The Myth of the Labyrinth
and its Clinical Applications:
A Wisdom Journey to Ancient Crete, Greece
May 28th - June 2nd , 2023
(*An optional day trip offered on Friday June 2nd.
If you choose to attend this, checkout would be June 3rd)
Immerse yourself in Greek culture, mythology, & history!
A unique and affordable opportunity to travel and combine self-care, personal growth, and continuing education!
This highly experiential wisdom journey is specifically designed for individuals and mental health professionals who are interested in learning more about incorporating elements of myth, archetypes, metaphor, and creativity into their personal healing work and in clinical practice. This workshop is for anyone who is interested; mental health professionals will earn a certificate with 14 NBCC contact hours.
This evocative and playful 5 day exploration based on the Myth of the Labyrinth will take place on the beautiful island of Crete, Greece. We will explore the various ways that this myth illuminates different parts within ourselves. Through our own experience of the Myth of the Labyrinth, we will gain a deeper understanding of how to work with myth and metaphor in our own lives and/or clinical practice. Once we have an enriched understanding of our own stories, we are able to support others to understand and explore their own. We will be processing this profoundly transformative work with a like-minded, supportive group, and three knowledgeable facilitators. The workshops will be presented at a leisurely pace with half day workshops and plenty of time to explore the beautiful island of Crete, both with the group and on your own as well if you desire. This opportunity to explore Crete on your own or with your guest makes this a truly unique opportunity.
Connecting to the Labyrinth
During this experiential workshop series we will visit the ancient ruins of the most famous labyrinth in Greek Mythology. The labyrinth serves as an archetypal symbol of the journey of consciousness, and as integration of various part of ourselves, bringing us closer to the “Self” as eternal. We will be engaging in discussion, active imagination, writing, guided visualization, and artmaking to explore this powerful archetype.
The Myth
In the Myth of the Labyrinth, the bestial Minotaur is imprisoned in the labyrinth by King Minos, who embodies aggression and greed (the shadow of the patriarchy.) It was designed to protect others in the same way that we bury and compartmentalize our own inner shadow characters. King Minos has a daughter, Ariadne, whose name means "Most Holy” (echoes from when she was revered as divine mother). Ariadne appeals to the hero, Theseus, promising him that she will give him the means to slay the Minotaur and a thread to guide him out if he will take her with him when he leaves, which he does. Theseus comes to symbolize the power and limits of our inner heroism.
Registration
To Register:
1. Print and complete registration form
2. Email registration form to : wisdomjourneys207@gmail.com,
3. Click this link to pay deposit by Paypal
Conference Cost: $2950 per person individual room ($3400 with a guest). Space is limited to 12 participants. A 50% deposit of $1475 is due by January 5th. If we do not reach our minimum number of attendees by January 5th, the trip will be postponed and you will receive a full refund. Deposits are non-refundable after January 5th,
This fee includes:
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5 night stay at 5 star hotel The Galaxy Hotel Iraklio in the modern capitol of Crete in Heraklion, Greece
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Daily breakfasts and coffee breaks
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Welcoming dinner
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Lunch after the guided tour of Knossos
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Tickets to Archeological Museum of Heraklion
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Closing luncheon
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Chartered bus to Knossos with guided tour
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NBCC contact hours for therapists
*Optional Extra Day and Night Experience (Highly recommended): $300 for single, $500 including guest
This fee includes:
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An extra night in hotel
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A chartered bus to the Dictaean Caves
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Lunch
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A walk through the ruins in Malia
Travel
Travel arrangements and costs are on your own. There is access to an airport shuttle, taxi or bus from the airport to the hotel. We highly recommend Travel insurance with Allianz. Click here to learn more and to sign up.
