Transpersonal Workshops in Dorset

All transpersonal workshops in Dorset now take place at:

Ponies' End, Budden's Lane, West Melbury, Shaftesbury, SP7 0LY, Dorset – usually in our home.

Ian is a qualified and experienced teacher, artist and musician, with training in Humanistic Counselling and Transpersonal Psychotherapy and a master's in Transpersonal Arts and Practice (Archetypal Psychology). He has held various posts within the Counselling Departments of Huntingdon and Melton Mowbray Regional Colleges, as a supervisor, trainer and moderator, and been a trainer for Dorset Adult Education following many years' experience in industry and commerce. He now works in private practice. Ian trained in Transpersonal Psychology with Hazel Marshall, who had attended the original trainings run by Ian Gordon-Brown and Barbara Somers. At these seminars, Hazel made thorough notes of the teachings, which, along with information gathered from sound recordings made at the time, Hazel edited as a series of four volumes. Ian designed the covers, some of the illustrations and the layouts which were then successfully published by Archive Publishing and are available worldwide today. He has been facilitating and teaching workshops and experiential days in Britain and Ireland since 1994. He is a Reiki Master, Sechiem Master and has many years experience as a shamanic practitioner. He may be contacted at ian@archivepublishing.co.uk or telephoned on 07939 030875

Transpersonal Weekends in Brief

Approaching the Self – Personality Integration – TPW1

Fri: 6 for 6.30pm - 10 pm; Sat: 9.30 for 10am - 6pm; Sun: 9.30 for 10am - 3pm

and for those that experienced TPW1 over 6 months or more ago:

The Masculine and Feminine Within – TPW2

Fri: 6 for 6.30pm - 10 pm; Sat: 9.30 for 10am - 6pm; Sun: 9.30 for 10am - 3pm

and for those that experienced TPW2 over 6 months or more ago:

Cycles and Stages – TPW3

Fri: 6 for 6.30pm - 10 pm; Sat: 9.30 for 10am - 6pm; Sun: 9.30 for 10am - 3pm

and for those that experienced TPW3 over 6 months or more ago:

Initiation and the Myth of the Journey – TPW4

Fri: 6 for 6.30pm - 10 pm, Sat: 9.30 for 10am - 6pm, Sun: 9.30 for 10am - 3pm

The Transpersonal Journey of the Soul

The prefix 'trans' means 'beyond', so when we say 'transpersonal' we are talking about something beyond our everyday selves — often referred to as the Self, with a capital 'S'. This 'Self', 'Soul' or 'Atman' is also known as the 'Higher Self'. It is the part of us that knows on a deeper level what our life is about, and what aspects of ourselves we need to bring to the fore to express who we truly are.

Learning to access the supportive guidance of our Self is invaluable in our search to lead happier, more meaningful lives, and to fulfil the Soul’s purpose.

We can learn to listen to this guidance in meditation, in observation of nature and the natural world around us, and through our dreams as well as our creative processes of which these workshops may form a part.

The Introductory Workshops and Dates

The four introductory workshops, created originally by Barbara Somers and Ian Gordon-Brown, have been the foundation and hallmark of Transpersonal work in the UK since the 1970s. Today they are as valid and life enhancing as ever, with a remarkable power to widen our horizons and illuminate our journey.

These transpersonal workshops offer ordinary people seeking personal growth the chance to explore their own inner worlds, gain insight into their unconscious patterns, work towards freedom from the control of those patterns and thus find more meaning in their lives. However, Ian (IGB) said: ‘No one should do the workshops unless they are on an inner, spiritual path, or quest, or pilgrimage – are seeking some sort of initiation.’ It was made clear that galloping from stage to stage is not helpful. Indeed it is often found to be useful to have at least six months between workshops. In these experiential weekends, participants are offered opportunities to explore their own sense of Self through creative work with symbols, guided imaging, inner dialogue and gestalt exercises as the main techniques for contacting the inner world. 'The whole thing is a path of initiation. It’s a progression, a developmental process that confers freedom. It catches naturally into people’s need – no one need bend themselves to fit. The material is, yes, for counsellors, therapists and those who work with people, but not only for them. It is, as originally conceived, for anyone drawn to it. First and foremost, it is for individuals at a personal level.'

