BUDAPEST OCTOBER 23 - 25
HEALING HISTORY FACILITATED BY GARY REISS AND BOGNA SZYMKIEWICZ
Processing and Healing History Nations, just like individuals and relationships need help processing their history – especially their traumatic history. History doesn’t ever go away, and unconscious emotions arise from the collective, family and individual pasts.
Unprocessed trauma tends to replay itself. We are seeing the rise of anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim feelings as well as anti-Semitism throughout Europe. Xenophobia (the fear of those different from us) is increasing rapidly. The number of hate crimes is growing and new discriminatory laws are passed. There is an escalating sense of an ‘us’ versus ‘them’ mentality. We invite professionals (counsellors, facilitators, psychotherapists, teachers, social workers etc.) and anybody who is interested.
HEALING HISTORY
Vision and goals We intend to bring together people from different backgrounds and different countries and create safe space to express and transform our feelings about the past, present and future. We want to process our past, heal our traumas so that we can be more alive and present in our interactions now. We work with unresolved tensions and conflicts, learning how to deal with our differences in a non-violent way. We focus on the healing that still needs to be done, especially around the Holocaust. We address present social and political issues that have their roots in the past. This is the fourth of the series of Worldwork seminars devoted to heal our historical traumas through deep emotional work and genuine human encounter. This work evolved from the conflict facilitation done in Palestine and Israel for the past 19 years.
Budapest - Hungary October 23, 1956, the outbreak of the Hungarian Revolution, was a crucial event in the 20th century, post-war history of Europe. Refugees, disillusionment, strengthening the Wall and iron-curtain experience and a fertile soil for major pain and disillusion and loss of hope. This event was not standing alone. It actually was a „logical” outcome of many painful and traumatic events in ’the heart of Europe’ (1848-49, 1867, 1914-18, the Versailles Treaties, WWII and the outcome of Yalta, Potsdam) all breeding conflicts in a region little understood and appreciated although it has been a major force in the formation of our European history. We all have seen the images of the refugees - wherever on the European land. Shocking. And heartwarming - those of the encounters between humans. Connecting with each other - no matter where they were born and raised. We hold the intention to work with the current challenges - along with their historical roots - in our host country Hungary and its neighbouring countries.
HEALING HISTORY
Our work and methods Our work is based on Worldwork, which is the group process aspect of Process oriented Psychology (POP). Founded by Arnold Mindell, POP is a holistic methodology of working with individuals, relationships and systems. It attempts to find meaning in experiences without pathologizing them. The central principle is that there is a hidden wisdom in what is happening; if we follow nature with awareness we will find a seed for resolution in every problem. During our seminars we want to create space for all voices, positions and feelings that are present in the field. We will focus on training skills an methods of POP to work with trauma, hot spots and unresolved tensions and conflicts. Participants will have a chance to bring their personal experience in and work directly with these topics. The seminar will consist of theory introduction, group process, inner work, and dyad exercises. Dr. Gary Reiss holds an LCSW, PhD., and is a certified trainer in Process-oriented Psychology. Gary has a private practice in Eugene and Portland, Oregon, and teaches Process oriented Psychology worldwide. He is a senior faculty member at the Process Work Institute, and brings 35 plus years’ experience to his work. His specialties include family therapy, sex therapy, working with coma patients, Worldwork in hot spots in the world, organizational development, and integrating Process Work with different spiritual traditions. He has published 9 books including The Dance of Sex; Dreaming Money: and Families that Dream Together.
I founded the Healing History project after I became aware of the need of so many to make sense of the history of their people; the way that history is repeating itself; and the need to change this and make a more humane world.
Dr. Bogna Szymkiewicz holds a PhD in psychology. She is a certified Process Oriented Psychology teacher and co-founder of the Polish School of Process Oriented Psychology and Psychotherapy, Warsaw, Poland. Bogna works with clients in her private practice and has been teaching at the University of Warsaw for more than 25 years. She is the author of a book about hurt feelings in relationships: 'Wounded states of consciousness' and co-author of 'Deeper into the Soul’. Her latest work focuses on healing after experiences of domestic violence.
Growing up in Poland in communist times and being involved in political changes which seemed unthinkable before, I know how much our inner world is shaped by history. But I have also experienced that a historical situation as well as our perception and feelings around it may change: transforming consciousness really makes a difference.
HEALING HISTORY
“For my work as a facilitator and teacher, this training has provided lots of deep learning. Honouring diversity and exploring new peaceful ways of working together has helped me to understand deeper and to listen and to act differently. Europe’s collective traumas showed up and were held and witnessed with grace. The blending of inner work and group work was fabulous!“ (Shared by a participant of Healing History 2014)
Contact and questions: ariadnegaia@gmail.com Venue: WERK Akademia, Budapest, Salétrom u. 4 (Budapest 8th district) Accommodation: find suggestions here: hotels and hostels, bed and breakfast Workshop hours: Friday, October 23, 10 am till Sunday, October 25, 4 pm
(Friday and Saturday: 10 am - 6 pm) Registration: Find the registration form here
“Healing History 2014 in Bonn was an incredibly deep experience for me. Gary supported me in working with my trans-generational and collective trauma related to the Holocaust experiences of my Jewish ancestors. I felt witnessed and held. Clean and clear, trusting each other, without shame. We moved to that space “beyond the stories” where new possibilities can emerge and manifest.” (Shared by a participant of Healing History 2014)