The World of Symbols: The Divine Feminine and  the Archetype of Birth Beth Hedva, PhD

1)  2010: A Decade of Creative Reconstruction           Exercise I:  Embody your Creativity 2)  2010 – 2019: Creativity—A New Cycle is Born           Exercise II: Self-Ecology 3)  Making Sense of the Last Decade: 2000 – 2009: Polarization, Expansion and Contraction           Exercise III: Own the Shadow 4)  Preparing for the Year 2012: Before and After           Exercise 1V: Seed Thoughts for Meditation 5)  Creative Reconstruction for Seven Generations

1) 2010: A Decade of Creative Reconstruction Western Mystery Traditions blends with archetypal depth psychology to suggest that we are currently in the middle of a 20 year cycle of awakening and integrating the power of the archetypal Feminine Spirit. The archetypal feminine invites both men and women alike to become midwives to help give birth to our new world. Ancient symbol systems, like numerology and astrology offer insights into this shift in consciousness. If you are alive now, you were born to live during this time in history, a time of radical reorientation that requires us to re-invent ourselves and our world.  Most important during times like these: 1) Take time to Relax, Renew and Replenish 2) Be consistent with self-ecology/self-care 3) Collaborate with others who share your dreams.  The last decade tested both our imagination and resourcefulness. This next decade promises to inspire creative reconstruction of life-sustaining practices and policies in support of deep-ecology that celebrates the diversity of all life in every corner of the world. This next decade forwards a cycle of  ‘Creative Reconstruction’, a time to give birth to your dreams, to nurture and nourish new opportunities, and construct life-sustaining personal practices that support you and all your relationships personally, interpersonally, socially and globally.  Self-ecology is essential in the years to come. Listen to your intuition.  You will receive signals through your body’s felt-sense, your emotional feelings as well as in the form of insight, dreams, visions and hunches.  Also watch your thoughts and attitudes, and listen for ‘a silent whispering voice’ to guide you beyond the mind’s chatter. For example, a racing mind, or feeling frustrated is a signal to slow down and breathe.  Calm enthusiasm is a sign of creativity. Also watch for synchronicities and other subtle impressions.   Use subtle signals to show you when you are in or out of balance with a greater creative sense of flow.  Remember to take care of yourself physically/materially, emotionally, attitudinally and spiritually. EXERCISE I Embody Your Creativity Instructions: Take a moment to review the gifts and challenges of the past decade. Identify your accomplishments, recognize and release the ‘would-have’s, should-have’s, could-have’s, if-only’s’. Your self-judgment is a reflection of your lack of self-acceptance. Use it instead as an invitation to do ‘inner-work’to gain insight, create value and personal meaning. Hint:  Notice your thoughts, feelings and body sensations. These intuitive impressions are guide posts indicating when you are in or out of balance with the life that is being born through you. Action: Choose to go in the direction of your victories and fulfillment to construct a life that is in balance with your greater creative flow.  This requires trusting your intuition and staying ‘grounded’ i.e. be self-responsible and accountable as you give birth to your dreams.  Practice: Learn from all your experiences, and accept that the mystery of ‘why’ things may not have gone the way you would have wished or willed, may remain a mystery. Acknowledge and appreciate how life is part of a Great Mystery, and how greater, often hidden forces in life, work in conjunction with your best intentions and conscious decisions, to guide your growth toward life’s fulfillment. 2)  2010 to 2019: Creativity—a New Cycle is Born 2010 to 2019 promises to be a decade of creativity, renewal and rebirth. In Numerology, all numbers are reduced to a single digit that represents a given archetypal quality. Numerologically the cycle between 2010 until 2019 is associated with the number three (3).  Notice how  this decade begins and ends with the number 3 (2+0+1+0 = 3 and 2+0+1+9, which equals 12 ; which further reduces to 1+2 = 3). Mystery traditions symbolize creativity as a magnetically beautiful and noble pregnant woman. Known as the Great Mother to Jungian psychologists, this aspect of  the archetypal Feminine has been depicted as an Empress who sits in a garden of ripened grain, at the foot of a clear, sparkling stream that runs from forest to field.  