Disclaimer
By registering for The Myth of the Labyrinth: A Wisdom Journey to Ancient Crete, Greece, participant specifically waives any and all claims of actions against Wisdom Journeys, LLC, Alexander Katopis, Lois LeBlanc, or Bodhi Simpson. This includes damages, loss, accident or death incurred by anyone in connection with this program. In addition, Alexander Katopis, Lois LeBlanc and Bodhi Simpson assume no liability in connection with any transportation that is used in connection with this program. In addition, no responsibility is accepted for losses or expenses due to sickness, weather, strikes other events. We, therefore, strongly recommend each participant carries travel insurance.
Agenda & Workshop Information
Sunday, May 28th – Welcoming Dinner
7:30pm – 10:00pm
We will gather as a group and experience authentic Greek cuisine while sharing introductions and setting intentions for the journey ahead.
Monday, May 29th – The Myth of the Labyrinth: Our Journey Begins
9:00am – 1:00pm
In this workshop we will be introduced to the Greek Myth of the Labyrinth and begin to explore the individual perspectives of each of the main characters. The characters are a reflection of ourselves both personally and collectively. We will begin to understand how the characters in the myth relate to different parts of ourselves as individuals and professionals. The Myth of the Labyrinth serves as a perfect reflection and metaphor for our personal growth and for use with our clients in clinical practice.
Objectives:
· Gain a basic understanding of the concept of “Deep Time”
Gain a basic understanding of the concept of the “Mythic Imagination”
· Learn a brief history of Greek Mythology and of the Greek Myth of the Labyrinth
· Gain a basic understanding of subpersonalities and “parts” work
· Learn how myth could be integrated into own practice of self-care
· Learn how myth could be integrated into work with clients in a therapeutic setting
Tuesday, May 30th – The Labyrinth: Blueprint of Self
9:00am – 1:00pm
In this workshop, we will explore the deeper themes of the pre-patriarchal “original” version of the Myth of the Labyrinth we expand our perspective of this myth as bigger than ourselves with universal meaning. The labyrinth serves as universal archetypical symbol of the growth of consciousness, as an integration of parts of ourselves toward the Self as eternal.
Objectives:
· Gain a basic understanding of Hermaneutics and Symbolic Interpretation
· Gain a basic understanding of Archetypes
· Gain a basic understanding of the difference between a labyrinth and a maze
· Learn about integrating Depth Psychology into clinical practice
Wednesday, May 31st – Exploring the Labyrinth: Bringing Theory to Reality
9:00am – 5:00pm
As a group we visit Knossos, the historical archeological site of the labyrinth from the Myth of the Labyrinth. Through our own experience of the Myth of the Labyrinth we will gain a much deeper understanding of archetypes and how to work with myth and metaphor in our own lives and in clinical practice.
Thursday morning, June 1st – Embodying the Myth of the Labyrinth through Creative Expression
9:00am – 12:00pm
In this interactive and experiential workshop, we will integrate the wisdom gained from our experiences throughout the week. Participants will engage in creative exercises and will learn about the power of incorporating creative expression into clinical practice.
Objectives:
· Develop understanding of how creative expression opens a doorway into the unconscious and provides non- verbal access to emotional/psychological process
· Personally experience importance of developing a “compassionate witness”
· Learn how to integrate metaphor, creative expression, and writing into work with clients in clinical practice
· Identify therapeutic situations which are likely to respond well to this type of creative intervention
Thursday afternoon June 1st - Embodying the Myth of the Labyrinth in your Own Life and in Clinical Practice
1:00pm – 3:00pm
In this workshop, we engage in a deeper exploration of integrating the Myth of the Labyrinth into our own lives and also into clinical practice.
Objectives:
· Develop an awareness and general understanding of "parts" work, creative arts therapy, depth psychology, etc Learn how to integrate mythology into work with clients in clinical practice
Identify therapeutic situations which are likely to respond well to this type of creative intervention
7:30 – 10:00pm – Closing dinner
Friday, June 2nd - Check out of hotel (or join us for our extra excursion if you have signed up for this, in this case check out would be Saturday, June 3rd).
