Upcoming Events

Past Events

where we will gather to reflect on past experiences, share insights and challenges, and support each other on our personal paths of integration.

Each 90-min session will include:

A guided opening ritual
A guided meditation for centering
Facilitated open dialogue with two expert practitioners
Practical exercises designed to manifest the insights gained during your visionary journeys into tangible realities

Thank You Life — October, November & December 2023

Psychedelic Integration Circle

Ancient traditions and modern research align in their recognition of the profound healing capacities in psychedelic medicine when thoughtfully incorporated into purposeful settings. Yet, the true potency of these journeys emerges when their wisdom is assimilated and woven into the fabric of our everyday existence. This process can be challenging when unguided, so working with an experienced integration guide, therapist, or professional in the space can make all the difference.

Thank You Life hosts regularly scheduled Integration Circles to provide our community the chance to properly harvest and integrate the potentially life-changing insights from psychedelic experiences. Led by experienced professionals in the psychedelic therapy field, Dr. Olga Sohmer and Alexandra Carelli, these group circles are FREE and open to anyone interested in engaging in the process of integration.

California Institute of Integral Studies — September 14, 2020

Dissertation Defense

Cooperative inquiry (CI) is an experiential, participatory approach to research and learning about human experience (Heron, 1996a). In this method, a small nonhierarchical group of co-inquirers engage multiple ways of knowing through cycles of action and reflection to explore topics of mutual interest. Using the multi-paper format, this dissertation examines CI in theory and practice to explore the value of this approach for transpersonal psychology, education, and research. After reviewing the literature regarding existing and prospective applications of CI in transpersonal psychology, education, and research the dissertation presents one theoretical paper and two qualitative studies. The first paper expands and deepens the theoretical discussion regarding the value of CI for transpersonal psychology. The second paper presents an Embodied Spiritual Inquiry—a participatory research and holistic education approach inspired by elements of CI (Ferrer, 2017; Ferrer & Sohmer, 2017)—into the nature of human boundaries within and between co-inquirers. The third paper shares the process and outcomes of a CI initiated by the author exploring the experience of the authentic self. Finally, overarching themes and suggestions for further research revealed by these entwined projects are discussed. This mixed methods design (i.e., combining theoretical and qualitative approaches) advances understanding of the gifts, challenges, and mechanisms of CI in practice, while illuminating future opportunities for CI in transpersonal psychology, education, and research.

Nevada City, CA — 2019 Monthly Drop-in Group

Psychedelic Integration Circle

“In order for a vision to have power, you must be able to perform it on Earth for the people to see.” -- Black Elk

Diverse ancient traditions and contemporary research findings both affirm the personal and collective healing potential of psychedelics when held within intentional contexts. The full power of these experiences, however, is activated when their lessons are digested and integrated into daily life. In this experiential group, we will gather to reflect on past experiences, share insights and challenges, and support each other on our personal paths of integration. Each session will include a guided ritual opening and centering meditation, facilitated sharing circle, and practices to help bring your visions to life. (contact olgasohmer@gmail.com for information to attend)

20th European Transpersonal Conference - Paris, 2019

Cooperative Inquiry: An Innovative, Relational Approach to Enhance the Contribution of Transpersonal Psychology to Collective Flourishing

As a discipline committed to cultivating the frontiers of human potential, intimately entwined with the greater web of life, transpersonal psychology can make important contributions to the widespread social, ecological, and spiritual crises of our time. Systematic reviews and theoretical critiques of the field, however, have illuminated persistent challenges that detract from our mission. Specifically, repeated calls have been made for more diversity, social engagement, and research from multiple perspectives. This presentation will juxtapose these critiques with an exploration of Cooperative Inquiry (CI; Heron 1996)—a participatory approach to human research and learning—as a promising avenue to address them. Strengths of CI, such as its intrinsically holistic, relational, and transformative dimensions, will be discussed along with limitations in the context of transpersonal validity standards. Concrete examples of contemporary CIs in related disciplines and suggestions for future applications will be offered.

