The Magic Theater II

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Welcome to THE MAGIC THEATER II. Many years have gone by since the publication of the original MAGIC THEATER. A lot of blood, sweat and delicious spring water have gone under the bridge since then. This revised version is the result.

Ernest Kinnie, PhD, Clinical Psychologist.

1. Introduction 2. Bioenergetics&.awareness and vitality 3. Eric Berne&.fun and games 4. Fritz Perls&.crazy man of Esalen 5. Were all Skinnerians 6. Freud&.the unconscious and the fertile void 7. Moving among the realties 8. Theory 9. Sexuality&.six sessions 10. The final adventures and strategies

Some of the adventures and strategies, and a version of the theoretical chapter, are also found in another book Ive written, ELEMENTS OF WISDOM AND FOLLY.

You can do the experiences and exercises in this book alone or with friends....except for chapter 9, where you will need someone that you can love emotionally and physically. That chapter uses 6 sessions to explore and intensify your sexual experiences with a friend.

We urge you to write down what happens as you move through the book. Seriously consider keeping a journal to record what you find, as the writing down itself adds to the experience, and you will continue to learn more about yourself as you reread what you wrote. The words WHAT I FOUND in the book will usually be the cue to write down the interesting and useful things you found. And, after many of the experiences, well also give you examples of what others have written. What you find may or may not be the same. Doesnt matter.

Dont rush through the experiences in this book. Pause for a time after each and savor and absorb what youve experienced. Explore honestly and carefully, and if you feel like doing something different than we suggest, do it. Dont make this book into work, something you have to do for your own good or to finish the task. Better to burn the book than let that happen. Youve wasted enough of your life doing things others wanted you to do, which too often benefited them, not you.

We have tried to embody the teachings and spirit of Alfred North Whitehead, as expressed in his beautiful book, THE AIMS OF EDUCATION. Like Whitehead, we assume that concepts and strategies become alive when they are experienced. Otherwise, they become more like playing chess with words&.which may be very enjoyable, but has little relevance beyond itself. In this book we provide opportunities for you to directly experience concepts and strategies first, and think about them second, except for chapter 8. In that chapter youll explore the theoretical background for THE MAGIC THEATER II.

Youll find this book much like the original magic theater in Hermann Hesses novel THE STEPPENWOLF. There are demons here and delightful spirits, and even occasionally the cool and star bright laugher of the gods. And, just as was the original magic theater, this book, too, is not for everybody. Some arent ready to face demons (those parts of yourself that make you anxious and fearful). Dont push yourself to do anything we suggest unless it feels right. If a suggestion makes you feel uncomfortable, dont do it. Whether you find demons or good spirits (the parts of yourself that are beautiful, creative and joyful) is up to you. We can only point to the caves where they sleep and to the mountainsides where they dance, and help you to create a reality where:

Sudden in a shaft of sunlight Even while the dust moves There rises the hidden laugher Of children in the foliage Quick now, here, now, always T. S. Eliot