Association for theAdvancement ofPsychosynthesis

AAPE-NewsJuly 1, 2011 Keeping in Touch with our Members

In this issue: “Psychosynthesis Today” Retreat & Foundations Course // Quote of theMonth & July Meditation Keyword // Future of Psychosynthesis in North America //Strategic Directions // Hedwig Weiler on AAP Advisory Board // New book: Psychosyn-thesis Made Easy // Events // Announcements

Thirty colleagues participated in making the greatturn to the future and the world we live in today. We allexperienced a renewed sense of being in communityand of belonging to a higher purpose. In one sense, wewere encased in a hologram of psychosynthesis col-leagues in all of North America, and perhaps evenworld-wide.

One of the highlights of the Retreat was linking upvirtually through anymeeting.com, both audio and vi-sual, as well as texting. Several not present participatedin this. In a similar mode, the entire Course was re-corded for future use.

Psychosynthesis Today:A successful Turn to the Future and the World as it is Today

by Judi White

lution of self and Self conscious decision-making thatclearly demonstrated a development of the “me to we”theme, born during the 2010 Conference in Chicago.An important theme which was woven in and throughthe images was the empathic heart to heart connectionin the style which is particularly unique to psychosyn-thesis. Social responsibility came through the imagessuch as a need to respond to environmental crises, male/female co-creative relationships, and honoring of thediversity of cultures. These “seeds” of social responsi-bility “sprouted” Saturday afternoon in informal reflec-tions on how to package psychosynthesis for audiencesother than the psychotherapy community, such as envi-ronmentalists and corporation leadership.

Vincent Dummer adjusting settings for anymeeting.com

Twenty colleagues journeyed through the weekend,beginning Friday evening, “Sacred Circle of Reality”.Participants answered the question, “Given what ishappening in the world today, both creative and de-structive, how can psychosynthesis contribute to ahealthy future for the planet and its inhabitants?” Thevisual drawings and accompanying poetic descriptionswere a well-spring of Spirit flowing in and through eachheart. Each creation reflected that we have many ways– methods, techniques, processes – to facilitate an evo- Results of Friday evening, session 1

Retreat faciltators:Peter Stonefield, Judi White, Ellen Faith, Inessa Mil’berg

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Saturday morning, “Realizing the Possiibility ofRenewed Community”, all participated in a Constel-lation process. Because it was the highlight event of theretreat, results are presented separately below. Briefly,the constellation unfolded to reveal deep needs for re-newed common purpose by (a) staying connected toour roots as we contribute to a wider public audience,and (b) explore ways to acknnowledge Roberto Assagiolias we do. A more detailed Constellation report by InessaMil’berg can be found on the next page this Newsletter.

Saturday afternoon, “Imaging the Future ofPsychosynthesis Community”, three groups rolledup their sleeves, to create strategies in response to theseneeds. They worked on three strategic directions: sim-plifying language to convey the uniqueness of psycho-synthesis; bridging psychosynthesis and right relationsin group work, and course training accreditation. PeterStonefield’s write up can be found on page 5.

At the end of the day, everyone was sent out toreflect on the experience and to form the promise theyindividually would claim for the future of psychosyntheisiscommunity.

Saturday evening, “A Ritual of BeginningAnew”, most participated in the ritual of claiming theirpromises, followed by a circle dance to reflect non-verbally on the experience of the retreat. We all leftwith a renewed sense of being a purposeful community,carrying on the advancement of psychosynthesis – onethat began in 1995 with the beginning of AAP.

The new Basic Psychosynthesis Foundations Coursewas an overwhelming success. Twenty participantslearned or reviewed basic psychosynthesis principles.Presented by the Professional Development Team(PDC) who have been working on it for some yearsnow, the course also included perspectives that havegrown from psychosynthesis. It was presented master-fully through brief explanations and experiential exer-cises by those pictured below.

Back row: Brad Roth, Deborah Onken, Janet Messer, Vincent DummerFront row: Molly Young Brown, Judith Broadus, Mary Kelso

Tree is at the edge of the labyrinth at Mercy Center.The tree was a master teacher for many of us who

stopped to dialogue with it. One person remarked that thetree was a channeling source for dialogue with Assagioli.

