While Centering is important to make a clay vessel on the potter's wheel, the clay is still only a lump not yet shaped. The next phase is for the potter's thumbs, to move toward the center and down into the very core of the spinning clay until it is opened, shaping the inside bottom. This is the very beginning of shaping its purpose. How the inside form at the bottom begins its future shape is significant. It is either curved for bowl-like shapes or flat for plates and cylindrical shapes. The foundation is now laid for both hands to begin to work together, one inside, one outside, to thin and shape the wall of the vessel.

As we are the clay, ready to be opened, we desire for God's hands to press in and open us in order to bring forth shape and purpose to our lives. No longer satisfied to be a Centered lump of clay, we are ready for knowing a real purpose for our lives. We welcome the pressing in at the very core of our being to receive more of Him. The Father does not leave us empty. A vessel is a form designed to hold something. The Bible says to “be filled with the Spirit”. This is what Opening is about, living in relationship with more of Him. We are ready to respond in the next phase our development, Lifting.