Rainer Pervöltz // In my work, three main aspects will be in the foreground: - the polarity of the “central” - working with the “dreaming body” - how we make relationships Basically, all humans who belong to our culture, live in a polarity: mainly, they function in a more or less mechanical, conditioned inner setting, which is still in an adult life a mode of survival - we had to adapt to it as children. In this setting, there is something like a “red thread”, a recurrent mode of being and behaving which shows in all areas of daily life. “Behind” this learned program you can discover who you, as a true individual, really are. This is sometimes called your “essence”. The “dreaming body” - as Arnold Mindell has explored – is the physical body allowing and expressing an “essence” point of view. It requires a form of surrender to a perspective larger than the personal frame of mind. From here, all problems and conflicts appear in a completely different light. Everything we think, feel, and do has developed its particularities in relationships. No way of behaving has its origin only in me. In the “old system” we constantly recreate the same kind of “mechanical” relationships. If you want to leave your story behind you and find more and more freedom in how you live your life, a profound consciousness of your ways of relating will help you tremendously. This is why relating and connecting have their place at the core of transpersonal psychotherapy. Rainer Pervöltz (Germany), transpersonal psychotherapist. Co-director of the IIBP. Co-founder of the Chiron Centre in London. Psychotherapy, supervision, training, mainly in Germany, France, and England. Author of „Über die Köstlichkeit der Distanz“, 2009 www.pervoeltz.de
Dr. Ingo Jahrsetz // My work is a process, which transforms itself again and again. As I started as a psychotherapist, almost 40 years ago, I had studied the world-views of psychoanalysis and later of humanistic psychology: I tried to help people to find a balance within their adult identity, which would make it possible to stand for themselves, for the needs of their body, for their creativity - and take at the same time a self-conscious stance within the net of their families, their friends and their work. I supported people in becoming able to make clear decisions, feel their lust for life and take responsibility. At the end of the 1990s, I found out that the “I” cannot be the final point of reference, because we are, all of us, parts of a sociocultural matrix which permeates what we call our identity. I integrated the work with “Holotropic States of Consciousness” into the frame of my general work. Furthermore, I learned to understand psychotherapeutic processes from an encompassing systemic viewpoint. Confronting myself with the German Nazi past played an essential role in this. For 15 years, I have, together with my Jewish colleague and friend Judith Miller, offered retreats which focus on this theme. During this work, it has become clear for us that what we comprehend as evil in the world, is ultimately a lack of compassion, a lack of empathic connectedness between humans. When Jews and children (or grandchildren) of Nazis were confronted with each other in deep consciousness work, we experienced again and again an unfathomable power of love, which I eventually recognised as the essential power of healing in all psychotherapy. Currently my work is less psychotherapeutic. I‘d rather see it as spiritual – though with an integrated psychotherapeutic competence. It is a process of becoming self-aware – individually, collectively, and spiritually. Experiences in “Holotropic states of consciousness” are at the centre of it: to explore them, to understand what is understandable and to be in awe of the numinous (and not to block its energy with unnecessary analyses). Eventually, the gaze expands beyond these experiences. It mostly happens when a certain tiredness comes up with regard to more steps of psychological development, and a longing starts to spread instead. This turns out as a longing to come home: individually in order to have peace within myself, collectively to attain peace in our world, and spiritually as the belief that truth and love are indestructible. Dr Ingo Jahrsetz (Germany), transpersonal psychotherapist; seminars, workshops and trainings in Transpersonal Psychotherapy and Transpersonal Breathwork in Germany, Europe, the United States, China, and South Korea. Supervision. Initiator and honorary chairman of the Spiritual Emergence Network (SEN) in Germany. Co-Founder and co-director of the IIBP. Former President of EUROTAS. Author of “Holotropes Atmen – Psychotherapie und Spiritualität”, 1999 www.holotropes-atmen.com
Bernadette Blin // Transpersonal psychotherapists work at different levels. We welcome the wounded ego or wounded child of our clients and offer to support them in learning to fulfill their basic needs, which were not met when they were children. But we also reflect their essence, their true nature, the space of infinite resources and potentialities. Our main “tool” to accomplish this goal is the therapeutic relationship before any kind of methods, practices and techniques. Our humanity, clarity, our open heart will be our best allies to help our clients. I focus my work on the healing power of unconditional presence, which creates a field we call the healing field. Our clients can meet their divine nature and experience the opening of their heart through expanded states of consciousness and in connection with their body as a conscious body. I also use practices that bring them back to the present moment and allow them to disidentify from their ego and have a concrete experience of who they really are, their deeper Self. In a training for psychotherapists, it is also important to work on our anthropology: What