Quote of the Month & July Meditation KeywordListening

Whoever has learned how to listen to trees no longer wants to be a tree.He wants to be nothing except what he is. That is home. That is happiness.

– Hermann Hesse, Wanderings (1917)

AAP invites you to participate in monthly medita-tions on the first of each month. You choose the dura-tion of the meditation, and how long to meditate, andhow to meditate. Know that others will be with youin space/time.

You may choose to meditate on Listening as a deepen-ing practice throughout the month.

The Course is a major strategic direction, relatedto the practical vision and underlying contradictions thathave been created from the input from members andcolleagues of AAP. There will be an article dedicated tothis course in next month’s Enews.

Everything is not happening in chronological order,a clear reminder that AAP has made great progress intaking psychosynthesis to North America and stayingconnected to its growth world-wide.

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Stephanie West Allen has put on-line some short video clips she took of the beautiful settingin Burlingame, California, where the Psychosynthesis Today event took place.

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?p=PL3EDD4ADEC5C63DA0

Systemic Constellation onthe Future of Psychosynthesis in North America

continued next page

by Inessa Mil’bergThe systemic constellation method, developed byGerman psychotherapist Bert Hellinger, offers a toolthat can depict complex interconnections within systemsin a clear and simple way. Groups have unconsciousness.During the constellation process, the unconsciousnessbecomes visible.

In the words of Bert Hellinger: “An awareness of thebasic orders of life helps us to support love and helpthat love to grow and thrive. These orders are notinvented, or imposed, but rather discovered... When Ispeak of orders of love here, it is essential to look ascarefully as possibly to see whether these things areactually true, and this examination must be made evenwhen it seems to offend our sense of how things are.Reality doesn’t always match our wishes and hopes...Our knowledge and awareness are like life itself, aflowing, changing experience that grows bit by bit”.

I chose Molly Brown as a “client” to represent thepsychosynthesis community. When asked, what is notgoing well with psychosynthesis today, Molly stated thatthere is not much interest in PS in the general population,the centers are closing and she would like to see PSalive and vital. This was an original point of departure –how do we move from Psychosynthesis today to thePsychosynthesis of Molly’s vision, and what can wediscover along the way? What would help? What arethe obstacles?

In the initial set up of PS Today, PS of the Future, and

Public, the whole group saw very clearly what weprobably already know – PS Today looked at the Publicbut was reporting feeling very weak, lost and confusedand needing support. It also wanted to move towardthe Public, but couldn’t – it felt stuck. PS of the Futurewas looking into wide open Space. And the Public waslooking at PSToday but was generally unsatisfied,something was not right.

This was a picture presented to us – and doesn’t it soundfamiliar?

I will not describe the process of the constellation itself,for it is almost impossible to describe – those present inthe room experienced for themselves the palpable andpowerful field that we operated in. As representativesof different concepts entered the field, we all saw –frame by frame – the truth unfolding right before our eyes.

I would like to summarize an important finding of theconstellation which points the way from PS of Today toPS of the Future:

1. A connection to our ancestral roots. It became veryclear and explicit that honoring our lineage andconnection to Roberto Assagioli is an importantmovement toward PS feeling strength and vitalityagain. It was expressed by a deep bow from PSToday in the constellation, as well as by introducingthe Public to Roberto and Roberto to the Public.That allowed PS to turn around and say, “Now I

Psychosynthesis Today Retreat – June 10-11, 2011

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Systemic Contellation (continued)

can look forward. And Roberto always has to bewith me”.

2. Deep suffering of the Public needs to beacknowledged and addressed.

3. Public is reached by making a conscious connection,where PS clearly states that it sees its suffering andexplicitly points to how it can address its needs.

