Brian Les Lancaster, PhD

Founding Director

Brian Les Lancaster is Emeritus Professor of Transpersonal Psychology at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU); Associated Distinguished Professor of Integral and Transpersonal Psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies; and Honorary Research Fellow in the Centre for Jewish Studies at Manchester University. He is currently a Board member of the Association for Transpersonal Psychology, and has previously been Chair of the Transpersonal Psychology Section of the British Psychological Society and President of the International Transpersonal Association. Les is Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Sacred Science Circle. At LJMU he was Programme Leader of an award-winning online MSc in Consciousness and Transpersonal Psychology, about which a UK government agency wrote:

“This highly innovative programme is a tribute to the university. It has gained widespread recognition in the UK and abroad as an innovative, substantive and well run programme.”

In addition to numerous articles and chapters in colleagues’ books, Les’ published works include Mind Brain and Human Potential, winner of a Scientific and Medical Network Best Book Award, The Essence of Kabbalah, and Approaches to Consciousness: The Marriage of Science and Mysticism, about which Chief Rabbi, Professor Jonathan Sacks commented:

“With formidable erudition and the widest of perspectives, Brian Lancaster has written a challenging and potentially ground-breaking book on the relationship between scientific and mystical ideas of human consciousness. A humane scholar in the great tradition of William James, his work deserves to be read and discussed widely.”

Jessica Bockler, PhD

Founding Director

Jessica Bockler is an Applied Theatre practitioner and Transpersonal Psychologist with a passionate interest in expressive & ritual arts as a way to soulful living. She has a PhD in Psychology from Liverpool John Moores University. In her research she explored “Theatre as a Transformative Practice”, examining the actor’s craft as a vehicle for (trans)personal growth and development. Jessica is also a Sesame Practitioner, trained in the use of story, drama and movement as a vehicle to work with Soul.

Jessica has extensive experience of creative programme management and multi-modal arts facilitation in community, education and health contexts and she specialises in transpersonal and somatic approaches to creative practice, combining expressive arts work with practices enhancing mindfulness and body awareness. She is the Director of Creative Alternatives, an arts and mental health service which operates in the boroughs of Sefton and St.Helens, Merseyside, UK.

Her research interests include: mental health, mind-body dynamics & somatic psychology, creative conflict resolution, psychology of ritual, Jungian psychology and alchemy.

Jessica’s life and work are further nurtured by her study of the Japanese martial arts Aikido and Iaido with Ezra Shihan at Komyokan Aikido Association.