The Feminine Archetype is the Mother of Diversity, the creator of life, the Earth Mother. She is the embodiment of emotional maturity that is the culmination of patience, unconditional love and acceptance of what is. These qualities nourish the soul and help to sooth the intense fear of the unknown that arises during a birth transition. Cultivate patience, unconditional love and acceptance of what is, to sooth your own personal fears as you face life’s uncertainties over the next decade. This Great Mother aspect of the Divine Feminine reminds you to take time to nourish and nurture your soul, to accept and appreciate yourself, and to love yourself unconditionally. Side-bar: Self-love includes loving and accepting one’s boundaries and limits in equal proportion to one’s greatest talents and potential. As a critical mass of individuals integrate unconditional self-love and self-acceptance we will collectively move beyond the polarization of dependence-independence and embrace our inter-dependence this decade.  On a social and political level we can expect the coming decade will use the media to help us collectively confront how we extend or withhold care from those who are dependent upon us for support.  Global Issues, an independent research site that reviews current social, political, economic and environmental issues reports the new poverty line has been defined as living on the equivalent of $1.25 a day, and that three billion people (half the world)—live on less than $2.50 a day and at least 80% of humanity lives on less than $10 a day. Latest figures, according to Reuters are drawn from the World Bank, (2005), and states that1.4 billion people live on or below the poverty line. .  Empowering women and girls, (who account for 70% of those living below the poverty line world-wide) will become an even more serious focus over the next decade, as will listening to and speaking up for those who have no voice (or have yet to be heard).   Caring for the disadvantaged, the elderly, endangered species and cultures, the environment and ecosystem, will continue to make headlines during the next decade. All these voices will bring new ideas forward that can help solve global issues locally, nationally and internationally. Our old methods for addressing these concerns (charitable giving, nongovernmental organizations, governmental agencies as well as nonprofit / for profit corporate social programs and contributions) will come under scrutiny and found to be failing.  I also imagine that controversy will build around the impact of genetically engineered crops and seeds, along with health issues like epidemic obesity, and environmental and food allergies, among other immunological health concerns, along with concerns about the effects of global warming and climate change on weather patterns and food production world wide. All these challenges will ultimately help us to come to recognize and accept that we are all dependent upon each other and our planet in order to live, survive and thrive.  Self-care and Self-ecology become primary over the next decade. Self-ecology means that we take responsibility to create and maintain balance between material/physical, emotional, attitudinal/mental and spiritual worlds of experience.  Integration between body-heart-mind-and-spirit becomes the foundation upon which we build new models of caring—models that take care off all of us, including non-human life. EXERCISE II Self-Ecology 1) Take time to Relax, Renew and Replenish. Dance, sing, play, pray, meditate.  Create your own DAILY relaxation ritual; commit to doing it as part of your personal spiritual practice. 2) Be consistent with self-care. Eat well; exercise, rest and sleep well; love well and share your love; keep learning and growing. 3) Be Self-responsible and self-accountable. Clarify where you are out of balance and take action to do what you can do to bring yourself back into balance. 4) Collaborate with others who share your dreams.  Identify your team of ‘kindred spirits.’ Become a good friend by lending an ear, lending a hand, and opening your heart and mind to new possibilities. 3)  Making Sense of the Last Decade—2000 to 2009: Expansion, Contraction and Polarization The last decade was full of contrasts: Horrors like 9/11 which highlights socio-economic disparities between rich and poor / urban and rural / economically more developed and less developed nations are at one end of the continuum. At the other end of the continuum, examples like humanity’s global response to the 2004 tsunami in S. E Asia and the election of a black President in the United States definitively demonstrate that a majority of us can (and choose to) collectively move beyond our fears to extend a new vision of hope and help across cultural, racial and socio-economic divides. The keynotes for the last decade?…:  Extreme polarization and unprecedented examples of our collective ability to transcend conventional and historical barriers. Polarization shows us where we stand, and shows us what we need to learn in order to come to balance, peace and harmony. Personality clashes and power-struggles arise on both personal and collective levels.  All conflicts are reflections of our personal and collective need to grow in wisdom and to learn new ways of relating to each other.  Numerology is a wisdom-tool used by the ancients that can help us understand how to work with polarization.  In the Western Mystery Tradition the number 2 represents an archetypal Feminine Force.  