the art of Focusing
Dana ganihar | baruch brenner
About Focusing:
Focusing is a practice developed by the philosopher and psychologist Eugene Gendlin a professor at Chicago University. At its core, it acknowledges that every experience, situation, or problem is broader and much more intricate than what a person perceives. Directing attention to our “felt sense” of what is happening in a situation allows for the ‘more’ within it to open up. This is a ‘more’ that cannot be understood through regular thinking, but only through the “felt meaning” which is something that we sense in the body. The Focusing practice teaches precise steps through which a body sensation is transformed into a new understanding. These movements are what allow us to transition from closed, stuck, or ‘confused’ life situations towards new life movement.
However, this is only the first phase. The opening of the ‘more’ also changes our “self” to be more – more intricate and varied; with sensitivity to finer resolutions and an ability to handle complex situations with a broader perspective.
In Focusing as developed at the Shakio Institute, we focus not only on changing life situations but also on learning how focusing can transform the self and our ways of perceiving life.
Focusing is not just aimed at alleviating and providing a “better solution” for life problems, or just at uncovering the complexity inherent in every situation; all these do, in fact, take place as part of the focusing process, but focusing also teaches the person to recognize themselves as a ‘being in creation(ing)’. A being who is continually being created and is a partner to the process of their creation.
As well as being relevant to all of life and many specific areas such as health and education, Focusing is also particularly helpful for our contemplative spiritual journey and very relevant to spiritual companioning – for both companions and those they journey with.
About the facilitators:
Dana and Baruch, the course instructors, are both certified coordinators by the International Focusing Institute. They have conducted many focusing courses (from basic to certification courses) individually and together for the general public, therapists, doctors, students, and lecturers in academia, and more.
course details:
12 consecutive sessions on Tuesdays
course starts on April 20th
36 academic hours
Dates: 20.4, 27.4, 4.5, 11.5, 18.5, 25.5, 8.6, 15.6, 22.6, 29. 6, 6.7, 13.7
time: 19:30-21:15 (Israel), 17:30-19:15 (London), 9:30-11:15 (LA, California), 12:30-14:15 (New york)
Join the course
Price: 460$
Please write to us if in need of financial assistance to info@shakio.org.
For more information:
ABOUT US
Shakio is a space for collaborative exploration founded by Dana Ganihar, an experienced Focusing instructor and a teacher of the philosophy of Eugene Gendlin, and Baruch Brenner a multidisciplinary artist, rabbi and certified Focusing instructor who investigates and teaches performance art and Jewish mysticism.
Baruch Brenner is an Israeli Focusing facilitator, theater director, actor, singer, teacher and an ordained Orthodox Rabbi. Over the last 25 years, he has been a leading innovator in integrating Jewish and spiritual practices with experiential work in theatre, movement and vocal arts. He was the artistic director of the Vertigo lab in the eco-art village, and a research fellow and member of Jerzy Grotowski theater ensemble.
Dana Ganihar, M.Sc. is a teacher and researcher certified as a Focusing Coordinator by the international focusing institute in New York. Over the last couple decades she has led numerous workshops and seminars exploring the work of psychologist and philosopher Eugene Gendlin: IBF – Instancing Based Focusing, PoI – Philosophy of the Implicit, and TAE – Thinking At the Edge.
Dana has initiated cooperative research exploring the potential impact of Focusing practices on diverse fields such as biology, architecture, creative writing and religion.
testimonials
“I find that the practices we explore in the Art of Prayer support the deepest yearnings of my soul. These practices have begun to open to my awareness a sense of life force – Living Presence – bubbling up in me and calling me forward to participate in the unfolding of Creation.” Rabbi Nahum Ward-Lev
“Since learning with Dana and Baruch, I can mark the time when my heart began opening itself, and pointing the way towards the depths of my soul. As I find more of myself through the Art of Prayer, my relationships are softening and growing. And those closest to me are beginning to find their own softening, growing and soul-deepening.” Lynn Rosen
“Standing in front of the gateways of prayer, taking time to breath, observe, listen. Doing this together, even if within zoom-frames, in conversation and silence, with the lucid guidance of Dana and Baruch..this is a gathering with new and known depths, personal and universal, temporal and infinite – we’ve been blessed to have this opportunity” Prof. Sara Sviri, Writer – The Sufi Anthology
“Working with Baruch and Dana has been a very important and deeply stabilizing experience. Especially when the Corona measurements hit us and fear and insecurity spread I felt I was coming home when entering our shared space. I am so unspeakably grateful for being part of this group where failure does not exist and trials are welcome. Where being human gains a whole new depth.” Judith Weisz
“The Art of Prayer opened for me gateways of love towards fellow humans, the world, the future..to the understanding of our communal becoming, and a participation in the processes of creation. Many thanks.” Sigal Golan, Psychotherapist
“Touching upon the inner language of authentic prayer, the mystery of communication between human beings and the infinite and connecting with the depth of human experience – this course has provided me with great inspiration. The experience, knowledge and originality of Baruch and Dana transported me from the conceptual to the actual tools of spiritual work”. Yair Harel, Founder – the Piyut Website
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