Workshop I Approaching the Self – Personality Integration – TPW1 on the weekend of:

2024 – to be decided

As a first step towards self-knowledge, we explore the nature of consciousness, look at our self-image, and through exercises and guided imagery encounter our sub-personalities with their often surprising characteristics, which unconsciously but powerfully dwell and act within us all. A Gestalt exercise sheds light on how our body, mind and emotions relate to each other, and how their potential conflicts can be resolved.

Workshop II The Masculine & Feminine Within Us – TPW2 on the weekends of:

2024 – to be decided

The Universe rests on the equilibrium of the opposed but complementary energies of Yin and Yang, the feminine and masculine principles. The same energies operate within us. Each sex contains a fragment of ‘the other’, and in this workshop we meet, recognize and befriend our Inner Man/Inner Woman, Jung’s Animus and Anima. Cooperating with them releases fresh energies and can improve our human relationship.

Workshop III Stages and Cycles of Growth – TPW3 on the weekends of:

2024 – to be decided

In the Transpersonal worldview life is a journey that doesn’t begin at birth and doesn’t end with the death of the body. Its purpose is inner development and the fulfilling of our true potential. In this workshop we explore life’s cycles and phases – and their specific tasks – from birth to death, look at possible changes of direction, and discover the power and the risks of unconsciously projecting parts of ourselves onto others.

Workshop IV Initiation and the Myth of the Journey – TPW4 on the weekend of:

2024 – to be decided

From time immemorial there have been mystery schools and centres of spiritual training offering seekers a path of accelerated development, a progressive initiation into new, expanded states of consciousness. The modern counterpart of initiation is individuation. Seen from a Transpersonal perspective, the path of initiation, both inner and outer, is the journey between the individual's first conscious response to the Transpersonal Self and full Self-realisation

What you need to know if you wish to attend.

These workshops offer people seeking personal growth the chance to explore their own inner worlds, gain insight into their unconscious patterns, work towards freedom from the control of those patterns and thus find more meaning in their lives. They are an ideal introduction to the Transpersonal approach; no previous experience of this work is required.

Telephone 07939 030875 or email ian@archivepublishing.co.uk to book your place or to ask for more details.

Each weekend workshop costs just £140.

Friday 6 for 6.30 start until 10 pm. Saturday 9.30 for 10 am start until 6 pm and Sunday 9.30 for 10 am start until 3 pm. This gives two full nights of processing and dreaming within the energy of the weekend.

We encourage shared Vegetarian lunches so please make provision to bring something to share for both days.

Please bring something to lie on and a pillow and blanket for the imaging sessions.

A certificate of attendance will be given for CPD purposes (14 hours per workshop).Overnight accommodation in local guesthouses starts at £50 per night inc. a continental breakfast. We can send you links for you to book. You may wish to extend your stay before and or after the course, please ring to discuss your requirements.

Some comments from participants of previous weekends

Workshop I, Approaching the Self:

Comments from participants of workshop I

"I strongly believe that anyone who is at all interested in developing who they are; improving relationships in their lives, or finding a deeper meaning in life, will benefit from experiencing the workshop 'Approaching the Self' with Ian Thorp. It is hard to describe how involved yet accessible the weekend is: from easily digestible nuggets of theory on the Transpersonal Approach; helpful 'tools' to manage our hectic lives; dream analysis, and exercises that will amaze even the most 'sceptical' amoung us; there is indeed a lot to take from the weekend. I feel it has 'opened up' a lot for me and I will be assimilating the experience for quite sometime, although I've already made positive changes to my life/ relationships, just one week on. I will certainly be looking into workshop 2 & 3 and recommending them to my friends and loved ones - thank you". Emily Thomas (PS "the beautiful rural setting and tasty lunches are also a joy! " ) "I had such a fantastic weekend and so much came out of it for me, and I think all of us, so thank you for providing a great space (and lovely mushrooms!). I've had lots of things happen this week and I feel that it's as a result of a shift". Lisa "Thank you so much for the opportunity of attending such an inspirational workshop. I gained personal knowledge and insight from the weekend and feel very fortunate to have been part of the group. I'm looking forward to the next stage". Vanessa "Taking this weekend workshop has helped to lighten the load I have been carrying for a very long time… a wonderful, timeless experience". Tina

