March is a time when winter changes into spring. The first signs of new life start to emerge in the countryside, and people look forward to warmer days. Since earliest times, people have been sensitive to the changing seasons and their effect on life. Feeling at the mercy of the natural forces which determine the quality of life and death, people have experienced this time of year as a point of spiritual renewal. This training block explores the yugen qualities of early spring, with its poignant reminders of the fragility of life but also of its persistence against great odds; the effects of such experience upon the psyche and the possibilities for enhancing the appreciation which reflection on these matters can bring.

Natural Cycles: Nature, Art and Creativity in Therapy March 20th -21st
Our minds are conditioned by objects to which we give attention. Relating to our natural environment, we are exposed to situations that spontaneously create conditions for mental change. In this weekend we will take as touchstone the poem of Saigyo:

Once I see
the new green leaves
my heart may take to them too
if I think of them as mementos
of blossoms now scattered

Seeing the processes of life unfolding naturally we are touched by poignantly mixed feelings of rejoicing and mourning. The natural world has always been a force in shaping human thought and in providing inspiration to people. At times it may be challenging or saddening. Often it becomes a rich source of creativity. This weekend skills course will explore the use of natural imagery and materials, and even outdoor environments as stimulus for therapeutic work. We will look at the practicalities of introducing nature into therapeutic process as well as at the possibilities which it opens up.

Ojo: Death, Birth and the Psychology of Danger and Salvation March 22nd – 25th
Pureland Buddhism talks of salvation through faith. Can this concept have meaning for those who are not Pureland in their orientation? What personal stories do we carry about life and death? What are we to make of ideas of birth, death and faith in the modern world and how do such ideas impact upon our clients? Is it meaningful to speak of death within life, life within death? This four day group will offer space to explore our relationship with the big questions that humans have wrestled with through the centuries and with the impact of different answers both in this life psychology and in terms of beliefs about what lies beyond this life. It will also be an opportunity to reflect on the concepts introduced by the notable Japanese psychologist and teacher Gisho Saiko whose memorial day falls within this block, and at the practical example of people like Amrita Dhammika who took her life in her hands to help people in Africa and lost it, who we remember on 25th March.

Impermanence and the Immortal: Theory Seminar March 26th
The relationship between dukkha (affliction/danger) and human psychology is central to the Buddhist approach. Our minds are conditioned by our attempts to escape from knowledge of our impermanence, and to create permanence in our sense of identity. In the process the nobility of our existence as authentic beings is compromised. Buddhism can be conceptualised as the spiritual path that is based on a struggle with the question: Is it possible to live an authentic life? This seminar day will look at the basic theoretical underpinnings of Buddhist theory and at its understanding of transience and transformation.

The Speaking Body: Therapeutic Microskills March 27th - 28th
People convey meaning both intentionally and inadvertently through their facial expression, body posture and gesture. The observation and reading of body-language is a vitally important part of therapeutic skill, since significant change is often detectable in the body before it dawns in the mind and before it can be expressed with any fluency. This micro-skills workshop will help students develop their skill in responding not just to verbal cues given by their clients, but also to non-verbal indications of meaning. A practical and important course section for students at all levels.