TRAINING AND WORKSHOP CURRICULUM

The MERISMOS Process is a method used to assist professionals and non-professionals alike with the process of personal growth and change.  This process is accomplished by way of the Hero’s Journey.

The Hero’s Journey is a seven-step process that serves as rites of passage to self-empowerment in which the adolescent successfully progresses through each step as they self-discover and become awakened to their hidden “Self”.  This seven step process is based on Eastern thought that the sum of our human experience is stored within the seven energy centers (Chakras), which is located within the human body. It is within exploring the information within these seven Chakras; the adolescent can explore self-defeating behaviors and patterns that hinder their progress.  The MERISMOS Process assists clinicians and their clients in identifying self-defeating and sabotaging behaviors through exploring psychological archetypes and how these historical roles play out in the adolescent’s life experiences. It is within exploring these archetypes and engaging in symbolic ritual, the MERISMOS Process launches an exploration and unveiling of self-defeating behavioral patterns that interfere, as well as, assist in the personal journey of self-discovery and progressive change.

When these archetypes begin to interrupt the client’s world to the point of discomfort and discontentment -- the journey through the first phase of self-discovery begins. To begin this journey through self-discovery, the client must first explore his or her twelve archetypes; four of which are specific to survival in the physical world and are universal to everyone.  These archetypes function as a guide or companion that accompanies us throughout the journey of self-discovery. 

The journey begins in our early life experience with our primary care giver.  These are the lessons in life that initially shape and influence how we interpret and respond to our internal and external world.  It is in this early experience we gain a sense of personal power and ability to survive.  We learn to trust that our needs will be met or not met.  If our needs are not met, we learn to trust insecurity as opposed to security.  We fail to learn how to take care of and protect ourselves.  We fail to learn the important lesson of responsibility.  If we are introduced to trauma of any sort, be it neglect, physical, sexual, emotional abuse or abandonment, our healthy way of developing is interrupted.  Trauma can also include such experiences as a natural disaster, disability, illness, loss of a loved one, poverty, substance abuse.... the list is endless.

Life's early lessons set in motion powerful messages and emotional energy, which ultimately affects our ability to establish healthy relationships, self-esteem, survival skills, personal power and spiritual maturity. It is only when we have clear insight to our self-defeating patterns and behaviors that we can thrive with self-empowerment and personal growth.

Our full potential can be realized through our insight, acknowledgment.
and acceptance of our life's powerful messages and the emotional energy these messages carry.

This process of taking the hero’s journey is designed to assist the adolescent in gaining symbolic meaning and insight within their life experiences and heal emotionally as they become awakened to self-defeating behavioral patterns.

Training and Workshop Methods:

The methods used in this curriculum to promote self-discovery and personal growth is also accomplished through the Hero’s Journey, which consists of a four-stage process:

Four Stages to Transition:

1. The Awakening
2. The Exodus
3. The Wilderness Experience
4. Building of the Temple. 

The Hero’s Journey also explores four Spiritual Lessons that is vital to self-discovery, personal growth and change:

Four Spiritual Lessons to Transformation

1. Your journey is purposely designed and pre-determined by your Higher Power
2. Your journey is designed to help you gain symbolic insight and meaning in how to respond to your higher purpose
3. Your acceptance or non-acceptance of your designed purpose will determine your quality of life
4. Personal growth and change can only occur through awakening to sufferings and conflict through journeying through a wilderness experience.

Additional methods used are:

• Lectures
• Individual instruction and processing
• Group instruction and processing
• Workshops, Classes and Training
• Experiential Activities
• Symbolic and Sacred Ritual
• Creative/Artistic Expression
• Story Telling
• Integrating mind, body, spirit – through Seven Rites of Passage
• Body/Energy Work

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