WEEKEND WORKSHOPS
INTRODUCTORY TRANSPERSONAL WORKSHOPS
with Hazel Marshall
The first three workshops, which need to be taken in series order, offer the members opportunities to explore and experience their own sense of Self through creative work with symbols, imaging, inner dialogue and Gestalt; to record and draw, and to share with other group members if they wish.
WORKSHOP I - APPROACHING THE SELF
Exploring the nature of consciousness, our self-image and the nature, consciousness and function of the Transpersonal Self within. Through exercises and guided imagery we encounter our sub-personalities which, with their often surprising characteristics, unconsciously but powerfully dwell and act in us all. A Gestalt exercise sheds light on how our emotions, body, mind and intuition are related and how their potential conflicts can be resolved. We look at the breakthrough experience.
WORKSHOP II - THE MASCULINE AND FEMININE WITHIN US
The Universe rests on the equilibrium of the opposed but complementary energies of Yin and Yang, the feminine and masculine principles. The same energies operate within us. Each sex contains a fragment of the other, and in this workshop we meet, recognise and befriend our Inner Man/ Inner Woman, Jung's Animus and Anima. Cooperating with them releases fresh energies and can improve our human relationships.
WORKSHOP III - CYCLES AND STAGES
In the Transpersonal worldview, life is a journey that doesn't begin at birth and doesn't end with the death of the body. Its purpose is inner development and the fulfilling of our true potential. In this workshop we explore lifes - cycles and phases - and their specific tasks - from birth to death. We look at possible changes of direction, and discover the power and the risks of unconsciously projecting parts of ourselves on to others.
FURTHER WORKSHOP – ORESTES AND THE LIFTING OF THE FAMILY CURSE
The double bind
This is a weekend intended for those who have already completed at least Workshop I in the Transpersonal series. It is based on a story from Ancient Greece, as expanded by Liz Greene and Juliet Sharman-Burke in their 'Mythic Tarot'. Using the usual weekend format, we'll be looking at this dark and powerful tale of strife and bloodshed, fate and fortune.
The young Orestes, through no fault of his own, is put into a completely impossible position, where he is bound to fail one or other of the gods. In the agonising and immensely creative inner struggle in which he finds himself, we recognise something of our own conflicts – and also learn how Orestes comes to a resolution.
Through imaging and drawing, we link ourselves with his adventures, deepening our understanding by expressing our insights in words and colour, and sharing them if it seems right to do so.
TWO-YEAR COURSE : A TRANSPERSONAL DIMENSION
Rock Bank offers a further two-year course in therapy and counselling. It follows the three introductory workshops, and focuses on the perspectives, theory and techniques of Transpersonal psychology. It is intended not only for those in the 'helping professions', but for anyone involved in being with people as they solve their difficulties and grow towards maturity and wholeness. A large part of its value lies in the experience of doing it. I hope it will run again in the future, and if you are interested, please enquire.
Hazel Marshall, founder and director of the Transpersonal Centre at Rock Bank in Leicestershire, leads most of the weekends, assisted from time to time by other transpersonal therapists. She has been working transpersonally since 1980 as counsellor, psychotherapist and supervisor, and as group facilitator. She trained with Barbara Somers and Ian Gordon-Brown in London
PERSONAL WORK - There is the chance for individuals to work personally with me after any of the courses, exploring more deeply any issues that may have come up for them. This does not clash with any current therapy or counselling they may be in.