are my beliefs, my preconceptions about life, what are my convictions with regard to the role or the mission of a psychotherapist? These questions need to be clarified because they build all too often unconsciously the foundation for our choices, our attitudes and behaviour as psychotherapists. Bernadette Blin (France), Clinical and Social Psychologist. Transpersonal psychotherapist, Gestalt-therapist, teacher, and supervisor. Certified in Holotropic Breathwork and Transpersonal Psychology by Stan Grof. Initiated by shamans from different traditions (Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Siberia, United States…). Founder of IRETT in France (Institute of Training in Transpersonal Psychotherapy). Co-founder and Honorary member of GRETT (Group of Research and Studies in Transpersonal Therapy). President of EUROTAS (European Transpersonal Association). Pedagogical Director of CesHum (Transpersonal Psychotherapeutic Institute). Author of many articles on Transpersonal Psychotherapy. Co-author of “Healing the ego, revealing the being, the challenge of Transpersonal Therapies” (Tredaniel), “Manual of Transpersonal Psychotherapy” (Interéditions) and “When Consciousness will awaken” (L’Harmattan). www.bernadetteblin.fr
Dr. Olga Mokhina // My work will be focused on three large topics: death and dying, dealing with emotions, and mind culture, developed through meditation and psychopathological states of consciousness. Being oneself, or, more precisely, having the courage to be oneself in order to answer the biggest challenge of human existence, is the common ground for these three topics. Our personal history is often written through the efforts to become someone else, to adopt the patterns offered by society and culture, to be a “good daughter or son”, to achieve “social success”, “recognition and fame”, or “power”. These words are put in quotation marks namely because these so-called achievements cost a lot - our souls often suffer from unbearable emptiness. This emptiness is felt in an especially sharp manner when our dear ones pass away, or by becoming aware of our limited life-span. It occurs in moments of strong existential emotions (fear, guilt) or in deep meditation and spiritual experiences. It becomes overwhelmingly threatening in moments when we feel close to going crazy. Being oneself needs courage. We must be courageous to look at ourselves through the fear of death and madness, to give up all the tricks and defences of our ego. And once we have gained a level of deep spiritual experience, we must return to who we are in our habitual surroundings, live our daily life, break through our limits, live who we are in relation to others, and continue, fully awake, to pursue the meaning of life. Olga Mokhina, Ph.D. (Russia), practicing transpersonal psychologist. Full member of the Russian Association of Transpersonal Psychology & Psychotherapy. Full member of the Professional Psychotherapeutic League. Director of the psychological centre "Vysota". Head of the Supervisory Board of Volzhsky Mental and Neurological Clinic. Project supervisor in psychological help for oncology patients. www.olamo.ru
Dr. Sergey Strekalov // Attention is a central element in the life of every person. What you direct your attention to will begin to grow and become more real. This is why you are asked to think and feel intensively about something, if you would like it to have or happen. Such simple “tricks” really work. Not in every case, however, and not very often, because unfortunately, we are just too happy to let ourselves be distracted by all sorts of things. New thoughts arise constantly, they are interrupted by waves of emotions, we react to every little thing in the environment, people attract or repulse us, etc. - so, as a rule, we concentrate on multiple things simultaneously, and therefore, end up in the evening with a good deal of unfinished business and a loss of power. I have been studying human attention as a special phenomenon for more than 30 years and will be happy to share with you my observations and methods. You will get acquainted with theories that describe the structure of consciousness in a comprehensible and striking way and offer different procedures to bring your attention to internal structures. Such pathways are good to know, especially also, when working with your clients . You will get acquainted with a larger set of methods which enhance attention - methods dating from ancient to modern times. You will learn very specific and profound ways how to direct and keep your attention, how to strengthen your concentration, and how to stay away from inner and outer disturbances. In our program, there will be meditations, group - and pair - exercises. We shall create a loving field of working together, you will concertedly learn how to increase your attention. You are invited to assist and support each other mutually. To accompany another participant will enrich the understanding of your own structure and inner operating. MD, PhD, Grand Doctor of psychological sciences, corresponding member of the International Academy of Psychological Sciences (MAPN), a certified European transpersonal psychotherapist. Member of professional psychotherapeutic and psychological communities. In 2010, he was awarded a Diploma of MAPN for outstanding contributions to psychology. Founder and President of the International Transpersonal Association “Wholeworld”. One of the leading transpersonal psychologists in Russia. An expert in the field of integrative psycho-techniques and altered states of consciousness. Dedicated his life to the study of spiritual practices around the world. In the early 90s of the 20th century led the research of the impact of breathing psycho techniques (Holotropic Breathwork, rebirthing, vivation) on the state of consciousness.
