Seminars

Students at Institute of Transpersonal Pyschology are required to attend two, week-long seminars during their course of study. The seminars are such an integral part of the journey and can be life-changing events. That has been my experience; the second seminar in New York at Menla Mountain retreat shifted me in ways that are difficult to describe. However, both seminars proved amazing and educational.

The first seminar was held in Las Gatos, Ca in a Catholic convent, which hosts conferences, retreats, and seminars. The grounds were lovely, situated as they were in beautiful redwood trees. I resonated with the images and statuary of Mary scattered throughout the center. However, I must confess that some of the crucifix images were rather disturbing, especially when I was practicing walking meditation and looked up to see a bloody Christ figure nailed to a tree! Nonetheless, I was moved and inspired by many of the lectures and experiential activities. Creating the clay figures during the creative expression segment was profound for me. I felt a child again and regained some of my sense of joy and play; I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to re-integrate that hidden aspect of my spirit. I also met some amazing people that have stayed with me on my journey. I have a deep appreciation for them and their gifts.

The second seminar had such a powerful effect on me; I came away wholly changed. My spirit-sense was much deeper and broader. It was located in New York at Menla Mountain Retreat Center, which is a Tibet House. It was so beautiful it took my breath away. I felt I had come home. Everything called to me there--the lectures, the environment, the people--all felt familiar and connected. Some of the experiences were so profound that I had very strong physical reactions to them. I came to the realization that many of the shifts, changes, and growth that comes to us cannot be analyzed or contained in the neat boxes created by language. I only knew at the time that something had happened to me at not only a soul/spirit level but in my physical being as well. One of the most amazing experiences I had was during a night when I did not sleep at all. I could hear/feel a rhythmic pulsing all night that I was at a loss to explain. One of my fellow students suggested that I had been listening to the earth breathe. That made perfect intuitive sense and the experience really brought home to me that my sense of the spiritual is tied to the earth and nature. This has clarified many things for me and has been tremendously helpful when my connection to spirit is suffering: I go outdoors and ask for guidance. What a gift.
I also had the blessing of re-connecting to acquaintances from the first seminar who became fast friends that I communicate with to this day. Again, what a blessing. I am sharing some photographs from my seminars. Enjoy!