Biography,
Experience,
Specialties, & Orientation
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 I'm
Nina Joy Lawrence. What do I want you to know about me from
this page... Inner relationship Focusing has nestled down
in my core and replaced my counseling practice, become integrated
with my spiritual practice as a Friend (Quaker), and with
my daily living. Previous to finding Focusing, I had a lifetime
of Quaker practice and 12 years of working on my inner journey
through Jungian seminars. I was a counselor with Child Protective
Services.
I learned first from Gene Gendlin's book, Focusing,
and then from Kathy McGuire-Bouwman; for both I am grateful.
It took me another nine years to find Ann Weiser Cornell and
Inner Relationship Focusing! When I did, my Focusing and my
desire to teach this process blossomed bountifully. Holding
Presence for everything inside fits so satisfyingly with my
spiritual practice and with my belief in building peace. This
way it comes from the inside out. It fits with my desire to
be grounded in my body, and follow a trustable way as life
opens forward.
One way forward I have been following is teaching Focusing
in Afghanistan when I can. My colleague, Dr. Patricia Omidian
and I use Sufi poetry as the medium. Here are a couple of
examples of 800 year old poetry that points to a similar process.
This we Have Now
by Jelaludin Rumi, translation by Coleman Barks, The
Essential Rumi, original from Rumi's Masnavi 1 - 1803 -
13
This we have now is not imagination.
This is not grief or joy.
Not a judging state,
nor an elation,
nor sadness.
Those come and go.
This is the presence that doesn't
exerpts from The Guest House
By Jelaludin Rumi, translation by Coleman Barks, The
Essential Rumi. Masnevi V/3644-3645-3646 and Masnevi V/3678,
3679-3680-3683
This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
...
some
momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
...
Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
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