On Philosophical Roots of Focusing: An Introduction

An online, interactive 4-session introductory philosophy course facilitated by Donata Schoeller, Ph.D.

Four 2-hour sessions on Fridays: June 26, July 3, July 10, July 17, 2020   11:00am - 1:00pm Eastern time

convert to your time zone here.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS CLASS BEGAN JUNE 26TH BUT YOU MAY STILL REGISTER AND JOIN THIS CLASS IN PROGRESS. YOU WILL RECEIVE RECORDINGS TO THE PREVIOUS CLASSES AFTER YOUR FIRST CLASS. 

The class size will not be limited, and you do not need to attend live. Recordings of the individual sessions will be distributed to all registrants prior to the next session (except in the case of technical difficulties).

Recordings will include: Donata's presentations, Q&A, and group exercises/discussions.  Exercises carried out via breakout rooms are not recorded.

In this 4-session introductory course, participants will explore some philosophical roots of Focusing by becoming acquainted with key passages in the work of William James and John Dewey that point to what Gendlin calls „implicit intricacy”.

After a short glimpse into these giants on whose shoulders Gendlin is standing, we will look into motives and motivations of Gendlin’s two main philosophical oeuvres: Experiencing and the Creation of Meaning and A Process Model. This approach strives to provide a „bigger picture“ on Gendlin’s philosophical endeavor. 

Finally, the course faces the questions about what difference it makes to the practice of Focusing to include the philosophical dimensions of Gendlin’s work.

Presentations, readings*, and simple exercises (also Thinking at the Edge -TAE) will be included in this course. Although some familiarity will be helpful, as an introductory course, no experience with philosophy or Focusing is required to participate.

Each session will be comprised of (approximately): a 45-minute presentation by Donata followed by 25 minutes Q&A and a 5-minute break; 30-minute exercise; 15 minutes group sharing.

*Passages for readings will be provided to all registrants before the course begins

Topics that will be covered:

Session 1:    William James and John Dewey as pointers to „implicit intricacy“

Session 2:    Gendlin’s philosophical project in Experiencing and the Creation of Meaning (Reading some passages from chapter III and making word exercises)

Session 3:    Gendlin’s philosophical project in A Process Model (environment and time)

Session 4:    How does Gendlin’s philosophy of the implicit affect the Focusing practice? (inside, outside, what is feeling, what is subjective, implications of interaction first, Focusing according to Chapter VIII in APM or a felt sense is a process)

About Your Facilitator

Donata Schoeller is a professor of philosophy, who co-initiated and manages the international research project Embodied Critical Thinking (ect.hi.is). Together with Christiane Geiser she translated A Process Model into German and wrote a first introduction. Among her recent publications are Close Talking: Erleben zu Sprache bringen, Saying What We Mean, ed. with Ed Casey, and Thinking Thinking, ed. with Vera Saller. Her PhD on Meister Eckhart and Jakob Boehme was published in 2nd edition in 2009. She is a Focusing trainer and teaches Thinking-at-the-Edge at institutes, academies and universities in Europe, the US and Israel. She has three grown up daughters.  donataschoeller.com

Format

The class size will not be limited, and you do not need to attend live. Recordings of the individual sessions will be distributed to all registrants prior to the next session (except in the case of technical difficulties). Recordings will include Donata's presentations, Q&A, and group exercises/discussions.  Exercises carried out via breakout rooms are not recorded. 

We use Zoom videoconferencing for our online classes. The class will be held in MEETING FORMAT so that all participants can see the presenter and each other. (There is an option to turn off your video if you prefer and technical instructions will be given at the class start). You will need to have a computer/mobile device. Calling in by phone is also possible but not preferred as participation in breakout rooms will be limited.

THE SMALL PRINT

Refund policy: A full refund minus a $15 administrative fee for cancellations 14 days before the start date. Cancellations less than 14 days before the start date are nonrefundable. The International Focusing Institute reserves the right to cancel or re-schedule for insufficient enrollment or for other unanticipated reasons. In such cases you will be given a choice of applying your tuition to future programs, or having the full enrollment fee returned to you.

For more information:

Contact Elizabeth at [email protected] or (845) 480-5111.