Evolution Intensives
is a new form of psycho-spiritual growth work inspired by the theories
of Roberto Assagioli, Carl Jung, James Hillman, Abraham Maslow,
Stanislav Grof and Ken Wilber. It also embraces the wisdom teachings
of the world’s religions, particularly Buddhism/Hinduism and
the Shamanic practice of ‘soul retrieval’.
Early in the last century Roberto Assagioli,
having studied under both Freud and Jung, and inspired by the ideas
of the pioneering Humanistic theorists of his time, created a form
of spiritual growth which he called Psychosynthesis meaning, quite
literally, the synthesis of the psyche, or ‘soul’.
Finding that many who set out upon
this evolutionary path were deterred along the way by the pathologies
present within their own personalities, Psychosynthesis was later
developed into a form of therapeutic intervention designed to sort
out the knots and tangles within the personality as a prelude to
spiritual growth.
In our present therapy culture Psychotherapy
appears to have disconnected itself from its original intention:
the study and exploration of Soul. It has begun instead to focus
almost entirely upon pathology.
Evolution Intensives has grown out
of the need to heal the pathology that has entered into Psychology
today with its professionalisation and its emphasis on negativity,
by taking us back to Psyche-ology, or the exploration of Soul. It
takes us out of the isolation of the therapy room and puts us back
into the group setting for Soul-work, so that we may share and grow
strong in honest and caring relationships with a group of fellow
travellers who are also searching for healing and expansion.
Evolution Intensives takes the form
of a closed group of not more than twelve members, meeting together
for 9 weekends over the course of a year in a residential setting.
During the year participants will learn how to understand the subtle
processes at work within their personality, viewing and understanding
these processes through the many ‘windows’ created by
Psychosynthesis and other transpersonal theories.
They will learn to re-appraise the
experience of having been wounded, both personally and existentially.
They will explore how these wounds may be transmuted into opportunities
for change, through which they may learn compassion, connectedness
and maturity.
They will be offered the opportunity
to let go of old dysfunctional myths of being small and powerless,
finding openness, creativity, authenticity and potential, thereby
becoming co-creators in the process of their own evolution.
They will also learn how to balance,
integrate and harmonise the various elements of the personality
and how to begin to transcend the personality in order to align
with the spiritual direction of the Greater Self. The help of the
spiritual Inner Guide will be enlisted as an integral element of
the journey into self-discovery and evolution.
Evolution Intensives will offer the
opportunity for the group to continue to meet together, with or
without facilitation, to continue the journey they have been undertaking
together for as long as the participants feel the need for the support
and encouragement of the group.
Occasional workshops and retreats will
also be offered to past participants who may feel the need for an
extra boost or a new vision for their spiritual journey.
Each participant will be interviewed
to determine their suitability for the Intensive. Some applicants
may be asked to undertake a period of time in personal therapy before
joining a group. A new group will begin every six months.
Course fees may be paid in several
sums but must be paid in full before commencement of the course.
Residential fees are to be paid on
each individual weekend.
Deposit is £100 payable with
booking (non-refundable unless not accepted at interview).

EVOLUTION
INTENSIVES
PROGRAMME
Weekend 1
Introduction and context for the programme. Introducing
Assagioli’s ‘Egg’ diagram as the basis of our
understanding of personality. Telling our story. Going beyond the
veil and beginning to ask the question: ‘Who am I?’
Weekend 2
Body/Feelings/Mind as components of personality. Discovering
and exploring Sub-personalities and learning to dis-identify from
the contents of personality. Introduction to the Inner Guide.
Weekend 3
Exploring the great archetypes of Love and Power and how
they manifest within the personality. Identifying personal dysfunctional
myths and replacing them with positive models of self-identity.
Weekend 4
Exploring aspects of the Shadow, both personal and transpersonal,
and finding the personal ‘Power Animal’ as the helper
from the lower realm.
Weekend 5
The Wounded Healer. Exploring how that which has wounded
us may also become the guide on our evolutionary journey.
Weekend 6
The Hindu/Buddhist understanding of Chakras, or ‘wheels
of energy’, disseminating consciousness through 7 centres
within the body. This theory is specially adapted for the Western
mind, to create a developmental view of personality which illustrates
how blocks in the flow of energy occur that can cause physical as
well as psychological illness.
Weekend 7
Exploring gender, sexuality and spirituality as fundamental
components of identity and self expression. These powerful forces
are often locked into a damaging conflict within the personality,
holding us back from the evolution we seek. When freed, these energies
may enhance the quest for evolution, rather than continually pulling
consciousness back into the realm of the shadow.
Weekend 8
The Hero’s Journey. Building a new life-enhancing
personal myth to en-form the evolutionary journey. Learning to surrender.
Weekend 9
Contacting the Higher Power. Learning meditation as the
means to higher and higher levels of union with, and service to
the Greater Self.

The Methods
In this programme we will use Creative
Visualisation, Art Work, Psycho-Drama, Short Periods of Retreat
into Nature, Group Discussion and sharing experiences of the exercises
in pairs and small groups.
Saturday evenings will be free time
in which we may rest, take part in entertaining each other, have
group discussions on related topics or watch videos of relevant
talks and films.
To promote the necessary concentration
on the inner world, it is required that participants do not leave
the Centre during the weekends, except in emergencies.
It is also required that mobile phones are switched off and contact
with home is limited to short, necessary calls only. The Centre
is a ‘no smoking’ area and participants are requested
not to drink alcohol or use recreational drugs during the Intensives.

The Venue
To be announced prior to start of the course.
Evolution Intensives is a completely
new concept in psychotherapy and spiritual awareness. It enables
participants to observe, understand and heal their wounds in depth;
thereby removing the blocks to spiritual growth and adding new dimensions
of meaning. It enables and serves each participant’s journey
into their highest potential. It also fosters an atmosphere of intimacy
and support within the group so that each person’s journey
maybe shared, witnessed, held and valued.

For the soul walks upon all
paths.
The Soul walks not upon a
line,
neither does it grow like
a reed.
The Soul unfolds itself,
like a lotus of
countless
petals.
Kahlil Gibran |