 |
Board of Administrators John Drew
President |
The European Transpersonal AssociationNewsletter Number 11 October15th 2001Dear Members and Friends of EUROTAS During these heavy days after 11th September it has been lovely to receive copies of your thoughts and prayers and to read of your concerns and of those around you in your different countries. A few extracts are copied below. Words cannot express at this time what we are feeling. In my work I concentrate on two issues: "After 11 September what has changed?" and "Wisdom at a time of world crisis." At least it leads to deep discussion of the issues. I have heard it suggested that the Berlin Wall and September 11th were comparable as they signaled a turning point, one in global communism, the other in global capitalism and that economic changes in the next decade in global capitalism will be on a scale similar to the political changes in global communism after 1989. It brings Jung to mind: - We need to widen and deepen the debate and to thicken the thin veneer of the managerial stratum, which he described as being: “ fairly intelligent, mentally stable, moral and moderately competent - but do not overestimate its thickness.” 1. Eurotas and our Meeting in Portugal May 8 -12 Vitor Rodrigues writes: I am happy to receive news from you and to know that things are going very well for you. In what concerns our Eurotas meeting, we are trying to find a suitable place. We considered a place near the sea but a very nice possibility could be Evora. I will be living there by then and this is a wonderful place. We could even consider some nice excursions. Breaking news: our baby is in great shape. I will begin teaching at a School in Evora next week. We will be moving there in some months, probably to a very nice farm very close to Evora. Sandra bought a extremely nice Citroen 2 CV. I will be publishing two books in November and two more in January-February. We will be very happy to receive all the lovely bunch of nice, crazy, constructive people from Eurotas in Portugal and to ground them a little bit, if possible, in at the countryside (this is almost a coded, esoteric message). Warm regards (and greetings from Sandra and Isis), Vitor 2. The UK Centre of Transpersonal Psychology Claire Chappel is the new Director of Training and Barbara Scott is the Administrative Director. At the recent Annual General Meeting a lovely ceremony took place when no fewer that 33 diplomas were awarded to those who have attained the required standard for the UKCP Transpersonal Psychology Section. Many will remember the work which Ian Gordon Brown put in over several years to make this equivalence possible. His dedication and devoted work means that there are now 69 officially recognised transpersonal psychotherapists in the UK and the number will grow each year. The Training in the UK goes from strength to strength and the work of Elizabeth McCormick and Nigel Wellings over the last few years, together with their team has established transpersonal work on a firm footing. There were 13 participants on this year's course Training and 16 are expected next year. Over half of the group will continue to the second stage of the training which leads to the UKCP diploma. The Perspectives Programme of weekend and half day studies has been seamlessly integrated into the Centre for Transpersonal Psychology. Copies of the extensive activities are available from Barbara Scott - see below. Details will soon be available via CTP on the EUROTAS website. Meanwhile in Scotland, there has been extensive activity where Christina MacDonald and Gerald Hart Smith note that they are currently half way through the second year of their course - " Professional Preparation for the Practice of Transpersonal Psychotherapy." There are 8 students on this course and over 15-20 are expected on the next one. There is considerable enthusiasm in Scotland where the next foundation course will begin in March 2002 along with the creation of a new programme of seminars and modules for the continued professional development of all connected with transpersonal work in Scotland The address is Centre for Transpersonal Psychology, 86a Marylebone High Street, London W1U 4QT Tel +44207 935 7350 Fax +44207 935 2672 3. EUROTAS Website The Website is making good progress and you will be pleased to know that Chris and Kari Hall who did so much work on it for love have been asked to develop and design other spiritually oriented websites as a result of their work on the EUROTAS website. As you can see from the extracts below there is plenty of enthusiasm for improving the website which should become our key communications tool. Please respond to Beata and Chris and Frank and answer their queries. It is our website and it will only improve if we provide material for it. Chris wrote in July: Greetings Friends, Over the last two days I have spent time reorganizing some of the crucial elements of the web site which will now make it much, much easier to keep the site looking relevant. First and foremost, the three headlines on the left hand banner were fast becoming a tangled mess and I used to have to track down the individual file names and try to ensure the correct link was there. It was pretty haphazard, and on plenty of pages, the link didn't go to where it was supposed. The only way to change things was to inspect every page and rename the pictures and the files headline1.gif and http://www.citizenshipconference.org/workshops.htm (and then headline2.gif, 3 etc.) This involved finding all the old links and converting them but what this does mean is that we always know that the box for the middle headline will be headline2.gif and will link to headline2.htm. So at the most, all one needs to do is rename the file as the headline1/2/3.htm file and it will be viewed as this site wide. The conventions have also been strengthened, e.g. newsletters are always titled newsMMDDYY.htm with the six digits denoting the date on the newsletter in US format. So when the latest newsletter (news060701.htm) is published, I also create a copy called http://www.citizenshipconference.org/workshops.htm and I easily and quickly change the graphic of headline1.gif to show a link to the June Newsletter. The upshot is that this is now a faster and easier process and we can feel more secure that everyone is seeing the same thing. Anyway, all the newsletters are up and I believe that if we get a final version prior to release, I can have it on the web prior to it being sent out. We should start by having all draft copies of the newsletter with the release date typed instead of the day it was begun which will allow me to see the deadline as well. Anyway, hope all are enjoying the summer. Rotten weather this weekend in London but good if you have to work I suppose... very best Chris
Frank Visser wrote: Please have a close look at the MEMBERS page of your country and think of any material (text, logo, illustration) you might want to send to me. Also, shortly we will have a password protected section, where addresses can be found. I will start with the ARTICLES page, where we will list all articles from transpersonal journals from the past years to the present. But start with the most recent, it need not be a complete archive. I have received almost no data on this subject, so please send me: A - name of the transpersonal journal(s) in you country B - list of articles per issue of these journals (in English) and if possible: C - very short abstracts of these articles (in English) I have put all your email addresses in a mailing list, and put this list in the BCC field of this mail, so you see none of the addresses displayed. Frank
From the Minutes of the meeting At Munsbach we agreed “It is agreed that member organisations of EUROTAS which publish a transpersonal journal, bulletin or its equivalent, will put abstracts of the articles on the EUROTAS website. They will ensure whenever possible that other members who request it will receive any full length article for translation and publication in their own journals, free of charge.” From Evgueny: Chris Answers: Pictures, design elements, even scripting in Perl would be most welcome. Do any of your students know Flash, which is a great graphic application but takes time to design and build. Our greatest need to spice up and ensure all the information on our member sites are accurate. Many of the Eurotas members would like to add additional pages and information to their site and enhance it with the kind of material which you and your students would help provide. In terms of artwork, we will need it in digital format and if you email me at webmaster@eurotas.org I’ll let you know the best format and the address to which to send material.
4. FROM RUSSIA AND CHINA AS ALWAYS WITH LOVE AND TWICE! Evgueny writes about his travels in June:
As if that was not enough, Evgueni writes again in October and it is all included because it shows there are still remote places on earth to explore spiritually: I just now have returned from trip to the mountains of Caucasus. The message about explosion in NY had found me in the South of Russia. But already behind some days up to it I felt very powerful negative streams in an information field of the Earth. So the value of this sinister event is possible goes out for frameworks of the usual terrorist act. It seems that the sources of this event are hidden on the terrible subtle plans of our reality. At once comes to mind the prophecy of Daniil Andreev’s Rose of the World and leader of North America Indians Hopi Martin Gashweseoma. The
situation on our planet is now very serious, but I believe that our
love and will help to overcome it. In this summer I had many interesting expeditions. In an extremity of July - beginning of August we with my students from the different countries have organized expedition to Baikal lake. We tried to help restoring of an information ecology of this surprising place. Made travelings in subtle worlds of Shamans and Buddhists, worked with maps and labyrinths of Hopi. In total have constructed about six labyrinth harmonizing an ecological system. Then I had a labyrinth workshop in Vladivostok. Immediately after a seminar we had with several my friends from Vladivostok, I left in north-eastern provinces of China. It was surprised interesting trip, in which I have found out a lot of new about mystical traditions, and metahistorical processes of China. I send you the description of my travel to lake Baikal and in China. I hope I can, with their help, to transmit you surprising energies of these places. Our expedition to Baikal’s eastern share in the sacred island of Barguzin region was surprised interesting. That is a Buriatian territory. Buriats is a very interesting nation, for they kept both shamanic tradition and Tibetan Buddhism. We visited datsan (a Buddhist temple) devoted to Agvan Dorjiev - great Buriatian scientist and theologian who lived in the beginning of the XX century. He walked all the way to Tibet where he spent many years studying Tibetan medicine and Buddhist spiritual practices. There he was acknowledged as the reincarnation of high lamas and was chosen to be the teacher of XIII Dalai Lama. then he was back to Russia and established the temple complex, monastery and huge medicine centre. The place for this centre was chosen in the mountains near the holy mountain Atsagat. The sacred source (spring) is also located there, its water does not contain any bacteria. 