Saturday, March 6, 2010
9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Embodied spiritual practices have often been dismissed by Western religions as less important than verbal prayer, just as the body has been seen as something to be ashamed of, detached from, or mechanized. In the past several years, there has been a resurgence of interest in practices like yoga and meditation as busy Americans strive to recommend with their spirituality. In Western culture, imagination has traditionally been dismissed as simply childish fantasy, but in attending our dreams and creating artwork we can experience the living images residing within the body. We will explore how yoga, dream tending and art can be meditative practices that engage the body to help bring us closer to the Divine and serve as powerful avenues for spiritual transformation. Our time will be split among lecture and discussion, experiential practice, and personal reflection, including yoga and meditation, dream-sharing and creating embodied images. Students should bring a personal dream. The yoga postures will be very simple and appropriate for anyone. Wear comfortable clothes and plan to practice yoga without shoes (socks are okay). Art supplies will be provided.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS
Diane Caughey, PhD is a Spiritual Director, Jungian Psychotherapist, and architect. She earned her Master of Architecture from UCLA and her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute in Santa Barbara. She spent four years studying and practicing psychotherapy as a clinical intern at the C.G. Jung Institute of Los Angeles. Dr. Caughey has studied privately with Dr. James Finley focusing on the mystical traditions of world religions. She trained as a Spiritual Director at the Spirituality Center of Mount Saint Mary’s College. She is a Camaldolese Benedictine Oblate at New Camaldoli Hermitage in Big Sur, CA. Dr. Caughey’s work brings together the depth of Jungian psychotherapy with mystical Christianity. She writes about Feminine Divinity and the coming of a new consciousness. She has private practices in Jungian psychotherapy and Spiritual Direction in West Los Angeles. She is a spiritual retreat leader and lecturer, teaches for Stillpoint: The Center for Christian Spirituality, and supervises spiritual directees in training at Mount Saint Mary’s College. She is a mother and grandmother.
Carol Rossi, MA taught yoga in the Dance department at Loyola Marymount University for nine years. She has studied with some of the most distinguished teachers within the tradition of centenarian yogi T. Krishnamacharya. Carol holds MA degrees in both Dance and Psychology, along with certificates in Yoga Teaching, Yoga Philosophy and Spiritual Direction. Since 2001, she has been interested in the link between the rich traditions of Yoga and the theology of Christian mysticism.