Love From the Inside Out: Spirituality and Internal Family Systems (IFS)

Love is not something you have to go looking for, far away outside yourself. You have an infinite well of love inside you! Learn to connect to this inner love and compasson, called the Authentic "Self" in this group which explores spirituality from the Internal Family Systems (IFS) perspective. Join our group to explore love from the inside out!

IFS is a therapy modality that incorporates a deeply spiritual dimension through its recognition of the "Self" - a core essence of being that exists beneath our various parts and subpersonalities. This Self is your true, authentic nature. The spiritual aspect of IFS emerges from its view that this Self is not something we need to create or develop, but rather an inherent wisdom that exists naturally within all people, simply waiting to be uncovered and accessed.

The power of Self lies in its ability to heal and harmonize our internal system. When connected with Self energy, a person can relate to parts that are suffering with genuine curiosity and compassion, much like a wise parent or spiritual teacher might approach someone in need. This Self-led healing creates profound transformation because it comes from within rather than being imposed from outside.

IFS parallels many spiritual traditions in its recognition of a deeper consciousness beyond our everyday thinking mind. Similar to Buddhist concepts of Buddha nature or Hindu notions of atman, the Self in IFS represents an innate wholeness and wisdom that transcends our conditioned patterns and emotional wounds. The model suggests that connecting with Self energy can bring about not just psychological healing but also spiritual growth, as people experience their fundamental nature as loving, connected, and whole.

This group is NOT therapy but an exploration of how to reconnect with Compassion from the inside and live a loving, Self-led life in the outside world. The IFS model proposes that as we learn to lead more from Self, we not only heal individually but contribute to collective healing in our communities and world, through our enhanced capacity for compassion, wisdom, and presence.

The Spiritual Growth and Community Center (SGCC) ([https://www.ucmh.org/spiritual-growth-center/](https://www.ucmh.org/spiritual-growth-center/)) of the Unitarian Church of Marlborough and Hudson ([www.ucmh.org](http://www.ucmh.org/)) is inviting you to join our Self-led community of like-minded individuals. No experience necessary! All spiritual traditions are welcome! Meetings will occur monthly on the second Wednesday of each month from 7pm - 8:30pm at UCMH at 80 Main Street, Hudson, MA 01749 (The church with the Rainbow driveway!)

Parking is on Main Street or Church Street. Please enter the building from Church Street and follow signs to the Knight Room.