IFS and Activism - what is Self Led Activism?

14 Jun

When exploring Internal Family Systems (IFS) in the context of activism, we’re looking at how personal self-awareness through an IFS lens can enhance our ability to engage in social and political activism in a sustainable, healthy way. We need emotional resilience, and IFS therapy can help a great deal. In this session we’ll look at: how IFS can support activists; how to apply IFS to navigate burnout in activism and social justice work; and how to work with intersectionality and navigate complex identities.

There’s a lot happening in the world right now that might have you—and parts of you—concerned. We’ve spoken, in this and previous Drop-Ins, about protectors moving into more extreme roles when there’s been trauma: in the world, in communities, and in families. The cultural legacy burdens of the UK and the wider West—patriarchy, individualism, racism and materialism—have, in my view, moved us away from connection with each other and the earth, and created very strong protectors: both managers (logical, strategic, planning, left-brain, profit-oriented, results-driven, perfectionist, critical of ourselves and others, “please the shareholders” or “save the world”) and firefighters (not only addiction, but rage, shutdown, dissociation, fantasy, paranoid parts). In the West we’ve also set up stark external polarisations—politically right versus left, etc. Conversations around social justice often feel equally polarised, entrenched, stuck, and unyielding—reduced to right and wrong or who is the “better” person. It’s complex and confusing, especially if you straddle two or more “camps” that divide into ever smaller bubbles. Accusations of hypocrisy abound. Culturally we seem to have stopped listening to our hearts and inner voices; we’ve exiled vulnerability and reduced complex arguments to an either/or.

It may not surprise you that Self-led (or introspective) activism isn’t primarily about what we do “out there” first. I’m inviting you to start within: to do the U-turn, to find your Self and your values—your compassion, clarity, curiosity, courage, confidence, presence—and meet the world from there. Be the change you want to see in the world. Finding the space between thoughts, feelings and impulses can lead to more considered, values-based action rather than a straight reactive response (Wendy Kendall).

Years ago I went to a Marianne Fry (Gestalt) talk by Dr Scilla Elworthy (https://scillaelworthy.com/) who argues that change and peace begin within. If we get to know our own reactivity—including anger and the inner critic—we can consult the wisdom of the mighty heart. She asks: “What will shift the level of consciousness around the fundamental issues humanity faces?” For her, it’s the Mighty Heart—which, in IFS terms, maps closely to Self. Our societies often prioritise left-brain managers—brilliant at planning, strategy and logic—but they can’t feel the bigger picture or sense what’s needed. We get reactive and locked into arguments. We need Self—the brilliance of the heart—so we can feel the values underlying our decisions, speak truth to power, use conflict as opportunity, and discover what we truly want to do with our “one precious life”.

So: Scilla Elworthy, IFS (why we’re here), NVC, Buddhist traditions—they converge. The struggle against oppression is sacred internal work. We keep returning to what’s happening within and engage with it compassionately. We’re invited deeper into our own experiences, to embrace our journeys as infinitely valuable and full of wisdom (even when confusing, or shaped by systemic racial or class oppression). Every experience—especially injustice—can guide us further into a commitment to justice for all, but these insights need patience and careful excavation. This includes embracing the possibility of identifying with two or three groups and remaining wholly credible—paradox, complexity, biodiversity. All experiences of suffering are worthy of investigation and transformation—starting in one’s interior life and flowing out to society. Because compassion-based activism is rooted in the interior, it calls for personal spiritual empowerment and presence—a return to embodiment, remembering the body as the carrier of resources that illuminate appropriate action.

The struggle for justice is ultimately won on the inside, not over and against an “enemy” outside—resisting the temptation to demonise or dehumanise others. Looking at our own parts, and recognising the interrelatedness of others, heals the spiritual sickness at the core of oppression and interrupts cycles of harm. Compassion has profound potential to change the heart and behaviours of oppression because it refuses the dualistic binary of separateness.

Self-led activism calls for both personal agency and collective solidarity and accountability—a deep connection to life, embodied in the world as a presence of peacemaking congruent with IFS.

So… how do we do this?

First: get to know our parts. How much of our activism comes from parts—rage, self-righteousness, fear, unhealed wounds? Dehumanising or ostracising the “other” comes from parts. Social-action parts aren’t the same as Self-led action. We want to tend to and listen to those parts (all parts carry wisdom) and learn to speak for them rather than from them. We aim to access the essence in us that can listen to internal polarities and locate our core values.

Often we like the parts that take action—fight injustice, advocate for change, get righteously angry. We may fear who we’d be without them. They give purpose, power, drive, the sense we’re “doing something”.

There’s usually a polarity. On the other side of the table, we may feel guilt or shame about parts that aren’t acting—“I’m not doing enough”—or we might feel numb, closed off, or averse to conflict. We might dislike shaming others or be easily triggered by them. I invite you to consider all these feelings and parts valid, even when they oppose each other.

