LEARNING THROUGH INTEGRAL PRACTICE

Dr. Jessica Bockler is an applied theatre practitioner and transpersonal psychologist with a deep interest in expressive arts and mindful creativity 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 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 North West of the UK.

Ellis Linders has a background in Theosophy and Anthroposophy, the Qabalah of the Western Mystery Tradition and Psychosynthesis. She has an MSc in Consciousness Studies and Transpersonal Psychology from Liverpool John Moores University.

Her particular areas of interest and experience are Spiritual Emergency, the role of the body in spirituality, illness as process of consciousness transition, and the relationship between energy medicine and the study of consciousness.

In this course you have the opportunity to devise and undertake a three-month programme of Integral Practice, exploring what nurtures and supports your ongoing development and growth, considering your personal and professional circumstances and the underlying patterns which shape your life experience.

As Ken Wilber (2000) suggests in his seminal book Integral Psychology, “The general idea of integral practice is clear enough: Exercise body, mind, soul, and spirit in self, culture, and nature. (That is, try to exercise the full spectrum [of consciousness] in the I, we, and it domains.) Pick a basic practice from each category, or from as many categories as pragmatically possible, and practice them concurrently. The more categories engaged, the more effective they all become (because they are all intimately related as aspects of your own being). Practice them diligently, and coordinate your integral efforts to unfold the various potentials of the body-mind” (p. 114).

In the context of this course the pursuit of Integral Practice becomes your opportunity to explore what constitutes a meaningful personal development practice in the 21st century. Over three months you will follow a personal plan of experiential practices engaging physical, intellectual, emotional, interpersonal and spiritual domains of your being. Your journey will be supported by a dedicated community of tutors and like-minded peers, helping you reflect on your experiences and discoveries.

There are no formal entry requirements to join this course. Come and study purely for personal interest and enrichment … and get the same level access as our postgraduate students who will be studying alongside you!

In our postgraduate programmes ‘Learning through Integral Practice’ is incorporated within the module ‘Transpersonal Psychology’ which provides an extensive introduction to the models and perspectives associated with the transpersonal and integral worldview. In order to develop personal competence in Transpersonal Psychology it is essential that we embody the theory, encountering ideas in direct experience and engaging with different forms of practice. A defining feature of the transpersonal paradigm involves the quest for personal and spiritual development. Indeed, a dynamic two-way relationship between ‘working on yourself’ and studying scholarly work and research in this area provides congruency and allows for deeper understanding.

For this reason we recommend that Open Learners interested in joining this course also sign up for Transpersonal Psychology.