Shadow Practice Intensive for Men

One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious -- C.G. Jung

Everyone has a shadow, which begins in childhood as a result of stuffing away negative feelings in order to build a proper ego. We encounter our shadow when we uncover a long-buried, unacceptable trait in ourselves, when we feel an unexplainable dislike of someone or when we feel overwhelmed by anger, envy, or shame.

This shadow practice intensive is designed to create a safe container for men to explore the nature of their own shadow and learn practical techniques that can be used on a daily basis to engage shadow as it shows up in daily life. This intensive is intended for a man who is serious about his spiritual journey.

Jim O'Neill has been involved in men's work for the past 20 years. He has lead bible study groups, lectured on Male spirituality, and co-founded Mid-Atlantic MALEs (Men as Learners and Elders). He has been active in the Philadelphia area Mankind Project New Warrior training and has been a teaching elder at a Men's Rite of Passage held in New York in 2008. He has studied Jungian psychoanalysis under Robert Moore and has recently completed a graduate course of study on Shadow at John F. Kennedy University. He has an Integral Life Practice of yoga, reading and study, meditation and shadow work. He is a professionally trained chiropractor and has been a sales consultant for the Association for the Study of Internal Fixation for the past 23 years. He has a passion to bring a daily shadow practice into the lives of men on a spiritual path. He is a husband of 34 years, a father of two grown daughters, and lives in West Chester, Pennsylvania with his wife Claire. For more information, visit www.jamesjoneill.wordpress.com

INFO AND REGISTRATION

Date: Friday, April 8, 2011 thru Sunday, April 10, 2011

Arrival Time: 4pm to 6pm Friday, April 8th

Departure Time: 3pm Sunday, April 10th

Cost: $75.00 Please mail check to Jim O’Neill, 1622 Bow Tree Drive,
West Chester, PA 19380. Payable to: Rolling Ridge Study Retreat

Location: Rolling Ride Study Retreat Community, Still Point Retreat Cabin, 1699 Patriots Way, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425, 4 bedroom mountain cabin located on 1400 acre wilderness retreat. For more info visit: www.rollingridge.net or email community@rollingridge.net.

Directions: (approx. 3 hrs) 95 South to Exit 49B Towson, to Exit 16 Frederick, to 70 West bound Frederick, merge onto 340 West via exit number 52 toward Charlestown, merge onto 340 S/WV-9 E toward Berryville/Leesburg, take WV-9 E ramp toward Charlestown/Leesburg, turn RIGHT onto WV-9 to Mission Road, follow Mission Rd to LEFT on to Patriots Way, Follow Patriots Way until the road ends at a locked gate.

Supplies: Bring your own bed linens, blanket, pillow and towels. We will be in two cabins that accommodate 20 people.

Meals: All meals will be prepared and eaten together Friday night dinner to Sunday Lunch.

More on the Shadow Practice Intensive:

Our "Menswork" often focuses on developing a Contemplative stance to life. We pray, we meditate, we spend time in nature. These are all necessary and good practices for our collective spiritual journey. However, we can "Sit" until the cows come home and never face our psychopathology. A Shadow Practice is a necessary piece for a man on a spiritual journey.

I have found that developing the ability to shift perspective is a crucial aspect of a personal shadow practice. I highly recommend that you read the following books before attending this Shadow Practice Intensive:

Meeting the Shadow: The Hidden Power of the Dark Side of the Human Nature. Edited by Connie Zweig and Jeremiah Abrams, Tarcher/Penguin Books. Available on Amazon.

Integral Life Practice: A 21st Century Blueprint for Physical Health, Emotional Balance, Mental Clarity and Spiritual Awakening. Wilbur, Patten, Leonard and Morelli Integral Book 2008. Available on Amazon.

Agenda Flow: Container Building–>Teaching Circle–>Practicing (In Circle and Alone in Nature)–>Closing

Shadow Practices:

• 3-2-1
• Empty Chair
• Integrating Projections
• Jungian Dream Work
• Gestalt Dream Work
• Jeremy Taylor’s Group Dream Work
• Using Film or Fictional Material
• Creative Process (Midrash)
• Tracking Triggers
• Inner Child Process
• Psychosynthesis
• Using Humor

Material will be presented on all of these techniques and we will practice as many as time allows.