The Radical Re-Visioning of Psychology A Soul Wisdom for Our ...

The Radical Re-Visioning
of Psychology
A Soul Wisdom for Our Times!
Robert Sardello, PhD V William Bento, PhD
James Dyson, MD V Dennis Klocek, MFA
November 10–14, 2010 V Fair Oaks, California
Simultaneous with the emergence of Psychology in the 20th century, there was a
resurgence of the quest to find a greater wisdom to guide humanity through the modern
dilemmas facing the human soul. In Berlin, Germany on November 1–4, 1910, Rudolf
Steiner followed his seminal lectures on the “Wisdom of the Body” with four poignant
lectures on the “Wisdom of the Soul” or what he referred to as psychosophy.
A century later we find ourselves experiencing the same longings as those felt by those
at the outset of the last century, yet we have a new set of soul dilemmas facing us. In
the spirit of Steiner’s call for a more experiential and phenomenological approach to
understanding and healing the soul, the quartet of presenters and workshop leaders
will create a space for common explorations into the perennial and contemporary
riddles of the human soul.
Lectures, conversations, artistic activity, and thematic workshops will guide our
explorations into a more experiential and phenomenological approach to psychology,
and the emergence of psychosophy—a soul wisdom relevant to our times. Cheryl
Sardello, PhD, Roberta Nelson, PhD, Shawn Sullivan, MA, and others will join us in
dialogue, spiritual practice and the creation of sacred healing moments.
Conference Times: Wednesday, Nov. 10, 7:30pm through Sunday, Nov. 14, 12:30pm.
Full Conference Fee: $350 (by October 15); $400 (after October 15).
Lectures Only Fee: All 8 lectures $180; Single lectures $25 each.
Registration or Information: Visit www.steinercollege.edu and click on “Online
Registration”, e-mail conferenceregistration@steinercollege.edu or call 916-864-4864.
RUDOLF STEINER COLLEGE
A Center for Transformative Education, the Arts, and Waldorf Teacher Education
9200 Fair Oaks Blvd, Fair Oaks, CA 95628 • 916-961-8727 • www.steinercollege.edu
rsc@steinercollege.edu • bookstore@steinercollege.edu • housing@steinercollege.edu
Painting courtesy of Diane Goettlicher

Workshop Offerings
Spaces will be limited. Sign up for preferred workshop upon registration.
Inner Dimensions of Listening
with Robert Sardello, PhD • 2:30pm
This workshop begins with a consideration how true listening
emerges out of the Silence as it configures itself to the moment. Our
interest is in spiritual listening—how to do it, how to recognize when
it is happening, how it is inherently therapeutic, how it changes us.
People seek others to listen to them because they sense there is a feltquestion
(not an intellectual question) they have not found or asked
themselves. We will explore series of practices taking us into such
felt- questions—not questions we ask, but question that have us.
How the Dead Can Lead us to Soul Wisdom:
A New Therapeutics for Our Time
with Cheryl L. Sanders-Sardello, PhD • 4:15pm
In this workshop, we focus on practices for entering into heartconsciousness
while retaining clear thinking and willing capacities.
Such practices are central to be able to be of help to people whose soul
capacities are being affected by the unknown presence of those who
have died. We will also develop the central picture given by Rudolf
Steiner in relation to psychological illnesses as stemming from the
absence of a right relationship with the dead.
Contemplations of the Heart:
An Early Morning Session
Led by Robert Sardello, PhD
& Cheryl Sanders-Sardello, PhD
The Alchemical Roots of Psychology
with Dennis Klocek, MFA • 2:30pm
This workshop will address the processes that were introduced to the
world by Rosicrucian alchemist that eventually found their way into the
practices of psychology. The first session will deal with fundamental
alchemical laboratory processes that were used to transform
materials into healing substances. The second session will transform
the alchemical laboratory ideas into the psychological schemas of
Psychosynthesis with an exploration of the alchemical egg of Roberto
Assagioli. The third session will link the practice of symbolic thinking
and meditation to the healing modalities of psychologists like Carl
Jung and the soul transformation work found in Anthroposophy.
How Stories and Meditations
Speak to the Soul
with Shawn Sullivan, MFT • 4:15pm
He will tell stories and discuss how to choose with workshop
participants. Iron John (Grimm’s), Racing the Great Bear (Iroquois),
and Shiro (Japan) will be a be told to anchor our exploration. Fiveminute
sentence meditations will be part of our deep but gentle work.
Movement and Perception:
An Aspect of Personality Development
Within the Context of Psychosophy
with William Bento, PhD, & Alice Stamm, TTE • 2:30pm
The workshop will replicate the research protocol utilized in Dr. Bento’s
doctoral dissertation and published in his book, A Psychosomatic
Approach to the Diagnostics of Personality Disorders. Please bring
comfortable clothing, be prepared to be a research participant and to
move throughout the workshop as we explore the three dimensions in
space and the 12 varieties of personality dispositions as recognized by
the conventions of the American Psychological Association. The realm
of the 12 senses and the 12 urges will be explored to assess soul states.
Coming to Terms with the Life of Soul
Through the Seven Life Processes
with Dr. James Dyson & Karen Derreumaux • 4:15pm
Dr. Dyson will share his years of research and experience with the
7 Life Processes in relationship to stages of development within the
individual and the organization. Karen will augment his presentation
with eurythmy.
Psychosynthesis and Psychosophy
Workshops
with Roberta Nelson, PhD, LAC, LPC
Roberta will facilitate three experiential workshops in which concepts
from psychology, psychosynthesis, and anthroposophy are approached
imaginatively through a Native American Legend. The story will be
divided into three segments and used to set up three developmental
themes: recognizing duality, creating empathy, and harmonizing soul
forces. Although the workshops build upon each other, they can
be attended separately.
1) Two Brothers Workshop
Thursday, Part One from 2:30-3:45 and Part Two from 4:15-5:30
The theme of duality is introduced metaphorically through twin
brothers in the Native American Legend. When one brother produces
sunflowers the other makes thistles. Where one is creative, the other
merely imitates. In one brother’s lodge there is plenty and in the other
lodge there is famine. Given the gift of freedom by the Grandfathers
and the Grandmothers, we can choose our state of consciousness.
A revised psychosynthesis exercise is used to aid participants in
exploring their own dual nature.
2) He-Who-Eats-Humans Workshop
Friday, Part One from 2:30-3:45 and Part Two from 4:15-5:30
Soul wounds are part of our everyday self; they figure in all schools
of psychology. They are referred to as the shadow by Carl Jung,
subpersonalities by Roberto Assagioli, ego-states by Eric Berne, the
false self by Thomas Keating, the subconscious by Georg Kühlewind,
the double by Rudolf Steiner, and our karmic being by Coenraad von
Houten. Only within an empathic field can such wounds begin to heal.
This healing space arises when one listens in order to genuinely hear
the other, instead of listening in order to speak oneself. It is this selfless
activity that creates a field of empathy, in which it is possible to begin to
work on the restoration of one’s true Self. This can lead us towards the
practice of being individuals in compassionate relationships. Through
an interdisciplinary approach, participants will experience an activity
that supports the formation of an empathic field.
3) Redemption of the Evil Wizard Workshop
Saturday, Part One from 2:30-3:45 and Part Two from 4:15-5:30
In the final segment of the Native American Legend the characters
unite in order to redeem the Evil Wizard, calling forth his potential to
do the good. He is an imaginative representation of our fallen nature.
With the help of psychodrama, workshop participants will identify
and work with a polarity discovering the possibility for harmonizing
our soul forces.