2015

What stands between us and our dreams? How can we reunite soul and role? “One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious ... Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate” – Jung. What we need lies within. We need to talk ourselves into hearing. It is by listening in silence that we begin to hear the truth about ourselves and our dreams. It is by embracing and accepting our whole selves that we can become one. This workshop includes story-telling, life review, meditation and writing.

‘’They say a vision without a task is just a dream. And a task without a vision is just a drudge. But a task AND a vision is hope.’’ – Simon Parke. What visions do we have for our lives? We will be exploring our personal dreams and visions, and considering how far we might hope to make them come true for us. We will look at childhood dreams, religious visions, the power of prayer, poetic fancies, scientific and political aspirations. But above all we will examine the successes and failures of our own dreams and visions, and how to shape them for the future. Writing, craftwork, film, music, walking outside and group discussion will all be part of this workshop. You might like to bring some ‘’dreams’’ to share.

Our own sense of what is possible – for ourselves, our relationships, or the wider world – may be limited by inherited assumptions, societal norms, and ingrained patterns of thought that we may not even be consciously aware of. How can we find liberation from these constraints and be free to dream bigger, more beautiful, dreams? In this workshop we hope to explore some alternative ways of seeing that gently challenge convention and conformity in all spheres of our lives. Participants will be encouraged to experiment and play, make fresh connections, delve for deeper meanings, try out alternative perspectives, and imagine new possibilities. We will draw inspiration from non-conformists and outsiders of the past and present: radical thinkers and activists, contemporary queer culture, ground-breaking artists and creatives, and mystics down the ages.

‘At the still point of the turning world.’ (TS Eliot - Four Quartets) We can explore through movement, poetry and personal journal, the waiting, the moments, expectations and disappointments. When we are wakeful to ourselves, the pauses between are full of possibility. If we resist dragging the past into the future we can inhabit the present - the sacred ground of our human becoming. We can all dance - we can all write - when we stop judging ourselves harshly. Let’s work together with curiosity, honesty - loose clothing, a pen and a mat to lie on!

Who are we and where do we come from? These are questions both adults and children ask themselves regularly. This week we are going to be exploring together to see if we can begin to find some answers to these questions. All you need to bring is yourself, a little bit of 'junk' to make a model town with, a willingness to participate and some waterproofs/old clothes that you don't mind getting mucky as we will be exploring the woodlands! Can't wait to see you!