Focusing Roundtable - On Setting Up a Reading Group to Explore Gendlin’s Philosophy: What we learned that you might find useful

Friday, November 19, 2021 - 10:00 am - 12:00 pm EST (New York - US)

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Some years ago, a small group of us came together to explore Gendlin’s philosophy.  We were re-evaluating our approach as Focusing teachers and wanted to deepen our understanding to bring a greater depth to both our teaching and practice. We knew something about Gendlin’s philosophy but came to it as curious enthusiasts rather than experts. That was the starting point.

We found that, as our understanding deepened, we began to experience greater clarity and confidence in the way we approached our teaching.  Our growing interest was supported by our participation in workshops and seminars on Gendlin’s philosophy.  The richness of Gene’s work now felt more accessible.

In this Roundtable we will share our experience of being in a reading group and how we worked together.  We will offer some guidelines or suggestions that might be useful if you are interested in setting up a similar group. During our time together we will read part of a text to allow us to experience something of how a reading group might function.  We hope further suggestions will emerge which will be useful for new reading groups.

If you’ve been taking part in such a reading group, we hope you will share your insights and suggestions as a way of encouraging other groups to form.

Who might be particularly interested in attending this Roundtable?

Focusers with an interest in Gendlin’s philosophy who would like to explore it in a reading group.  Those who have participated in reading groups and would like to share their experience.

CONNECTION>CONVERSATION>COMMUNITY

What to expect from Focusing Roundtables: Each Focusing Roundtable is designed to promote informal peer-to-peer conversation. Rather than acting as expert presenters, the Hosts will serve as conversation moderators to encourage sharing and exploration of the topics from the participants’ own perspectives.  All participants’ sharings are welcome and valuable, no matter what level of experience or knowledge you have on the topic. To preserve the nature of informal conversation, the program will be offered live only and no recordings will be available. Registration is limited and on a first-come, first served basis. Participants are encouraged to create follow up opportunities for connection among themselves after the Roundtable.

The TIFI Membership Committee is pleased to offer this series of Focusing Roundtables designed especially for members of the Institute. This program will afford members a valuable opportunity to engage in casual peer-to-peer conversation with other members who share Focusing-related interests.  If you are not a member, please join at http://www.focusing.org/membership, then return to this page to register.

About your hosts:

Mary Jennings is a Co-ordinator-in-Training based in Dublin.  She is a Focusing teacher and is interested in TAE and in Focusing as a creative process.

Margaret Quinn is a Focusing teacher and is Chair of the Irish Focusing Network.