Parts tend to ramp up—especially in the presence of an “opponent”, inside or out. Managers or firefighters can become rigid and stuck. The common response to injustice is to cling to prescribed actions—we should always do X. We retaliate and cascade into overwhelm, paralysis, or avoidance, often at our own expense.

As in couples work, extend curiosity and compassion to the other person—it may invite deeper relationship. Assume everyone is doing the best they can from a protector trying to shield an exile. The more extreme the reaction, the more extreme the vulnerability inside. Look behind the part. Listen for the need. Trust there is goodness in the other and try to understand where they’re coming from, so they can relax—opening connection and common ground. If they have a part your parts react to, do a U-turn: how does this relate to your own history? Is there a part in you that somehow believes what they’re saying? Dig deep.

Key message: if it’s intense, listen to your nervous system. Are you activated? Shut down? Where have you felt this rage or grief before? Work with your parts; many triggers are younger than they look. The more we tend to the trigger, the more we see that today’s injustice may be touching something very old. Catch parts up to your current age; offer comfort and leadership. From there you can hear your values and discover different, creative ways to engage. Self can sit with paradox and polarity and be with.

Deep within us, in Self, are our values—and they can sometimes feel polarised too. Professor Frank Rogers says we’re all activists. Listen inside, then work from there to promote the world you want to live in—the values you hold dear. Activism isn’t only marching or protesting; it’s every time one of us extends kindness to a neighbour or listens, with curiosity, to someone who disagrees. Self-led activism means engaging from curiosity, compassion, connection, courage, creativity.

Frank Rogers offers a compass for “warriors for healing and justice”—warriors whose “weapons” are compassion. Each spiritual energy is held in tension with its counterpart (e.g., firm limits around violation alongside universal inclusivity). This mirrors IFS polarisation—holding the both/and while rejecting the either/or—supporting the dynamic multiplicity of experience.

In sum: Self-led activism begins with a U-turn—working with your parts and polarities, learning what they want you to know, exploring their histories, inviting younger parts to relax a little and trust you (Self) to lead. Just as you would with a friend, remember the “other” has parts too. Looking behind them may help. Listen to paradoxes and inner conflicts; ask inside whether any other parts have views. You’ll feel your values—often more multifaceted than your parts first suggest—and you’ll know what you need to do.

Meditation

Invite yourself to soften or close your eyes. Invite any parts who don’t want to be in this conversation—which may feel difficult for some—to find a cosy corner of your heart or a safe space where they don’t have to listen. They can sleep, play, or pop on noise-cancelling headphones. They can tune in whenever they like. We’re not banishing anyone—just offering choice.

Call to mind a social-justice topic that matters to you: climate emergency, anti-racism, refugees, incarceration, cost-of-living crisis, treatment of LGBTQ+ and trans folk—whichever feels right.

Set up a screen in your mind through which you can imagine hearing from someone whose position differs from yours—perhaps even a heated argument. Let everyone inside know they are safely contained. Notice what your body shows you: heat in the chest, tight brow, clenched jaw, or something else. Breathe attention into any sensations.

Shift attention to the words, images, or thoughts that arise as you imagine this debate. What is your “opponent” saying? What words and thoughts enter your mind? What are you telling yourself? What’s happening in your body now? Finding and focusing…

Acknowledge the words and sensations—let them know you’ve heard and felt them.

Ask if a part would relax a little and come to meet you. What does it want you to know? You’re friending it now. You might ask: What’s your role in my system? How old are you? When did you first arrive? Can you show me other times you’ve been around? What are you afraid would happen if you didn’t do your job? How do I feel towards you? If you notice warmth, curiosity, compassion, can you beam that towards the part? If congruent, offer gratitude. Acknowledge its hard work. How does it feel to be validated by you? For now, would it sit beside you and relax a little—you’re here, nothing to change or fix right now.

Check again: how do you feel towards the “other”, the opponent? Are there any other parts around—perhaps on the other side of the table? Where do you find this one in or around your body? Focus a little; befriend it; acknowledge it. What does it want you to know? Thank it for being here. How old is this one? Can it take a little peek at you? For now, can it also relax a little and feel your presence? Would it trust you a little to be here?

How do you feel towards the opponent now? Any other parts? Can they unblend a little so you can be here with calm, curiosity, clarity, presence?

Imagine your breath flowing to all these parts and filling them with compassion. Let them know you’re an adult now, with support, overview, boundaries, self-care, and other parts to help. Let them really sense you.

Check in again: can you feel Self energy—that inner compass, inner knowing—what needs to be spoken for, what needs to happen, in line with your values? Notice if anything wants to be said or done.

Any last questions, concerns, or requests from anyone inside? Thank everyone for their input—for their hard work and care for you. When you’re ready, come back.

Spiral'23

Natasha Wilson