In Western Mystery Traditions this aspect of the Feminine represents the creative potential of the universe, and it includes everything that exists: complementary forces and contradictions, point and counter-point, and that mystery within human consciousness that is able to find the point of balance between what appear to be opposing forces. Aboriginal teachings call this “The Great Mystery”. Since the year 2000, we began a ten year cycle that culminated in 2009. Notice how 2+0+0+0 adds up to the single digit two (2);  and 2+0+0+9 which equals eleven (11) reduces to 1+1=2.    For many, the awakening of the Feminine Spirit with the turn of the new millennium seemed to launch a decade of swinging from pole to pole amidst a multitude of uncertainties, rather than resting in the equipoise. Ultimately this aspect of the Feminine Spirit represents the principle of wisdom, harmony and balance. Numerology suggests that the ‘2’ vibration and the Feminine Spirit that it represents are the keynote throughout the next one thousand years. How do you find and return to your center amidst this cycle of accelerated change?  Western Mystery Traditions answer this question with a picture. The archetype that transcends polarization is illustrated symbolically as a ‘High Priestess’ sitting poised between a black and a white pillar, with a large crescent moon resting at her feet. The black and white pillars are symbols of duality: expansion and contraction, male and female, outer and inner, good and bad—and they also represent the positive and negative poles of one’s life experiences. The moon’s reflective light symbolizes intuition as revealed through self-reflection and insight. Self-reflection and insight are the resources one needs to resolve the tension between opposing forces.  Jungian depth psychologists suggest that the resolution of opposites happens on both a personal and collective level when we recognize and accept that each person, and every culture or nation is full of contradictions, and because of that, others may act differently than us, or be different than we expect.   It is common to react emotionally when someone is different than us, or when we feel different from them. Guilt or shame about being how we are, perhaps blame, pain or aggressive feelings may come up. For some, laughter, uncertainty or discomfort arises. Power struggles are common, as we try to make others conform to our expectations, or we try to comply with their expectations of us as a way of resolving the discomfort of these ‘shadow’ feelings. The shadow is a term coined by C. G. Jung, and it represents those rejected, unconscious and uncomfortable parts of us, traits that are deemed socially unacceptable.  These traits vary from person to person and culture to culture. Learning to be present with differences, (instead of placing a value judgment on differences) is called ‘owning the shadow’.  Soon it becomes clear that the feelings that surface -guilt, shame, blaming, pain and other feelings are reactions, are reflections of our patterned responses, and socially conditioned experiences.  The truth is, we all contain both strengths, (which are identified as constructive, positive characteristics) AND weaknesses, (based on vulnerabilities, needs or so-called negative traits) which, when disowned, denied or deemed socially unacceptable, become unconscious destructive forces in the personality of an individual, culture or nation.  Oddly enough, it is that distinctive blend of strengths and vulnerabilities that define the personality of an individual, culture or nation, and distinguishes us as unique. It bears repeating that polarization as well as confronting our differences, show us where we stand, and reveal what we each need to learn in order to grow in wisdom. Instead of judging or condemning one another for being different than us, or different than we expect, we make peace with ourselves and each other by accepting that we each have strengths and weaknesses, gifts and flaws.  We can, and are learning to appreciate and accept our differences, and extend compassion to each other in the face of our blind spots, weaknesses, flaws, ignorance or lack of insight. As we give birth to honoring and respecting the Divine Feminine during the next cycle of time, expect to see a new kind of balance of power emerging, not only over the next decade, but over the next 2000 years.  The focus for this cycle of time is to create and maintain a world that is based on harmony and balance between what appear to be opposing forces: expansion and contraction, male and female, outer and inner.  In Hindu culture this weaving and blending of opposites is called ‘tantra’.  Tantric spiritual practices, ranging from philosophical studies and subtle mediation practices to sacred sexual practices for couples, will become ever-more popular over the next cycle of time as women and men come to love the ‘other’ within, and in partnership with each other . EXERCISE III Own The Shadow: Learning to Love the ‘Other’ Instructions: Take a moment to reflect on a situation from the last decade that evokes harsh criticism or judgmental attitudes. Perhaps you can remember a time you felt angry and resentful toward someone and talked about them behind their back, or engaged in gossip about a family member, co-worker or former friend.  