A Short History of STAR
Pocket Ranch Institute News
Dear Pocket Ranch Friends,
We’ve chosen to highlight STAR in this fall’s newsletter. I’m aware that many of you have participated in STAR, and many have not. For those of you who don’t know about STAR, it is our 17-day residential workshop focusing on childhood issues starting from the womb and continuing into adolescence. It is intense, empowering and my personal favorite way of working with people.
Many people ask me how the STAR process evolved into the program that it is. In 1976 I was a participant in a process that is very similar to STAR. My purpose in attending the workshop was to enhance my therapy skills. Little did I know the personal and professional impact that “little course” would have on my life.
That “little course” and Pocket Ranch STARs bear very little resemblance to each other except in some basic concepts and written assignments. We have enhanced the original process since the 70’s to include pre- and peri-natal work, water work, ropes course, family sculpture and transpersonal dimensions. The group I attended in the 70’s met every Monday night in a local church for 13 weeks; the STAR Program at Pocket Ranch is a 17-day residential experience.
The evolution of the residential aspect is interesting. In the 70’s and 80’s I was traveling between Sweden and California leading 13-week STAR groups. One summer, due to my inability to spend so much time in Sweden, we created the first 3-week residential STAR Program out in the beautiful Swedish country-side. We were amazed by the power of working in a residential setting and were able to expand and enhance the process 10-fold. (Incidentally, Swedish STARs continue to flourish led by Swedish therapists.) Because of that experience, I began residential STAR groups in California. At first we rented out space at various retreats, but now we have the Ranch, which is uniquely suited for the special needs of STAR groups.
Each group is unique and I am always learning and exploring more effective ways of improving the process. No two groups are alike, just as no two individuals are alike. People continue to teach and inspire me as they courageously work through painful issues and get back in touch with their own creative spirit. I’ve learned to never underestimate the power of the human spirit. People are truly amazing. “It’s in everyone of us to be free.”
Thank you for all of your support wherever you are and to whom you are giving it. We are all winning because of it. Be it your involvement in STAR or just out there living and healing your lives, everyone of us makes a difference. We are blessed.
With love and gratitude to each of you and to the creative Spirit who sustains us.
Barbara
