The area of Einsiedeln surrounding the Sandplay in Switzerland program location. Photo: Leanne Morris
After a welcome reception and orientation, the program began with
a presentation by Judy Zappacosta entitled “The Landscape of Jung” which
included a brief historical review of the work of Carl Jung, especially
focusing on his thoughts about the importance of staying in connection
with the earth and working with the hands while exploring the inner
landscape of the archetypes. From C.G. Jung’s Letters, “It is so important to
keep close to the earth, as the spirit is always soaring up to heaven like a
flame as much destructive as enlightening” (Vol.1,1906-1950, p.42, 1973).
The following morning, Zappacosta built on this foundation by giving a
case presentation which
illustrated the power of the
“free and protected space”
of sandplay to elucidate a
client’s spontaneous
freedom as well as
revealing the many layers of
healing and insight that can
be activated simultaneously
in a sandplay process. Front of the Kalff home. Photo: Leanne Morris
The Kalff home. Photo: Leanne Morris
The program continued with a series of four lectures by Martin Kalff, an
ISST Founder and Teaching Member, who combined sandplay history and
theory, case presentation and experiential, mindfulness-based exercises
designed to truly bring the powerful work of sandplay into the body.
Martin Kalff’s way of working with the images evoked in sandplay is to go
deeper into what we already know, rather than “heaping on more
concepts” which may lead us to a more superficial understanding of the
symbol. He is especially interested in reconciling our spirituality and our
“inner animal,” though the process of sandplay, both as a clients and a
therapists.
Sandplay in Switzerland also included presentations by Braam
Beetge, ISST Teaching member from South Africa, and Maria Kendler, ISST
Teaching member from Switzerland. Both instructors gave lectures and
case presentations revealing how the psyche can move, integrate and
eventually individuate through the process of sandplay. In addition to
formal lecture and presentation, each of the instructors shared social time,
often during group meals, to answer any questions or share more
information with workshop participants.
Kalff sandplay room. Photo: Adriana Dicu
In addition to the specific instruction, Sandplay in Switzerland also
included Interior Rhythms work inspired by Marion Woodman and Soul
Painting facilitated by Sabine Kalff. Including work focused on the body
and creative intuition assisted workshop participants into going more
deeply into their own process as well as providing some silent space for
reflection and assimilation. Some evenings included films of Dora Kalff,
Martin Kalff and Marion Woodman. Opportunities were also available for
participants to present cases for supervision, if they desired.
The group took three outings away from the Hotel Allegra
Conference Center in Einsiedeln. At the end of the first week, the group
took a trip by train, steam ship and gondola to Lucerne and the beautiful
Mt. Rigi “Queen of Mountains,” which afforded breathtaking views of the
environment of Switzerland. At the beginning of the second week we
traveled to the Kalff home in Zollikon, where the group could experience
the sandplay room that had once been Dora Kalff’s, and is now Martin
Kalff’s, as well as the rest of the historic house where Sandplay Therapy
came alive. At the end of the program, we traveled to the C.G. Jung Institute
in Kusnacht, where we heard a lecture by Ruth Ammann, Jungian Analyst
and ISST Teaching Member from Switzerland, entitled “Painting from the
Unconscious,” including slides from among the archived artworks of Jung’s
former clients.
The program concluded with a festive farewell dinner including
traditional Swiss music. The participants, filled with the magic of Sandplay
and the Swiss environment, took the treasures gained to share with their
communities and clients across the globe.
About the author:
LEANNE MORRIS, MSW, LICSWA, maintains a private practice in Seattle, Washington, which combines her nearly twenty years of Buddhist meditation with Depth Psychotherapy. She works with children and adults and is especially interested in working with grief, spiritual issues and the highly sensitive. Leanne Morris is working on her certification to become a Certified Sandplay Therapist. SANDPLAY IN SWITZERLAND 2017 A reflection by Leanne Morris, Seattle, Washington, USA
KEY WORDS: Sandplay Therapy, Sandplay in Switzerland, Dora Kalff, Martin Kalff, Sabine Kalff, Maria Kendler, Ruth Ammann, Braam Beetge, Judy Zappacosta, Patty Flowers, Marion Woodman, Einsiedeln, Switzerland.
ABSTRACT: This reflection piece briefly describes the 2017 Sandplay in Switzerland program which took place in June of 2017 in Einsiedeln, Switzerland. This program brought International Society for Sandplay Therapy teaching members as well as participants from around the globe. ABOVE: The Kalff home. Photo by Leanne Morris. OPPOSITE: Kalff sandplay shelves. Photo by Adriana Dicu
