“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness …” — Charles Dickens, 1859
Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities is a story of tumultuous social, political, and psychological upheaval. Today, many people experience a similar tale of two cultures, a divisiveness that triggers pervasive stress and anxiety. How are we to manage anxiety, heal moral injury, and sustain a healthy center in these times?
This inspirational and liberating program will help participants hold the center—individually, in relationships, and in community. It explores the primitive psychological defenses that our society increasingly resorts to as we cope with life’s conflicts and demands: splitting, projection, and scapegoating. Conscious, mature self-management requires that we move beyond anger, fear, and divisiveness. These reactions are unsuited to deal with the complexities of modern life, yet they are constantly inflamed by news media, internet trolling, and political bombast.
The workshop also will explore a powerful concept drawn from conflict resolution: the gap between good intentions and impact on others. Narrowing this gap leads to meaningful dialogue and greater consciousness. Opposites, when viewed with greater maturity, are seen as complementary and mutually dependent.