Dr. Vladimir Maykov // In my work, three main aspects will be in the foreground: - Ancient practices of the care for the soul as the source of modern psychotherapy - How to work with 12 modalities of primordial psychotherapy in the modern world - The nature and function of eros and sexuality from a transpersonal, integral and process-work point of view. Modern psychotherapy is a little more than a hundred years old. But what was "a psychotherapy before psychotherapy", before Freud and Breuer? How, throughout the millennia, did people heal their souls and cared for them? We will explore of what were, are, and will be primordial practices in this sense of "caring for the soul" in the history of humanity. Primordial psychotherapy was not invented by somebody, but was shaped by life itself throughout the many years of human history. It is the result of a virtually unlimited selection of effectively working practices. In this vast field, we will be naturally brought to the question of what the essence of psychotherapy really is. What are the essential criteria for healing? We will explore possibilities of applying the 12 ancient practices in individual therapy as well as in group work. While dealing with the subject matter of eros and sexuality, you will learn about forms of sexuality in ancient cultures such as India, China, Egypt, Tibet. The taboo of sexuality in Christian culture has played, of course, an important role in our relationships. Together, will we envision a revised understanding of higher partnership. Vladimir Maykov, Ph.D. (Russia) is a pioneer of transpersonal studies in Russia. Author of four books. Film director. His documentary film “The Dance of Infinity” was shown on Russian TV and in many European countries. The film is based on Vladimir’s interviews with main founders and leaders of transpersonal, integral and process work psychology. www.transpersonal.ru
Magda Solé // Traditional ancient medicine often uses remedies which, in a way, are absolutely valid nowadays in order to support recovery of the physical body and liberate you from destructive forms of thinking and feeling. At the same time, ancient spiritual traditions can propose effective ways of healing for disorders and problems which are caused by the demands of life in the 21st century. A transcultural view of shamanism shows us multiple kinds of ancestral rites which can enable people to change their lives quite fundamentally - people who originally came and asked for psychotherapy. In my work, I will introduce you to expanded states of consciousness as a path on which existential transformation can become possible. Themes I find particularly fascinating are: Empagenia or the source of compassion, the rites of passage, and a transcultural vision of death (as a rite of passage). This whole work will open a new perspective on psychopathology. It will consist of theory and practical experience. An interesting venture in this training will be to combine shamanic practices and rituals with the latest techniques of modern neuroscience. Particular forms of breathing, meditation, drumming work, and dance will be the fundament for the part of practical experience. I developed specific methods of visualisation and we shall apply them frequently in combination with art therapy. In nearly 30 years, I gained much recognition and respect for the traditional indigenous wisdom. I obtained directly a lot of my today’s knowledge in our field work with different ethnic groups in Mexico, Siberia and other ancestral cultures in Central Asia. They taught us what I call today Shamanic Activation. Magda Solé (Spain), psychologist and psychotherapist. Director of the Institute for Transpersonal Psychology in Barcelona. Holotropic Breathwork practitioner. Master Transpersonal Management (Coaching). Psychoanalysis and psychosynthesis. Professor at the University of Barcelona. Ethno-therapy in Mexico, Uzbekistan and Siberia. Co-author of “Planet, Culture, Consciousness”, Brain 2.0, and Alucinogenos, (Ed Neurociencias, lectures of the world). www.transpersonal.cat
Dr. Stefan Dressler // Why and how exactly do we close our heart in the relation to ourselves, in our work or in our daily life? And what exactly do we need to reopen it? Based on a scientific and experiential approach I assist you in essentially understanding the role of emotions and of your heart. You will recognise the four basic patterns of human perception and experience (attending/awareness, identification, felt being, letting go from the heart). This will help you to get in touch with what I call your “Central Drama”. In this “drama” we unconsciously try to move towards something (the longing pole) and also away from something (our deepest wound). But unfortunately, the contrary happens: we never find what we are longing for and end much more often with what we desperately attempt to avoid. The “Central Drama” is the key to reach profounder levels of understanding in your personality and to reach out to the innermost core of your soul. In this whole framework, we will also deal with different pathological topics, such as