14 June 200914 June 2009
Board of Administrators: Vitor Rodrigues; President, Hans-Peter Weidinger, Bernadette Blin-Lery, Elena Francisc, Ingo Jahrsetz and Beata Bishop
Newsletter Editor: John Drew, Newsletter Executive: Erich Meier
Dear Friends
Please read the note from our President who as you will see is stepping down at the Milan EUROTAS Conference. This will be an opportunity to celebrate his special service to EUROTAS and also to discuss future plans. Please note the details from Pier Luigi about the Milan Conference which is looking very encouraging in terms of subjects, speakers and participants. You will see details in the Newsletter also of events in Hungary, Germany and the UK. Good news too for EUROTAS therapists – there is new space on the website for your qualifications and professional interests
Best wishes,
As ever, John Drew, Newsletter Editor
Dear friends of EUROTAS:
I know many of you like me are in a holiday mood so first of all I wish you an enlightened rest and a happy return!
We are coming closer to the Milan Conference and have good news of the preparation from Pier Luigi and his Team. I believe we will have another success both in attendance, the quality of presentations and there will be great sharing, great human experience and general beauty. But please, please, make your airplane reservations and apply for it if you have not yet done so
We know that some people will have difficulty finding funds to come and as we usually do, we will try to help. Ank Van Gulik has taken over the work of our dear Rumold Mol with the East-West EUROTAS foundation. She can probably help some people and also the Board of EUROTAS will try to use some funds for this – although as you may know we still have unpaid subscriptions from some member Associations. But we do have good will! Please let us know about your needs. My email is: psicosophos@sapo.pt
At the next Delegates meeting I will be stepping down from being the President of EUROTAS as I have completed six years on the Board and cannot stay in any capacity according to our Bylaws. So I have asked Ingo Benjamin Jahrsetz, from Germany, to apply to become President and he has answered positively. We do have a good candidate then for being the next President. It will be up to the Delegates to vote for him or of course to present other candidates
I was happy to have served EUROTAS for some time and I believe the next President will be able to take us some steps further
We will be discussing this and other important matters at our next delegates meeting (as you know, we will have almost a full day for that). We must find people willing to take on some jobs for EUROTAS and who will keep working on them throughout the year. I hope some of you will be contacting the Board before the Conference, offering your skills and readiness. Many areas will benefit from this, including the Website, the EUROTAS Forum, the possibility of finding some funding, the development of new projects and so on. We will keep you updated
I wish you all the best for these times of some hardship but also of hope coming from the current global crisis. May we all find our place of service at this time
Warmest regards to you all
Vitor Rodrigues, PhD
President of EUROTAS
A few words more about the proposed Manifesto:
It is said that in the nineteen sixties a blue-eyed German missionary went to an indigenous tribe in the Mato Grosso which had just come into contact with the white man for the first time. A few days later he was found tied to a pole without any eyes. Obviously the Indios liked his blue eyes and so took them. Underlying this story are the Indios and missionary’s assumptions. There is a good possibility that one of the missionary’s assumptions was: Only Christ can offer salvation, and the primitive populations need salvation. The Indios’ assumptions must have been different: if we take his eyes we will gain their strength
We can say that every story has underlying assumptions. They form the basis of every scientific theory, discipline or human action. The problem is that many of these assumptions are implicit; after we have acquired them we take them for granted
As the saying goes: if you don’t know the assumptions on which your actions are based, act on the basis of the assumptions that you don’t know. This means that the assumptions act in your stead
When we really want to know what we are doing, if we want to process systems of knowledge which provide a guarantee and are valid, if we wish to increase our degree of freedom and “personal power” we must be fully aware of the assumptions which we base ourselves on
We intend to list below the assumptions which we share and on which our thinking, feelings and actions, are based. They are basically a series of assumptions, most of which have been shared for thousands of years by the most diverse of spiritual traditions and other main lines of transpersonal thinking as Charles Tart reminds us in his work Transpersonal psychologies
The intention is to come up with a proposal which serves as a guide line for drawing up a “Transpersonal Manifesto” to be approved and signed by everybody who recognises it: scientists, artists, intellectuals, spiritual travellers, willing men and women etc.
Please go on website: www.eurotasitaly2009.eu and post your sentences or suggestions in “contributions”, or send it directly to our mail transpersonal@fastwebnet.it
We will present the Manifesto at the 11th EUROTAS Conference on Sunday 18 in the final Round table: The Wisdom Council: contributions for a Transpersonal Manifesto
Beyond the Mind
11th EUROTAS Conference: 15-18 October Milano
Update:
If not yet done subscribe before 30 September and save 10%
On the website: www.eurotasitaly2009.eu you will find the complete program
We are looking forward to seeing you in Milan
Pier Luigi Lattuada M.d., Ph.D.
