EMBRYO IN MOTION
UNDERSTANDING OURSELVES AS EMBRYO
Example
of a Four-Day Seminar.
Last version:
27-03-2010
Why a course about the embryo?
In
recent years, new interest in human embryology has been raised. This also came
up in the slipstream of a whole scale of techniques that have been developed to
influence and manipulate the processes of conception, pregnancy, prenatal
development and birth. In this context, it is important not only to develop such
techniques, but also to raise awareness of the ethical question, “What are we
actually doing?” We have to consider what prenatal life - and in particular a
human embryo - essentially is. Moreover: How should we interpret the facts from
modern scientific embryology within a spiritual and holistic point of
view on man and nature? Science does not only produce techniques and knowledge,
it also engenders images about ourselves; for example, showing what we actually
are as embryos. Such images that are represented as the ‘scientific truth’,
however, often appear to be materialistic and reduced views on the human being.
In this seminar an attempt is made to get to the often denied spiritual core of
this phase of human existence. In a real understanding of the science of
embryology we are able to 'meet' the creating and creative forces that work
through the human being
Modern science is always deafening silent about what really matters
During our embryonic development we are, so to say, organisms 'still functioning in forms'. Shaping or ‘performing’ of the body seems the main ‘activity’ of the embryo. During embryonic development, the human body gets its shape and form in a continuous process of change and metamorphosis. By the so-called phenomenological approach, it is possible to understand those body ‘movements’ as gestures of human behavior. In the early phases of human existence, the processes that accompany the act of incarnation may be ‘read’ from the biological facts. The shaping gestures also are a kind of echo or recapitulation of the development of man as a species. In this way, becoming a human and becoming human, biography and biology meet. The embryo helps us to learn the real patterns of (human) development. It reveals our essence as a being, mediating between spirit and matter, soul and body, between heaven (cosmos) and earth.
To explore Jaap’s work &
ideas further,
check out his website at
www.embryo.nl
Core questions addressed by Embryo in Motion
Jaap van der Wal is the initiator of the project Embryo in motion. For this he travels the world giving lectures, courses and seminars about the roots of human existence prior to birth. In the prenatal domain he examines questions like, “What do we actually do when we are embryos?” “Where is soul and spirit during the embryonic development?” “Do we have experiences and feelings when we are there?” “Can we recall prenatal experience?” “Are we just insentient bodies yet?” “Are we not yet human?” “Are we just coincidences in a sea of time, or do we come from a more meaningful whole to become human beings on this earth?” “Where do we come from?” “Do we make our children or do we receive, conceive them?”
The aim of this seminar is to let the participants share in the mighty processes that form human individuality on this earth. We will explore these areas not only by participating with the intellect but also by thinking with the heart (the phenomenological approach). Thus the mystery of the incarnation of spirit with (or into) a body will be revealed. It will provide an image of the human being that is based on spirituality and science. ‘Embryosophy' as presented in this course will open new perspectives as to polarity thinking and threefoldness, microcosm and macrocosm, heredity and incarnation and evolution of the earth and mankind. Through these perspectives the participants may find that they get deeper insights into why we are here and what is moving us.
Meet the embryo of freedom.
An open book of forms and gestures
revealing the essence of man as encounter
between ‘heaven and earth’, mind and matter
For whom this course is intended?
No prior knowledge of embryology is needed. Familiarity with or interest in a spiritual approach to life is appreciated. Participation in this course may help you to become aware of what your attitude toward the embryo might mean in your work as a medical doctor, as a therapist, but also as a parent, as a partner, or other roles in human life. The course is not specialized for particular professionals or practitioners. Everyone is welcome.
“In the last three decades that I gave these courses many kinds of therapies and philosophies recognized themselves in this approach of the embryo and human biology. The images and ideas presented have been applied to numerous practical fields and professions. All kind of participants attended: teachers, doctors, midwives, medical specialists, osteopaths, craniosacral and polarity therapists, anthroposophists, rolfers, biodynamic therapists, trauma and mind-body therapists, and many others” (JvdW).
