Gestalt Therapy and
Evolutionary Psychology
A five-day residential
workshop at Esalen Institute, Big Sur, California, USA
October 12th
– 17th, 2003
Since 1964, Gestalt
Therapy has been the seminal theory and technique in support of Esalen's quest to
discover “the limits of human ability, the boundaries of human experience, and
what it means to be a human being”. Gestalt proved an exciting way of
implementing an experimental approach to discover what was possible.
Through nearly four
decades we have learned a lot. But what now?
New doors have been opened by research in neuroscience, motivation, cross-species comparison, and especially, modern psychological applications of evolutionary biology. The revelations are startling. Familiar Gestalt techniques remain essential: group process, dialogic encounter, empty chair and hot seat, figure/ground, and the central role of awareness. An approach informed by evolutionary psychology, however, demands more skill in awareness techniques, offering challenging perspectives concerning the dynamism, bumpiness, and vastness of the awareness continuum. It re-examines implications of phenomenology, extends "Ground" back to the Stone Age, understands Self in relation to brain research, and experiments with new ways of viewing “authentic” “honest” behavior.
We shall grapple experientially and intellectually with questions such as: Is
our way of understanding the human mind in relation to others inhabiting nature
merely anthropomorphic romanticism, or can important things be learned from
cross-species psychological comparisons? Why do people often seem to be doing
something different than what they say and feel they are doing? Why have humans
evolved to encounter each other so radically intersubjectively? Can we make contact
differently? What would be the point?
Together, we shall take seriously the ancient pan-cultural Gnostic
mandate: “Know Thyself.” We shall see how biology and evolutionary theory can
potentiate a sincere inward quest, and discover more about the function of
self-disillusionment by facing our inner processes with bold informed
curiosity; this will bring us closer to ourselves, and one another, by
revealing and dispelling tenacious illusions.
Workshop
Leaders
v
has a BA in
Anthropology from California State University, Northridge, and an MA in
Counseling from Webster University, Albuquerque;
v
has trained in
psychotherapy at Gestalt Institute of New England and consultation skills at
National Training Laboratories (NTL);
v
is an experienced
trainer of Gestalt therapists and Founder / Director of The Gestalt Institute
of New Mexico;
v
was an
organizational consultant to Digital Equipment Corporation for 10 years, where
he led 5-day residential workshops, designed and facilitated large change and
transition projects, and taught counseling skills to managers and supervisors;
v
is a member of the
American Academy of Psychotherapists;
v
has led groups at
McLean Hospital, Belmont Massachusetts (Harvard Medical School) and Heights
Psychiatric Hospital, Albuquerque;
v
has presented
workshops in the application of Evolutionary Theory to: The Association for
Advancement of Gestalt Therapy, The International Gestalt Conference, and The
National Association of Sports Counselors;
v
is in private
practice in Albuquerque.
v
Wymore’s Web site:
http://www.gcnm.nm.org/ , and his Full Resumé
v
earned his Ph.D.
in Biology from Cornell University's Section of Neurobiology and Behavior;
v
has done National
Science Foundation sponsored research in behavioral ecology and evolutionary
psychology at The University of Oxford, U.K., The University of New Mexico,
Albuquerque, and The University of Montana’s Flathead Lake Biological Station;
v
is a member of the
Research Faculty at the University of New Mexico and a Faculty Adjunct of The
University of Montana;
v
has graduate and
undergraduate mentoring duties in behavioral biology at the University of New
Mexico and the University of Montana;
v
studies human
behavior both from an evolutionary psychological perspective and from the point
of view of the esoteric traditions of several major religions;
v
published recently
on the evolutionary psychology of unipolar depression in the Journal of
Affective Disorders (Watson
& Andrews. 2002. JAD 72, 1-14).
v
Watson’s Web site:
http://biology.unm.edu/biology/pwatson/public_html/pjw_cv.htm
In
recent years, John and Paul have thrice led the Esalen workshop,
“Evolutionary
Psychology and Spiritual Practice.”
Click here for Esalen Institute’s web site