Principle #3: Worlds Within Worlds
Worlds Within Worlds, Parts Within Parts
It is possible to have different worlds, levels, and layers of part. You can have parts within other parts.
Again, however it shows up for you is fine.
If you ever saw the movie Inception, it can be similar to that. "A dream within a dream." Multiple layers deep.
Personally, I originally found one level of 3 or 4 primary parts set in the mountains.
Later on I found an area of 4-5 primary parts set in a mine.
This was closely connected to a level of 2-3 primary parts in a country house.
These all opened up into more detail as I visited and explored them. While getting to know some parts, they seemed almost polarized themselves or holding multiple things within them. Several of my parts have other parts/beliefs/images contained within them.
For examples:
A part that at first seemed there to help an exile, also had a very angry, sneaky, destructive part inside of it, that seemed almost evil at first.
An exile that felt primarily shut down and collapsed and sad, actually had another exile part inside of it that was very angry at never getting attention, and never being able to be wild and carefree.
Different Fragments
Parts that seem similar, but are existing in different worlds, may be holding slightly different core beliefs. Different fragments of the same original trauma.
I have a part that represents a source of comfort to an exile. In the mountains it was a wolf puppy. (This was a stuffed animal I had when I was little.) In the country house, it was a stuffed Sonic the Hedgehog that showed up. (Also a stuffed toy I had when young.) This is a similar pattern, but both are carrying slightly different memories or experiences.
Originally, when I was triggered by being alone, it was the exile in the mountains that was activated. If it is a sense of shame and neglect, it might be the exile in the house that is activated now. If I am being triggered by feeling restricted, trapped, and angry, it might be the exile in an exam room shows up. Or if I feel that I have no value to offer, an exile can show up that is a young orphan living on the streets of 1800s London while people just walk by ignoring me.
All of these exiles carry shame, neglect, and a sense of abandonment, but all are slightly different fragments or pieces of the 2 or 3 original traumatic events.
Getting Ready to Shift
You may also notice certain patterns when a part is getting ready to transform or integrate back into the whole System.
It seems that when my parts are getting ready to be free, and to find a new role in the System, my mind sees them in a large empty warehouse. There is some kind of portal or door there and the part leads the way in where it wants to go and what it wants to do next. Different parts, but similar concept that comes up.
Notice your different patterns and similarities that arise organically when you do parts work. They may help you make new connections. Taking brief notes or drawing things out can be very helpful, especially at the beginning.