Transpersonal Research Colloquium - Paris, 2019

Transformation of Consciousness in Transpersonal Research through Participatory Methods

This presentation will explore Cooperative Inquiry (CI; Heron, 1996)—a participatory approach to research, learning, and psychospiritual growth—in the context of transformative research and transpersonal validity standards. In this method a small, non-hierarchical group of co-researchers engage in cycles of action and reflection regarding a domain of practice or question of mutual interest. Action phases can involve relational, contemplative, creative expressive, and daily life activities, making the approach well suited for psychological, transpersonal, and spiritual inquiries. Multiple ways of knowing are invited, including the possibility of cultivating state-specific knowledge (e.g., meditative, visionary) through expanded states of consciousness. While generating and valuing informative outcomes, transformative outcomes are emphasized with attention to the lived impact of the research on co-inquirers and the inquiry domain. Highlighting CI features of particular value for transpersonal research, this presentation will explore the opportunities that participatory approaches may provide to bolster validity and facilitate consciousness transformation through research. Specifically, the experiential, holistic, relational, and transformative dimensions of CI will be discussed while addressing methodological limitations. Finally, future applications of CI and related participatory approaches to engage the transformative dimensions of consciousness will be suggested.

Intersect: Science and Spirituality 2019 - Telluride, CO, Aug. 11-14, 2019

Cultivating Holistic Consciousness: Participatory Inquiry as Integration of Science and Spirit

This experiential presentation combines a discussion of participatory inquiry and consciousness with a guided holistic meditation. First, participatory inquiry will be introduced as a promising approach to new paradigm research, transformative practice, and consciousness expansion at the intersection of science and authentic spirituality. Then, participants will be led through a meditation inspired by Embodied Spiritual Inquiry—a participatory approach to psycho-spiritual learning and research. This practice will invite multiple ways of knowing (i.e., mind, heart, body, vitality, and spirit) to inquire into a question of personal significance, followed by time for creative expression and group sharing.

50th Anniversary Transpersonal Conference

Association for Transpersonal Psychology 2019

Addressing Persistent Challenges in Transpersonal Psychology: Cooperative Inquiry as an Innovative Response

After half a century of theory-building, research, and practice, transpersonal psychology is poised for a reflective pause in which the advances and challenges of the field can be contemplated in light of our present context. Important efforts have been made in this regard to invigorate and redefine the field from contemporary vantage points (e.g., Friedman & Hartelius, 2013; Kaklauskas, Clements, Hacoy & Hoffman, 2016). While nurturing a renewed vision of transpersonal psychology as a discipline committed to cultivating the frontiers of human potential, intimately entwined with the greater web of life, systematic reviews and theoretical critiques have illuminated persistent challenges and opportunities for growth. This presentation will juxtapose a synthesis of prominent critiques arising within contemporary transpersonal psychology with an exploration of Cooperative Inquiry (CI; Heron 1996)—a participatory approach to human research and learning—as one avenue to address them. Specifically, repeated calls have been made for more diversity, inclusivity, social engagement, and research from general as well as participatory, feminist, and multicultural perspectives. With a constructive spirit, this presentation will balance each critique with concrete examples of contemporary CIs that have addressed related concerns and offer suggestions for future applications. Strengths of CI, such as its intrinsically collaborative and transformative dimensions, will be discussed along with its limitations in the context of transpersonal validity standards. Through a creative combination of contemporary discourse in transpersonal psychology and a review of relevant CIs in practice, this presentation aims to inspire both innovative thinking and practical responses to some of the most enduring challenges facing the field today.

