The Haven - Center for Transformative Learning

Here's a story:

Mental illness and depression are a growing concern in public health thanks to our culture of consumerism, patriarchy and the shortcomings of an industrialized education system. We live in a world of duality, of conscious and unconsciousness, where individual dreams are tested in the face of global trends, and where change is simultaneously desired and feared.

Experiencing this conflict within myself over the years has felt uncomfortable to say the least. There have been times when I was so immersed in the mental juggle of right and wrong, action and non-action, that I simply had to "check-out" of life in order to find some peace. Thankfully I live in a remote area where nature's tranquility can soothe my conflicted mind. And thankfully I was given the gift of stubborn determination.

The discomfort I feel has led me to search for a variety of "cures," including yoga, meditation, art therapy, and energy work, none of which have "fixed" the problem. However, they have helped me to stay grounded and bring awareness to the real work: integrating the various aspects of this Being that is me with curious compassion.

Breath work, gestalt therapy, and psychodrama have been a part of my life since 2012 when I did my first Radical Acceptance Intensive with Chris Oliphant and Ronna Smithrim. At times my scattered mind is still baffled by some of the concepts I learned from them. And that's my cue to get back in the driver's seat, back in my body.

The Haven provides space for this kind of self-exploration in a group setting. The relational aspect of the learning is the key to the process, but requires vulnerability. It was rather syncronistic that I happened to be reading Brene Brown's book "Daring Greatly " when I showed up at the Haven in June 2017 for Come Alive. As soon as I arrived on Gabriola Island I had the urge to pack up and leave! But the stubbornness kept up and I managed to stick it through. Susan Clarke and CrisMarie Campbel led the week's sessions and much of the exercises and discussions were based on the work of founders of the Haven, Jock McKeen and Bennet Wong.

Coupling this kind of therapy with practical communication tools carries the healing that much further. With my Venus in Libra, harmony in relationships is very desirable to me. I will easily lose sight of self in order to create harmony. So, I'm practicing vulnerability with the Communication Model. Owning my feelings has empowered me when addressing conflict with my partner.

As an empath, it was second nature to relate to the processes I witnessed. When I was offered the space to play out my boundaries in relationship, the seemingly conflicting voices I heard were telling me to "take the leap of faith," while also trusting that "I know what is right for me." Both these archetypal forces can coexist as aspects of me, and neither is right or wrong. Its a question of integration; acting from an awareness of each voice, and taking responsibility for that action.

Ultimately it all begins with the stories we tell ourselves. They are ongoing. Compassion and curiosity were my take-home from the Haven: they help cultivate awareness and a sense that being human is black, white, and everything in between. I have some new stories to tell now. I look forward to sharing more of them here on Steemit.

Thanks for reading!