The Experience

    Sitting in the presence of certain people is a positive influence. In itself it’s an opportunity for learning. This is true of Bert Hellinger. The deep discipline of his life, the expanded view he provides, his dedication to truth and his innate talents of seeing the systemic in human experience is a gift to the world. In times of deep transition and challenge, it has always been men and women with vision that contribute to a positive paradigm shift.

An Eclectic Nature

    The influences that shaped Bert Hellinger’s unique perspective include:
• A childhood growing up in Germany during National Socialism to which his family took a decidedly opposing position;
• More than two decades as a Catholic priest in South Africa, working with the Zulu;
• After 25 years, leaving the priesthood to pursue training in psychotherapy with myriad influences and schools of thought contributing to his ever widening knowledge and experience;
• Practical application of ‘body-based’ therapies and neuro-linguistic programming;
• A unique capacity to integrate seemingly disparate elements of human experience, often contradicting current trends to demonstrate hidden laws that influence health, happiness and success.

Thinking Systemically

    Bert Hellinger trains us to think systemically rather than individually. At first a challenging transition and movement away from orthodox approaches, it soon becomes clear to those who dare to look that what we are is much more than what we seem to be. Through invisible dynamics in every group, in particular the family and ancestry, we derive qualities and temperaments that both support and destroy life. It’s in this latter aspect that we can use the methodologies developed by Dr. Hellinger to uncover what is hidden and create positive movement toward health and healing. He demonstrates profound and effective techniques to hasten personal development, and to solve problems and issues in all areas of life by identifying systemic disharmonies and resolving them.

In Controversy

    As with the arrival of any “new” approach that challenges assumptions, there are those who cling to what’s familiar and oppose change. So it is in some circles regarding Hellinger. Exposure to such persons soon reveals emotionally expressed opinion without experience. It’s in the personal experience of what Bert Hellinger offers that we make decisions for ourselves of available value and positive effect. Persons unfamiliar with the experiential aspect of Dr. Hellinger’s work opine based only on appearances. Certainly there are challenging aspects within Hellinger’s philosophy, and we often learn that what have been well worn traditions of thinking and acting must crumble if we’re to progress. It’s in the personal experience that we learn and grow within the approach designed. From his book entitled On Life and Other Paradoxes, “If you wish to see the truth, then hold no opinions for or against anything.”