Workshop II, The Masculine and Feminine Within:

Comments from participants of workshop 2 "Wow! what a wonderful workshop - 'The Masculine and Feminine within' - thanks for being so easy going and a great place to come to be with like minded people. Love and Blessings". Andrea "A safe and mystical journey for the lone traveller… may I always travel alone but sharing along the way - with love". Karen "Thankyou for enabling me to access that enormous sword: symbol of my masculine principle". SD

Workshop III, Cycles and Stages:

Comments from participants of workshop 3

"A weekend of love, support and acceptance, creating a safe place to explore myself. Thank you."

"Love, trust, acknowledgement and understanding. Thank you!"

Workshop IV, Initiation and the Myth of the Journey:

Comments from participants of workshop 4

"Thank you for a wonderful transformative and sharing experience, in a lovely peaceful venue. I am looking forward to future courses."

Transpersonal Workshops in Leicestershire

All transpersonal workshops in Leicestershire take place at:

Rock-Bank Transpersonal Centre, 50-52 Station Road, Cropston, LE7 7HD Leistershire,

Hazel Marshall, who attended the original Transpersonal Psychology trainings run by Ian Gordon-Brown and Barbara Somers has been running the workshops since the 1980's. She continues to offer and run the series at Rock-Bank Transpersonal Centre in Cropston, Leicestershire where Ian, along with many hundreds of others over the years, did his original training.

Hazel is a qualified psychotherapist UKCP as well as holding a Masters in EducationShe may be contacted through her website: http://rockbank.co.uk/rockbank.php or telephoned on 0116 236 4256

Transpersonal study weekends - The Raincloud of Knowable Things

This comprises a series of four weekends based on the original workshops I, II, III and IV as created by Barbara Somers and Ian Gordon-Brown. These transpersonal workshops offer ordinary people seeking personal growth the chance to explore their own inner worlds, gain insight into their unconscious patterns, work towards freedom from the control of those patterns and thus find more meaning in their lives. However, Ian (IGB) said: ‘No one should do the workshops unless they are on an inner, spiritual path, or quest, or pilgrimage – are seeking some sort of initiation.’ It was made clear that galloping from stage to stage is not helpful. Indeed it is often found to be useful to have at least six months between workshops. In these experiential weekends, active imagination is offered as the main technique for contacting the inner world. 'The whole thing is a path of initiation. It’s a progression, a developmental process that confers freedom. It catches naturally into people’s need – no one need bend themselves to fit. The material is, yes, for counsellors, therapists and those who work with people, but not only for them. It is, as originally conceived, for anyone drawn to it. First and foremost, it is for individuals at a personal level'

For information, dates for Ian to facilitate this workshop at your venue, ring 07939 030875.

Other workshops on transpersonal themes

Creating Sacred Space

The need for us to find a place of peace and calm is very powerful. Sometimes we find it on the outside but seldom pay attention to the need to find it within. Issues of space and boundaries also play an important part in this.

Ties, Chords, Bonds, Contracts

We are seldom aware of how many of these we create during our lives and the adverse effect they can have on our personal growth and development. A day discovering what we might have created and how to change it in the here-and- now.

Meeting the Dark Friend

A day for those wishing to engage with the hidden parts of themselves, in various ways. An opportunity to discover and make friends with that 'shadow' part of ourselves.

Amongst others: Archetypal Images – Dreams – Out of Time, Out of Place – Drawing on the Inner World – Dowsing.

For more information, or to book any of these workshop to run at your venue, contact Ian Thorp +44 (0)7939 030875.

Suggested Reading for the Transpersonal Weekends . . .