What does it mean to be coached from a “psychospiritual perspective”?

On the “Coaching” and “About me” pages of this website, I state that I coach from a psychospiritual perspective.
Every so often a prospective coaching client or fellow coach asks me to explain further. Some coaches, particularly business coaches, it would seem, are not familiar with this approach and many clients are unaware of the differences and potential benefits over conventional coaching.

What is the approach?

It is operating from a perspective of being connected to the great unmanifest, of being vessels, of seeing what wants to come into being through us (the coach and the client). The client does not need to be aware that the coach is taking this approach, or even to have any spiritual beliefs. I’ll endeavour to describe the four main attributes that make coaching from a psychospiritual perspective special for the coach and the coaching client: Presence, Ego, Intuition, Intention.

Presence

For me as the coach: This is a different, more relaxed way of being with someone. It is about holding the space but from a heart connection rather than merely as part of a performance or business transaction. It is about nurturing (and sometimes taking steps to manage) the energy in this alliance and riding the tide of any strong emotions that emerge.
For the coachee: They feel “held” in a space of acceptance, respect and trust and allowed to be exactly who they are. Ideally, it is open and authentic for them. It feels safe to own up to blocks, assumptions and limiting beliefs that are unearthed during the course of the conversation.

Ego

Coach: The focus is on minimising the unconscious influence of the ego, keeping mine out of the coaching alliance except when operating consciously from it. In order to achieve this, I actively cultivate awareness and understanding of ego states, their manifestation and influence. I remain open to my higher self for guidance.
Coachee: They are encouraged to cultivate an awareness of ego states and manifestations and how to deal with them. They learn more about how to function from one’s heart and soul. They are also supported in cultivating the four divine states – loving kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy and equanimity if and when they are open to this.

Intuition (connection to the great unmanifest)

Coach: Daily practices (yoga and meditation in my case) help me to cultivate intuition so that I can tap into it naturally and with ease during a coaching conversation. This benefits the client because questions appropriate to the moment then arise naturally and with ease. Similarly, it is easier to recognise when to remain silent.
Coachee: They are encouraged to recognise (if they don’t already) the value of intuition and how it operates. Awareness of it is cultivated: e.g. “What is your intuition telling you in this situation?”. There is also a heightened appreciation of the benefits of intuition in terms of creativity, thinking outside the box and transforming limiting beliefs.

Intention and Vision.

“Your imagination is your preview to life’s coming attractions”. Albert Einstein.

Visioning and setting intentions takes us a step or two beyond goal setting and I’ve found that it greatly enhances performance and fulfilment. Why is this? I believe it’s because this approach engages us to a much greater degree emotionally and spiritually and, at the same time, allows us the space to let go of outcomes. This might at first sound like a contradiction. In practice, though, being emotionally and spiritually involved leads to inspired decision making that’s more likely to be flexible and creative enough to keep us on track with our vision. In contrast, being attached to particular outcomes, rather than being commited to an intention, can lead to: entrenchment; frustration and guilt; feelings of unworthiness and unwillingness to engage in the learning that emerges.

Coach: I do my best to remain aware of my intention in the coaching relationship. Usually before each coaching session, I make an intention to be present and to serve my client in the optimum way for them and for anyone else who might be affected by the decisions made.

Coachee: They are encouraged to use visualisation and to articulate their intention in order to manifest the life and livelihood that they would like for themselves. Part of this is acknowledging where one has control and where one doesn’t. This is also about being at ease with change, with uncertainty and exploring ideals in terms of qualities and attributes, as well as in terms of people or things. Relationships become more important than the material. Growth becomes more important than acquisition.

Dear reader, this is a brief summary of my approach to coaching from a psychospiritual perspective. So, I welcome questions and requests to be more specific about any particular areas mentioned or to offer examples.