64th Annual Conference

Saturday, March 10

Morning Workshops

8:45 A.M.-12:00 noon 

Workshop 84

Mindfulness and Self-Study in Groups: The Practice of Loving Presence

Chair:

T. Flint Sparks. Ph.D., CGP, Adjunct Faculty, Seton Cove, Austin, Texas

This experiential workshop will focus on the interpersonal/relational aspect of mindfulness in groups rather than the more conventional intrapersonal/meditative approaches.  Participants will experiment with the use of mindfulness as an assisted, exploratory methodology in pairs and in small groups, placing it squarely in the interpersonal arena of group work.

experiential, didactic, demonstration, sharing of work experiences

Learning Objectives:

The attendee will be able to:
1. Define the term "mindfulness" as it is used in both meditation and psychotherapy.
2. Describe the ways that intellectual analysis can inhibit the study of automatic or habitual patterns of consciousness.
3. Utilize specific skills in assisted self-study to support the unfolding of safety and intimacy.
4. Detect signs of non-egocentric nourishment cultivated in the Loving Presence sequence.

Course References:

1. Germer, C., Siegel, R., and Fulton, P. (2005). Mindfulness and Psychotherapy. New York, NY. Guilford Publications.
2. Kurtz, R. (1990). Body-Centered Psychotherapy: The Hakomi method: The integrated use of mindfulness, nonviolence and the body. Mendocine, CA: Life Rhythm.
3. Safran, J. (2003). Psychoanalysis and Buddhism: An unfolding dialogue. Somerville, MA: Wisdom Publications.