| TABLE OF CONTENTS |
(Psychology and the Other)
Edited by
Eric R. Severson and Kevin C. Krycka
This book is an outcome of the 2021 Gendlin Symposium, which was the work of the Gendlin Research Center and the Departments of Psychology and Philosophy at Seattle University. Editors Eric R. Severson and Kevin C. Krycka were chairs of that event and these essays were presented at that Symposium.
This collection of essays is written by scholars inspired by Eugene Gendlin’s work, particularly those interested in thinking with and beyond Gendlin for the sake of a global community facing significant crises. The contributors take inspiration from Gendlin’s philosophy of the implicit, and his theoretical approach to psychology. The essays engage with Gendlin’s ideas for our era, including critiques and corrections as well as extrapolations of his work.
Please note that the next Gendlin Symposium will take place in September 2023. Information on the 2023 Symposium is found here.
An Interview with Eugene Gendlin
by Hideo Tanaka
This memoir is based on an interview I conducted with Eugene Gendlin in New York nearly 20 years ago about his philosophical background. First, I will describe my impression of him, then, I will write about what I discussed with him.
In summary, I got the impression that Gendlin, the founder of “Focusing” and “Thinking at the Edge” (TAE), is a person who could “wait” for me to articulate my felt sense in a relaxed manner, without rushing me to put my feeling into words. And I also interviewed him on his early main philosophical book and its background.
Let's Start a Conversation: Roundtables 2023
Are you interested in having good conversations? If so, then Roundtables are just the place where you can begin them. Roundtables were created to foster conversations and connection between members. There have been many, many conversations going on at these events (and beyond!) for several years, on a wide range of topics.
You may have seen notices arrive in your inbox or advertised in the Courses and Events section of the TIFI website. This year, there are several already scheduled for the 2023 program, and we hope that you will join us. All Roundtables are free to members.
The intention for the 2023 Roundtable program is to continue to foster dialogue and connection across our international community. Details for some events are still being finalized, but to give you a taste of what to expect in the coming months, here is a summary of the main categories of the Roundtables that are being planned:
- Gathering of groups with a special interest, such as Focusing-Oriented Therapists (FOTs) and Children Focusing
- Roundtables in different languages (including French, Portuguese, Italian and Hebrew and English―so far), with locally-based hosts
- An emphasis on a specific theme for the year, such as three stand-alone events on Focusing and Listening
- General topics - many of them suggested by members - including Focusing and Ecology; Focusing and Poetry; Focusing and Spirituality; Focusing and Social Engagement, and a conversation on ‘What is the New Normal?’
- Geographic spread to ensure that people across different time zones have easy access to Roundtables
Particular thanks to the volunteer members who have acted as hosts over the past year, and to those who have agreed to act as hosts for 2023. All over the world, from Oceania to North & South America, to Europe and Japan, our hosts have generously taken the time to plan each and every Roundtable in great detail to ensure that it is the best possible experience for fellow members. Thanks, too, to people who have suggested areas for exploration, to those who have provided technical support, to those doing the administration behind the scenes and, of course, special thanks to the hard-working, supportive and endlessly patient Elizabeth Cantor in TIFI office. It is a big, international team effort.
Would you like to start a new conversation? We would love to hear from you on topics that you would like to have a conversation about― maybe there’s a question you want to pose or open up together (unclear edges are especially welcome). Maybe you’d like the opportunity to connect with people in an area you are exploring, or perhaps you want to start a conversation on how Focusing might contribute in some way to improving an aspect of life or tackling the issues that face us today?
Please email us at [email protected]
We look forward to seeing you at the Roundtables in 2023. Elaine Goggin Mary Jennings Margaret Quinn Roundtable Team
by Paula Nowick
Bala Jaison died on March 7, 2023 after a lifetime devoted to championing Focusing by teaching, writing, editing, and helping others in her Focusing-Oriented Psychotherapy practice.
co-leaders of the 1978 Weeklong
in Chicago. In the center is Brian Korzec.
Bebe Simon peeks out from behind him.