4. Hope/Spirit connection is very important in bringingit all together.

Here are few comments from participants:

“I found the entire constellation process quitepowerful and dramatic, somewhat like theancient Greek theater where the actors becometheir part once their mask is on. It was a stretchfor me... I nominally accepted the premise thatany individual could “receive” the energy of theconcept or role they played. This becamepoignantly apparent when Value [what Publicneeded] sank to his knees then sat cross-leggedon the floor, looking down, voicing pain, sufferingand aloneness. The message: what Public neededwas an end to suffering even though he didn’tknow much about that... I was so impressed withthe openness of the players to the energies of theirrole, as sometimes they had to express what couldbe construed as uncomfortable ideas. They did itanyway, remaining true to their experience...While this process seemed so slow, in actualitywithin two hours a fundamental need wasuncovered that we in psychosynthesis have thetools to meet... I’m glad I stretched.”

“...When Roberto was added, the energetic shiftwas tangible. There was an electricity in the air,and the sense that his presence had been missing,particularly for Old PS, was amazing”.

“He [Needs of People] faced New PS and said“I’m suffering and don’t know what to do.” Shesays “I hear you ... you have a place here”.

“Public was looking for the added value of PSto have more interest in PS. Representing the“Added Value” changed into the state of sufferingand pain, that the public was not in touch with,just the need to survive. Totally disconnected fromeverything, no hope, self-contained to survive”.

“The Constellation Work was for me the mostimportant and powerful time and energy of theRetreat... It is not such an easy task to uncoverunconscious dynamics, but given the premisesunder which Constellations form, this form gaveAAP and psychosynthesis the gifts of bringing tolight that which needs our attention. First of all,it was masterfully led, sensitively and respectfully,not as a mere exercise, but as a ritual of callingon the Ancestors for help in identifying what PSis needing to make more conscious at this time.This intention elevated the energy of the entiregroup to open to the superconscious qualitiesneeded”.

“What JOY when RA came into the scene,bringing with him the confidence, dignity,directness, and Presence that PS Today so muchneeded – to be able to move.”

“This work still needs to be grounded in AAP –we need the qualities of courage, fearlessness,and the recognition of possibilities to go forwardinto the future serving the common good, andrecognizing the Living Reality that drives theory!”

“As we came into circle it felt complete, healing,wholeness was happening!”

The main purpose of constellation work is to reveal whatis already true. We learned a lot from it. And now it isup to us to carry these insights forward.

A blog was created at http://futureofpsychosynthesisinnorthamerica.blogspot.com/ for the specificpurpose of sharing, among our community, how we can carry the insights from the Constellationforward. The blog also has a more detail description of the Retreat. Please visit the blog andparticipate in the discussion. See the specific constellation findings above and offer a comment:what does it mean to you? how do you see us as a community implementing what was learned?

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The overarching theme of Strategic Directions sessionevolved into the need to reach out and empathicallyconnect with the public using elevator pitches, stories,articles etc. via the website and social media to attractpeople to Psychosynthesis. Several people indicatedtheir intention to begin drafting these items after theretreat. Others were planning to engage the websitedevelopment group.

Group 1 SummaryThe Simplify Message / Love GroupOur feeling was that to simplify our message would makepsychosynthesis more readily available to individuals,groups and ultimately to society, and that the coremessage is Love. We believe the some of the coremessages to be mindful of are:

1. Connect with heart2. Respond from heart3. Participation invited4. We are here for service to the world

To do this we propose:1. Identify needs of individuals, groups and society

A. Suffering of various types: addictions (alcohol,drugs, food, sex, work, etc.), parenting issues,relationship issues, general stress, food & bodyissues (bulimia, anorexia, etc.), financial issues,

healthstress

2. Identify simple but specific and concrete words todescribe what psychosynthesis offers

A. To the general community/individuals. Preliminary simplified messages identified:

Holding the Vision draft, Contribution to Worldproducts, underlying contradictions draft, 2010priorities, and constellation work in a creative tensionwe then self-organized co-creative groups to addresssome of the issues.