Perhaps you were the object of gossip and suffered from ostracism, or felt shame or embarrassment about your own mistakes.  Action: Use reflections on gossip, judgment and anger to explore your own shadow.  Make a list of the negative traits by listing your judgments, criticisms or frustrations. Next, circle the one that has the most energy.  Now reflect upon your personal, ancestral or cultural history with regards to that trait. Observe the psychic pattern and how it impacts you.  Notice how old you were when this pattern got set into motion.  Imagine what your earlier self really needed at that time. It is normal, natural and human to have needs.  Forgive yourself for being a needy, dependent human being. Instead of self-hate, recognize and accept your needs. Now imagine what would have fulfilled your needs then? What would have helped, instead of injured or hindered your growth?  Practice: Make a commitment to care for yourself, to sooth your fears and heal underlying injuries.  Identify resources that can help you care for yourself, sooth your fears and heal. Practice self-forgiveness first. Forgiving is linked to gratitude. Ask yourself, “What have I gained, or learned about myself, my strengths and weaknesses? What is the universal teaching in my experience? How is my experience a reflection of the human condition? What was this experience for-giving ‘to’ me?”  Notice how self-forgiveness leads to forgiveness of others for their human frailties.  Share your wisdom, gleaned from your life-experience.  Become a resource for others who may be in need of similar healing. 4) Preparing for the Year 2012: Before and After “The universality of the next age is represented astrologically by the sign of Aquarius, which is ruled by the planet Uranus, symbol of unbridled creativity and unprecedented social change. Key concepts associated with Aquarius include friendship, community, dreams, innovation, creativity, individuality, originality, and humanitarianism. As a metaphor, the Age of Aquarius reflects the unique and original contributions of individuals who gather together in innovative societal groups or communities to creatively nurture humanitarian ideals.”          --Betrayal, Trust and Forgiveness, page 188 I have often been asked about the 2012 Mayan Calendar predictions.  According to the teachings I received from Grandmother Sara Smith, Mohawk elder from the Turtle Clan and co-founder of Roots for Peace, Aboriginal oral traditions from the Americas say that 2012 heralds the birth of a new cycle for all of humanity, as well as marking the end of the last 1500 year cycle. Ages are marked differently by various cultures; yet they seem to concur that now is a significant turning point for humanity.  The Hindu system of philosophy quantifies the length of a given age and qualifies it as Golden, Silver, Bronze, or Iron. Mircea Eliade, in his book Cosmos and History, tells us that it takes twelve thousand years to cycle through the four ages and return to a Golden Age. By Eliade’s calculation, the transition (from the Iron Age) to the next golden age would be 1500 years.  Omar Garison, in his book entitled Tantra, discusses the teachings of the Vishnu Purana (written in the first half of the 6th Century) and describes particular signs that indicate when society has degenerated to the last great age. He says: “society reaches a stage where property confers rank, wealth becomes the only source of virtue, passion the sole bond of union between husband and wife, falsehood the source of success in life, sex the only means of enjoyment, and when the outer trappings are confused with inner religion.” Hindus call this age (the age we are surly living in now, based on that definition), the age of Kali, or the Kali Yuga. I have also been asked how all this might correlate to the ‘Age of Aquarius’. In Western Mystery Traditions, we mark time in astrological ages that last for about 2150 years. In his book Astrological Timing: The Transition to the New Age, Dane Rudhyar predicted the Age of Aquarius would begin in AD 2062.  Ages rise and fall and cycles come and go. Each great age is conceived during the dusk of the previous cycle. The next great age gestates in the increasing darkness of twilight as the passing age recedes into the dawn of the new age. In my estimation, we had been conceiving the fabled Age of Aquarius since the mid to late 1700’s, about the time that Sir William Herschel announced the discovery of the planet Uranus in 1781 and revolutionized our understanding of our place in the universe. For the last couple hundred years we have been gestating in the dusk of the age of Pisces, with only glimmers of the Age of Aquarius. Between 2012 and 2025, Pisces ceases to dominate, as the increasing rays of Aquarius shed more and more light.  What we can expect by 2012 is that we will begin to move beyond the contractions of polarization (of the last decade AND the last few centuries) and begin the birth of a radically new cycle for humanity (over the next decade and the next few centuries).  Now is the time to draw upon the wisdom gleaned (from this life, and previous lives) to nurture your dreams and bring them to life.  