Holistic Integration Workshop: Bringing Our Conference Visions to Life

In this experiential workshop, we will root the budding seeds of insight and inspiration that we have germinated throughout this conference to ensure their growth beyond our gathering. The heart of the workshop will be a guided holistic meditation inspired by Embodied Spiritual Inquiry—a transpersonal approach to learning and research (Ferrer & Sohmer, 2017; Sohmer, 2018). This practice will evoke multiple ways of knowing as we integrate conference highlights and cultivate tangible ways of bringing our renewed visions of transpersonal psychology to life. Reflection on inquiry prompts, creative expression, and sharing will also be facilitated. Through meditation and reflection in community, we will deepen our experience of the conference from conceptual to embodied and practical levels. Participants will have an opportunity to clarify action steps to apply salient insights into personal and professional life. This workshop aims to leave participants nourished individually and in greater connection with each other.

Transpersonal Research Colloquium - Prague, 2017

A Case Study of Embodied Spritual Inquiry: Exploring the Nature of Human Boundaries Within and Between

This presentation will illustrate the methodology of Embodied Spiritual Inquiry (ESI)—a radical participatory approach to transpersonal research and learning (Ferrer & Sohmer, forthcoming)—through a case study exploring the nature of human boundaries within and between co-inquirers (Sohmer, Baumann, & Ferrer, forthcoming). ESI uses Albareda and Romero’s interactive embodied meditations (IEMs; Ferrer, 2003) to access multiple ways of knowing (e.g., somatic, vital, emotional, mental, contemplative) and mindfully inquire into collaboratively decided questions about human experience. With IEMs as a primary research tool—supported by a variety of contemplative, creative expressive, and dialogical activities—it will be argued that ESI is particularly well suited to address psychospiritual, intersubjective, and transpersonal topics.

International Transpersonal Conference - Prague, 2017

Toward Wholeness in Applied Transpersonal Psychology: An Exploration of Cooperative Inquiry

As transpersonal psychology evolves optimal approaches for research and therapeutic practice in alignment with its holistic values, participatory methods of inquiry present a unique opportunity. Cooperative Inquiry (Heron, 1996; Heron & Reason, 2006) is an experiential and participatory approach to learning, research, and psychospiritual growth that shows particular promise in this regard. Through cycles of action and reflection, Cooperative Inquiry (CI) empowers a small group of co-researchers to use multiple ways of knowing to explore topics of mutual interest. Reclaiming the full spectrum of human experience as a valid basis of inquiry while emphasizing the healing and transformative potentials of collaborative research, CI contributes a practical way to enact the vision of wholeness in transpersonal psychology today. This research explores the CI approach, its capacity to advance transpersonal psychology, contemporary transpersonal applications of CI, and future horizons. The healing and transformative dimensions of CI are emphasized, drawing on concrete examples. Harvesting the existing fruits of CIs that explore transpersonal topics, and illuminating the potentials of CI and related participatory methods in transpersonal psychology, this research aims to inspire a “participatory turn” in the applied practice of the field’s next generation.

Experiential Astrology: An Introductory Workshop 2016

Join David Nicol and Olga Sohmer for a fun yet profound exploration of the planetary archetypes through the practice of Experiential Astrology. In Experiential Astrology, we discover from within the nature of the planetary archetypes that constitute our natal charts. The Wheel of the Zodiac is laid out on the workshop floor, using colorful symbols to represent the planets and signs. A person steps into the chart and picks up a symbol--a simple act that provides surprisingly vivid experiential access to the archetypes. The participant is then guided into an embodied inquiry into whichever archetype(s) he or she has chosen to explore. Insights that emerge through this process tend to be unforgettable, as they are grounded in our embodied experience, with real application for our lives.

In this workshop, each participant will have the chance to explore directly one or more planetary archetypes in his or her chart. We will also bring to life the entirety of the chart of a selected participant, with group members roleplaying the various archetypes that constitute that person's chart. Participants can expect to leave the workshop with a direct and embodied understanding of one or more of the planetary archetypes in their chart, as well as a deeper appreciation for the transformative possibilities offered by an experiential approach to astrology.