My Mind Player Journey

 

Finding the relationship between the Ten Terrains and the Mind Players

     I had an appointment with the Ten Terrains founders, Allen Reed and Tahnee Woolf, for the purpose of completing their Mind Player charts.  I spent three fabulous hours with them, and at the end of that time two things became very clear to me.  One was concerning how one can easily incorporate the Mind Player concept in their lives.  It seems that one simply needs to allow "space" for Mind Player conversation.  One needs to be connected with and aware of his or her Mind players and allow them to influence the conversation if and when required.  Another was that I needed to write an article about how, specifically, the Mind Players relate to the Ten Terrains.

     Upon returning home that afternoon, and recognizing that I was in need of a Mind Player investigation, I laid out my Mind Player chart on the living room table.  Next to my Mind Player chart I placed several pieces of blank white writing paper and a pen.  On the top of one sheet, I wrote a statement that I heard from Allen Reed when he was describing a "Terrain":  “Conditions upon which something manifests…like conditions of the soil in which something is planted.”

     Looking back at my Mind Player chart I gave each of my Mind Players an opportunity to decide whether or not this investigation piqued their interest.   Initially I got a "yes" from seven of my twenty:  

 

Challenger
Observer
Adventurer
Achiever
Problem Solver
Helper
Devil’s Advocate 

     As happens in many cases, I leave it at that for a while.  After a couple of days, I went back to my chart and asked if any of the other Mind Players have changed their mind.  It appeared that the "band-wagon" effect had taken hold.  Every other Mind Player now wanted to be a part of the investigation except the Aggressor and Procrastinator.  I’ll share with you the responses I received from these late joiners:

Peacemaker:  “I’ll assist in maintaining a peaceful process.”
Creator/Artist:  “I think I can contribute something to this.”
Perfectionist:   “I’ll be here when and if needed.”
Dictator: “I’ll be happy to make suggestions”
Individualist:  “I’ll be available just to assure the individual is accounted for and respected in each Terrain.”
Lover:  “I’ll help assure the Helper sees the love in each of the Mind-Player relationships.”
Judge:  “I’ll be available when needed”
Joker:  “I’ll add a comment if and when inspired to do so.”
Fantasist:  "I’ll try to assure all potentials are covered.”
Idealist: "I’ll give an idealist perspective when asked to do so.”

 

[Note: These are not "audible" voices that I hear; they are what I would more accurately call "thought communications".]

     I must have gone over and over the statement I wrote on top of the paper a dozen or so times - probably more.  I then asked the question to all Mind Players:  In relationship to the Ten Terrains, where are we?  A very clear answer I received from everyone was “We’re in every Terrain.”

     The second question I asked (from a Mind-Player perspective) was : “How do we function within a Terrain?"  A number of Mind Players responded by asking which Terrain are we talking about.  My Spirit being responded by saying : “Let’s start at Diamond.”  I decided to take a break for another day or so.

     My Observer, with assistance from my Adventurer, Achiever, Problem solver, Helper and Devil’s Advocate clearly stated: “It appears obvious that how each Mind Player functions is not going to change from one Terrain to another."  My Fantasist said: “I’ll think more about this one.”

     My Devil’s Advocate then said:  “What are the Mind Players doing for the Spirit Being within a Terrain?  In other words, what exactly is the function of the Mind Players?”

     My Fantasist (with Observer) said:  “Let’s take a bird’s-eye view of the Mind Players going about their activities within a Terrain.  Let’s jot down what our function looks like or could look like.  Observations:  The Spirit Being is NOT using the Mind Players like "lenses" (as previously considered).  They are all autonomous/independent and are not dependent upon the Spirit Being - but are dedicated and available to serve the Spirit Being upon being presented with a problem to solve or an investigation to perform.  Also, the Mind Player environment is not engaged permanently by the Spirit Being.  The Spirit Being calls upon the Mind Players only when needed.  Also, the Mind Players are not there to psychoanalyse the Spirit Being or anyone else unless spontaneously called upon to do so.  For example, I think it would be safe to say that the conversations in which we generally engage with others are between one Spirit Being and another.  However, there are times,  when one is fully comfortable and familiar with one’s Mind Players (and their feeling and emotions), that it’s easy to detect a Mind Player attempting to take over the conversation.  I call this the conflict or competition of the ‘I’s’.

     My Observer then said: “The Spirit being consults with each Mind Player individually (one at a time)."  Although it may not happen every time, the Spirit Being, seeking the best possible outcome in any situation, gives each Mind Player a chance to respond.  Often there is a follow up with a second or third approach just to see if there’s renewed interest of fresh input.

     My Problem Solver (with Judge, Peacemaker, Creator/Artist, Perfectionist, Dictator, Individualist, Lover, Joker, Fantasist and Idealist concurring) then concluded:  “Considering everything said thus far, it appears clear that the Spirit Being/Mind Player relationship can be most meaningfully be compared to the relationship between a ship’s captain and crew.  [This part has been condensed for convenience]

     After the captain enables the ship to set sail on a specific journey, the captain constantly monitors the crew members in order to assure: course is maintained, engines are running smoothly, radar is aware of other vessel’s locations, weather updates are viewed for the potential of altering one’s course, etc.  I think it can easily be seen that this process takes place regardless of the ocean (Terrain) through which the ship is traveling.

 

     In closing, I want to share an analysis, of which all of my participating Mind Players delivered after a final in-depth deliberation, that I think can be of tremendous benefit to anyone within this miraculous realm which we call "life": Knowledge of one’s Mind Players, and location on the Ten Terrains Continuum, provides a framework upon which those who embrace them may more greatly expand their ability to communicate with themselves and each other in an extremely higher level of appreciation, understanding and enjoyment.

     After carefully reviewing this Mind Player journey, I felt ready to complete the "Ten Terrains and Mind Player comparison" (see article).