Your birth was not an accident; you were born for a reason.  Now is the time to embody your life’s purpose. Astrological symbology suggests that between 2010 and 2012 you can continue to expect to release illusions and disillusionment, and to clear the lens of your intuitive faculties.  This is symbolically correlated to the transition of revolutionary Uranus through the last degrees of visionary Pisces.  It enters and then settles into pioneering Aries by the year 2012, and launches a seven year cycle of new energy and leadership that drives us forward in innovative, pioneering directions.  Key words: continue to expect the unexpected.  During this same two year period, dreamy Neptune inspires greater awareness of one’s interconnection to one’s own true spiritual nature, as Neptune enters its own sign, Pisces.  Pisces symbolizes universal love and compassion, vision and psychic sensitivity in juxtaposition to unhealthy patterns of sacrifice, martyrdom, denial, illusion, addiction and disillusionment.  Be prepared to wash away unconscious obstructions to spiritual growth by awakening even greater self-love and self-acceptance. About the same time that Uranus enters Aries and Neptune enters Pisces, between 2010 and 2012 Pluto, symbol of death and rebirth, settles into Capricorn, a sign that is associated with form and structure, organization, social status or contribution to society.  This suggests that we are symbolically being given the resources and energy to transform the backbone of society—including our banking, government, corporations and business institutions.  Pluto’s message is “Do not be afraid of change.  Though it looks like death, it is making the way for renewal and rebirth.”  Start to celebrate change. It is a signal to become creative. Together, we are creating the world we have all been dreaming of. Re-formation and creative reconstruction of society are key concepts over the next decade and beyond. Pluto will be in Capricorn until 2025. After that it enters the humanitarian sign of Aquarius until 2044.    Exercise 1V Seed Thoughts for Meditation Instructions: Sit quietly, reflecting on one of the thoughts below. Let it rest within you, as a backdrop, a resounding vibration in your heart, mind and body.  Return to your chosen seed thought throughout the day, when ever your mind begins to race or spin. --  “The world is changing and so are we” --  “Grace” --  “Relax into change”  --  “Accept. Create. Trust.” --  “Take the time you need to be present in this moment.” --   “Patience” --  “Self-care first, then extend care to others.” --  “Breathe” --  “You are bonded to profound life forces—you are a living bridge between Heaven and Earth”. --  “You are a pioneer” 5) Creative Reconstruction for Seven Generations During times of accelerated change and creative reconstruction, the contributions of each generation pave the way for next generation’s contribution. Every generation faces three universal challenges: 1. the challenge to change with the times; 2. the challenge to respond to the previous generation’s successes and failures; 3. the creative challenge to leave a legacy for future generations that contributes to the socio-spiritual evolution of humanity. To fulfill their collective destiny, each generation must use all their skills and resources to meet the unique challenges of their generation. The GI generation, (people born from the turn of the 20th century until the mid 1920’s) experienced a radical shift in thinking from the Victorian Era to pioneering new views on sciences and industry that led to the break-down of rural life-styles in favor of massive migrations to urban centers.  Their collective mission moved us full steam ahead into the industrial age. Think of the changes in lifestyle that occurred for those who were born during the early 1900’s, with the invention of the telegraph, telephone, radio, silent movies. Silent Generation or Veterans  (born between the mid 1920’s to mid to late 1940’s) are children who were born during the Stock Market Crash, the Great Depression, and WWII This generation experienced unprecedented changes in world economies, social, and political systems with the rise of fascism, socialism and communism, and, in the U.S. the development of the ‘social security.’  They are part of the generation that brought us the United Nations (founded in 1945). Their collective mission: to improve the physical and mental health and well being of those in need world wide, and some may live to see the fulfillment of some of their most cherished dreams.  They will be able to die feeling proud of their grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and all who follow, as we stand upon each other’s shoulders and extend humanity to each other and, ultimately, to all of life. Between 2012 and 2025, as the light of Pisces continues to recede and the light of Age of Aquarius shines ever more brightly, Boomers (also known as the ‘me’ generation) will continue to support the transition of a creative reconstruction from the personal sphere into the social sphere.  