With Desire I Keep Desiring: risking Life's longingOur humanity is alive with desires. Desire dreams a vision of our lives. Desire offers clues toward self-knowledge and an expansive relationship with the world, drives us toward the specificity of our own lives, and presses us into action. Every wisdom tradition speaks to the desire for the individual to recognize him/herself and live through relationship to a larger reality in order to integrate and bring forth life's possibilities. In this seminar we consider selections of the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth from the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and Thomas, in an attempt to imagine his journey before his story became the official doctrine of the early church. These stories have persisted, embedded in religious traditions, for over two millennia. They are so steeped in history that they have lost relevance for many thoughtful, spiritually seeking people. Yet the value encased in them, like a still unopened package, can provide spiritual nourishment if we experience them via a conscious journey into the psyche or Soul. Questions provide touchstones to explore the experience and teachings of Jesus, and illuminate the way to our own wisdom about living a meaningful life. The seminar does not expect or look for consensus or final answers. However, participants often gain a deeper personal understanding of such questions as: What is the unlived possibility of my own personality? What are my inner resources for realizing my own meaning? How do I live with the wounding and evil in this world? How can I relate more deeply to others? How can I live my own authority, power, and creative energy? What is the nature of the larger reality that some call God? Current New Testament scholarship will be included as well as the psychological insights of Carl Jung. No previous Biblical, psychological, or religious knowledge is required. Meditation, movement, body and breathwork, poetry, music, nature, silence, and expression in clay, paint, drawing, and drama enrich our experience. All applicants are asked to include a letter with their application stating why they wish to attend and any relevant information about prior experience or study regarding spiritual issues. Leaders: Patricia Calcagno Stenger, MA Faith Mason, MA Sue Singer, PhD Location: Four Springs, Middletown, CA. Fee: $1575 plus $200 nonrefundable registration fee |