Anticipating 2nd gathering

Anticipating The Second GSW Spirituality Gathering

A note from the Organizing Team

At the first Gestalt and Spirituality Gathering, held in September 1999 at Hawkwood College, something profound happened, which could never be exactly reproduced, even if it was intended to do so. As we plan the Second Gathering, at Gaunt's House (22-24 September 2000), and now advertised world-wide, we have become conscious of the need both to carry forward the spirit of the first occasion, at the same time as taking on something new, different, and challenging.

We have begun to reflect deeply about the multiple connections that exist between the two realms i.e. Gestalt therapy on the one hand, spiritual life and transpersonal experience on the other. We have realized that there are a number of particular features - central to Gestalt - which carry great resonance and possibility, as seen from a spiritual standpoint. The 2000 Gathering will be an active, in-depth examination of these natural links.

Theoretically and practically, individually and communally, we shall be stepping into new territory. We want to take forward the exploration of the interface between Gestalt and spirituality into a more sophisticated phase, reaching for deeper understanding and personal realization. Here are some of the themes we are identifying. In each case, there are evocations of the spiritual; there are elements of mystery; there are intimations of profound human experience that are not adequately contained within a psychological frame alone. The themes are :

I-Thou moments;
presence;
authenticity in relating;
the impasse as a gateway to entering the void of not knowing;
living fully in the Now;
existential choice;
'healthy confluence'.

We intend that there will be periods of time spent in special groupings, in order to go deeply into these topics. These will be loosely structured events, focused on one of these themes at a time, with space for everyone's experiences and ideas, and summarized by an experienced Gestalt 'interpreter' at the end, so that the interweaving of theory and experience is given full expression.

A second range of concerns affect psychotherapists: who not only have their own spiritual life but also are working with people who are themselves spiritual seekers or are confused in this realm. So there is also a range of concerns in this domain, that we want to allow sufficient space to explore properly. Here are some of these themes:

exploration of the place of the spiritual in the client's field;
working with existential crises;
reconsolidation and re-framing at a 'transcendent' level as a final phase in therapeutic recovery from abuse;
religious wounds;
blocks to spiritual growth.

Again, we intend to have serious discussion and integration time to enable advances in our collective thinking and understanding.

The precise format of the Gathering is still being planned. It will be constructed differently to last year's, not least so as to give proper time for the exploration and integration of the topics being focused on. However, in three ways, there will be similarity to last year's meeting.

Again there is an invited lecturer, who will give the Second Marianne Fry Memorial Lecture on the last day. He is Ken Evans, from the Sherwood Psychotherapy Training Institute, and his subject is 'Living with Dying'. Second, there will be some ongoing groups that will meet several times during the course of the Gathering. These times offer intimacy, space, and continuity. Third, as with the First Gathering, the schedule will be unhurried; there will be plenty of free-time for private reflection, silence, meetings with others to dance, meditate, talk about some very specialist interest, and play. Gaunt's House is an outstanding and very exciting venue, with much to explore.

The Second Gathering is attracting attention from a geographically wider audience than in its first year. The word has got around! There is also increasing interest within the Gestalt community generally about the subject matter. The GSW Gathering promises to be a significant event in the international Gestalt calendar, as well as a major activity where Gestalt SouthWest can offer something to the wider Gestalt community.

This article first appeared in the GSW Newsletter 34, Summer 2000

The word has got around! The GSW Gathering promises to be a significant event in the international Gestalt calender

We want to take forward the exploration of the interface between Gestalt and spirituality into a more sophisticated phase, reaching for deeper understanding and personal realization

	At the first Gestalt and Spirituality Gathering, held in September 1999 at Hawkwood College, something profound happened, which could never be exactly reproduced, even if it was intended to do so. As we plan the Second Gathering, at Gaunt's House (22-24 September 2000), and now advertised world-wide, we have become conscious of the need both to carry forward the spirit of the first occasion, at the same time as taking on something new, different, and challenging. We have begun to reflect deeply about the multiple connections that exist between the two realms i.e. Gestalt therapy on the one hand, spiritual life and transpersonal experience on the other. We have realized that there are a number of particular features - central to Gestalt - which carry great resonance and possibility, as seen from a spiritual standpoint. The 2000 Gathering will be an active, in-depth examination of these natural links. Theoretically and practically, individually and communally, we shall be stepping into new territory. We want to take forward the exploration of the interface between Gestalt and spirituality into a more sophisticated phase, reaching for deeper understanding and personal realization. Here are some of the themes we are identifying. In each case, there are evocations of the spiritual; there are elements of mystery; there are intimations of profound human experience that are not adequately contained within a psychological frame alone. The themes are : I-Thou moments; presence; authenticity in relating; the impasse as a gateway to entering the void of not knowing; living fully in the Now; existential choice; 'healthy confluence'. We intend that there will be periods of time spent in special groupings, in order to go deeply into these topics. These will be loosely structured events, focused on one of these themes at a time, with space for everyone's experiences and ideas, and summarized by an experienced Gestalt 'interpreter' at the end, so that the interweaving of theory and experience is given full expression. A second range of concerns affect psychotherapists: who not only have their own spiritual life but also are working with people who are themselves spiritual seekers or are confused in this realm. So there is also a range of concerns in this domain, that we want to allow sufficient space to explore properly. Here are some of these themes: exploration of the place of the spiritual in the client's field; working with existential crises; reconsolidation and re-framing at a 'transcendent' level as a final phase in therapeutic recovery from abuse; religious wounds; blocks to spiritual growth. Again, we intend to have serious discussion and integration time to enable advances in our collective thinking and understanding. The precise format of the Gathering is still being planned. It will be constructed differently to last year's, not least so as to give proper time for the exploration and integration of the topics being focused on. However, in three ways, there will be similarity to last year's meeting. Again there is an invited lecturer, who will give the Second Marianne Fry Memorial Lecture on the last day. He is Ken Evans, from the Sherwood Psychotherapy Training Institute, and his subject is 'Living with Dying'. Second, there will be some ongoing groups that will meet several times during the course of the Gathering. These times offer intimacy, space, and continuity. Third, as with the First Gathering, the schedule will be unhurried; there will be plenty of free-time for private reflection, silence, meetings with others to dance, meditate, talk about some very specialist interest, and play. Gaunt's House is an outstanding and very exciting venue, with much to explore. The Second Gathering is attracting attention from a geographically wider audience than in its first year. The word has got around! There is also increasing interest within the Gestalt community generally about the subject matter. The GSW Gathering promises to be a significant event in the international Gestalt calendar, as well as a major activity where Gestalt SouthWest can offer something to the wider Gestalt community. This article first appeared in the GSW Newsletter 34, Summer 2000
The word has got around! The GSW Gathering promises to be a significant event in the international Gestalt calender

We want to take forward the exploration of the interface between Gestalt and spirituality into a more sophisticated phase, reaching for deeper understanding and personal realization