ISP Training Begins

Raja and his wife and SE practitioner Cecile arrived along with our final team member, Patricia, making us a total of 11. We spent much of the day yesterday going to temples, the largest being the temple of Maha Lakshmi or the deity of prosperity. We bought and offered lotus blossoms, and I was gifted by the attending holy man with a lovely string of white chrysanthemums which I took to mean that good financial fortune is on the way! If I must, then I graciously accept. Raja then took us to eat at the now famous Leopold Cafe, which was where a local terrorist attack (of an open machine gun on the crowd) took place several years ago. He says that it was at the time a western hangout, and that the cafe's owners (Baba Lovers!) stubbornly opened it's doors the next day, refusing to agree to be terrorized. I like that.

Day 1 of Raja's Integral Somatic Psychotherapy training of India.

Our first day of training went well. 45 participants, all with a minimum of master's degree and with some form of practice or work. They are incredibly sophisticated and align with deep process. We broke into small groups after the morning lecture and demo, where each of the Assistant Trainers did personal sessions with members of the group. I was deeply touched by this process and the stories I heard. One of the women works with young female prostitutes and their children in Calcutta, the red light district. Another with individuals and family members with schizophrenia. These therapists are strong, open and capable- and I am absolutely honored to be able to offer them support and a sense of safety in the body through this ISP.

An aside for SE therapists reading this blog: Raja has asked us to focus right away on primary emotions vs  tracking sensations or defensive orienting responses. By expanding tolerance for emotional states and increasing the container for the emotional body, quick changes can be made. We assistants found the day to be somewhat challenging like riding a bike that has no handle bars or a different balancing system. I am glad for the challenge and trust his intuition and wisdom, so am game for it. I can see the wisdom in it, although it is a new form of process.

I thank you for holding this work in your hearts, for reading along on the blog and sending encouraging words. Love to all.