Focusing Facilitators as the New Educators and Leaders

Friday, June 2, 2023 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm New York time

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Class will be recorded for all registrants and available for viewing for one month.

The world is undergoing massive changes. Climate destabilization, one challenge among many, opens many other crises and opportunities. Focusing offers ways forward with insight, creativity, and transformation. We know that felt-sensing offers potential not only for individuals, but also for communities. We will explore ways of deepening how we share Focusing in the world, to more fully meet the challenges that humanity is facing.

The program develops in two parts: 

I. The Miracle of Focusing as a Hermeneutic Circle 

How does the magic of Focusing happen when we hold open space for all to be seen and heard? Eugene Gendlin was a Heidegger scholar, and he felt that Heidegger’s hermeneutical circle could provide insight into the ground of felt-sensing and implying-into-occurring. The circle of attention, language and bodily understanding that Larry Berger offers has many commonalities with Gendlin’s A Process Model and provides ways to apply Gendlin’s teaching. Larry encourages us to further apply Gendlin’s philosophy in everyday situations, individual and collective living, especially in political environments. 

We see that the attention, body-environment, and language which are the basis for Focusing are dimensions in which we dwell, and they offer the possibility to deepen our presence and better relate to one another. Heidegger says that attention and language emanate from the source of all that is, which is the basis for its power. As we learn to explain this to others they may be more inclined to engage in practices like mindfulness and Focusing. 

Katarina Halm will offer Feldenkrais® practice to further our understanding of the hermeneutical circle. Rosa Zubizarreta will contribute listening and reflection during the first part of this session. 

II. Focusing Facilitators as Educators and Leaders 

There are many initiatives underway already, where ordinary citizens participate in political decision making. In Citizens’ Assemblies, professional facilitators hold open a space for the creative potential of all to emerge. This enables people to develop a sense of agency and empowerment. 

In some of these Councils, expertise in active listening and other Focusing-related approaches are already offering great value. Larry will invite Rosa to share a bit about her doctoral research on democratic innovations in Austria. After time for facilitated group conversation, Katarina will offer a Feldenkrais process to lead the closing. 

All are welcome to attend. No experience with Focusing or philosophy required.

We use Zoom videoconferencing for our online classes. In this webinar format, you will see the presenter and host, but you will not be seen. You will be able to ask questions during the webinar by typing them. Highlights presenters may at times invite a small number of participants to unmute or to join them onscreen during the webinar (optional).

You will need to have a computer/mobile device. Calling in by phone is also possible but not preferred. All registered participants will be sent a link to the video recording approximately two weeks following the class. So if you are unable to attend the live webinar, you will still be able to view it for one month.

Bios

Lawrence Berger, PhD has been developing a philosophy of attention over the course of his academic career. A long-time practitioner of mindfulness, he has taught philosophy at several universities, and published articles leading towards his upcoming book entitled The Politics of Attention and the Promise of Mindfulness (2024). 

Katarina Halm, CFT, GCFP, M.A. degree from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, thesis Resonance and Dissonance in the Learning Process, is a Focusing teacher and Feldenkrais® Practitioner dedicated to practical applications of Gendlin’s philosophy. Writings include: Rolling with Possibility, Attuning to Natural Process Action Steps, and Horizons of Understanding.

Rosa Zubizarreta is completing a PhD in Human and Organizational Systems from Fielding Graduate University, with a concentration in somatics, phenomenology, and communicative leadership. Author of “From Conflict to Creative Collaboration”, she is a Certified Focusing Professional and teaches advanced facilitation workshops internationally.