Dear EUROTAS friends and colleagues,
Over the past 15 years the Hungarian Transpersonal Association – MTE – has become one of the largest organisations in Hungary whose aim it is to transform and raise the level of consciousness and of self-knowledge both in individuals and in society as a whole. It has been doing this mainly by disseminating the transpersonal world-view via experiential workshops, lectures and an annual Summer School. Organising all these events requires a great deal of work, which the members of the executive carry out on a voluntary basis, in their spare time.
In the past few years there have been several changes in the Association’s leadership; the present group, elected in January 2009, consists of a good mix of old and new members. The main aim of the current leadership is to make the Association function well in today’s prevailing conditions, having learnt from past experience.
From the very beginning Rumold Mol, Beata Bishop and a number of Dutch therapists played a decisive role in making the transpersonal approach known in Hungary; without Rumold’s personal support this would not have been possible.
At first MTE played a pioneering part in introducing therapeutic methods based on altered states of consciousness and body-centred work, and this type of innovative approach remained a distinctive trait of the association over a long time. However, in due course many organisations pursuing similar aims came into being, which made it increasingly difficult for individuals in search of personal development to find what they needed. It was noted that some therapeutic groups based their work on their beliefs rather than on experience.
Official adult education takes no notice of the possibilities offered by Gestalt, transpersonal or any other similar therapy which works with altered states of consciousness and establishes a partnership with individuals in crises or seeking personal development. Yet in the past few years the educational establishment has shown signs of opening up, albeit slowly, to the purely analytical or cognitive methods. The main impetus for this, however, comes from the autonomous group of psychology students, who are willing to test any new approach and technique.
Another focus of a similar orientation is the Kheiron Centre, run by clinical psychologist Katalin Orosz, past president of the MTE, where transpersonal psychotherapists are available for those in need of support.
Another pillar of transpersonal work is the MTE’s week-long Summer School, which was held this year for the tenth time. It enabled participants to experience the depths of the unconscious through various methods and get closer to answering their own existential questions, Holotropic breathwork led by Nico Vissel, a sweat lodge set up by Mark Hoek and a family constellation workshop run by Anja Brasser, all from the Netherlands, contributed to participants’ understanding of what “Crisis = a chance of transformation.” meant to them.
The core necessities of expanding transpersonal awareness are these:
Community - instead of creating a sense of community and closeness separately with each working group, we can learn from the success of certain body-centred therapies, like trance dance or Five Rhythm dance, which easily create an atmosphere of loose community and help people to expand their experience. Hungary holds the world record of having 100% of internet users on at least one social website, which clearly shows people’s immense desire to belong.
Continuity – important to incorporate in the ongoing programme, practising and building up layers of knowledge to create a well-grounded philosophy. Education must find its place in our work, so that experienced pupils, who realize how little they know, can be guided toward becoming teachers.
Sustainability – a core issue. Without funding via donations this work is hardly possible, since disposable incomes are limited and are unlikely to grow. Financial stringency is especially acute today in Hungary, where the heyday of social change is over and financial difficulties are mostly felt by the social groups which are most likely to be drawn to our work.
One of my tutors used to say, “Learn to walk before you try to run.” In this context we might say, “Get grounded before you try to fly.” Clear direction and systematic work involving our hearts will help us along our path; any help and contribution from the wider community would be greatly appreciated.
Blessings,
Árpád Mondok
President, MTE
The Spiritual Emergence Network Germany will have its yearly meeting in Todtmoos – Black Forest – on 11th and 12th September in the European Guesthouse. The theme is “Crisis and development”
On Friday Marita Grimke will show her cinema-movie: Buddhist Silence.
Saturday includes: Zen-Master Baker –Roshi: “The structure of Refuge”, then Peter and Karin Findeisen: “Retreat possibilities in the Caduceus-Clinic (Bad Bevensen)”, Walter Dmoch: Demonstration of Japanese archery, Zen-Mistress Lore Molly: “Zen and Contemplation at the Sonnenhof.” Peter Weinmann: The “Running away house idea”, Regina Gehrmann: The “crisisquest house” and “hometreatment”, Pieter Loomans: The Rütte-Forum project
After a discussion and the yearly meeting of members there will be a lecture about spiritual searching and psychotherapy by Regina Weiser and a guitar/lute concert by Oswald Hebermehl
All people who are interested are invited; 25 Euro is the cost including two meals and non alcoholic drinks.
Registration: SEN, Graf-Dürckheim-Weg 5, D- 79682 Todtmoos, Tel: 0049 -7674-8511, email: info@senev.de
Sleeping is possible in the European Guesthouse, Kirchbergstr. 2, D- 79682 Todtmoos, Tel: 0049-7674-410, email: europ.gaestehaus@t-online.de
Sincerely yours,
Pieter Loomans
SEN Deutschland e.V.
