Foundation In Contemplative Group Work

A Core Process Approach

This foundation training is the first module of the Diploma in Contemplative Groupwork. The second and final module is the Experiential Practicum in Contemplative Group Work, a more practical and experiential retreat.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This is a foundation week for Contemplative Group Work, intended as Continuing Professional Development for Accredited Practitioners. It is open to psychotherapists, psychologists, experienced meditators, spiritual teachers and those already working in groups.

The intention of the training is to establish the Contemplative Holding Field through the power of shared attention and awareness.  This contributes to building safety and trust, helping to constellate a robust and benign field of cooperative enquiry. In this environment, receptivity deepens to include the individual and the group and deepening realms of subliminal and subtle collective wisdom.

This approach has its roots in Relational Mindfulness and Buddhist Practice. The underpinning experiential premises include that human beings are connected and non-separate at deepening levels of knowing.   That we are all inherently well at our core, our centre, our heartmind.  This intrinsic well-being manifests in qualities of Spaciousness, Clarity and Compassion and has been called Brilliant Sanity. That the embodiment of these qualities of knowing manifests as awareness of how things are in the present moment and a movement to acceptance and wholeness.

When we orient to this quality of brilliant sanity in ourselves, the other, and to the relational field of the group, it reveals the being nature of inherent goodness, joy and love.  Identifying what obscures this and encouraging collective non-competitive endeavour allows a wholeness to grow.

The Contemplative Model of Group Enquiry has its roots in the Awareness practices of Buddhism and will include the Paramitas, Chanda the power of intention, Spaciousness Clarity Compassion, the three Kayas and the Brahma Viharas.

The courses below are listed in date order, the course that starts soonest is listed first.