Family Systems Forum
Continues its 26th Year of Publication
with
“Learning to Laugh with My Mother: The Functions of Play and Humor in Defining a Self”
– Helen Reynolds, PhD
“Accompanying Dying Persons and Their Families”
– Katie Long, DMin
LIVING IN BETTER HARMONY WITH NATURE
All of the concepts and forces described in Bowen theory are grounded in understanding the family as part of the natural world and evolution. Life has always affected the environment in ways that, over time, become challenges to survival and adaptation.
Murray Bowen wrote many things about the impact of human life and the natural environment after he was invited to speak at the Environmental Protection Agency. Although he was not optimistic about the capacity for change, he considered solutions to lie in directions consistent with differentiation of self.
“The systems approach postulates that the environmental problem has been created by biological man (in contrast to intellectual man) as he has evolved, developed, and propagated; that man has permitted the environmental problem to develop so far he is beginning to threaten his future existence…and that constructive solutions to the problems will depend on the highest functioning of intellectual man in directing total man toward solutions.”
“Man created the environmental crisis by being the kind of creature he is. The environment is part of man. Change will require a change in the basic nature of man… The thesis here is that he might modify his future course if he can gain some control over his reaction to anxiety and his instinctual emotional reactiveness and begin taking constructive action based on his fund of knowledge and logical thinking… The type of man who survives will be one who can live in better harmony with nature.”
This series of monthly programs is designed to:
Increase the fund of knowledge about ourselves as part of the natural world.
Experience ourselves as connected to nature and overcome anxiety.
Recognize the impact of human life on the environment and avenues toward constructive action.
Consider what it means to live in better harmony with nature with specific projects.
Each program will include information and hands-on learning. There will also be time for discussion and reflection. Resources will be provided for participants to use on their own.
LIVING IN BETTER HARMONY WITH NATURE
10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Soil, The Living Layer of Earth
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
GOING GREEN FOR THE HOLIDAYS
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM