Morphogenetic Field

The term morphogenetic field was coined by British biologist Rupert Sheldrake as part of his theory of morphic resonance, which explores how patterns of behavior and form are organized and maintained across time and space in biological and social systems. While Sheldrake’s work is primarily biological and metaphysical, the concept of morphogenetic fields has been adapted and used in Family Constellation work to describe the energetic field that carries the memory, experiences, and dynamics of a family system.

What is a Morphogenetic Field?

In Sheldrake's view:

• A morphogenetic field is an invisible, organizing field that shapes the development, behavior, and structure of living systems.

• It is a form of collective memory or blueprint, influencing how individuals and systems function based on patterns established in the past.

• This field contains information and "resonates" with similar fields across time and space, creating a continuity of form and behavior.

In Family Constellations, this idea is expanded to explain how family systems carry emotional, behavioral, and relational patterns, often unconsciously passed from one generation to the next.

Morphogenetic Field in Family Systems

In Family Constellation work, the morphogenetic field is seen as the "family field":

1. A Carrier of Family Memory:

   • This field holds the memories, traumas, and unresolved dynamics of the family lineage.

   • It contains the energy of excluded or forgotten members and unresolved emotional burdens.

2. A Collective Influence:

   • Just as Sheldrake suggests that the field influences individuals, in families, the morphogenetic field influences the behavior, emotions, and choices of each member.

   • Individuals may unconsciously "resonate" with unresolved issues in the field, leading to repeating patterns such as relationship difficulties, illnesses, or life struggles.

3. Interconnection Across Time:

   • Family members, even generations apart, are connected through this field. Events from past generations (e.g., war, loss, betrayal) leave imprints that can manifest in the lives of descendants.

Why is the Morphogenetic Field Important in Family Constellation Work?

The morphogenetic field provides the framework for how Family Constellations operate:

1. Accessing the Field:

   • During a constellation session, the facilitator and participants "tune into" the family field, often through a representative system. Representatives seem to access information from the field without prior knowledge, sensing emotions, patterns, or unresolved dynamics.

2. Uncovering Hidden Patterns:

   • The field reveals hidden loyalties, exclusions, or entanglements that are disrupting the natural orders of love in the family.

3. Healing and Reorganization:

   • By acknowledging excluded members, honoring the past, and restoring balance, the family field can reorganize itself. This helps release descendants from carrying burdens that do not belong to them.

4. Restoring Flow:

   • The morphogenetic field is essential for restoring the flow of love, life, and balance in a family system.

How Does the Morphogenetic Field "Carry" Information?

1. Non-Locality:

   • Sheldrake’s idea of morphic resonance suggests that the field transcends time and space. Information is "stored" and transmitted without requiring a physical medium, similar to a shared energy or collective consciousness.

2. Energetic Imprints:

   • Key events like trauma, loss, or guilt leave energetic imprints in the field. These imprints influence family members unconsciously.

3. Representational Connection:

   • Representatives in a Family Constellation seem to tap into this field intuitively, accessing the emotions, behaviors, and relationships tied to family members they represent.

Why Is This Field So Important?

The morphogenetic field is central to Family Constellations because it:

• Explains systemic entanglements: It helps us understand why unresolved issues from past generations repeat or manifest in current ones.

• Provides a pathway for healing: By accessing this field, the constellation process identifies and resolves systemic disruptions, allowing individuals to break free of unconscious patterns.

• Connects the individual to the whole: The field reinforces that we are interconnected with our families, both biologically and energetically.