FRIENDS CONFERENCE ON RELIGION AND PSYCHOLOGY
Lebanon Valley College · Annville, PA · May 23–26, 2008

SMALL GROUPS

During the Conference, you will meet four times with the Small Group which you select from the list below. The process that unfolds within the small group—the ups and downs and insights—is an important part of the Conference experience.

PLEASE NOTE: The meeting rooms are frequently uncomfortably cold due to central air-conditioning over which we have no control. Please bring an extra cover-up to ensure your comfort.

All readings are suggested, not required.

1. If It Were My Dream…
    Gary Soulsman

This easy-to-grasp way of exploring dreams creates a safe space by inviting each of us to imagine how we might think and feel if the dream of another were our own. The nonjudgmental process—pioneered by Jeremy Taylor and Montague Ullman—evokes serious, touching, and lighthearted emotion. Bring your empathy and your dreams.
Mode: Experiential and sharing
Suggested Reading: Where People Fly and Water Runs Uphill: Using Dreams to Tap the Wisdom of the Unconscious. Rev. Jeremy Taylor

2. Forgiveness as a Spiritual Practice
    Sue Regen

Our personal stories of anger, fear, hurt and pain can be the opening to universal truths and wisdom. When we choose to practice forgiveness within ourselves, we may find ways to connect with self and others. This can move us towards inner peace and wholeness. Focus will be on tools and techniques for doing forgiveness work, not on therapy.
Mode: Sharing, meditation, writing, and practicing
Suggested reading: A Little Book of Forgiveness. D. Patrick Miller

3. Circle of Trust: Fostering Growth Toward Authentic Self in Community
    Joanna Mendelman

This small group will provide an opportunity for individuals to hear themselves speak with the respectful listening and support of others. With the premise that we often grow up with inner and outer divided selves, a “circle of trust” can create a space that honors the soul and leads to wholeness. A poem or other third thing will provide focus for reflection. Our individual empowerment fosters the growth of a powerful, perhaps spiritual, community.
Mode: Poetry, music, art, journaling, creative expression
Suggested reading: A Hidden Wholeness: The Journey Toward an Undivided Life. Parker Palmer

4. Befriending Our Many Selves Through Jung’s Psychology
    Dorothy Reichardt

The aim of this group is two-fold: to become better acquainted with Jung’s depth psychology and to become more conscious of the many parts of ourselves. We shall look at ourselves with understanding and compassion. This process will move us toward becoming more integrated/individuated and thereby more fully present to ourselves and others.
Mode: Discussion, sharing, active imagination
Suggested reading: Man and His Symbols. C.G. Jung

5. Parsing the Plenary
    Dixon Bell

This workshop will provide a platform for enlarging and deepening the presentations in the Plenaries and for integrating that material with our own experiences. It will center on a variety of discussion formats—prompted, open, moderated, independent group, role plays, and an activity entitled “speaker’s chair.” We will enhance individual and group reflection after the sessions and allow space for those who wish to bring CDs, original writing, and/or musical instruments.
Mode: Discussion, reflection, listening

6. Body and Movement Wisdom
    Stephen McDonnell

Want to get out of your head and get moving? Want to have fun with others? In this group, we’ll pay attention to our gestures, movement, and felt sense. We’ll build community by moving and playing with others. No dance or movement experience necessary, but bring loose clothes and a willingness to move and be on the floor—as you are able.
Mode: Movement and verbal processing
Suggested preparation: No reading, but you may want to check out http://interplay.org

7. Writing Sacred Literature for Women
    Mary Hopkins

Modern scripture (Bible, Koran) are written by and for men. How would holy texts read if written by and for women? What has been overlooked that remains hidden from all of us? As a group, we will explore—within and without—to discover what is sacred to all women. Then we will attempt to write sacred text that meets the spiritual needs of women. This may take a few years.
Mode: Worship sharing, discussion, writing

8. Poetry and Attention, Listening, and Wisdom
    Doris M. Tennyson

Through poetry and some movement, we will explore ways to “cultivate attention,” listen deeply, foster collective wisdom, and to continue this exploration in our everyday world. Bring a poem to share and your favorite writing materials; wear comfortable clothes and shoes for walking. Some art materials will be provided.
Mode: Listening, writing, reading, walking meditation, guided imagery
Suggested reading: Any book of poems by Mary Oliver

9. Creating Meditative Containers
    Dana Gayner and Frances Smith

We will be making small containers out of recycled and hand-made papers to house special talismans and notes or letters. These containers will be decorated with yarn, string, stamps, twigs, nuts, and anything else that appeals to the soul. We may do some writing and meditation to direct the creative flow. Learn to access your spiritual side through creativity by tapping into the right-brain process. Let go of any pre-conceived ideas about art and join us.
Mode: Group meditation and interaction, simple movement with music, writing

10. The I of the Storm: Embracing Conflict, Creating Peace
    Margery Larrabee

We must remember that we are spiritual beings having a human experience. Nothing is against us; and when we find ourselves in conflict, we need to examine how it is possible that we have created an adversary when the entire universe conspires to fulfill itself through us. We will explore both the power of the center and living on purpose.
Mode: Journaling, worship sharing, discussion, small unit exploration, brief presentation
Suggested reading: The I of the Storm: Embracing Conflict, Creating Peace. Gary Simmons

11. Cultivating Soul in Community: Remembering Helen Luke
    Shela Turpin-Forster

Using several essays of Jungian Helen Luke, the workshop will look at how the often intensely private work of moving toward wholeness relates to one’s public activities in the larger world. Careful reading of the essays and exercises to explore Luke’s points will be central. Luke founded a Jungian retreat community, Apple Farm, in Michigan in the ‘60s. Many of her essays first appeared in Quaker publications. Luke died in 1995.
Mode: Discussion, reflection, and writing exercises
Suggested reading: The Voice Within: Love and Virtue in the Age of the Spirit. Helen Luke—Specifically, read the Introduction and Essays 5, 8 and 9 in Part Two

12. Creating a Group: Creating Sand Trays Together
    Jane Porter

Using small figures and natural objects, we will create group sand trays. Then, through simple exercises, we will write and share our reflections on the experience of creating these trays. The intention here is to bring ourselves closer to understanding our individual contributions to the formation of our particular group as well as to other groups of which we may be members.
Mode: Creating group sand trays, meditative writing, simple exercises, sharing

13. Yoga and Collective Wisdom
    Lorraine Kreahling

Collective wisdom, like Quaker process, asks that we listen to others with an open heart and mind. Yoga supports collective wisdom by making us more present to hear. Taking simple postures, we breathe consciousness into the body and allow ourselves to feel how spirit and emotions reside within. As we become more accepting of what is, “way opens” for what can be. Bring a mat or beach towel.
Mode: Yoga
Suggested reading: Jung and Yoga. Judith Harris