TRANSACTIONAL ANALYSIS 1O1

As I drove into the Seed Therapy Center at Indira Nagar, what struck me was the very unusual venue for a Training Program. Unlike the artificial cozy warmth of a star hotel, what I saw was a warm entrance with three chairs put around a coffee table. Almost in perfect congruence with the environment was our cheerful and warm host and Trainer, Chitra Ravi. She ushered us to the training room and the adjoining coffee corner and rest rooms. What was striking was the instant impact of ease comfort and homeliness.

Why I mention this specifically was because I feel that this had a lot of impact on the subsequent sessions that followed. What was waiting for me for the next two days was a whole lot of internal journeys and analysis.

The discussion of ego states and how we fluctuate between parental influences, childhood reactions and the adult state in situations was an eye opener. Our Egograms also made us realize how different we appeared compared to what we thought about ourselves. It was surprising how in some situations we either shut out or influence the child or parent or the adult in our transactions in our day to day situations. By now, most of us had already internalized a lot and this journey within had begun to lay bare a lot of wounds. So, when we discussed hungers followed by strokes it was almost a verbal healing touch; bringing the entire group closer to each other.

On day2, we all met like long lost friends. When we structured our time chart, I was surprised how much time I wanted to spend in some areas ….which has been completely ignored in my rat race. Then came the classic much talked about Life Positions. But now we looked at it in a new light….we knew why we assumed certain positions in our transactions. Then came the script of our life. It is here that I encountered some of the most honest moments shared with people. As people undertook the journey into their past, all curtains dropped. A lot of unhealed wounds buried under layers of time, came out in the open in all vulnerability. Those moments of honest sharing are something I won’t forget for a long time to come. It was an experience to see how our past comes up as an injunction and a driver. Thanks to Chitra, she lead us to a role play where we played out drama triangles and somewhat lightened the environment.

At the end of two days, I thanked my parents with all my heart for their wonderful parenting which has made me what I am today. I realized that their transactions were traditional but yet never stifling. It gave me the security I needed along with the freedom to explore and create. As a parent I analyzed some of the tricky situations that I had gone through with them and I understood where exactly I had gone wrong. I felt stronger, more in control and above all a complete acceptance of what people are. I recognize the danger and unfairness of being judgmental.