After considerable discussion attendees were asked tobrainstorm and then prioritize ideas or strategies to assurea bright future for Psychosynthesis in North America.Higher numbers equal higher priority. The list included:

1. Bridge Social Psychosynthesis and PersonalPsychosynthesis. 1

2. Identify requirements for website, including blogs,social networking tools. 13

3. Yoda – direct the force and empathic presence. 4 4. Understand and empathize with suffering of the

public – learn how to encounter and respond to theneeds. 13

5. Collaboration among Psychosynthesis thinkers. 3 6. Nourish AAP. 1 7. Maintain rootedness to Assagioli. 4 8. Focus on accreditation regarding the core concepts,

experiences. Sort out and enhance the relationshipsbetween the centers. 14

9. Share Psychosynthesis techniques and bestpractices amongst the community. 7

10. Walking the walk – Living it. Create an example.11. AAP – remain with same name or change? 1312. Simplify message of Psychosynthesis – love. 12

Three groups then self-organized around three of theitems:Group 1 – Understand and empathize with the sufferingof the public. The emphasis was on learning how toidentify, encounter and respond to the needs of the publicin a way that would draw the public to Psychosynthesis.Group 2 Yoda – direct the force and empathic presence.Group 3 – Focus on accreditation regarding the coreconcepts, experiences. Sort out and enhance therelationships between the centers.

Psychosynthesis Today Retreat – June 10-11, 2011

Session 3: Strategic Directionsby Peter Stonefield

continued next page- 5 -

a. You are more than you knowb. A part of you is radiant and perfectc. Even though there are parts of you that feellonely/unwanted/unloved/undeserving, pleaseknow that all of you/your parts belong and canbe welcomedd. There’s a way you can come to accept all ofyour parts. The first step is to find and discoverwho those parts aree. Challenges and what seem like bad choicesindicate underlying needs and an attempt atsolution

B. To the psychosynthesis communitya. support for each otherb. support for each other’s psychosynthesisoutreachc. to make psychosynthesis accessible: each ofus accessible to each other as comrades on theroad

3. Develop an ‘elevator speech’, a short (25 words orless) sentence to describe what psychosynthesis offers.

A. Each of us to come up with our own personalsentenceB. Develop a general sentence that could be on thewebsite

We imagined that as we simplify and solidify themessages, infused with love and an offering of healingpossibility, this organized messages could be used for:1. Theme, information or articles for the AAP website,

blog, and social media sites2. Each of us could consider how our own personal

website and media exposure offers simple solutionsto the challenges facing individuals, groups andsociety

3. We would be aware of the gifts psychosynthesis offersin our supportive interactions with each other

Group 2 SummaryThe Yoda Power / Empathic to Human Suffering Group

Our discussion began with Molly wanting to “get” humansuffering from the viewpoint of those experiencing it, bygoing to a local family center and simply asking themabout it for example. The following points emerged:1. Need to be empathically present to suffering in self

and others.2. We are capable of dealing with suffering through

psychosynthesis conceptual background.3. Creatively offering a safe space using language they

understand, where people feel accepted and free tobe themselves.

4. We have to do our own work ALL THE TIME.5. Sharing knowledge about processes for working with

suffering.6. Therese Caveney shared her work. The diagram on

the board represents the polarity between anindividual’s need to be distinct [a triangle] andconnected [a circle], an arrow representing thetension between the two, both contained within theSelf [a yin/yang style image], and the cause of thatdichotomy which is the primal wound.

7. Public venues – family service centers, workshops.

Group 3 Summary

The team presented their report with a blank page. Thefocus of accreditation at this time in history is tocollaborate with other training centers to compile anagreed upon set of standards for formal accreditation.The blank page appeared to signify that there will beongoing dialogue among those who do training in orderto move in the direction of realizing the vision elementof formal accreditation in North America.

— Peter Stonefield

Strategic Directions (continued)

2012Psychosynthesis Conference

in Italy

http://www.psicosintesi.it/en/psychosynthesis-worldJuly 21 - 24

Let the beauty of what we love be what we do.There are thousands of ways to kneel and kiss the ground.

- Rumi

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Hedwig Weiler Becomes aMember of AAP Advisory Board

Hedwig Weiler has become a member of the AAPAdvisory Board. She was added to the Board by aunanimous vote of the AAP Steering Committee duringthe May 2011 meeting. Her bio, which follows here,can be found on her website: www.centerforawakening.org

Hedwig (Hedi) M. Weiler, MSN, APRN-BC,LCSW has been a practitioner and teacher in healthcare, mental health, healing, personal transformation andactive in community building most of her life. She foundedthe Psychosynthesis Center of Wisconsin and was oneof the founders of the Center for Awakening (CFA).Along with Carla Peterson she now coordinates the CFAPsychosynthesis Program. She teaches psychosynthe-sis courses on all levels and advanced seminars for mentalhealth practitioners. She conducts retreats and teachesreflective, receptive and creative meditation.

