Buddhist psychology suggests that we are all caught in fabricated worlds, built as defences against knowing the existential reality of our situation and our feelings of threat which come from our expectations of others' judgement and condemnation. We opt for the reassuringly familiar and see new situations through our habitual templates and mental formations, yet still we are troubled by threatening feelings of inadequacy and guilt. The structuring of our personal worlds is complex and well established. We have been doing it since birth and before. In this course block we will explore the processes of delusion which lie at the heart of mental structures and in particular we will explore the ways that many such feelings revolve around the "need to be right" and our fear of judgement. We will look at ways of challenging these perceptions and reaching a more honest relationship with our humanity. The first weekend will focus on the construction of delusion and the ways in which Buddhist psychology understands the processes of mental formation. The experiential section, which is timed to coincide with the publication of Caroline Brazier's new book on the topic, will explore the role of guilt in the formation of our mental structures, at ways in which the Western culture of judgement impacts on therapeutic practice, and at alternative ways of working with such factors. The final weekend it will examine therapy's role in the broader context of the human situation and the dire consequences of our delusive behaviours as they threaten all sentient beings.

2-3 May
CORE SKILLS 5: Vedana, Samjna, Samskara
This skills weekend will focus on the Buddhist theory of skandha process explaining how the structures of delusion are created. As we perceive our world, we react and in reacting tap into our habitual patterns of thought and action. We play out familiar roles and invite those around us to do the same. In doing this we proliferate those mental tracks that will lead us to continue to see the world in a deluded way. We will explore how these patterns of response manifest on micro and macro levels in all normal human interaction, and how the therapist can use awareness of this process to break into their rigidities.

May 4-7
FOUR DAY EXPERIENTIAL: Beyond Guilt
A four day experiential group focussing on exploring issues of guilt and shame. Coinciding with the publication of Caroline Brazier's book on the topic, this workshop will look at the complexity of this topic, exploring the differences between real guilt and felt guilt, and the factors which may be at play in such experiences. In particular it will look at the Western burden of judgmentalism and at ways of moving beyond this into a more productive relationship with our pasts. This group will use action methods and other exercises to explore the way that perception can shift or mislead. We will look at new ways of perceiving old events through various kinds of other-centred work. There will be opportunities to discuss relevance to client work and to explore methods that can be used in the therapeutic setting to disrupt unhelpful perceptual fixities.

May 8
DAY SEMINAR : Bombu Nature and the Therapist
We are all bombu. We are human, and in being so, we are ordinary, unenlightened beings who make mistakes. At the same time, our clients may have all manner of expectations of us which may artificially high. They may idealise us and look to us for wisdom which they do not themselves hold. As therapists we are expected to uphold standards of behaviour which are exemplary, codified in ethical guidelines, and in our professional models. Thus we are expected to continue to "get it right" and our fallibility is frowned upon from all sides. How does the therapist deal with these high expectations? What happens when things go wrong? How do we integrate our darker aspects into our professional practice and recognise our ordinariness whilst continuing to provide the level of holding which therapy requires.

May 9-10
CORE SKILLS 6: Green Therapy
Therapy can be seen as taking place in a separate space. The boundaries of the therapy room create a barrier, bringing therapy into an indoor world focussed on inner processes of the mind. Yet humans exist in a world that is facing ecological crisis. The impact of our lives on the other species of the planet is a story to terrifying destruction. How do we live with the realities of climate change and the destruction of environments? Do these impact on the therapeutic process we engage in, or are we and our clients so pre-occupied with personal stories that such global factors are ignored. This weekend in our series on ethical dilemmas asks: What impact does environmental concern have on our work as therapist? Is it something we should be more conscious of? Do therapists have a role in shaping public attitudes on these matters? Is it the ultimate delusion to believe we can reach our human potential whilst ignoring the fate of other sentient beings?