Interesting-Challenging Professional Event

[qos]

Once or twice a year, the local members of Spiritual Directors International get together for an enrichment day, a combination of social time and a presentation. I just received an email notifying me of this January's event: "Power, Abuse and Healing."

The very short description says:

Join us as we explore:

o The power differential in spiritual direction

o The personal and professional relationship continuum

o Working with directees who are victims of abuse

Without wanting to detract in any way from the importance and validity of those questions, I also want to know this: will relationships involving a power imbalance be discussed in any way that acknowledges it can also have a positive effect?

For the past couple of years I've had passing fantasies of being at such a gathering and standing up to speak my piece as someone who has both been hurt by the abuse of power in a relationship and who has experienced pleasure and nurturing because of it.

I don't want to walk into this event with a defensive attitude -- but I also need to do some serious reflection around the degree to which I may want to challenge an implicit -- or explicit -- assumption that any relationship (outside the formality of a professional one) is to be avoided.

Comments

[blessed-harlot.livejournal.com]

That's an awesome topic to bring into the conversation, and a great icon.

[shadowandstar.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I'm glad I have the time to do some discernment around this, and be sure that I know how to communicate clearly what I may feel the need to say.

I really like the icon as well. Credits are in the notes on my icon page, if you'd like to snag and use it.

[godhole.livejournal.com]

Delicate waters - walk on them carefully! :)

[shadowandstar.livejournal.com]

Ha! Thank you!

[freyasman.livejournal.com]

I attended a workshop in Asheville, NC led by Cedar Barstow called Ethics: The Right Use of Power. One of her terms is "power differential". I was so impressed by and learned so much from her that I worked to have her come to our hospice to lead our staff in a half-day workshop. Again, it was a very empowering experience.

Perhaps the event to which you refer has already passed. Did you go? If so, was Cedar was a presenter for it?

If it hasn't happened yet and it's Cedar, I do hope that you can go. Her presentations can be wonderfully healing and empowering. She gives skills and increases participant's wisdom.

[shadowandstar.livejournal.com]

I'm in a completely different part of the country. :-)

The event is in January, and I'll definitely post about how it goes.

My own spiritual director made an interesting observation about having this discussion about abuse within power relationships while meeting at a Catholic church.

[freyasman.livejournal.com]

Yes, I'm aware of where you are. Cedar lives in Colorado and teaches nationwide. I look forward to hearing how it goes.

It is interesting that the meeting will occur in a Catholic church building. That's a good thing!