SLIDE 1
Organized by the European Federation for Psychosynthesis Psychotherapy (EFPP)
With the cooperation of Società Italiana di Psicosintesi Terapeutica (SIPT) and Istituto di Psicosintesi
THE SOUL DIMENSION
AS A LIVING EXPERIENCE IN PSYCHOTHERAPY AND COUNSELING
A Psychosynthesis Research Seminar in FIRENZE (Italy) Sunday October 13 and Monday October 14, 2013 What is the soul dimension? What does it mean to psychosynthesis? How is it applied in the context of psychotherapy and coaching? How is it different from philosophical and religious contexts? Most of all, what does it mean to us, in terms of our personal and professional practice? The Psychosynthesis Research Seminar is a specific seminar format, apart from a training seminar or a supervision group or a self-development workshop. The purpose is not to feed the participants with new data, but rather to convey and instil a spirit of deep authentic personal/professional discovery. The process combines both epistemology (i.e. how do we really know what we think we know) and research methodology. It requires a personal reflection on the presuppositions beneath meanings and assertions that we make. There is also a mutual agreement among group members including the leader not to hold to doctrinal ideas and mental
- constructs. The stance taken both by the group and the leader is a “not-knowing” and open stance.
Research is commonly understood as academic research. Here, it refers to our deep personal experience as human beings and practitioners (counsellors, coaches, therapists). Sharing together and disclosing this tacit dimension of soul can be a joyous and moving experience, while, in the same time, remaining aware that what comes from the heart is a sharing, not an assertion of truth. Each group member could bring into the group his/her own model of clinical/professional/personal practice, and the group facilitates the application of a research model for each individual contribution. It could be done through using psychosynthesis tools such as reflective and/or receptive meditation, self-dialogue, etc. In a final stage that could be called creative synthesis, the leader and the group members share whatever insights they got out of the process. A collective research group project may emerge. This research process is an
- pportunity to build a sense of community, gathering people who share the same affinities of mind and heart.