SUMMER SEMINAR
2001
BACK TO BASICS
July 1-6, 2001 |
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Exciting
plans are underway for the School of the Natural Order's 2001 Summer Seminar.
We look forward to a week of intensive focus on the basics of
self-development as described in Vitvan's teachings. We
will begin our days with early morning yoga stretches and short meditations.
After breakfast the cool mornings will be a time for students to participate
in ongoing projects around Home Farm with time to explore the grounds,
gardens, and library as we work together. Classes held in the afternoons and
evenings will include breathwork, general semantics, and meditation the
basics of Vitvan s teachings.We will begin our days with early morning yoga
stretches and short meditations. After breakfast the cool mornings will be a
time for students to participate in ongoing projects around Home Farm with
time to explore the grounds, gardens, and library as we work together.
Classes held in the afternoons and evenings will include breathwork, general
semantics, and meditation the basics of Vitvan s teachings. Children's
activities are planned for the times when the adults are in classes. Jenna
Dalton, who has worked with the children in years past, and Susan Wetmore,
our staff member who teaches fourth grade, are organizing many projects and
activities in which the children will enjoy participating. |
Jim
Dalton will be returning to help us with breathing techniques. He will be
holding classes on the "Basics
of Breathwork." Vitvan's practical tips on breathing from the book Self-Mastery Through Meditation will be
reviewed, as well as the Vipassana approach to breathwork which Jim is
currently studying. At times the purpose of breath is to aid concentration,
at other times, to aid relaxation or to expand awareness; but, in any event,
we can learn to cultivate the breath as a friend for life. A useful guide to
a Buddhist road map on breathwork, from the basics to the most subtle
insights is Breath by Breath by
Larry Rosenburg. Much of what Jim is bringing to the seminar has been
inspired by that book. Because Vitvan puts such
great emphasis on practicing conscious abstracting, it is time once again to
focus our attention on general semantics. We are pleased to have as our guest
teacher this year Bruce Kodish from the Institute of General Semantics. Bruce
will give us fresh insights and provide us with many activities to focus our
attention on this very important aspect of self-development. Here is a taste
of what is in store for us from Bruce: |
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Unlocking
Your Personal Treasure Using General Semantics "Take
this story to heart ...There is something that can only be found in one
place. It is a great treasure which may be called the fulfillment of
existence. The place where this treasure can be found is the place on which
one stands." ‑ Martin Buber (p. 120, The Way of Man According to the Teachings of Hasidism) There
exist many different ways for helping an individual to find his or her own
'great treasure'. One approach, "general semantics" (originated by
Alfred Korzybski), explores the application of assumptions and attitudes
derived from modem science towards this quest for fulfillment. This
workshop taught over several days will use demonstrations, lectures, small
group discussions and experiments to provide an introduction/refresher to
some of the basic formulations of the general semantics discipline. These
include "The process of abstracting," "The map analogy,"
"Consciousness of abstracting," "Time‑binding,"
"Unspeakable level awareness," "Logical fate," "The
fact‑inference distinction," "To‑me‑ness,"
"Multi ‑meaning," "Neuro‑linguistic
consciousness," "Indexing," "Dating," "E‑Prime,"
and "English Minus Absolutism," among others. The workshop will
emphasize experiential understanding and practical applications for daily
living. Bruce 1. Kodish, Ph.D.
serves as a Senior Editor of the General
Semantics Bulletin and a teacher at Institute of General Semantics
Advanced Training courses. His teaching focuses on practical implications and
applications of a scientific orientation and on relating general semantics to
various aspects of non‑verbal experience. He lives in Pasadena,
California, and has a practice in physical therapy and posture‑movement
education. With his wife Susan, he co‑authored the book Drive Yourself Sane: Using the Uncommon
Sense of General Semantics. He has also written Back Pain Solutions: How to Help Yourself with Posture‑Movement
Therapy and Education. |
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Meditations
will be lead by various staff members, each with their own approaches to
share with you. In
addition to daily classes we have a few special activities planned. By
popular demand, we will spend a day hiking and picnicking on Mt. Wheeler.
There will be a 4th of July barbecue on the lawn, with festivities to
celebrate our nation's birthday afterward. Monday
evening we will have a special program provided by the Nevada Humanities
Committee. Chautauqua speaker Ruth Hanusa will present the history of
Hildegard Von Bingen, Medieval Mystic. Using her character's own words, Ruth
will describe the life and times of this remarkable woman. After her presentation, audience members may ask questions and they
will be answered by the historical character |
Several
of our members have recently taken training in "end of life hospice
care." They would like to share with you what they have learned about
opening a dialogue with the dying and their loved ones in order to make plans
for this special time of life. In
all, it should be a great seminar to stimulate us to get back to work on the
basics of our self‑development disciplines. Please let us know soon if
you plan to attend. Since we already have a number of both adults and
children enrolled our facilities are filling up fast. |
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To register: Call Val Taylor: (775) 234-7304 or FAX: (775) 234-7252
or email: Vitvan@sno.org Or
write us at P.O. Box 150, Baker, NV 83911. We accept MasterCard or VISA.
(Note: Charge cards by mail or phone only. We do not have a secure website.) Registration fee: $25.00 Room and Board: $40/day per person (includes breakfast, lunch,
dinner, snacks) Children: $15/day per child NO PETS, PLEASE! |
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