Barbara Marx Hubbard & Marc Gafni: Building Upon the World of Evolutionary Pioneers – Emerging into Evolutionary Spirituality

Barbara Marx Hubbard & Marc Gafni: Building Upon the World of Evolutionary Pioneers – Emerging into Evolutionary Spirituality2023-09-22T06:42:38-07:00

Ken Wilber & Marc Gafni: 3 Unique Self Audio Dialogues

Ken Wilber & Marc Gafni: 3 Unique Self Audio Dialogues2023-06-22T08:01:14-07:00

Ken Wilber & Marc Gafni: Unique Self Audio Dialogue IL

Ken Wilber & Marc Gafni: Unique Self Audio Dialogue IL2023-06-22T08:01:14-07:00

Helen & Harville Hendrix & Marc Gafni on Paradox

Helen & Harville Hendrix & Marc Gafni on Paradox2023-09-12T10:13:43-07:00

David Loye & Marc Gafni: Unique Self & Evolutionary Thought

David Loye & Marc Gafni: Unique Self & Evolutionary Thought2023-09-12T10:14:34-07:00

Richard Schwartz & Marc Gafni: Unique Self and the Internal Family Systems Model

In this exciting dialogue from 2013, Dr. Gafni and Dr. Schwartz discuss the exciting potential integration of the Unique Self teaching and Internal Family Systems.

You can find an earlier dialogue between them here from 2012 where they explore the contribution of Unique Self to family therapy and other aspects of psychology. This is what Marc Gafni wrote after this wonderful dialogue:

In a long discussion with my friend and colleague Richard Schwartz, founder of Internal Family Systems Theory, I shared with him my perspective on the relation of Ego and Unique Self and the larger set of core distinctions that comprise Unique Self teaching. Dick excitedly concurred and added important empirical validation from his clinical perspective and sent me this written communication after our conversation:

Many spiritual traditions make the mistake of viewing ‘the ego’ as the problem. At worst it vilified as greedy, anxious, clinging, needy, focused on wounds from the past or fear in the future, full of limiting or false beliefs about you, the source of all suffering, and something one must evolve beyond in order to taste enlightenment. At best it is seen as a confused and childish — to be treated with patience and acceptance but not to be taken seriously or listened to. My 30 years of experience exploring internal worlds has led to very different conclusions regarding the ego. What is called the ego or false self in these spiritualities is a collection of sub-personalities I call ‘parts.’ When you first become aware of them, these parts manifest all the negative qualities described above, so I understand why this mistake is so widespread.

As you get to know them from a place of curiosity and compassion, however, you learn that they are not what they seem. Instead, they are spiritual beings themselves who, because of being hurt by events in your life, are forced into roles that are far from their natures, and carry extreme beliefs and emotions that drive their limiting or suffering perspectives. Once they are able to release those beliefs and emotions (what I call burdens) they immediately transform into their natural, enlightened states and can join your evolution toward increasing embodiment of your true nature, what Marc Gafni importantly refers to as correctly, your Unique Self.

Thus, if instead of trying to ignore or transcend an annoying ego, you relate to even the apparent worst of your parts with love and open curiosity you will find that, just like you, they long for the liberating realization of their connection with the divine and provide delightful and sage company on your journey toward enlightenment. In this way you will be relating to these inner entities in the same way that Jesus and Buddha taught us to relate to suffering, exiled people.

The dialogue here is about a possible integration of Unique Self into psychotherapy and especially the IFS Model.

Richard Schwartz is a leading expert in the field of psychotherapy and recognized as the founding developer of Internal Family Systems Theory, an influential therapeutical model which combines systems thinking with an integrative view of the mind and its discrete qualities.

Stream the audio here:

Richard Schwartz & Marc Gafni: Unique Self and the Internal Family Systems Model2023-09-12T09:58:10-07:00

John Gray & Marc Gafni on My Unique Self

John Gray & Marc Gafni on My Unique Self2023-06-22T08:01:14-07:00

Junpo Roshi & Marc Gafni: Unique Self Enlightenment and Mondo Zen – Perspectives of Waking Up, Growing Up and Showing Up

Junpo Roshi & Marc Gafni: Unique Self Enlightenment and Mondo Zen – Perspectives of Waking Up, Growing Up and Showing Up2023-09-12T10:15:34-07:00

Richard Barrett & Marc Gafni in Dialogue on Unique Self, Organizational Leadership, and the Destiny of Nations

Richard Barrett & Marc Gafni in Dialogue on Unique Self, Organizational Leadership, and the Destiny of Nations2023-09-12T10:15:49-07:00

John Welwood and Marc Gafni: The Phenomenology of Unique Self – In Dialogue with Buddhism: An Intimate Conversation

John Welwood and Marc Gafni: The Phenomenology of Unique Self – In Dialogue with Buddhism: An Intimate Conversation2023-09-12T10:19:56-07:00

Jerry Judd & Marc Gafni dialogue on Unique Self and Urgency

Listen to this dialogue between Shalom Mountain Founder Jerry Judd and Shalom Mountain Wisdom School Teacher in Residence Marc Gafni.

Stream the audio here:

Jerry Judd & Marc Gafni dialogue on Unique Self and Urgency2023-12-05T07:01:44-08:00

Stuart Davis & Marc Gafni on Unique Self and Creativity

Stuart Davis & Marc Gafni on Unique Self and Creativity2023-09-12T10:47:26-07:00
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