Led by Sharon Terry

Designed to deepen the concepts and practices presented in Intro to Gestalt Awareness Practice, and to provide an introduction to Open Seat work. Open Seat is a practice where an individual is supported in using the tools of Gestalt Awareness Practice to contact their moment-to-moment experience. As part of this, students may explore sensations and emotions, face life situations past and present, or develop their ability for self-expression and communication. Investigating dreams is a very engaging part of this approach. Whatever the content, open seat is an interactive form of meditation, and the goal is to become more present and in touch with ourselves and our world.

This workshop explores the dimensions of dialogue more fully. The basis of good dialogue is contact. The basis of good contact is presence and full entry. Once we are present, our expression becomes clearer and more honest. All of these practices rely on the essential practices of grounding and feeling supported (taking our seat), being in touch with breath (basic breath practice), and noticing sensation, perceptions, and thought (continuum of awareness).

We value this quality of contact as we face things waiting for our attention, turn toward things we avoid, and offer time and space for what has been waiting. Sometimes, this involves meeting what feels incomplete to us or facing something in our life right now that could use company.

In GAP, we are not just working on our issues; we are slowing down, being present, and focusing on our quality of awareness. Individual work, reflected by the leader, is not the focus of this workshop. This workshop will offer open seats, and some of the exercises will take place in dyads and triads.

Prerequisite: An Intro to Gestalt Awareness Practice in the last three years. This course is designed to be useful to those relatively new to this approach and those who know it well but want this space, time, and support to explore.

To register, fill out this form. We will notify you if you are accepted – the workshop has a limited enrollment. If you meet the prerequisite and there is space, we will ask you to pay a $150 non-refundable deposit by check, PayPal, Venmo, or Zelle. The balance of payment is due at the beginning of the workshop. Contact Sharon if you have an extenuating financial circumstance.