not, then it suggests that parts with concerns are present). An anxious part may look like you, but with an anxious look and pacing back and forth. It may look like an anxious, younger version of you. The part can also take the form of an object or shape. There is no right or wrong way for a part to present itself. In fact, some people have aphantasia and do not see mental images. These indivudals tend to rely on the physical sensation that the part brings. Whichever way your parts present themselves is acceptable.

When people are in contact with a specific part, they can communicate and receive communication from that part of themselves. Sounds “crazy,” I know, but it’s true. This communication can happen in different ways. Some people have inner dialogues while others get “a sense” of what the part is communicating. I help facilitate communication and connection between you and your parts, which is essential to your well-being. At the same time, you can get in contact with parts of yourself on your own. If you are interested in getting to know parts on your own, check out my blog entitled Getting To Know A Part. An important aspect of getting to know a part is being in tune with your core “self.” Your inmost self is the part of you that is not a part. To learn more about the inmost self, visit my blog entitled What Is The “self?”