What happens during an individual GIM session?

GIM is an interactive approach.

Most often this broad framework is followed during an individual GIM session:

1. Introduction, choosing a theme and setting an intention

2. Relaxation

3. Music: Listening to recorded music in a relaxed state, traveling to the music

4. Art expression of the journey - Mandala drawing

5. Post-talk

1. Pre-talk:

At the beginning of each session, the facilitator/guide gathers relevant information and supports the client in finding a question/intention for inner exploration, using the language of symbol as much as possible. A clear intention enables the facilitator to choose the music that best matches the purpose of the journey. It also directs the sub-conscious mind of the client into a specific direction during the travel.

2. Induction/relaxation:

After the pre-talk, the client is asked to lie down and listen to the guide providing relaxation techniques. This is helpful for the client to quiet the mind and focus inwardly. The client is requested to close their eyes, and become aware of their breathing. The GIM fellow can use a variety of methods to relax the clients, the emphasis is on the awareness of the body, and letting any tension flow out of the body, leaving it relaxed. This state is often called an altered state of awareness, as clients are not asleep: the body is deeply relaxed, and the mind is aware in a different way to the normal state of consciousness.

3. Music journey/GIM travel:

The GIM fellow now plays a specifically chosen GIM music program, approx. 30 minutes long. As the music is playing, the guide is asking simple questions, which allows the traveler to move into the inner world and to deepen the relationship with the emerging material, e.g., images, memories, body sensations, vivid sensory experiences, strong feelings, and surprising insights.

The client communicates these with the traveler for the duration of the program.

As the music comes to an end, the traveler is invited to open the eyes, come back to the outer world, and move on to the art expression in the form of a Mandala drawing.

4. Mandala drawing:

The client now draws a picture of their image or experience. This serves to remind them of their journey, as they take it home with them. Most often big white sheets of paper are used, with a big circle drawn with pencil. in the centre.. The clients draw their images with pastels or chalk pastels. The expression of the journey through a creative medium such as a Mandala drawing, enables the images to deepen in meaning and for the experience to be integrated.

5. Post-talk:

The GIM session ends with a post talk, led by the GIM fellow. The post–talk serves to review and integrate the whole GIM session and to affirm the wisdom and healing gained. Clients who experience GIM have profound changes and, as a result of one or more sessions, make choices that lead to a more meaningful and fulfilling life.

In an individual healing process the number of GIM sessions needed, depend on the clients unique circumstances and needs. An average of 4 -6 sessions are the norm. One may however already experience the shifts needed after just 1 GIM session.