She typed, mimeographed, stapled, and offered the few pages to the young Focusing community in Chicago.
By 2008, under her dynamic leadership, her newsletter had grown into The Folio, an annual, professionally-bound journal of 376 pages with articles from 37 Focusers.
Along the way, she successfully persuaded The International Focusing Institute to underwrite the cost of publication, secured the unwavering support of Gene Gendlin, and solicited articles from authors around the world. Her work shined a light on the vast and varied intellectual interests within Focusing, all while educating and entertaining thousands. As I found out when I became her coeditor of The Folio, Bala was a force of nature who was able to not only dream big and execute flawlessly, but also inspire many others (like me) to join in and support her high ambition.
Remembering Lucy Bowers
On April 3, 2023, we lost one of the brightest lights in our Focusing universe - Lucy Rietveld Bowers. She passed peacefully after a long and courageous battle with kidney failure and cancer. She is survived by a loving family and a host of friends, colleagues, students, and many others whose lives she touched.
To honor Lucy’s legacy among our global Focusing community, a tribute is being written by Barbara Dickinson for the next newsletter. If you would like to contribute a short reflection, please write directly to Barbara by May 15, 2023. She can be reached via email at [email protected].
Lucy's family has provided these obituaries where you may find words of comfort and helpful information.
St. Catharine's Standard
Heritage Funeral Centre
Rest in peace, dear Lucy.
Milestones
We are happy to congratulate the following three new Coordinators, Certified Focusing Professionals (including Trainers and Focusing-Oriented Therapists) and Proficiency in Partnership (PFP) recipients. Congratulations to each of them on their achievement. We wish them all the very best in their ongoing endeavors!
New Coordinators
|
|
Sandy Jahmi Burg, USA Mentoring Coordinator: Nina Joy Lawrence Supported by Patricia Omidian and Helene Brenner Sandy is a Focusing Coordinator who aims to instill personal empowerment and community building through Focusing. She offers sessions and courses grounded in Inner Relationship Focusing, spatial awareness and neuroscience. Her Community Wellness approach to certification is supported by an ongoing Learning Community for Master in Guiding Change. Sandy is also the author of Smartview Stories, a book series on using Focusing in daily life that is currently being developed into school curriculum. |
|
|
Baruch Brenner, Israel Hebrew Mentoring Coordinator: Dana Ganihar Baruch Brenner is an Israeli theater director, actor, singer, teacher, Focusing trainer and an ordained Orthodox Rabbi. Over the last 25 years, he has been a leading innovator in integrating spiritual practices with experiential work in theater, movement and vocal arts. Together with Dana Ganihar, he founded Shakio Institute in the Spirit of the Philosopher Eugene Gendlin, which offers courses on Focusing, TAE, Gendlin's philosophy, and a Prayer school. |
|
|
Katherine Kot, Hong Kong, China Chinese Mentoring Coordinator: Katherine graduated with a Psy D. in clinical psychology, a Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, an MBA , and a Master's degree in Spiritual Theology. She has been engaged in psychotherapy for more than 20 years and has developed her own Treatment Modality “Empathetic Focusing Trauma Training”. Katherine is committed to promoting the Emotional Self-Help Awareness to the Chinese community worldwide as well as set up non-profit organizations in Hong Kong and Canada. Authored six books and many articles. She is an international popular speaker conducted more than 500 workshops or lectures worldwide. |
New Certified Focusing Professionals| Percillio Araujo da Silva Filho, Brazil Coordinators: Ana Lidia Mafra Bicalho de Oliveira and Maria Luiza Rocha de Andrade Liat Granot, Israel Coordinator: Liora Bar Natan Andrea Gratti, Italy Coordinator: Nicoletta Corsetti Alexandre Jacquelin, France Coordinator: Bernadette Lamboy Heather Juergensen, US Coordinator: Charlotte Howorth Teresa Keller, US Coordinator: Ann Weiser Cornell Sigalit Kubeisy Klein, Israel Coordinator: Liora Bar Natan |
Adi Leshem Alaluf, Israel |
|
Shara Morales, Switzerland |