depressive and maniac disorders, anxiety and psychosis. The hero's journey can be used as an inner map in mental crises. The very significant principle of failure and sacrificing will be in the focus. Humour as part of the spiritual journey will play a vital part. In all of this, you will find answers and certainly new questions about how a transpersonal psychotherapist can work from a truly connected, heartful and emotional level. Stefan Dressler, M.D. (Germany), psychiatrist and psychotherapist, private practice in Freiburg/Germany. Holotropic Breathwork Practitioner 2001. Holotropic Breathwork sessions since 2005. Integrative Psychotherapy with elements of Psychodynamic PT: Gestalt, family constellation work (Hellinger), imagination, rituals, inner stage work. www.essence-sd.de
Dr. Regina U. Hess // My contribution to this training course focuses on two major topics that are at the heart of my work. In the module on Wounding, Trauma, and our Innate Healing Capacity as Spiritual Teachers, we will explore biographical, collective, transgenerational, and transcultural aspects of trauma as well as traumatic experiences related to birth. You will be introduced to viewpoints of clinical psychopathology with regard to trauma. Various treatments will be first outlined and then expanded to include a transpersonal framework based on the often neglected healing element of interconnectedness. The transpersonal components will include working in the sacred circle and with shamanic tools, body-centred and creative methods, systemic and collective approaches. Spiritual growth has the potential to render psychological pain tolerable until balance can be restored in the psyche, leading in turn to renewed vitality and understanding. Together with the innate capacity to heal, trauma may function as a spiritual teacher. At the core of the module on Substance-Assisted Transpersonal Psychotherapy, which I will be co-teaching, we have the vast spectrum of endogenic (non-substance) and exogenic (substance-assisted) induction methods for the work with altered states of consciousness as used for healing in transpersonal psychotherapy. The healing potential will be shown by reference to the body of research and recently developed manuals for treatment for clinical indications. Other areas to be covered include guidance and integration tools for the work in the areas of self-development, spiritual growth, well-being and creativity, ethical and legal issues. Regina U. Hess (Germany). Ph.D. in transpersonal transcultural psychology (USA/UK). Clinical psychologist. Transpersonal body psychotherapist. Researcher. Writer, and international speaker. Psychedelic Science. www.drreginahess.com
Jaume Mestres // My aspiration for this training is to merge fields of knowledge: If you combine competences you can better tackle the obstacles of this exciting life. Shamanism and coaching are two essential topics which we will bring together. You will learn to develop techniques which will enable you to apply the secrets of shamanism to your daily life. I call this Transpersonal Intuitive Coaching. More and more, intuition could become your main way of thinking. Shamanic traditions are rich in rituals, some of them with a particular emphasis on imagery. Often you can trust your inner images more than your words, and by cultivating your world of imagery you will get access to a very particular level of your consciousness. Through your experiences in the training, you will find it easier to face personal difficulties in a fruitful way. By learning to act more and more from this intuitive level of consciousness you might feel more successful and healthy in all areas of your life, in your family, personal relationships and in different scenarios at your workplace. This in turn might allow you to adopt a more affectionate attitude towards the world and towards your own emotions, feelings, and passions. This work is more concerned with opening possibilities than with finding ready-made answers to problems. “It is the individual’s ability to live through and be transformed by the crisis (from base metal to gold as in the alchemist’s crucible) that differentiates the leader from the rest.” (Whitmore & Einzig) The shamanic approach will help you to focus your attention creatively on the shifts that are already cautiously emerging in your live. The holistic approach will support you to gain back your own empowerment and integrate it into your private and working life, into your exchange with other people. Jaume Mestres (Spain), IPTB Vice-director, transpersonal coaching, workshops. European Union Training Programs. Teacher of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Training Program TACIS, Russia. Diploma in tourism, Holos Shamanic Expeditions, founder of an agency specialised in travels to Mexico, Uzbekistan, and Siberia. Co-author of the books “Travel, Feeling and Thinking” (Ed. UOC), “Planet, Culture, Consciousness” (Mandala Ediciones). www.holostravel.com
