I’m currently halfway the workshop series with Professor Desmet, time for a first report.
During my life I have been exposed to hundreds of thousands worth of dollars on training, both engineering and managerial. I have never been in sessions like the ones with Mattias Desmet. Chatham House Rules apply so I cannot say who said what nor disclose other participants.
The common ground that drew many to the workshop is twofold… the push from the experience during the Covid Pandemic is one. Just the words “Covid” or “lockdown” or “vaccine” will trigger vehement discussions. The pull seems to be the search for truth and a way to achieve truth.
The interview with Chris contains a lot of elements the workshop elaborates further on. Mattias is working on a new book and chapters of the draft book are used as background text and reading material.
The amount of subject knowledge in Mattias’ head is astounding, as is his ability to pull out facts, references and anecdotes from his practice as a therapist and connect them to his theory in real time. It is work in progress and during the workshop experiences and insights from the participants are eagerly absorbed and applied.
There are no big slide decks, no course book and there seems to be no structure. Desmet sits on his chair and talks quietly, or stands up and orates intensely. Yet during the first two days the structure slowly shows. There is a careful build up, both in theory and in the very simple but in no way easy exercises.
We are halfway through the theory and the big picture emerges. The effects on my daily life become visible, I truly view conversations differently.
Lastly, just like here at PP, there is a big sense of community facilitated and stimulated by Professor Desmet. Attendees meet outside of the course days to practice and reflect on exercises. Someone said that it was so refreshing to be able to interact with like-minded people, that the confrontation with the banality of the masses outside was almost unbearable. It’s like being the Remnants in a different form.