Their generation experienced the breakdown of the extended family, the nuclear family, and of marriage as an institution as divorce rates soared in Western countries and increased world-wide.  This generation had a mandate to change the roles between men and women at home and at work as women entered the work force, demanding equal pay. Their generational mission included re-inventing society’s ideas and feelings about the rights of the individual with a mandate to speak out for equal rights for all, regardless of gender, color, religion, class—and, over the next decade—age, and aging (now that boomers are entering retirement age).  Gen X (born in the 1960’s –mid to late70’s) might be the first generation to truly confront the question of whether there will be a place for them in society that will allow them to support themselves while making a meaningful contribution to society.  They lived through the oil embargo and energy crisis of the 70’s, Three Mile Island and Chernobyl nuclear melt downs, and the end of job security with downsizing, rightsizing, lay-offs and “packages”. As a generation, they are here to change our relationship to power, to show us how to change the balance of power, and are part of the first generation to respect their own boundaries and limits. This is the first computer-literate ‘techy’ generation, and they are slated to help humanity radically reorient our work ethic toward one that includes life balance, and establish creative associations and work groups that think outside the conventional box—including telecommuting, job-sharing, and making work ‘work’ for them. Barack Obama, (born August 4th, 1961), along with Jordanian Queen Rania  (born August 31st, 1970), are two of the first of this generation to be in the spot light as world leaders.  Both are symbols of the world all of us are creating together—a world that transcends historical expectations, barriers and prejudices. Between 2012 to 2025, as Gen X moves into more positions of power in society, they will have the support of  Millennials, (also called ‘Echo Boomers or ‘Gen Y’, born  mid-to-late 70’s through the late1990’s) who will finally be old enough to be in position to support and influence the direction of social policy.  Millenials witnessed the break-down in our societal systems—the disintegration of the health care system, banking systems, justice system, educational systems, while at the same time growing up with computers, internet and social networks that extend beyond conventional social boundaries previously defined by nation, state, culture, religion or family.  This generation will lead the way to a new ‘global’ vision that is based upon a deep ecology that honors all life forms, including human life. Millennials are slated to help us reinvent a global philosophy, based upon ethical use of power and resources, and they will show us how to share resources: human, natural and financial resources, equitably.  I am especially looking forward to their contributions to creatively reconstructing educational and justice systems and the media. Between 2025 and 2044, when Pluto settles into Aquarius, Gen Z (born during the late 1990’s -2010) will be coming of age, ready to take office and re-write the laws of the land, blending science and spirit together to create sustainable life-styles for all of the Earth’s inhabitants. Expect that Gen Z, (and their children, the 7th Generation) will be the generations to do the actual course-corrections to the previous five generations over zealous and naive reliance on technologies during the industrial revolution and our current high-tech information age.  Gen Z’s collective mission: to be living examples of the best that humanity has to offer, living as the universal man and woman, in a global culture, living in balance within themselves, with each other and all of life.  Confronting change at such an accelerated rate is humbling indeed.  Humility is the key to an open heart, an open mind and a radiant, open spirit and it is transforming us into humane beings. These are the qualities that are the moniker of the 7th generation. It is with humility, an open heart and mind, and a clear, radiant open spirit that the 7th Generation will fulfill their generational mission: to initiate a global culture that is based upon enduring social values in which we extend care to and for each other, in ways that supports and sustains both human and non-human life on Earth.  This is the generation that integrates living in harmony and balance upon the earth as well as to reach out beyond our Earth home and go the stars, to greet our brothers and sisters from other worlds as kindred spirits living together in peace in a vast universe of infinite possiblities. I learned from a Cree friend of mine, Ralph Makokis that the First Nations native teachings guide us to live upon the Earth today in ways that honor of the 7th Generation. If each generation lives in a good way that supports not only themselves and their children and grandchildren, but rather cares for and attends to what is needed for seven generations to come, to ensure that future generations have all that they need to live a good life,  then, indeed we will live in a world that has achieved its universal life-mission.

