Home Courses & Training Mission Statement The Staff at CIRL Contact CIRL Articles & Reviews Links & Related Sites     www.cirl.org.uk  www.cirl.co.uk "Extending Diversity in Body Psychotherapy and Groupwork" Mission Statement The Centre for Integral-Relational Learning is a Not-For-Profit Institute. It has been created as a holistic response to the need for further experiencing, exploring and learning from each other and the world around us through trainings in Body Psychotherapy and in Group Facilitation and Self-Direction.   At the heart of our approach is the individual working towards integration of the physical, emotional, mental, socio-relational and spiritual aspects of human beings. This is done within a diverse community-based learning environment. In this environment the learning is for everybody involved, staff and students alike.   However, this is not meant to be an academic exercise or remain just theoretical knowledge. The intention is to stay focussed on the application of theory to relational involvement and social engagement, for it to be real, present, and alive and in the here and now of our work.   The Core Principles of the Centre are: · Working with Diversity   · Belief in the Need for the Relational   · Working in an Integral Framework   · Holistic Approach and Understanding   · Working with the Concept of the Wounded Healer What this means: We see the role of the facilitator in the context of the wounded healer. This facilitation role includes relation to: self, other individuals, groups and the collective. Our own wounds are understood as sensitising gifts to others and their suffering. Thus the central questions are: How best to facilitate the individual and collective, internal and external conflicts and polarisations which we are subject to? How best to facilitate deeper awareness and emergent transformative processes?   We embrace the conflicted self and recognise that only by staying with the discomfort, pain and at times, heartache, will we get glimpses of our own true nature of being.  We equally recognise the paradox that similar feelings of pain and heartache can and do arise when we allow ourselves to feel our joy.   We work towards a sense of wholeness that is elusive. In this we are attempting to do justice to both the wisdom of the pain and the strength and dynamics of our potential.   Awareness and use of self - as a person and in role - is fundamental to our understanding of facilitation. We are taking the subtlety and focus of modern, relational, depth psychology and putting them together with the empowerment and discipline of self-direction, from a perspective rooted in diversity.   We draw on theories and influences as wide-ranging as Integrative Body Psychotherapy, Humanistic Psychotherapy, Existential - Phenomenological Psychology, Philosophical and Ethical Exploration in Psychotherapy and Healing, Models of Diversity, Contemporary Gestalt Psychology and Psychotherapy,  Jungian Analytic Thinking, Shamanic Philosophy, Creative Arts,  Contemporary Artistic Explorations including films, theatre, literature, poetry, writing etc.   In an integral approach we attempt to embrace and do justice to polarised principles. Such principles arise from the exploration and inclusion of contradictory and fragmented fields and disciplines. We do this, whilst at the same time, trying not to polarise or fragment ourselves in the process.  Therefore the approach necessarily includes an exploration and understanding of the complexity of balance / imbalance, we all experience.   We welcome trainees from all backgrounds, groups and communities in society and look for a commitment to diversity, a welcoming of differences and an understanding and willingness to explore and learn about equalities issues in both staff and students.   We apologise to any potential staff and trainees with disabilities that require wheelchair or specialised access. We have been unable to find premises with sufficient access for the forthcoming academic year.

 
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