Zen

Integral Self Development

Come join us on a journey of discovery.  Discover the many faces of this mysterious, multifaceted, integral jewel of the Self. 

·         Ego self

·         Dualistic Higher self

·         Authentic Self

·         True Self

Six Week Course -- Every Wednesday, from Sep 1st, 2010 to Oct 6th, 2010 from 6:30pm to 9pm – Cost $150

We will begin by looking at and understanding our Ego self, our fixed views and negative emotional reactions to everything.  This includes the parts of ourselves that we know and present to the world, and excludes the parts of ourselves that were never developed or we have repressed, denied and ignored-- the parts of ourselves that we are unaware of. 

Dualistic Higher Self

After discovering the seemingly firm boundary of all that we think we know, we will turn our attention to what is unknown to us -- the Dualistic Higher self .  We will begin to dig into the darkness where many hidden faces of our personalities are buried in the substrata.   

These disowned parts may be viewed as sub personalities that seem to have a life of their own, as well as a deep need to be seen and heard.  They are the hidden parts of ourselves that hold the secrets and energies we desperately need to be whole.  If ignored, these hidden aspects of our selves have the potential to destroy us.   If uncovered and integrated into our consciousness, they have the potential to make us whole.  These disowned sub personalities, when given a chance to speak and inform us, hold great gifts which we can use to enrich our lives.  We have many tools to explore the substrata, what lies beyond the seemingly fixed boundaries of our Ego self.  Tools like: The Work, Integral Shadows, Voice Dialogue, Non-Violent Communication, 3-2-1 Shadow work, and Mondo Zen™. 

After encountering our shadows and disowned selves, we will begin to explore what it is that we each came into this world to do.  What is your purpose, your mission in this life?  What is that special song that only you can sing?  What is the unique gift that you must find, refine, and bring into this world in order to be whole?  Here will draw upon the pre rational wisdom and symbolic imagery of myth specifically the cultic journey of the hero and Jung’s post rational process of Individuation as seen through an integrally informed perspective. 

Authentic Self

Next we will turn toward the vast, empty silence.  With the specific tools of Mondo Zen™ and the Integral maps of Wilber we will begin to explore the Authentic Self.  What exactly is the difference between: dreaming, thinking you are thinking, and “witnessing” thoughts arise and disappear?  Who are you beyond your thoughts, feelings and sensations? What is the source of all creativity? How can this mysterious “witnessing” lead to true authenticity?

True Self

Lastly, what lies beyond the void?  What is the mysterious other shore that is alluded to in Zen teachings?  Here we must leave everything we know.  We must climb to the top of the hundred foot pole and stand swaying in the wind. We must find a way to continue on beyond the limitations of our impermanent selves, our conceptual minds and beliefs.  Standing here facing the void, the vast empty silence, we ask the final question:  “What is your true face before your mother was born”? Or to say it another way: “What is your True Self”?

© 2010 Integral Zen, Inc.

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