Dr. Judith Miller // My inspiration as a transpersonal psychologist and Professor of Human Development is to support others to develop and maintain a relationship with the Sacred. The Sacred is the eternal source from which the soul draws its energy and power. It is something of a different order – it is grounded in reality itself. I believe that experiencing the Sacred and integrating it into one’s worldview, one’s personality, and one’s consciousness is necessary for any kind of authentic spiritual growth to occur. Spirituality and the world religions have at their core the mystical experience, based on the realisation that humans can make a direct connection with the Sacred, without the mediation of institutions and external authorities. My conceptual framework for understanding psycho-spiritual development and consciousness evolution is reflective of Ken Wilber’s model of Integral Spirituality. He describes three ways to experience and be in relationship with the Sacred: 1) through the God Self, the I AM; 2) through the great transcendent, the Other, outside and beyond me; 3) through the All, feeling connected and merged with everything – no inner, no outer – the great web of life. I support individuals by facilitating an energetic field where they can explore various ways to deepen their relationship with the Sacred; through meditation, contemplation, prayer, energy exchange, and breathwork. The realisation of all of these three ways together, is what Transpersonal psychology refers to as Oneness – no separation, feeling the Sacred flow through you, feeling the Sacred beyond you, feeling the Sacred all around you. Reality is all One. You are part of this One. This Oneness is you. Judith Miller Ph.D. (USA), transpersonal psychologist. Author of “Healing the Western Soul: A Spiritual Homecoming for Today’s Seeker” (Paragon House, 2015) in German: Heilung der westlichen Seele, 2017. Translated also in Italian and of “Direct Connection: Transformation of Consciousness” (Rutledge Books, 2000), in German: Die direkte Verbindung, 2002. Holotropic and Transpersonal Breath workshops in the US, and Transpersonal Breathwork training programs in Europe and Asia with Ingo Jahrsetz. Professor of Human Development and Spirituality at Columbia University. www.drjudithmiller.com
Dr. Gennady Brevde // One of the main goals of my work is to make my students know and master how the conscious ego can achieve understanding of and collaboration with the structures of the unconscious. The autonomous structures of the unconscious – sub-personalities and archetypes - create our emotions, feelings, and our general worldview. They define our psychological reality, in which we cannot switch on or off a particular emotion or even some ordinary daily happenings. Essential callings from these “partial souls” (C. G. Jung) – emerge in order to help us mature and realise our True Self. Achieving acquaintanceship with them, feeling and understanding them deeply, is the only way to achieve a harmonious collaboration with this profound sphere of our inner reality. This is how we gain access to the internal key for our true force and real Self. One of the main aspects of my work is to teach how to deal with different states of mind, how to move from destructive, distorted ones to those which are productive and lead to integrity. It is our feelings and states of mind which make us happy or unhappy, succeed or fail. Mastering our states of mind and, on the whole, mastering the psychological structures of our personality is the greatest art we can achieve. I call it “the Inner Art”: the art of self-knowledge and the capacity of personal growth – as opposed to “outer arts”: the ability to acquire skills and algorithms of activity. My teachings are workshops of this inner art. My best-used methods are art techniques and theatrical performances. Participating in them does not imply that you are “playing” or pretending. Your experience is real. You investigate the deepest layers of your inner world - and learn how this depth can be your strongest, unprecedented base and your mightiest resource in the stream of your life. Gennady Brevde Ph.D. (Russia), transpersonal psychotherapist, counsellor and psychotherapist for individuals, couples and families. Trainer for transpersonal psychotherapy. Vice-president of Russian Transpersonal Association. Corresponding Member of the International Academy of Psychological Sciences and Baltic Pedagogical Academy. Author of more than 40 articles. www.brevde.ru
YOUR TEACHERS
We bring together twelve pioneer transpersonal psychologists from around the world for this life-changing opportunity. Through the wisdom of ancient spiritual traditions and modern transpersonal study, your teachers will gently guide you through inner exploration, group work, and shared discussions, and assist you to more and more live your full presence in your daily life.
Here, each of the trainers will introduce him/herself to you and tell you about the base of their transpersonal
therapeutic work. They will also give you an overview of the main themes with which they intend to engage you in their respective modules. You will as well find a short description of their professional activities.