Lectures:  Although most of my trainings include a high degree of spontaneity and intuition, occasionally I need to give a lecture to a larger group that inhibits the smaller interaction I enjoy most.

1996 Association of Transpersonal Psychology Annual Conference Lecture
"Transpersonal Approaches to Working with High-Risk Youth"

1997 Association of Transpersonal Psychology Annual Conference Lecture
"Western Adolescence: Shadow of the Patriarchy"

            In 1994 I was very lucky and honored to help staff and present the first International Transpersonal Association Youth Conference in Killarney, Ireland..  The brainchild of Cathy Coleman PhD from the California Institute of Integral Studies, she was frustrated at the lack of interest and opportunities for children while their parents attended large conferences.  At best, she felt, they offered simple baby-sitting.  Cathy created the idea to host a Youth Conference within the larger adult conference, with its own agenda and speakers/presenters.  My role and job was to work the adolescents in the group.
           For about five days, we used the myth and magic of Ireland, along with some wonderful input from adult presenters to create an amazing experience for the 40-50 children and the adults involved.  Presenters who shared their valuable time , and experience included Rupert Sheldrake, Angeles Arrien, John Mack, and Lauren Artress.  During this period we built and played drums, did rock sculptures on the beach, guided imageries, Holotropic Breathwork, dream work, magicians, music, dancing, and anything else we thought might bring the children's dreams and vision to life.
           Below is the first draft paper I wrote immediately after the conference ended, while the experiences were clear and vivid.  I have left them unedited as much as possible, and most of the dynamics and growth are apparent within the paper.

1994 International Transpersonal Association Annual Conference
International Youth Conference
Killarney, Ireland

        In 1995, the ITA Conference was held in Santa Clara, California.  Due to the success of the Ireland conference, this years we were granted three slots on the main adult schedule.  Santa Clara did not attract the teens like Ireland had, and about a week before the conference I was told I probably would not get to participate since none were coming.  We came up with the idea to take six teen boys who were placed in a group home in Lake Tahoe.  Taking adjudicated, addicted, delinquent boys into a large international conference at a fancy convention center was frightening for me, but the perfect opportunity to prove that Transpersonal approaches will work with about anyone.
        As usual, we had drumming and music, and lots or art projects.  Dream work and personal mythology expert Stanley Krippner donated his time to work with the teens each morning.  Daniel Lauter helped them build didgeridoos which the teens used to help the small children put on a performance to the general audience.  Each day I put the boys through David Oldfield's The Journey guided imagery,  with Holotropic Breathwork and other processes woven in between.
The three workshops included in the main conference included:

Between Men and Boys-Pathfinding: This was a panel I moderated between the six group home youth and three adult male volunteers; Stephen Larsen, Stanley Krippner, and Keith Thompson.  The link below describes this momentous and fascinating experience.

1995 International Transpersonal Association Annual Conference
International Youth Conference
Between Men and Boys-Pathfinding
Santa Clara, California

The Mystical Experiences of Children: Moderated by Jyoti (Jeneane Prevatt), including my wife Patty Thibault.  Patty is an artist and designer, which made her a whiz and a hit with the 6-10 year olds both in Ireland and here.

Between Women and Girls-Feminine Wisdom: This fascinating workshop was facilitated by Jyoti, who oversaw most of the vision of the Youth Conference.  The discussion was between Ireland Youth Conference teen participant Gwyneth Larsen and adults Jean Shinoda Bolen, Brooke Medicine Eagle, and Gloria Steinem.

For more information, contact Bret.

All material Copyright by Bret Stephenson 1997-2008
unless noted otherwise.

Last Updated December 20, 2008