Spiritual Emergence with Dr. Emma Bragdon
We have an incredible conversation to share with you today!
Introducing our new friend, the eminent Dr. Emma Bragdon. Emma has been a pioneer in body-mind-spirit wellness for 50 years. She has written 7 books and co-produced two documentary films on topics related to mental health and healing. In fact, she’s been a teacher in experiential learning for adults since 1985.
When we were kids our grandparents would inevitably talk The Great Depression, or the war, or maybe some ridiculously memorable bit of bigotry. Never did our grandparents ever talk about working in a Brazilian National Institute where young people (who were struggling with pranic openings, kundalini risings, and sensations previously associated with an onset of schizophrenia) could receive treatment and guidance!
Our grandmothers didn’t know about any of this somewhat esoteric or even mystical stuff.
And, we could have used it!
Our guest today, Dr. Emma Bragdon, has journeyed a very unique path indeed. She told us the same thing, “Oh, I could have used someone like me too!”
I think we all could.
By 1988, Emma was licensed as a Marriage, Family, and Child Therapist, had earned her PhD in Transpersonal Psychology, and specialized in private practice around issues of Spiritual Emergency. She continues to coach individuals online from all continents in the world, as well as consult with organizations regarding identifying and managing spiritual emergencies.
And in fact, we’re considering training with Dr. Bragdon on how to become a spiritual emergence coach at her online Integrative Mental Health University. There is an increasing need for this work in our communities. And, we artists, yogis, and podcast listeners are ripe for the exchange!
Dr. Bragdon is the Founder and Executive Director of the Foundation for Energy Therapies, Inc (FET), a not for profit dedicated to education and research. Integrative Mental Health University, IMHU, is a project of FET.
Prior to graduate school, Emma trained with some of the best bio-energetic and neo-Reichian therapists in the San Francisco Bay area (Stanley Keleman, Anne Dreyfuss, Nadine Scott, Phil Cucuruto, Ed Jackson, MD, William Emerson, PhD and others).
Her advanced training in breathwork, bodywork and energy work became central in her understanding of how to support personal growth and wellness.
From 1985-1992 Emma also dedicated herself to writing about and forwarding spiritual development. She volunteered at the Spiritual Emergence Network (SEN) for 7 years, editing their journal and newsletter, and coordinating two invited conferences at Esalen Institute for them. Stanislav Grof, MD & Christina Grof, founders of SEN, attended along with other psychologists, spiritual teachers, individuals with life experience, and the psychic, Anne Armstrong. Emma’s PhD dissertation on “How to Support Someone in Spiritual Emergency” was inspired by these gatherings. Stanislav Grof’s pioneering work continues to be a profound source of inspiration for her.
From 2001-2012, she traveled widely in her field research and focused on Spiritist Community Centers and Spiritist Psychiatric Hospitals in Brazil because they provide an effective, 120 year old model of integrative healthcare for all economic levels, cooperating with requirements for government funding as needed for inpatient care.
The Brazilian Spiritists are very successful in recognizing and managing spiritual emergency — having developed their effective protocols for more than 100 years.
In 2012, the President of the Spiritist Psychiatric Hospital in Goiania, Brazil asked Emma to be their “ambassador” to non-Brazilians. She has since that time been facilitating seminars for health providers to visit the hospital, experience the Spiritist therapies offered, and learn from her and her Brazilian associates-the psychiatrists and spiritual healers who collaborate there and at other Spiritist Community Centers in Goiania.
In her role as Founder & Executive Director Emma has developed IMHU since its inception in May, 2013.
It’s currently self-sustaining, aligned with its mission, purpose and values, offering the wisdom of a stellar faculty, and independent of special interests.
She’s active as a teacher of some of IMHU’s online courses and is available as a coach.
JUNE 1 - 12, 2023
All-Inclusive Turkey Retreat!
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June 16-18, 2023
Munich, Germany
Find Out More
MAKE A DONATION TO YOGA GIVES BACK
doTERRA will MATCH dollar for dollar the funds raised here:
Girls Scholarship for Higher Education with Digital Access in India
FOLLOW Dr.Emma:
WEBSITE I INTEGRATIVE MENTAL HEALTH UNIVERSITY I INSTAGRAM
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The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case.
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Opening and closing music compliments of my dear friend teaching Ashtanga yoga in Eindhoven, Nick Evans, with his band “dawnSong” from the album “for Morgan.” Listen to the entire album on Spotify - Click Here.
To purchase your own copy - Click Here.
