What is Pathwork?
Pathwork is a contemporary path of growth and transformation. Grounded in practical spiritual wisdom, it is based on the premise that accepting, understanding and taking responsibility for all parts of ourselves is essential for transforming our shadow side, claiming our light, and finding unity within ourselves, with others and the Divine.
Although many spiritual paths feature practices to transcend our human limitations, the Pathwork is unique in its strong emphasis on the task of purification and transformation of our shadow side, or Lower Self. This in turn builds a dependable foundation for authentic experiences of transcendence and unity.
Since the Pathwork is a path of transformation as well as transcendence, the work of illuminating and transforming the shadow side is not the final objective. It is the means by which we reveal and come to identify with and live from the vibrantly alive, expansive, loving, divine spark in each of us.
What four aspects of the spiritual journey does Pathwork serve?
Each of us has a unique set of beliefs and values that shape and guide our lives. These can change as we grow and approach life from ever deepening levels of consciousness. To facilitate this ever evolving and expanding self-awareness, the focus and direction of our spiritual work also changes. It is not a linear process but spiral in nature, circling back around in a life long process of discovery and opening more fully to love, truth and wisdom. Pathwork offers guidance for the twists and turns of each stage of the journey.
1) Transforming Distortions and Unresolved Pain.
The Pathwork offers profound and clear guidance to support you in navigating your inner journey. This involves an exploration of the conscious and unconscious misconceptions, defenses, negativities and unresolved pain that create disharmony in your life and prevents you from realizing your deepest longings. This process strengthens the capacity to align more fully with the greater consciousness dwelling within every soul, while also increasing the capacity for intimacy, joy, and fulfillment in everyday life.
2) Learning to Create Intimate and Authentic Relationships.
Relationships can be a source of joy, connection, and fulfillment, and at other times can be stressful and challenging. Pathwork offers you an invitation to view these challenges as opportunities for profound personal and spiritual growth. Recognizing that we depend on one another to mirror our distortions as well as our gifts, spiritual community serves as a laboratory where we can learn to relate with honesty, compassion and authenticity.
3) Answering the Call to Service
With a more mature emotional and spiritual foundation, you begin to understand the spiritual journey to be about more than just improving the personal self. This is the time when you begin to search for your purpose and life’s task. Pathwork supports and strengthens the shift from an ego-centric worldview to the positive intention to serve life according to your unique gifts. Pathwork empowers you to generously offer the best of yourself while staying grounded in love and humility.
4) Surrendering to the Divine
The deepest level of all spiritual seeking across every tradition is marked by the call to surrender all cherished goals, identities, and beliefs and rest in the awareness that is your true nature. Recognizing this truth can be both challenging and exhilarating, and the Pathwork offers support, guidance, and practices to navigate this stage of the spiritual journey.
There are a variety of ways to explore Pathwork:
One on One Support.
Individual sessions with a Pathwork Helper who serves as a trusted guide and companion is a foundational anchor for your transformation. Sessions can be in person or via video-conference calls. Find a Helper here.
Workshops, Groups, and Programs
Helpers offer local and online groups, as well as workshops and programs. Check out upcoming events here. Learn about our ongoing programs here.
Personal Intensives
2-5 day guided retreats individually customized to dive deeply into current issues or obstacles in your life. Contact a Helper to begin planning your unique retreat.
Lectures and Books
Pathwork Lectures and books allow individual study and complement group work.
Learn more about Pathwork and read the Lectures here.
The Mid-Atlantic Pathwork
Mid-Atlantic Pathwork (MAP) is a community of spiritual seekers with a common interest in Pathwork. We offer a number of Pathwork-related services, including classes and workshops. Through our network of Pathwork Helpers, Pathwork is taught locally in Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, Florida, Massachusetts, and on the web.
The Mid-Atlantic Pathwork was founded by Donovan and Susan Thesenga in 1976. From the legal perspective, MAP is a non-profit corporation based in Madison, VA, and is a regional affiliate of the International Pathwork Foundation. In practice, Pathwork Helpers in this region expand their outreach worldwide to individuals that express an interest and a calling for deep personal healing, transformation, and awakening.