Radical Acceptance Practice Workshop Files

Introduction: The prevailing mindset is to operate from what is known and familiar to the mind, although the large majority of its content and activity is below the level of consciousness. This makes it challenging to get out of repetitive patterns of thinking and feeling adopted in the past. Yet it is also possible to offer open attention to something being experienced in the body that is not yet grasped by the conscious mind, rather like “coming up with” fresh ideas and insights. Suspending thought and curiously sensing freshly into a situation or issue creates space for an unfolding of deeper understanding, resolution, and/or new possibilities for carrying forward. Regular practice of this technique strengthens this “present moment” capacity. A group approach adds the dimension of supportive community and learning from others.

Course Goal: To teach an advanced peer counseling approach grounded in the principles of Psychosynthesis and Focusing (see reference summaries below) and to provide individuals with sharing opportunities designed to identify, acknowledge, and transcend attractions & aversions to certain feeling/thought patterns and ingrained preoccupations with insecurity.

Overview: The concepts and practice of utilizing a body-centered approach toward exploring personal insecurities and feeling/thought patterns, how they affect us, and what attachments hold them in place will be reviewed. Key groundwork elements will include review of the 3 pillars of insecurity (safety, significance, connection), the qualities of loving Presence (unconditional attention, acceptance, appreciation, affection, allowing), and the approach of being with all thoughts, feelings, and sensation freshly, curiously, and compassionately.