Bits and Pieces

This is the second issue of the newly resurrected Journal of Process Oriented Psychology. You may note that there are some new features not found in our last issue. First, our format and layout continue to evolve, as we explore our style and push the outer limits of our technological skills. In addition, in this issue we have a particular focus: Worldwork, the interface between individual psychotherapy and world politics.

This new format, of having both feature articles and general articles, is something we would like to continue. The next issue will feature Illness, Coma and the Dying Process. If you have done research in this field, or have explored the application of Process Work with disease, the dying process or coma, we would love to hear from you. The deadline for submitting articles is August 1, 1993. Future features may include: Extreme and Altered States of Consciousness; Art and Creativity; Politics. Please give us your input on possibilities for future issues. What themes interest you? In what areas is creative research being done?

Please remember that, though we are soliciting feature articles, we are still interested in collecting and publishing articles of general interest in every issue.

The first Worldwork seminar led by Arny and Amy Mindell was in the summer of 1991. It has only been two short years since then, and though many of us have been practicing and applying our Worldwork consciousness in groups, communities and in different areas, until now, there has been very little written about Worldwork. Therefore, the articles in this journal are not yet representative of the world at large. Rather, they represent the research of a small number of practitioners. We hope in the future to have articles on Worldwork representing diverse viewpoints, and sharing insights and lessons gained from applying Worldwork around the globe.

Speaking of Worldwork, we would also like to thank those of you who purchased subscriptions for individuals and Process Work groups in Third World countries. For those of you interested, it is still possible to purchase a subscription for a group or individual who can otherwise not afford it. Finally, the Fall/Winter 1992 issue is still available for $15.00. For information on subscribing or purchasing back issues, please see the inside back cover.

And one last note. You will notice that the research styles found in the articles are not uniform. Some articles rely on anecdotal research, such as Leslie Heizer's summary of her personal experiences at the Worldwork seminars. Others, such as the article on sex by Gemma Summers and myself, use social action research to instruct and provoke, in the hope of effecting social change. As Joseph Goodbread wrote in the last issue, there is no one correct methodology for conducting research in Process Work: research is still a "democratic enterprise."

We hope you enjoy this issue. Remember, your input, letters, articles and ideas are most welcome. We look forward to hearing from you.

Julie Diamond May 17, 1993