Freedom From the Inner Critic: An Interactive Series
In this interactive series designed for artists, we will delve into understanding, confronting and ultimately liberating ourselves from the relentless inner critic that stifles creativity and spiritual growth. Whether you have been working with the inner critic for years or are new to the practice, this series will strengthen your ability to identify and effectively move beyond common barriers. A powerful dimension of the series is to share the journey of recovery with others. More info on the individual sessions below.
Six session Zoom series on Tuesday evenings 6:00-8:00 pm. Cost: $260. Participants limited to 15.
March 4 and 25
April 8 and 22
May 6 and 20
The Series Sessions
Session #1: The Creative Process and Inner Critic
In our first session, we will explore the origins and function of the inner critic. We will learn to recognize its impact through the head, heart, and belly centers, and understand how it interferes with our creative process. By identifying this relationship, we can begin to see how the inner critic shapes our thoughts and feelings, often hindering the aliveness and spontaneity at the heart of our life and creativity.
Session #2: Recognizing Judgments and Inner Resources
In this session we will identify where we are most vulnerable to attacks from our inner critic. We'll also explore aspects of our “true self” separating us from the inner critic and reconnecting us with our inner resources for support and guidance.
Session #3: Ways We Stay Engaged with the Inner Critic
Here, we uncover the mechanisms we use to stay engaged with the inner critic, such as rationalizing, counterattacking, and collapsing. By recognizing these patterns, we can start to disengage and move towards more authenticity.
Session #4: The Judgment Cycle
In this session, we examine the dynamic between the inner child and the inner judge. Understanding this cycle will help us create a path to disengage from the harsh judgments of the inner critic, fostering a more compassionate relationship with ourselves.
Session #5: Strategies for Disengagement
This session focuses on strategies for defending against the inner judge and standing up for ourselves. We will learn practical techniques to assert our true self and build resilience against the inner critic, paving the way for a more confident and empowered creative journey.
Session #6: Recapping the Process
In our last session we will review key elements and practices. Time will be devoted to questions or scenarios that participants want to explore further.
About the Facilitator
Sheryl Lyndes Stowman, M. Div. (she/her) has had a lifelong love of the mysterious and creative Presence we often call the Divine or True Nature. This brought her early in life into the Christian ministry and following a Christian contemplative path. She spent 33 years as a clinical pastoral educator guiding ministers, religious leaders, chaplains and educators in personal and professional development. This is where she delved deeply into psychological understandings of personality and spiritual development. She also trained in spiritual guidance from an eco-feminist perspective and practices as a spiritual director. Drawn to the wisdom and integration of Diamond Approach 16 years ago, she has been an active student and currently is an ordained teacher-minister in this spiritual path.