A member of AAP since its inception, Hedi served,for six years, from 2003 to 2009, on the Steering Com-mittee as Group Life Chair, Secretary and for the lasttwo years as Co-chair. She has presented at AAP con-ferences and continues to be involved in the organiza-tion.

Although she finds inspiration from a wide range oftraditions and philosophies, for over 30 years Hedi hasbeen a student of the Ancient Wisdom Teachings writ-ten by Alice Bailey. Most recently she felt called to jointhe Religious Society of Friends (Quakers).

After living in Madison, WI for 33 years, Hedimoved to Charlotte, North Carolina in 2005. She de-lights in learning about living in such a beautiful part ofthe country. The exotic fragrances of flowers like themagnolia, gardenia and mimosa drifting through the airstill feels magical to her.

Hedi Studied with Tom Yeomans, Robert Gerard,Pierro Ferrucci, and in England the Trust and the Insti-tute. She is widely respected, in Europe and in NorthAmerica.

Since 1990, as a way to get psychosynthesis “outthere”, Hedi has developed and taught courses on per-sonal and transpersonal psychosynthesis, as well asled seminars for Licensed Professional Mental Healthpractitioners She has conducted ongoing introductoryprograms in all kinds of settings – including Universityof WI - Madison, Edgewood College in Madison WI,and more. She has been instrumental in community build-ing.

Hedi’s most recent project was a reading group onRoberto assagioli's psychosynthesis, using the internetand phone discussion mode. She is presently getting aconversation going on the International Psychosynthe-sis Dialogue on ideas for short presentations on psy-chosynthesis.

Welcome to the AAP Advisory Board, Hedi. Yourunique contribution is of great value to the future of psy-chosynthesis.

New Members:Achalan Gene Bennett San Francisco, CAAlan Steinberg Brattleboro, VT

Returning Member:Sheldon Kramer San Diego, CA

2011-12 Steering Committee

Judi White, Co-chairSharon Mandt, MembershipEllen Faith, SecretaryAudrey McMorrow, TreasurerPatrick DufourDirk KelderInessa Mil'bergDori Smith

Welcome tonew and returning members

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Psychosynthesis Made Easy, a psychospiritual psy-chology for today, by Stephanie Sorrell, publishedby O Books, June, 2011 $12.95

This is an introduction to psychosynthesis as a com-plete psychology for anyone who is interested in gain-ing an insight into Roberto’s Assagioli’s work with aview to having counseling themselves or consideringtraining as a therapist. It begins with where psycho-synthesis stands in the historical arena of analytical,cognitive, humanistic and transpersonal psychology,together with the influences which shaped Assagioli’sideas and pushed him into developing a psychologythat embraced both soul and spirit. For example, hismother was a theosophist and, being brought up inthe Jewish mystical tradition, he was influenced bythe Kabbalah as well as receiving the mandatoryschooling in Dante’s ‘Divine Comedy’. Chapters in-clude subpersonalities, the egg as a model of con-sciousness, the Will, the power of relationship andthe use of symbols and imagery. There is the inclu-sion of a hypotheticical counseling session to dem-onstrate how psychosynthesis translates into the cli-ent/therapist relationship.

Additionally, the end chapter describes Assagioli’sunique inclusion of the natural world and his respectfor the natural environment which is gaining morecredibility today. He writes:

Altruistic love is not limited to the members of thehuman family. It can also embrace all living things inthe animal and vegetable kingdoms of nature……….One might say an increasingly conscious sense of thisuniversal brotherhood is behind the growing trend to-ward the cultivation of harmonious relations with theenvironment. This is the higher and broader aspect ofecology.