SEN Deutschland e.V. - Netzwerk für spirituelle Entwicklung und Krisenbegleitung e.V. - Graf-Dürckheim-Weg 5 - D-79682 Todtmoos-Rütte - www.SENeV.de Email info@SENeV.de
International Futures Forum
This is a most interesting forum for anyone interested in the future of our planet and the site is well worth visiting if you do not know it: www.internationalfuturesforum.com
IFF works on the premise that we live in powerful times, of rapid change, interconnectedness and boundless complexity – and that they call for new ways of thinking and being, new competencies, new approaches to difficult problems and looming crises, new ways to thrive. Their work is also practical, testing out social innovation in the fields of health (including mental health), learning, enterprise, governance and the arts.
The latest IFF newsletter is available for download or email editorial@internationalfuturesforum.com if you are interested in more detail or would like to get involved.
18th - 21st September 2009, Scarborough, UK
You are warmly invited to join us at the thirteenth annual conference of the BPS Transpersonal Psychology Section. The conference is open to all who have an interest in the areas of spirituality, meditation, evolution of higher levels of consciousness, transpersonal psychotherapy, wholeness and wellbeing, aspects of paranormal experience and explorations of the possibility of post-mortem survival. The openness, warmth and friendliness of the conference have become its hallmark over the life and times of the Transpersonal Psychology Section. Meet old friends, make new connections and enjoy stimulating presentations and discussions in the peaceful and relaxing surroundings of Scarborough!
For further information & booking visit: http://www.transpersonalpsychology.org.uk
The website is now, thanks largely to our webmaster, Erich Meier working well. Please note it is now available with a new feature. It is a growing list of therapists which Ingo’s colleague Katrin is working on http://eurotsas.org/certified-therapists.html Do visit it and if you are a EUROTAS qualified therapist please send your contribution in a way it can be seen on the website.
The EUROTAS website is - http://www. eurotas.org/ Please look at the activities in the Forum to which you can contribute. National Associations are represented on the EUROTAS website and notes about your Association can be updated at any time. You can place articles and abstracts on the website and to do so is relatively simple
If you have mailing lists that you can make available to EUROTAS, then the Newsletter can be sent to all your members and Erich can arrange this very easily and electronically. Please contact him on webmaster@eurotas.org to inform him of what you would like to do and he will arrange this
As regards articles and other abstracts for the website please send these both to Erich and to me profdrew@eurotas.org so that I can clear them with the Board of EUROTAS if necessary and also help with any editing of short notes etc., if English is not your mother tongue
Please let the editor have a paragraph about your Association as that is where the work is being done and others would like to read about what you are doing. You can also put it on the website - see 7 above
Our final Gathering was at Abbots Hill School, Hemel Hempstead, on Sunday 12 July at 6.30pm. We are grateful to the School for all they have done. It has been a memorable venue
New Gathering Venue for Herts, Bucks and London
There are many pluses and a few minuses to not having our own buildings in Contemplative Fire! Over the past year it has become clear that, for a number of reasons, we would need to be looking for a new venue for the monthly Gathering which is currently held at Abbots Hill School, Hemel Hempstead. Miraculously, just before Philip’s sabbatical began, what seems to be an ideal venue was suggested, visited and fell into place, located within 3 and a half miles of Abbots Hill School.
So, with a pilot Gathering on 9 August and regularly then from 11 October on a monthly basis, the 2nd Sunday of the month Herts, South Bucks, London area Gathering will meet on at the usual time of 6.30pm in the lovely surroundings of Felden Lodge, national headquarters of Boys Brigade (www.feldenlodge.co.uk).
Please note also that the 3rd Sunday of the month Gathering in High Wycombe takes a break in August but will meet as usual in September. Directions to both Gathering venues are on the Contemplative Fire website.
Do be bold and visit a Gathering, even if it’s not in your area. The creativity is a joy.
Lots of love
Jill
Contemplative Fire - 01494 758878 - www.contemplativefire.org - Registered Charity No 1106392
The Welsh Psychotherapy Partnership Ltd are pleased to present their first conference. Many say that Mindfulness is where Psychology meets spirituality. In Wales we know there are a range of perspectives from MBCBT to Mindfulness Based Integrated Gestalt. At this conference, you will have the opportunity to discuss and experience many different aspects of Mindfulness. There will
be the opportunity to network with others to extend and develop Mindfulness in practice.
September 19th 2009 at:
The Park Inn, Cardiff
9am (for registration) – 5.30pm
Lunch & refreshments provided.
Book now as some places still available but filling fast - Cost: £95 – 10% discount for students/WPP members – May be part invoiced/part self-funded is required) To book – download form from website www.welshpsychotherapy.org.uk or ring us on 02920 396998 or email admin@welshpsychotherapy.org.uk
Welsh Psychotherapy Partnership Ltd
54 Charles Street
Cardiff, CF10 2GF
Tel: 02920 396998
Dear friends
I am spending brilliant vacations in Lithuania - and working on some interesting projects, that we are planning to realize with colleagues from Baltic countries.
With love from unbelievable Lithuania
Gennady
Hope to see you at the Milan Conference!