Workshops
Below are the workshops that I hope to run this year.
If any of these appeal to you then please get in touch. I am open to travelling anywhere (within reason) to run workshops.
Opening to the Awen
'I would know the nature of Awen,
Flowing of spirit,
Essence of life in motion'
In this workshop I'm sharing some of the exercises and practices that I've used to engage with the creative spirit that exists within everyone. This workshop is an adventure in creativity as through exercises and games we open up to the rich world of creativity within us. The emphasis is on having fun as we investigate and express ourselves in a safe and supportive space. This workshop is designed to meet the needs of people at all levels of experience. I offer 2 hour or 1 day workshop and am running it as a creative development course in Glastonbury this autumn.
Background for running this workshop
I first trained in running creativity workshops in the Playhouse in Derry in 2000 and have run various groups, courses and workshops in creativity since then. The way that I work is clearly influenced by my years working therapeutically with groups as I believe that safety is a pre-requisite to enjoying creative exploration.
The Work that Reconnects
With each day that passes the sense of global crisis deepens; the realisation that we are destroying the earth we depend on for our very existence grows stronger. Our hearts call us to another way of living. We want to live harmoniously; to find again our right relationship with the Earth.
We can do this through the 'Work that Re-connects' developed by Joanna Macy. Through experiential exercises and sharing circles, we let go of the socially constructed, isolated self and reconnect with all of life. As other participants in this work have discovered, we will find how our alignment with our greater identity as part of 'Gaia', clarifies, dignifies, and heals our personal problems.
Background for doing the WTR
I first trained with Joanna Macy in 1993 but met and was greatly influenced by a talk given by John Seed in the late '80s. Reconnecting with our true selves is so central to engaging with the task of the time, to the movement towards more sustainable, eco-friendly lifestyles that this work has influenced my entire career particularly in how I trained counsellors. I've been doing this work ever since I met Joanna and have introduced people to the WTR in all sorts of contexts.
10th October:
An Eco-psychological Journey with Jane Sanders in Glastonbury. For more information please contact me.
November:
A one day introduction to the WTR with Christine Clarke in Guisborough near Middlesbrough. For details please contact me.
There's also a one or two day workshop in Northern Ireland in the pipeline but it's not clear when. Please contact me if interested.
Handling Conflict, Creating Peace
I hate the term 'conflict resolution' - it assumes all conflicts can be resolved and thus if we find ourselves unable to 'resolve' a conflict, the assumption is that we must be doing something wrong. In the real world, it ain't necessarily so. I invite people to bring to the workshop conflict that they are currently experiencing and would like to handle more effectively. We create a safe space for reflecting on and exploring strategies for handling conflict creatively and creating peace in our lives.
Again my preference is to have at least a day to work with the circle but useful work can be done in shorter sessions than this.
Background for running this course
In addition to all the counselling training I've had (which is relevant) I trained in a variety of approaches to conflict 'resolution' with Derry City Council Peace and Reconciliation Department and this session is based on a course I first ran through the Extra-Mural Department of the University of Ulster.