1773 kinds of healing grasses grow near the centre. Dorjiev used the water form the holly spring for the unique Tibetan medicines. This was the first clinique in the world where Tibetan medicine was used together with rules of European medicine. Even Nikholay II, the last Russian tsar, came their. In 1938, during Stalin’s repressions, Dorjiev was put to prison where he died. About ten years ago I visited this place when the building of the datsan was started. Then it was initiated by XIV Dalai Lama. So I was curious to see what happened their during all these years. When we got to datsan many rainbows appeared in the sky. Inside the datsan we could see that Dorjiev’s tradition is now continued and developed in Buriatia. The healing centre was destroyed in Stalin’s times and now there is a place for difficult teenagers on this spot. They spend a summer there, gathering grasses. My Buriatian friends showed us another interesting place near Atsagat - ancient stone circles built by Huns (the Huns who destroyed Rome Empire in the beginning of the first millenium). We were very eager to see this place of power and scan it. As I feel this place at the subtle level is connected with same places in Scotland, North America, Mexico and Hawaii. The bay of Barguzin is also an amazing place. We spent there most of the time building labyrinths. First of all they were ecological constructions aimed to harmonise subtle energies and noosphere fields of this wonderful place. We also got many natural omens and synchronysms while making labyrinths. So, for example we built four different labyrinths in different places, each time when we started our work the weather was not nice and sometimes it was even raining. When the labyrinth was made the weather suddenly changed, clouds disappeared and sun was shining brightly. Besides, we used magic signs to activate labyrinths. We made them of black gun-powder, juniper and other aromas. We fired the mixture at the moment of initiation which gave a larger amount of sacral energy. We mainly used signs from Kunta Yoga and Runes. By the end of our workshop powerful streams of energy formed over every labyrinth. We used labyrinths not only for ecological purposes but also for individual spiritual practices and work with personal problems. In this case labyrinths places in this planetary place of power gave extraordinary results. Before I went to China I had a labyrinth workshop in Vladivostok. You might have heard that there was a flood provoked by typhoon in this city. The next even worse one was expected in August. We with my students built three variable labyrinth in three Vladivostok’s energetic centres. While we were doing this we observed many interesting synchronisms, proving that the nature accepts our labyrinths. I wonder if it was a coincidence but so far there was none serious typhoon in this region. In the second half of August a strong typhoon was over Japan, however it didn’t reach Vladivostok. My friends and I visited the northern provinces of China. This was extremely interesting, for I had never been in this part of the country before. It is connected with very ancient civilisations. Among others there was a centre of Manchurian Empire, that conquered China and established the dynasty, which ruled for nearly 250 years. We visited Shenyan - the ancient Manchurian capital and saw the palace of the first Emperor. I was greatly surprised to learn that the first Emperors were shamans while their wives and concubines were Tibetan Buddhist (lamaists) form Mongolian tribes. We also visited a very interesting cave connected with old Taoistic practices. One of the longest in the world underground rivers goes through it. It is about 500 kilometres long. The cave is placed in high mountains and is literally full of magic energies. Much love, Evgueni
Nigel Wellings and Elizabeth Wilde McCormick This major work is a wide ranging introduction to Transpersonal psychotherapy including the relationship of psychotherapy and spiritual practice, the place of the transpersonal experience in psychotherapeutic processes and practical step by step descriptions of transpersonal therapeutic techniques. Its contents include, once upon a time, stories, belief and myths, changes and transitions, focusing, spot imaging, the art of dream interpretation, dream recording, masculine and feminine and images of liminality. Transpersonal Psychotherapy - theory and practice. Edited by Nigel Wellings and Elizabeth Wilde McCormick is published by Continuum. 225pp ISBN 0-8264-4846-1
This is a beautiful and very sacred place in Lorraine in France. Maurice Barres the 19th century French author wrote a book of this title and described the lovely hill: " Le chateau et la chapelle, tous les deux faiseurs d'ordre, l'un dans le domaine d'action, l'autre dans la pensee et la sensibilite. L'horizon qui cerne cette plaine, c'est celui qui cerne toute vie; il donne une placed'honneur a notre soif d'infini, en meme temps qu'il nous rapelle nos limites." I did not get as far as Vladivostock, but this hill is very beautiful and very spiritual - well worth a visit when you can. Beata tells me that not everyone can read French so here is my attempt at translation: " The chateau and the chapel are both the makers of order, the first in the realm of action and the second in that of thought and sensitivity. The horizon which surrounds this plain is that which surrounds all our life; it gives a place of honour to our thirst for the infinite, while at the same time it reminds us of our limits. "
Kerry Cochran is the editor of this Internet based e-journal initiative. It will be based at www.slam.net.au It is an Australian venture. Kerry writes: Themes. The overall guideline will be the author's alignment between spirituality, leadership and management. Within this broad spectrum lie contextual sub-themes. These include the human-to-human element in organizations and communities, and the human to natural environment interface. These equally broad divisions lend themselves to further themes, however the editor/associated editors, depending on the papers submitted, will determine this. The journal will comprise three sections. Refereed Papers, the Forum, and the Book Review. More details to follow. 8. SUE MICHAELSON AND SHAMANISM
Bo 10. A FEW WORDS FROM POLAND
A few
words from Poland. I'm here at my Zen Centre trying in my own small
way to respond to what's been going on in the world recently, and that
is running the Centre, meditating with others, doing translation work,
meeting with my shamanic Wolf Clan that's been quite active here in
the last few months, meeting in other communities, talking, sharing...