Events

Two-weekendBasic Principles Intensive

September 30, October 1 and 2& October 14, 15 and 16, 2011

Montreal, Quebec

Emphasis is on experiential learning. Methods in-clude imagery, art, journaling, movement. Topics in-clude subpersonalities, false self-models & the authen-tic self, the observer & the centered “I”, choice & theWill, the higher Self, transpersonal qualities. Inner pro-cess work and learnings will be complemented and sup-ported by short theoretical presentations and small- andlarge-group sharings and discussion.

Complete as a transformational experience in itself, thisIntensive is also the prerequisite for those wishing toapply for a Foundation Year in psychosynthesis.

Leadership: Olga Denisko, Founding director/headtrainer of Psychosynthesis Pathways of Montreal(PPM), has been a psychosynthesis practitioner since1978. She has conducted professional training programsin Nova Scotia as well as in Montreal and also offersworkshops for the general public.

Libby Parker, a graduate of Psychosynthesis Pathways,has been in private practice since 1996. She is alsofounder of “Solutions from Within,” which offers psy-chosynthesis-based courses and programs dealing withpersonal development for women, and co-founder (withSuzanne Pretten) of Psychosynthesis Renaissance, a newschool being established in affiliation with Psychosyn-thesis Pathways of Montreal.

Cost: $450. Place: Central Montreal

A brochure with an application form is available to sendout to interested people.

To register or for more information, please contact:Olga Denisko at (514) 484-5383 or olgajay20@yahoo.ca -or-Libby Parker (514) 222-1471 (cell) or info@solutionsfromwithin.ca

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For an extensive listing of Psychosynthesis and related books, visit http://two.not2.org/psychosynthesis/

History Book Update

To all who have pre-ordered the History Book the AAPSteering Committee apologizes for the inconvenienceof the unexpected, lengthy delay in the publication ofthis important document. Presently all chapters are be-ing compiled and transferred to a pdf, and the designand graphics are being finalized. A printer has been foundwho can do the job at a reasonable price and with thehigh quality specifications desired. Hopefully, everythingwill go smoothly now and the book will be publishedvery soon.

AAP E-News is a member service of the Association for the Advancement ofPsychosynthesis. Copyright © 2011, All Rights Reserved.To learn about AAP, go to our website at www.aap-psychosynthesis.org.Contact us by e-mail at info@aap-psychosynthesis.org.

Thank you to Dirk Kelder and Judi White for putting together this issue of the E-News.

Dori Smith,Managing EditorVol. 4, Issue 5

Editor's note:

This newsletter message goes out to all AAP members.The membership list is for our own use and is never sold.

Change of address: Please fill out the change of address form atwww.aap-psychosynthesis.org/formcoa.htm

2nd Annual

Making Art in ParadiseA Caribbean Workshop inWriting & Clay Sculpting

January 9-17, 2012St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands

Join Psychosynthesis Guide / Clay ArtistAlan Steinberg and writer Fred Taylor for a relaxing,inspirational week of making/being art in response tothe intense beauty of the Caribbean tropical paradise.

For more info go to:www.brattleboroclayworks.com/maip

or contact: Alans@sover.net

The Deep River Within:Living a Soulful Life in a Speed-Obsessed World

Saturday, July 9 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.Naugatuck, Connecticut.

for more info / flyerAbby Seixas

http://www.deepriverwithin.com/eventsdeepriverw.html

News from Montreal, Canada

Olga Denisko, director & head trainer of Psychosyn-thesis Pathways in Montreal announces that LibbyParker and Suzanne Pretten, have established a newtraining centre, Psychosynthesis Renaissance. She nowfeels she can go ahead with semi-retirement, knowingthat the training conducted by Psychosynthesis Path-ways for many years will be continued by two solid andskilled trainers.

Olga will lead a Basic Principles workshop with Libby(see announcement in the EVENTS section of previouspage). Then, Psychosynthesis Renaissance will gradu-ally be taking over the three-year training program, withOlga's role shifting to occasional guest leader of week-ends and mainly a consultant, as Libby and Suzannerequire.

Olga Denisko(514) 484-5383 or olgajay20@yahoo.ca

We look forward to your contributions and suggestions for our next issue.The deadline is July 17. Please send to aap.input@gmail.com. Thank you!

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