What Matters: Conversations

How can psychology, science and spirituality contribute to the healing of our souls and our planet? How can we draw upon our inner resources of wisdom, strength, acceptance, peace and joy?“What Matters: Conversations” explores how, in these uncertain times, we can connect with the richness of our inner world and make a difference in the outer world through the framework of the transpersonal psychology: psychosynthesis. Dr. Roberto Assagioli, the 20th century Italian psychiatrist and founder of psychosynthesis, called his approach "a spiritual psychology founded in the synthesis of western positive science and eastern esoteric wisdom." Through the theory, maps and tools of psychosynthesis we become better able to align and ignite our inner resources, live more harmoniously and cooperatively with others, and honor both humanity and the earth that is our home. Join us with our hosts, Craig Behenna and Christina Gustafson, in conversation with psychosynthesis practitioners in the fields of coaching, health and healing, business, spirituality, education and the arts - conversations to inform and inspire, to awaken your purpose and create your life.

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What Matters: Conversations

What Matters Conversations with Steve Banks

December 22, 2021 • Craig Behenna and Christina Gustafson hosted by Synthesis Center San Francisco • Season 1 • Episode 10

How can psychosynthesis inspire and fuel the creative process and the manifestation of artistic expression for a world-wide audience?

In this episode, we are joined by composer and psychosynthesis-trained counselor, Steve Banks to discuss his stirring, evocative and enlightening composition Blue Pearl: A One World Oratorio which will be premiering May 14, 2022 in London and streamed live and on demand for a few days after the concert.

Steve shares about what brought him to psychosynthesis over 20 years ago and how Psychosynthesis and Ken Wilber's Integral Theory influenced and inspired his creation of Blue Pearl.

We learn about his own creative process during the years he spent composing this powerful piece of music, the psychospiritual inspiration that fueled this process and the act of will that has and continues to guide him forward in introducing Blue Pearl to an ever-expanding audience.

To listen to Blue Pearl and/or any of the movements discussed in this interview, please visit: http://www.stevebanks.info/integraloratorio/blue-pearl-listen/

About Steve Banks:
Steve Banks is a violinist, drummer and singer, and has performed classical, folk, and world music with ensembles as diverse as the London Symphony Orchestra and the Carnival Band. He worked for a time as an economist.

Steve trained in psychosynthesis counseling, graduating in 2000, going on to work as a counsellor and also applying psychosynthesis in leadership development. He is deeply immersed in Ken Wilber’s ‘Integral’ theory and has presented at the Integral European Conference. He has practiced meditation in the Buddhist tradition (Theravada and Chan) on and off for over 30 years.

14th May 2022 will see a profound confluence of Steve’s musical and psycho-spiritual lives, with the world premiere of his major new choral work, ‘Blue Pearl: A One World Oratorio’ in London and streamed live. www.stevebanks.info

Your Hosts:
Christina Gustafson is a is a Board Certified Coach and Psychosynthesis Life Coach. She is also Certified Massage Practitioner with advanced training in Myofascial Release, a Level III
Reiki Practitioner and a glass artist.

Craig Behenna is an Australian Psychosynthesis Life Coach and facilitator with the Synthesis Center San Francisco's Coaching Practice Group. He is also a filmmaker, screenwriter, former psychotherapist and, in a much earlier life, a lapsed accountant. Craig began practicing meditation with Thich Nhat Nanh and the community at Plum Village, France. He is also a member of Zen Peacemakers International.

About Synthesis Center San Francisco and The Synthesis Center, Amherst, Massachusetts:
Synthesis Center San Francisco is a global community of students, teachers, practitioners and facilitators committed to supporting the next generation of psychosynthesis. We offer distance learning programs, including: Board Certified Life Coach training in psychosynthesis in collaboration with The Synthesis Center, personal development programs, continuing education, workshops, group and individual coaching.
https://SynthesisCenterSF.com

The Synthesis Center, based in Amherst, Massachusetts, has trained hundreds of individuals from across the US, Canada, Europe, Australia, Mexico, Asia and South Africa through their in-person and distance learning Psychosynthesis Training Programs. Under the direction of Dr. Dorothy (Didi) Firman, The Synthesis Center has been an international resources to the psychosynthesis community for more than 40 years.