Self-development & Therapies > WORKSHOPS > Self-discovery

Art For Self Discovery

In Art for Self Discovery we will be concentrating partly on this wonderful fluid process and partly on using this transformative. and magical activity as a way to explore ourselves.

When we draw, paint or create anything it is as if we step out of our current time frame, we slow down and become absorbed with what we are doing to the exclusion of ordinary concerns and activities. If you think about it, this concentration is very like the frame of mind that yogis achieve in their meditation.

In the workshop, we will take advantage of this frame of mind or sense of timeless focus to encourage our own deeper self to emerge. We will begin by exploring the blank canvas - the challenge, exhilaration and fear each of us feels before making any mark. We will go on to explore colour, shape and form. And we will consider the responses and feelings that are evoked as we go along. I will introduce a variety of exercises from many different sources to encourage us to broaden our viewpoint, and consider ourselves and our world in new ways.

Exactly where that journey will take us, I cannot predict. Our only limitation is our wildest imaginings. The aim will be to better express and know all aspects of ourselves. So whether you are attracted to art because you are already successful at producing lovely work and would enjoy exploring art on another level or whether you would simply love to find a creative way to grow and develop, join the workshop on Art for Self Discovery.

Normally 1 day workshop in small group 3-7

Dream-work

Analysing our dreams has been a part of human practice as far back as our history goes, and almost undoubtedly to the very beginning of our ability to communicate with each other.

By learning to remember our dreams, then connecting with the unique language of our subconscious, we are able to connect with our deepest selves. As Jung surmised, some of our dream language has elements in common with others and in line with our culture and its myths. But each of us has our own personal response to our world, and thus our dream language is effected.

Working with your dreams can:-

• allow you to use both conscious and subconscious sides of your mind together

• help you access deeply buried feelings

• understand yourself and your life's path or purpose

• achieve a better emotional balance

One of the certain things about dreaming is that if we are prevented from experiencing dream sleep, that we will make up for the loss of dreams by dreaming more at the earliest opportunity. Sleep deprivation is known to be extremely dangerous and possibly the lack of dreaming is part of the cause. At any rate, dreaming seems to be a necessary function of our minds.

I am one of the many people interested in the study of dreams who believe that there are actually several different types of dream. This is simply because this is the way it has always seemed to me and I have been working with my dreams for many years. I have also found that those clients who chose to share their dreams with me have a similar experience - that their dreams are sometimes quite profound and at other times apparently meaningless.

Whether all dreams have something of use to tell us may not be important, however that we can learn to listen and so make use of a part of mind and self that is seldom heard seems to me to be very helpful. At any rate, the only way that we will be able to decide whether a dream is trying to tell us anything is first if we remember it and then if we translate it into terms that are meaningful to our waking mind.

Whilst I have found that we most often tend to use our own individual meanings when understanding our dreams, it can be very helpful to be aware of the Societal and Traditional meanings when we are searching for clarity.

In the workshop, we will begin to identify out own unique dream language, and touch on many basic techniques for using your dreams for self growth and gaining a better connection with your subconscious self.

Normally day workshop in small group 3-7

Self Awareness

I believe that being self aware is at the heart of a balanced and healthy life. We need to learn to listen to our reason, to our heart and to our higher self/intuition, so that we live life as whole humans. The main reason that this is always true is because of the nature of life, that things are always changing. And they always change whether we are prepared and comfortable with the change or not. The best and simplest form of preparation for life is learning to hear yourself - the basis for self awareness.

We taught in the Western world to shove what emotions get in our way out of sight. Often we learn to deny them so fully that it takes some determination to accept them again as a part of ourselves and to recognise that they have value to us. The same is true physically. We so seldom follow the voice of our bodies and rest when we need to, allow ourselves time to recuperate and recharge from the challenges life brings. So, all too often what happens is that we force our bodies to shout louder and louder until we hear and DO something about the issue. By the time we do that we are often in pain and sometimes we are very ill indeed.

And, of course, the same talent for listening to ourselves applies to our mind. One of the main reasons for this is that we value logical reasoning above all else. To the exclusion of all else often. Our minds are so wonderful and flexible. Yet like any part of our bodies, if they are not used regularly they get stiff and inflexible.

This workshop is all about helping you to learn to listen to all the parts of yourself - your emotions, mind, spirit and body. The aim is to help you begin to balance the needs of your whole self.

There will be nothing imposed, you have all the knowledge and experience and capacity to re-create yourself as a rounder more balanced person.

What I provide are exercises, thoughts and safe place to explore them. You make the choices and the changes as you are able. I can assure you that you are capable of a great deal - you will probably surprise yourself!