What is Core Energetics ?
Core Energetics is a transformational process that integrates the body, mind, spirit and emotions.
Core Energetics retreat in Dublin and Co Meath July 2007
Core Energetics Retreat with Robert Kirby in Dublin & County Meath July 2007Core Energetics believes the social mask tries to hide our shadow, from the outside world. The mask hides our negativity that we don't want others to experience let alone admit is part of us. This negativity is stored as "frozen" energy in muscular blocks in the body. By releasing the shadow we can experience our higher self, or core. This is the true essence of our nature and carries our greatest love and wisdom.
Core Energetics is described by its founder, psychiatrist John Pierrakos, as a transformational process that has evolved from a history of psychology and body psychotherapy. John Pierrakos was a student and client of Wilhelm Reich, himself a leading student of Sigmund Freud. Wilhelm Reich is considered by most to be the father of body psychotherapy; he laid the foundations for modern techniques in opening up the body's life energy (Reich called this energy Orgone) to create optimal physical and mental health. Reich's pioneering work challenged traditional thinking and has generally been considered ahead of its time.
John Pierrakos joined with another student of Reich's, psychiatrist Alexander Lowen, and continued to develop the body-focused analytical work, creating Bioenergetics. The next evolution of the work came when John Pierrakos founded Core Energetics when combining the spiritual psychology of the Pathwork.
The Pathwork Lectures (www.pathwork.org) include concepts central to the work of Core Energetics on the mask, lower self and higher self. John Pierrakos died, aged 79, in 2001, leaving a legacy of work being carried on throughout the world by institutes in the United States, Switzerland, Germany, Mexico and Australia. Robert Kirby was taught by John Pierrakos and Robert is John’s main disciple in the Australia.
Core Energetics is a psychodynamic psychotherapy with a component of talk therapy that works through the issues of the family of origin and our early life, especially the first seven years.
In Core Energetics, clients are made aware of the underlying dynamic that led to the emotional reaction. Simulation of a family dynamic using members of the group is employed regularly in retreats.
It's amazing how the therapist is uncannily aware of the client's history and family dynamic. Reich, Pierrakos and Lowen defined five character defences and found they're formed by emotional wounding that occurred at a specific interval in the first seven years of a child's life. The cause of the emotional wound varies according to the stage at which it was formed and shapes energy flow in the client's body.
We're all wounded to some degree and mostly have more than one character defence. The skilled therapist is able to "read" the client's body and know when wounding occurred, as well as the likely dynamics that created the wound. Advanced practitioners also examine the body's energy field, or aura, to see how the energy may be blocked and over or under-charged in a person's system. Accurate diagnosis of the characterology aids in understanding the client's current emotional state and not only builds rapport and trust but is a guide to how the therapy should progress.
The ultimate aim of Core Energetics is to have access to and live from our core, or higher self. To do this, we need to allow energy to flow unimpeded to our heart and feel deeply and connect our love to our passion. But for those who choose to work through the body, to challenge the ways they defend themselves, the rewards can be relief from the issue that brought them to therapy. The rewards for those who continue to investigate and peel back the layers are greater freedom to create their lives and love that comes from the elusive open heart.
What happens at the retreat ?
One of the most dynamic demonstrations of Core Energetics is at a residential retreat, which was developed over 10 years by the Director of Core Energetics Australia, Robert Kirby. The duration of the retreat and the presence of an expert therapist and support allow the biophysical work to be deep enough to reveal and dissolve defences to get at the core issues impacting on the client. Attending a retreat is unforgettable experience and normally results in a big step one’s healing journey. There is the capacity for 24 participants on a 4½ day retreat.
Each live-in retreat offers you a safe haven to explore what is holding you back in life and prevents you from having health, happiness, success, fulfilling relationships, high energy and a deeper union with God. A retreat can have profound and lasting effects in treating many physical and emotional conditions, including the following:
- Depression
- Loneliness
- Anxiety / Fears / Phobias
- Anger Management
- Grief Issues (death of parent, spouse etc.)
- Eating Disorders
- Addictions
- Inability to commit (to jobs, relationships etc.)
- Relationship issues (violence, withdrawal, codependence, boundaries etc.)
- Money / Wealth / Manifesting your desires
- Self Esteem Issues
- Backache / Migraine
- Lethargy / Chronic Fatigue
- Sexual Abuse
- Insomnia / Sleep Disorders
On the first evening, the safety of the group is developed as everyone shares what he or she wishes to work on and explores the issues that may be holding them back.
Each morning throughout the retreat, participants are led through one hour of BODYMIND™ or grounding exercises. The exercises are intended to mobilise each individual's energy and especially to ground this energy. There's a wide range of exercises that can be used. The main theme is to establish a strong connection with the earth.
After breakfast each day, the processing begins. Each person has one hour in which the attention of the entire group, led by Robert Kirby, is focused on them and the issue they want to work on.
No one knows when it will be their turn; the facilitator chooses who is next. As with other natural therapies, the relationship between the client and the therapist is a vital component of the healing.
In group processes, the trust in the leader guiding the session will determine the depth to which the client can go.
Over the 4½ days and with the enormous support and safe guidance of Robert and 25 others, you can expect to achieve deep healing and allow love to flow through your life.
You will begin to feel a powerful organic reaction in your body: deep breathing occurs, the heart expands, and the pulse strengthens. In this state of love, you are infused with a divine energy, one that permeates all existence.
Core Energetics Retreat with Robert Kirby October 2006
