Saturday and Sunday, February 21 and 22, at the Bhaktivedanta Foundation in Ponsacco, took place the fifth CSB Counselling Seminar. The Seminar, held by the CSB Study Centre Founder, Marco Ferrini, Ph.D. Psychology, developed the theme “The Self-Image and the Self Shaped Personality”

The self-image is the self shape that each person contemplates interiorly and often unconsciously. 
In relation to its features, the self-image, that reflects the deep instances of a person – derived from his life experiences – may define the limits of such person and increase his potentialities as well.

Therefore it is essential to work on ones self-image to make an evolutionary transformation of his personality, by harmonizing such image to the self shape of personality and most of all to the real Inner Self which is the deep, fundamental and authentic core of one’s identity.

When dyscrasias are found between the image of the ego, the subject’s personality and the real Self, the interpersonal tension becomes constant and does not allow for the necessary balance to operate constructively.

One of the main topics developed was that of attention, the basic function of the conscience.

Attention is an interrupted wave of energy of the conscience, towards an object or a target.  It enables the development of comprehension and it is the first step of concentration, which is essential to start an introspective analysis.

 Those who are used to pay superficial attention to what they do and therefore act superficially, are likely to make many mistakes. As a consequence they feel low self-esteem and self directed frustration, drowning their last remains of energy in lamentation, which burns out any chance to improve themselves.

The explanations given on Saturday and Sunday morning left ample space to the questions and answers section, which integrated stimulating developments, often necessary to favour a deeper understanding for the participants.

Among the subjects discussed were: inter psychic conflict and fragmented personality, negative experiences and their creative elaboration, active imagination and meditative visualization, sublimation and sedimentation of one’s experiences, the perspective of the ancient Indian Tradition psychology and Stuart Hameroff’s point of view.

On a transversal line, the focus of attention was maintained on the relationship between counsellor and patient and on the importance, for the first one, to develop the necessary empathic attitude to assist the seeker of help through his journey toward the resolution of his existential needs.

The next topic, presented with slides and comments to stimulate the interest of the attendees, was related to the ability of the thought to modify the inner and surrounding reality and by combining the act of will and listening.

The intentional thought, conscious and deliberated, is the electric power of the quantum field, whilst feelings, emotions and sensations are the constituents of the magnetic power.

When this electromagnetic energy reaches the sufficient intensity, it determines changes at different levels in the environment where we live.
The afternoon workshops, focused on self analysis for the identification of one’s image. They were intensive and effective interactive activities, and according to the expectations of the bhaktivedantic oriented Relationship Counselling, offered further suggestions to engage the spiritual researcher towards inner growth.

The sixth Seminar, will be held by Andrea Boni, appointed general coordinator,  and Priscilla Bianchi, appointed didactic director of the CSB Counsel ling School. It will take place on March 21 and 22 at the same CSB headquarter and the theme will be: “The influence of ones conscience on the individual and on the environment: reality as a manifestation of our desires”. For any further explanations, please visit www.csbcounseling.org