We are all born in "Kansas." Kansas represents a world that Clarissa Pinkola Estés calls the Over-Culture. The Over-Culture consists of the rigid landscapes of family rules, societal expectations, and ancestral scripts that we inherit from our family systems. We often enter this world as if stepping into a pre-arranged family portrait with our roles already fixed—frequently as the "people pleaser," the "good child," or even the "black sheep."
Dorothy, a motherless daughter, navigates this gray landscape with her beloved dog, Toto. Just as Dorothy arrives at the farm with her companion, we enter this world with our own Toto: our instinctual intuition. However, the Over-Culture often finds intuition unruly. Toto loves to explore, dig into the shadows, and sniff out the truth. Because of this, he creates an enemy in Miss Gulch—the personification of the inner and outer critic. To survive the Over-Culture, we are often taught to cage our Toto, ignore our inner compass, and distrust our "scent" for danger or desire.
In This Workshop, We Will Journey Back to the Self
According to Internal Family Systems (IFS), the Self is the calm, confident, and compassionate core of a person, distinct from "parts" (emotions, thoughts, and sub-personalities).
In this experiential workshop (which serves as a Qualifying Workshop), we will explore how Toto’s instincts and the protection of the Ruby Slippers guide us home to our true nature. As we travel down the Yellow Brick Road, we will:
- Identify the "Miss Gulch" Narratives: Uncover the specific voices in your life that attempt to seize your intuition and keep you grounded in the gray.
- Listen to Toto: Engage in creative exercises to reconnect with the "inner bark" of your instinctual self.
- Walk the Yellow Brick Road: Use the labyrinth to explore the twists and turns of your journey.
- Claim the Ruby Slippers: Explore the power of "soul-shoes"—the psychic boundaries and movement needed to stand your ground and find your way back to your essential "Home."
Note: By integrating the labyrinth, storytelling, and journaling with group processing, this workshop facilitates a transition from external expectations to an authentic homecoming of the Self.
This workshop can also be used as a qualifying workshop for those going on to attend Facilitator Training.
Dr. Robin B. Dilley brings over 35 years of experience to the table as an Arizona Licensed psychologist, author, and workshop facilitator. She has been an Advanced Veriditas Labyrinth Facilitator since 2015 and recently became a Veriditas Faculty member.
Since learning about the Labyrinth in 1992, Robin has drawn on her background in Experiential Family Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, and Jungian Theory to develop an active Labyrinth practice. She incorporates the Labyrinth into her work with clients in several ways. She explores its use as an ancient archetypal symbol for guidance and personal insight. Additionally, she teaches clients to use the Labyrinth as a tool for mindfulness and anxiety management, empowering them to use it for relaxation and stress reduction.
Now, through her newest endeavor, Arizona Labyrinth Connections, an extension of her psychotherapy and spiritual consulting practice, Dr. Dilley leads well-designed transformative workshops which include storytelling, journal writing, and a labyrinth experience. She creates workshops regularly and has two signature workshops, “Lessons from The Yellow Brick Road” and “Lessons from The Miller’s Daughter.”
Robin is available to create a workshop for your group or individual consulting to enhance your life’s journey. She also publishes a regular newsletter, Continue Your Journey.
Robin lives happily with her spouse of 28 years, Pam Smead. They enjoy cruising, walking, reading, and exploring life together. Don't hesitate to get in touch with Robin at [email protected] to learn more.
