INTRODUCTION:

Dr Neil Preston is a registered Organisational Psychologist specialising in mental health and organisational development research. He has published over 25 peer reviewed articles in community mental health services research, chronic and early episode psychosis and psychometrics. His current interests lie in the area of ‘spiritual psychology' which is a challenging discipline which explores the overlap between spiritual transformation and psychological experience. This research has led Dr Preston to give a series of lectures entitled “ The Western Dreaming, stories of science, literature and spirituality ” with his colleague Dr David Buchanan.

In the Western Dreaming lectures Dr Preston explores how Greco-Roman, Judeo-Christian and Scientific stories create the foundation of Western consciousness. Borrowing the rich metaphor of Aboriginal Dreaming, these three great cannons form the Western Dreaming. It is argued that retelling these stories in new ways (the living word) could lead to much needed healing of the dominant Western Culture.

In addition Dr Preston has led a number of retreats with Fr John Herbert OSB (New Norcia Monastery) entitled ‘ the Monk and the Psychologist' . These retreats explore through dialogue the similarities and differences of Benedictine Spirituality and modern psychology. Retreatants are provided a unique opportunity to see for themselves how traditional spiritualities can have an uncanny modern psychological technique within their wisdoms, and also where psychological techniques may ultimately give way to God's grace and mercy.