The aim of this four-day
seminar is
to let the participants share in the mighty processes
that form the basis of every human individuality and life on this earth.
Practice or Theory? Understanding with Head and Heart
In
the approach of phenomenological embryology not only the thinking (‘head’) but
also the experiencing and feeling (‘heart’) have merit. In this way we come to
scientific conclusions and views that consider the human embryo as a spiritual
and ‘inspired’ being. And how you think is prerequisite for how you do, act,
treat.
This for example relates to the conclusion that we are not simply generated from egg cells or a genome, but that we incarnate during the embryonic phase into the body. We are beings who come to appearance in our biography by means of our body. In this approach can lie very important clues for the consciousness of the health care practitioner. It is important to
comprehend embryological forces, because the same forces that formed the body are continuously at work throughout life, carrying the blueprint of Health.This is not a course about therapeutic techniques. You do not learn how to treat or what to do. The emphasis here is to develop a solid phenomenological foundation, and an experiential sense of who we are, which then may serve to guide applications in many fields. “It is about becoming aware of how you think. The best practice still is good theory” (JvdW).
This course is more about the Know Why than about the Know How
How is the course organized?
The course consists of illustrated lectures and discussions alternating with
practical exercises such as form drawing, body movements, stories and meditations.
Usually a course takes place from Thursday
till Sunday (four days seminar) or from Friday till Sunday (three days). A
regular
daily schedule is from 9:00 am -12:30 am and from 2:00 pm - 5:30 pm (sometimes
with two evening classes from 7:30 - 9:00 pm to compensate the last day hour
schedule). On the last day sometimes finishing at 2:00 or 4:00 pm.
Handouts include
T
he two domains of human locomotion and
About the teacher
Jaap
van der Wal PhD MD now
works at the Department of Anatomy and Embryology at the University of
Maastricht, Holland. Since graduation in 1973 he has worked as teacher and
researcher at various universities in Holland. He became specialized in the
functional anatomy of locomotion in particular as to proprioception. Gradually
he became interested in the philosophical backgrounds of medicine becoming also
a teacher theory of science and philosophy. He developed himself as teacher in
Medical Anthropology. He now teaches his ‘Embryosophy’ in Europe and USA to
audiences representing Anthroposophy, Craniosacral Therapy, Osteopathy,
Polarity-Therapy, Trauma Healing and Mind-Body Therapy and many others.
“I love anatomy but my passion however was and still is human embryology. The two domains of human locomotion and human development (embryology) are linked to each other by the principles of form (shape) and motion (movement). The human body is a process, developing and functioning in time. The embryo moves, behaves in forms. It is in this area that I encountered anthroposophy. The Goethean phenomenological approach, which I met there, appeared to be the key for bridging between the domain of 'natural science' and 'spiritual science' (or even: religion). Applying the method of dynamic morphology to the study of the human embryo gave me the tool to understand what we actually are doing as human beings when we still are embryos. With respect I can find in the embryo cautious answers to questions as to the meaning of human existence".
“I think that there are many people who need a spiritual approach. They are perfectly happy with a proper blending of science, phenomenology and non-fundamentalist spirituality. I believe that this is why you have been so successful in your teachings” (Michael Shea, (author of Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy).
VENUE & TIMES: Most of the times the course is organized at the locality of a given institution like Colorado School of Energy Studies or Osteopathie Schule Deutschland and so on. Usually a course takes place from Thursday till Sunday (four days seminar) or from Friday till Sunday (three days).
SCHEDULE: A regular daily schedule is from 9:00 am -12:30 am and from 2:00 pm - 5:30 pm (sometimes with 2 evening classes from 7:30 - 9:00 pm to compensate the last day hour schedule). On the last day sometimes finishing at 2:00 or 4:00 pm.
COSTS: Variable From 400 till $ 650 (depending on organizing institution and extra overhead costs).
Class size most of the time limited (30 to 40 people). Apply EARLY to assure your place.
For further details and booking, please contact by e-mail at local email address or by phone. Look at the related website.