What seems important is both to go deeply within oneself to see the
root of what's going and to go even deeper to where one begins to sense
the unperturbable peace, and also to be with others, to do things together,
to connect, to get to know each other better, to make at least a few
more small steps towards community and oneness in multiplicity, where
one would sense more vividly that whenever we're hurting or humiliating
anyone, we're really harming and humiliating no one but ourSelves. And
I'm saying it mostly to myself, I guess, knowing how deficient I am
in connecting with others and how difficult it often is to truly live
that way. I'm racing with time to meet my translation deadline. It's a book by Zen Roshi Kosho Uchiyama "Opening the Hand of Thought." If I make it with the book, in a couple of weeks I'll be off to Mexico - to participate in a Zen retreat with my teacher who is visiting the Mexican group and to travel around a little bit, stalking the spirits of the Toltecs, Mayas and Aztecs. Here's a fragment of the book: "At this point, we should remind ourselves of the clear distinction between conditioned self and original Self. The conditioned self is what we usually think of as 'I'. But if we peel away the skin of this conditioned self, we lay bare the original Self. The conditioned self is always trying to fulfill its desires; this is the so-called karmic self. Human beings are born with brains, and we naturally have a tendency (or karma) that leads us to fabricate a maze of illusions in our minds. This is conditioned self. But it's a big mistake to assume that the conditioned self is the true Self. The true Self appears when we strip away karmic or conditioned self. And that means 'opening the hand of thought.' This is original Self. (...) No matter what we think about it, we cannot be separated from the original Self. We are universal whether we're alive or dead. At the same time, it's also true that we cannot be separated from our conditioned self, either, which has the karma to produce all kinds of delusion. So we can conclude that the human condition involves existing in the midst of this relationship between conditioned self and original Self." And a poem by Wendell Berry I like very much that just came to mind, adequately or not: I go among trees and sit still. All my stirring becomes quiet around me like circles on water. My tasks lie in their places where I left them, asleep like cattle. Then what is afraid of me comes and lives a while in my sight. What it fears in me leaves me, and the fear of me leaves it. It sings, and I hear its song. Then what I am afraid of comes. I live for a while in its sight. What I fear in it leaves it, and the fear of it leaves me. It sings, and I hear its song. May everyone sing without fear. Best wishes and love to you and the whole Eurotas community, Jacek Majewski 11. SOME WISE RESPONSES TO VIOLENCE
A Declaration of The Club of Budapest The
11th of September kamikaze attack on New York's World Trade Center Killing
one group of terrorists will not solve the problem: as long as the malaise
persists, others will step into their place. The malaise of today's
world is fed by perceived injustice that Hundreds
of millions live at a higher material standard of living, but thousands
of Today's
information technologies could create contact and communication among The Club of Budapest maintains that the wise response to violence and terrorism is not to attack the symptoms but to eradicate the cause. This means creating peace in the mind of the world's people through a concentrated effort to redress the imbalance that is at the root of their malaise. Bringing about fairness and justice and promoting solidarity and the will to cooperate is the wisest, and in fact the only, feasible path to peace on Earth. Drafted on behalf of the Club of Budapest by Ervin Laszlo 12 September 2001 2. From Tanna Jakubowicz-Mount Dear
Friends, I believe that in the light of what happened in United States
on Sept 11th, we need to give our voice, to counterbalance the voice
of people who are in charge, claiming their power over the world. With
all our compassion for people whose life is taken or threaten I
believe that this explosion of violence was an extreme sign that we
should stop turning human energy against Life on Earth. We really need
to deliver the message that the world is one organism and the others
are part of ourselves. So killing others we are killing our own body.
The terrorists are just like rejected, abandoned part of our body which We need our Elders to gather and convey strong message for humanity. Please respond to my letter, let's exchange thoughts, let's do something together. love Tanna PS. I include the voice of Arnie&Amy Mindell
thanks for your note.
a.
The terrorists are that oppressed and angry side of all of us
which b.
The side being bombed has been unaware of its privileges, but
also In
our processes with our group here, we have found that when these
lots of love from Amy and Arny
3. From Peter Prinz, sent by Pia Keiding. World peace will never be stable until enough of us find inner peace to stabilize it. With Warm Love, Peter.
4. Beata Bishop writes:
As ever, Love John |
|
|