ITSA A Lost Technology

Introduction: Discover what “Itsa” is – a lost technology. It is one of the most fundamental and powerful tools you can have. Although this technology has been somewhat lost in our training, it forms the foundation of successful interpersonal relationships.

Welcome in ITSA a lost technology

About ten times a year, we hold an FSM Meeting. We spend almost all of the two-hour session drilling. Before that, we get together at 6:00 pm for dinner and some relaxed socializing. As a result, what is planned as a two-hour session turns into three and a half hours filled with conversation, laughter, and a great atmosphere.

Here is a win from E.:

It was amazing yesterday, I enjoyed so much! It was one of the best FSM days. The last drill as the best ever!! Thank you and Max so much!

I was driving home saying the scale verbatim!

Hope I'll be able to use it. I feel willing to try even on just casual conversations with others. Just to use the scale, even if I don't end up disseminating. And I really hope I'll learn to disseminate, I'd like to be able to do that.

E. is referring to the FSM Drill, but I would like to focus on the underlying drill – ITSA.

ITSA "It Is A" – or "It's a …"

This is one of the most fundamental and powerful tools you can have. Unfortunately, this area is neglected in our training. Yet it forms the foundation of successful interpersonal relationships.

If you master this skill, you will stand out from the crowd. People will see you as empathetic and emotionally competent. They will thank you for the conversations they have with you, and they will find it easier to resolve their problems. You simply let them do Itsa, without giving them a single piece of advice.

Patient listening and allowing a vacuum to exist are the foundations of this communication. You have to give the other person time to look within themselves and find the answer on their own. Many people have a communication lag. It is your responsibility to give them the space and time they need to communicate.

You do this with genuine interest and full attention. Even in the middle of a crowd, you can create that space and time and shield the other person from the surrounding activity so they can concentrate fully on their communication.

What does ITSA mean?

The term Itsa comes from Auditing. The Auditor asks questions designed to get the Preclear to describe what is – not what might be, what wasn't, or why something was or wasn't.

The aim is to have the person describe what is or what was. You could also say that you let them describe the obvious.

This is done almost exclusively by asking W-questions, such as: What? Who? Where? When? How long? Or: “Describe to me …”

Questions such as “Why?” are unsuitable. They are not entirely forbidden, but they are not appropriate for this purpose. A better question would be: “What preceded that?”

Below are some of the most common W-questions. The list can be expanded as needed.

• What was it?

• What happened?

• What did you do?

• What did he/she do?

• What did they do?

• What was said?

• What did you withhold?

• What was not said?

• What was withheld?

• Who was it?

• Who was involved?

• Who wasn't there?

• Where was it? / Where did it happen?

• When was it?

• How long did it last?

• How many were there?

As mentioned, this is a drill. Last Saturday, 20 people took part. The Twins (Coaches' and students) are randomly assigned again and again, so you very rarely get the same Twin twice. This is also part of what makes the FSM Meeting so valuable.

There is always a really great atmosphere at every FSM Meeting. That alone is reason enough to take part!

Much love,

Max Hauri

PS: If you looking for source references search on sciento.org for "R-2C" – in quotes! "Routine 1C", and ITSA.