Conclusion of Workshop-On-Paper Copyright 2009  Beth Hedva +1-403-247-1441

Training the Front Line Counsellors in Ache
 
Providing healing support and empowerment
-- Dr. Hedva's ongoing international outreach

 



 

Training Front Line Counsellors In reponse to the massive December 26, 2004 tsunami, requests came for Dr Beth Hedva to create and provide a cross-cultural and transpersonal counselling approach that would be appropriate to the situation and cultures. (Indonesia has 200 million people on over 3000 islands speaking 250 dialects. The population is over 90% Muslim.) The requests for her services came from: The Indonesian Psychological Association, Tarumanagara University, Jakarta, and University of Indonesia, Jakarta. Later, additional requests came from: Atma Jaya University, Jakarta, Save Emergency for Aceh, Banda Aceh,

Training the Front Line Counsellors Dr. Hedva was called because she is Chair of Continuing Education for the International Council of Psycholoigists and an authority on advanced counselling techniques.   Others who assisted in first two trips: Travel: CATHAY PACIFIC Hong Kong LYNN HARRISON Canmore, Canada Publishing Costs (for the follow-up text): TALISMAN ENERGY Calgary, Canada

Request for FIRST VISIT and Training
from TARUMANAGARA UNIVERSITY


View request for second visit and Training Program
from SEFA -- SAVE EMERGENCY FOR ACEH

Press Releases




Beth Hedva Teaching Transpersonal Counselling and Healing approaches






Harold Finkleman with Lisa Arman translating





Alina and Yuli Zuardi Rais (he’s president of SEFA, the host NGO);
Beth Hedva and Harold Finkleman;
Lisa Arman, co-facilitating psychologist and translator from Atma Jaya University in Jakarta;
and translator/psychology-student Wuri, also from Atma Jaya.
 

Dr. Hedva is now working with Harold Finkleman to publish a trauma counselling manual in English and Indonesian.

She has been asked to return and train more counsellors.

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The first follow-up report:

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Original requests from Indonesia responding to needs
after the loss of more than 170,000 lives in Aceh:

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Request for further support in Aceh

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(the following is a copy of a media release early 2005)

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MEDIA RELEASE

for immediate release

         In response to  the extensive loss of lives in the recent Tsunami, a resident of Calgary, Canada has been selected by the Indonesian Psychology Association to train that nation's psychology community in the latest techniques in healing the victims of the grief and trauma.

         A request came from the Indonesian Psychology Association and Tarumanagara University in Jakarta Indonesia earlier this year for Dr. Beth Hedva to train “counselors and psychologists who are helping to deal with trauma in many troubled areas hit by this disaster.”

         Cathay Pacific has volunteered to fly Dr. Hedva to and from Jakarta, while the university will care for her food, accommodation and security while she is there. Though the association and university offered to pay her, she has donated her time and asked that the budgeted money be spent on other relief efforts. Her lectures will be simultaneously translated, recorded and published in local dialects for those counselors who will be unable to attend. 

         Dr. Hedva is the author of Betrayal, Trust and Forgiveness – a book which combines clinical psychology and transpersonal psychology with cross-cultural traditions to initiate new approaches in dealing with life’s traumas. The traumas or “betrayal issues” dealt with in her book range from divorce, job loss and death in the family to the betrayal of family members, government or even nature.

         A counsellor in private practice in Calgary, she is currently Chair of Continuing Education for the International Council of Psychologists and lectures world-wide. Dr Hedva has a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology, a Masters Degree in Transpersonal Psychology and a Doctorate in Psychology. She moved from the San Francisco Bay area to Calgary in 1995 to marry her partner, another researcher and lecturer on the global circuit.

        Dr. Hedva leaves for Jakarta Sunday afternoon (April 3rd, 2005).

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for further information contact:
Dr Monty Satiadarma (Tarumanagara University) 
  001-62-21-566-1334 or  001-62-21-567-3003   (Ext 602) 

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Dr. Beth Hedva: (403) 247-1441 Harold Finkleman (403) 286-5428 or visit: http://www.hedva.com