Margaret Kerr
Psychotherapist

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Margaret originally worked and trained as a medical doctor, and then retrained in Psychology and Psychotherapy, now working full time as a psychotherapist just outside Glasgow. In her work she integrates different approaches to therapy drawn from Western and Buddhist psychology.

She has been a Buddhist for over 13 years, and practices in the Tibetan tradition. In her Tibetan Buddhist practice, there is a strong link to the world of human emotions and relationships and a strong subtle link, through the Shamanic tradition, with the land, animals, plants and trees. Her hope is to deepen her exploration of healing in the inner world of human emotions and relationships, and in the outer environment.

In her spare time she loves hill walking, sea kayaking, running and rock climbing.

First night

First night
I have a dream that we’re all sitting in the tipi. Dave and I are supposed to be facilitating a session. Everyone in the group is talking to each other, and not paying much attention to what we’re doing. People start getting up and moving about – swapping seats. It’s like musical chairs. It gets chaotic and very noisy. I think – we just need to keep sitting here. Dave starts to chant something. I keep sitting there. Then gradually, the group becomes more and more quiet, and people start moving in a circle. In the end, everyone is walking around the circle in silence – like a walking meditation.

 

Day one
 

 

I’ve found a piece of driftwood on the beach. As I carve it, it turns into a sea otter. I think of the sea otter – how she lives in the water and on the land. Feels like my work at the moment – being alive to underwater currents and staying grounded.

Solo dayThere’s a meditation from a shamanic tradition:

 

Choose an object to look at – for example, a tree.

First of all, put the focus of your awareness right into the tree. See what it feels like.

Then, bring the focus of your awareness right into the centre of your body – still looking at the tree. See what that feels like.

Finally, let your awareness come into the space in between. Notice what that feels like.

It’s hard to write a narrative when I’m immersed in this process or immersed in the landscape. If my awareness is just on the landscape, I can describe it. If my awareness is just in myself, I can describe it. It’s harder in the space in between.

Shelterthis is our cocoon

 

curled round

a neural tube

unfolding

lost pathways

silver essence

blind endings

an ancient face

a goat’s face

a sea monster

silver over grey

all the threads of our lives

enfolded

burrowed deep

curled warm

in this tiny container

we trust

it will hold 

 

Return

Sharing stories of the journey

 

 

Dropping into a deeper circle.

 

 

 

Posted: September 29, 2008 | Author: Margaret Kerr | Comments: Add 

Keeping the space

I’ve been outside all weekend - feeling a bit reluctant to sit in my room all day. It’ll be OK once I start working.

I’ve still got images of the hills with me - more than images - a whole feeling - gentle weather, peaceful sky, mind full of not very much.

Lots and lots of space… 

Wonder if I can keep that space while I’m working.

Posted: September 8, 2008 | Author: Margaret Kerr | Comments: Add