The Practice Place

1.    One-on one Transpersonal Therapy and counseling

One-on-one counseling is available for individuals who would like to work directly with a therapist in a more individualistic intensive. 

2.    Groups

During these experiential groups, individuals will deepen their understanding of their inner psycho-emotional-spiritual experience in a group context.  At the same time participants will enter the mystery of relationship and group process that seems to point again and again to what we share together. The transpersonal spectrum--from our childlike habits and patterns, through our personal egoic strengths and struggles, through to our sacred relationship to That in the world which moves us beyond ourselves--will be discovered and worked with organically each evening. The practice place groups allow a deeper exploration for individuals to gather around a particular theme of relationship or relating.  Examples of groups include women groups, men’s groups, thematic groups etc

3.  Day-long workshops

Day-long workshops allow a rich opportunity for spiritual practice.  You learn where you avoid contact with others, what strategies you have learned to protect your own vulnerability and how you shy away from life and the deeper yearnings of your true nature in order to be safe. 

4.    Week-long intensives

Week-long intensives are for an individual or couple to engage in the practices for an intensive week.  Participants stay on the property in a B&B style and work with the counselors each day around the participant’s unique issues. 

5.    Experiential Week-ends

During practice week-ends 20 or so individuals gather for a two-three day intensive to explore deepening in relationship while in community.  A number of activities including breathwork sessions, workshops of various kinds—music, art, dance, cooking and therapeutic programs provide the structure in which participants engage.  

6.    Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program (MBSR) programs

Modeled after the MBSR program at UMass Medical School, this 8 week course offers individuals an opportunity to learn meditation, gentle movement and other awareness practices to help them cope with stress related to illness and life difficulty. 

7.    Bodyfulness and Body-work programs

A healthy relationship to our body is a key to Realization.  Body work programs offered at the Practice Place include somatic practice, dance programs, touch therapy and other forms of body work to support deepening into the body’s capacities as relationship.

8.   InnerCare Writing Courses

Using guided imagery, body-based meditation and poetry as inspirations you will explore how it feels to use sensations, feelings and intuitions as a way to write from the depths of the unconscious mind.  You will be given exercises to help you trust and surrender to the experiences coming through from your deeper wisdom and use this content in your writing.  Learn a new way to communicate far beyond your usual boundaries of conversation, self-knowledge and story-telling.

9.  Sacred relationship workshops

Whenever individuals come together, life force inevitably comes into the picture.  Mostly our relationship to the body’s energies is left out of the picture in healing and then it creeps up on us in all sorts of dark and disowned ways.  How can we understand our own life force energies so that they can be integrated and fully embraced without all the dark and harmful exploits of acting out.   Individuals during these workshops explore how life force emerges in deep contact with others and are offered safe, respectful and contained ways to explore this life force and its impact in their life and their relationships.

10.  Silent Days of Mindfulness

A day of silent sitting is an opportunity to deepen one's practice of the time-honoured technique of meditation that has been the gateway to enlightened living for thousands of years. A great opportunity to prepare for longer retreats or for a break in the midst of busy living. No previous experience is necessary.=

11.    Children’s programs

In talking with parents and teachers, many voice concerns that there are few places where children can express their deepest creativity, yearning and expression of relationship.  Using art, dance, and other creative expression these day and week-long programs led by counselors and teachers support children in their own journey to the Heart.

12.  Breathwork programs

The Practice Place:  Programs in Development

1.    Holistic dying and grieving programs

Midwifery for the dying is a concept that is now emerging as more and more consciousness is being brought to terminal illness and the dying process.  Programs like the Cancer Help Program in California offer time tested programs that allow individuals with terminal medical conditions to explore the meaning in their lives in this context.  The Practice Place is seeking funding to expand our space to extend our programs to this important area.  This program will be based on the Commonweal Program for Healing in Dying in California and will provides supports to help guide individuals towards healing in their dying process.  Support for Grief programs will also be offered.

2.    Art Galleries and Music Performances

Inspired by heart-based practice, many artists and musicians are creating and expressing the depth of their process of heart transcendence in creative ways.  The Practice Place will provide a venue for art galleries and music performances that will allow artists to present their work and to give others a chance to participate in this transformative creative journey.

3. Organic food and cooking workshops

Good healthy food is key to our existence and our ability to feel good.  Feeling good is key to relationship to ourself and others.  In this modern day, many of us have lost our connection to food and cooking.  With the proliferation of fast food and packaged food, young children for example are losing the connection to where food comes from and the skills to prepare nutritious and wholesome food.  Participants in all our programs are treated to wholesome lovingly prepared food and in some cases will participate in the preparation of food.  Teen programs are offered to teach you adults about food, and basic food preparation.

4.  Animal farm and animal care programs

Many of us are losing our connection to farm animals that have served us food and as food and have offered service to us for millennia.  Connecting with animals is very therapeutic in its own right and in some cases, as with horses, can offer us deeper wisdom as teachers.  Animal programs will include equine therapy, and animal care programs to help individuals and children connect to the sensibilities and gifts of farm animals. 

5.  Healing Design, environmental care and sustainability program

Healing starts with the buildings, structures and the forms we create and decorate.  At the same time sustainability is a goal that supports our leaving as small a “foot print” as possible on the planet.  In our ongoing effort to make the Practice Place more sustainable, individuals can explore possibilities for healing design, environmental care and sustainability.