This course
focuses on the science of Psychology & Spirituality, evaluating the
connection between the two, and providing theoretical and practical tools for
self growth based upon psychological and spiritual models.
Psychology
& Spirituality are wonderful realms of thought that can be used to promote
self growth and create a deeper, clearer, connection with who you truly are. In
order to achieve exactly that, this course will focus on your ability to engage
with your patterns of thinking while developing your own underlying awareness:
1. Controlling the mind:
Does your
mind produce incessant chatter? Thoughts constantly flowing through your
consciousness, distracting you and drawing you away from the experience of the
moment? Every time you approach a task your mind draws you away from fully
experiencing it: You read a book and think of your partner, you talk to your
partner and think of the dishes that need to be washed, you wash the dishes and
think of the cup of tea you would love to drink, you drink your tea and think
of the book... you are rarely here, in the experience. When you are able to
focus your attention and completely devote yourself to the experience you will
find the depth you were unable to realise before: The book becomes fascinating,
your partner is beautiful in ways you have not seen before and even the
experience of washing the dishes contains insight. Our mind is a powerful tool
with which we can achieve great results - as long as we are in control of it.
This course will teach you the meaning of the “focus of attention” and ways of achieving
control over the mind.
2. Creating awareness:
There are presently
certain psychological patterns which motivate you, direct your choices and
affect your reactions. Some of these patterns you are aware of and others might
be completely hidden as they navigate your life. You might find that your
partner makes you angry at certain moments, your job frustrates you under particular
circumstances and that you feel happiness under specific conditions. All these
feelings are rooted in your inner patterns. The more awareness you develop the
easier it becomes for you to control these feelings. Imagine living life
without drowning under waves of anger / jealousy / frustration / emptiness.
Imagine being able to experience happiness as an everyday experience. To
achieve this you will have to understand the root of these feelings within
yourself; in order to understand the root you will have to create awareness.
This course will teach you the meaning of awareness and how to achieve it practically.
Human
consciousness contains a passionate urge to develop and grow. This is our
natural tendency in life - to learn and expand. Most of us choose to ignore
this drive, we choose to survive instead of to live; we choose ignorance
instead of awareness. This course incorporates psychological and spiritual
theories to allow us to create awareness in our lives thereby fully engaging
with life, and living to our full potential. Psychology and spirituality are complimentary
in their nature and their integration provides a fascinating platform for teaching.
As we study
psychology we become connected to our mind and develop an awareness of our thought
processes. As we study spirituality we become connected to our inner processes
and develop awareness of our feelings and intuitive knowledge. Most
psychologists deny our intuitive side just as spiritual teachers deny the
rational mind - we teach ourselves to "choose sides" and become
either mind-oriented (psychology) or heart-oriented (spirituality). As we
choose, we limit ourselves and narrow our experience of life. To live life
fully we need to seek and embrace knowledge rooted in both the mind and the
heart; as we integrate the two we become whole.
Course Topics
The meaning of psychology in comparison to spirituality:
What are their unique teachings, what do they have in common and how can
we integrate them?
Humanistic psychology: Studying self-actualization
and existential-meaning as a tool for psychological growth.
Spiritual teaching: No-duality, no-self,
transcendence (Focusing on Buddhist philosophy).
Transpersonal Psychology: What is the
Authentic-Self? The teaching of Ken Wilber and Andrew Cohen.
The role Spirituality plays in your Psychological
well-being.
Thoughts & emotions: The psychological and
spiritual theories explaining the roots of our thoughts and emotions.
Meditation: What does meditation mean? How can we
achieve this altered state of consciousness? Why is it beneficial to our
lives?
Contemplating
and experiencing these topics has the potential to take you deeper into the
understanding of who you are. It will transform your life and challenge you to
become all of what you are.
Course Objectives
By the end
of the course you will:
1.
Understand the aim and scope of the meeting point between psychology and
spirituality.
2.
Understand the principal theories and models behind the scientific work aiming
to investigate this meeting point.
3. Acquire
insight into your own mind patterns and learn strategies to become more aware
of these patterns in your everyday life.
4.
Experience a stable increase in awareness, as a result of practicing
awareness-inducing techniques discussed in class and in the readings.
5.
Comprehend research that supports the principles, strategies, and skills of
psychology and spirituality in your life.
6. Develop a
zest for living a virtuous, satisfying, and meaningful life!
The personal
investigation the course is offering, as with every course that I give, will
combine theoretical knowledge (Psychological/spiritual theories, models, and
research) with practical exercises in class and at home. During the course you
will answer questions, tackle exercises, and contemplate the issues in your
life which research has shown to correlate with levels of awareness. This
practical work will be done privately and only you will see your responses.
Meditation
is taught in class on a theoretical level (the meaning and aims of meditation)
but also on a practical level where a number of meditation techniques are
experienced. You are also invited to continue this investigation at home through
a CD with instructions which will be given to you so that you can meditate on
your own.
Such
profound work is transformational – it not only provides an accumulation of
knowledge but also catalyses a real change in your life. I don’t want you to
simply quote a theory or an idea – I want you to be able to realize how this
theory relates to you personally. What
does it mean to you? What realizations can you draw about your own life choices
as you contemplate a given psychological or spiritual theory? It ultimately allows
you to experience your personal realizations and allow them to have an impact on
your spiritual and practical life.
Most courses
provide you with information, data and ideas. But as long as those ideas remain
theoretical they won’t create any deep change in your life. And why are we all
interested in our mind patterns and our awareness if not to create that change?
You need to practice these ideas and to experience them as you live. This is
exactly what this course offers – it
will turn the psychological and spiritual theories and models from impersonal
ideas into personal experiences and realizations – and therefore hold the
potential to change your life.
Psychology & Spirituality - Course details and registration
Dates: 2nd May - 6th June / 2012
Day & Time: Wednesday 18:00-20:00
Number of classes:6
Venue:
UCL (University
College London)
Department of Psychology
26 Bedford Way
London WC1H 0AP
3rd floor, room 305
Nearest Underground stations:
Russell Square (Piccadilly line)
Goodge Street (Northern line)
Euston Square (Hammesmith & City, Circle, and Metropolitan lines)
Tottenham Court Road (Northern and Central lines)
For a map - click on the picture below:
Course Fee: £70
Special Fee (If you enroll for more than one course at the same time): £55 per course
Concession Fee: £45 (Students, Unemployed, Low
income) Special Concession Fee (If you enroll for more than one course at the same): £35 per course (Students, Unemployed, Low
income)
If a financial problem prevents you from
joining the course please Contact Itai
Payment options:
1. PayPal - PayPal is free, It takes only a few
minutes, and it's the safest and most secure service on the internet.
You can pay with any major credit/debit card or with your PayPal account.
2. Cheque - Please make your cheque payable to “Itai
Ivtzan” and mail it to this address: CLICK HERE
In addition, please complete this form below (click on the picture). Please complete the form and send the cheque at the same time:
3. To arrange any other form of payment please Contact Itai.
Cancellation Policy - Terms and conditions:
If you cannot attend the course you have booked no refund is possible - but you can choose an alternative course.
Psychology & Spirituality Course
