The
Search for Soul
Circles
of Air, Circles of Stone
provides the opportunity to apprentice in the
art of leading groups and workshops that focus
on deep core issues of the human experience. The
heart of this work is the experience and encounter
with self, others, soul and spirit at the fluid
boundary where nature and human nature meet. Modern
psychology is child psychology, focusing on the
bonds with our biological parents and the events
and effects of that primary relationship. Ancient
and natural therapy includes our kinship with
a greater parent, the source which has given us
life (Mother-earth, Spirit-in-all-things) , and
it provides methods to honor, sustain, and heal,
that relationship. It is also an adult psychology,
for we are defined and determined by where we
are going as much as by where we have come from,
and it provides ritual forms and a context where
our vision or calling, our gift can be discovered,
claimed, and shared, where it can fruit and flower.
Apprenticeship
in The Search for Soul involves several areas:
learning the forms and applications of ritual
processes, the myths and traditions that support
them, and the human factors that effect them;
developing skills for working with people in a
manner including, but beyond the limits of traditional
therapy; and developing one's ability to lead
groups where soul and spirit, vision and values,
meet the concrete concerns of real people living
in the world.
The structure
of apprenticeship revolves around already-scheduled
workshops. In the year 2007 these include The
Journey of the Soul (August 26–29);
Rituals for the Earth
(June 24–29); The
Dreamtime (Sept. 23–28) and the Mythic
Warrior Men's Program (beginning Oct. 26).
These trainings may be taken individually or in
combination. They have been designed to stand
alone, but they also build on previous experience.
The cost for each training is equivalent to the
cost of taking the program as a participant, and
most likely, one or two trainees will be working
with you.
As an apprentice
you will be expected to listen with the intent
to absorb and master the material. You will assume
specific tasks and responsibilities depending
on your experience, including presenting exercises
and teachings, performing of ceremony, establishing
camp, and contributing to the emotional and physical
welfare of the members. You will also have the
opportunity to participate in many of the exercises.
The training
is meant to speak to your specific needs. This
includes developing, affirming, and empowering
your special gifts and "medicine"; the
clarification and articulation of your values;
the adaptation or application of nature-based
or soul-focused processes to your particular position
or profession; honing counseling skills, etc.
We will also address the further development of
skill and professionalism, including confidence
building and empowerment of the apprentice; evaluation
and maturation of your leadership style; and a
deeper immersion into the various forms, issues,
and processes of ritual and workshop. Training
also involves being open to discovery, to entering
and engaging the nature within ourselves.
