The 5 Knots - and how to untie them (2025)

Underpinning much of human suffering is the loss of awareness of Being - the simple, direct experience of the present moment. Therefore, many issues that clients bring to therapy can be dissolved by learning to be aware of Being. The challenge is that Being, when interpreted by our mind and heart, appears in many different forms, both positive and negative. Thus, becoming aware of Being is a matter of seeing beyond appearances.

In this course, you will learn how to guide clients to become aware of Being. This includes learning to:

• use descriptive language to bring awareness to Being
• identify the 5 qualitatively different types of patterns that block the perception of Being (the 5 knots)
• facilitate 5 processes specifically designed to dissolve the 5 different patterns that block the perception of Being (untying the 5 knots)
• work consciously with reinforcing fundamental shifts that will prevent the knots from reforming

The course is for therapists, coaches and others who work professionally with people (or would like to). The course is also for seekers who wish to take the facilitation of their own process to the next level.  

The course will include chatroom support, where you will be able to get your questions answered as they arise between weekends. 

• Dates:
  • Module 1: March 28-30 
    
  • Module 2: April 25-27
    
  • Module 3: May 30 - June 1
    
  • Module 4: August 1-3
    
  • Module 5: August 29-31
• Time:
  • Friday 19-21.30 CET / 6-8.30 pm UK time
  • Saturday 10-18 CET / 9 am - 5 pm UK time
  • Sunday 10-18 CET / 9 am - 5 pm UK time

Module 1: The Knot of Positive Reification

You will be introduced to the model of the 5 knots. We will examine in detail the first knot of positive reification, where we project being onto external phenomena. This knot underlies states, such as idealisation, infatuation, and fear of loss. We will also look at the process of Sensing Abundance, which dissolves the first knot. 

Module 2 The Knot of Conditionality

In this module, we will examine the second knot, the knot of conditionality, where we fortify the separation created by the first knot with ideas about conditions for overcoming the (fictional) separation. This knot is what generates phenomena such as compulsive behaviour, depression, hopelessness and despondency. We will also look at the process of Sensing Scope, which dissolves the second knot.

Module 3 The Knot of Negative Reification

In this module, we will examine the third knot, the knot of Negative Reification, where our accumulating frustration leads us to develop negative perceptions of being. It is this knot that generates feelings of walking on eggshells, inhabiting a fundamentally unsafe world, and feeling insecure and threatened. This knot is responsible for the shrinking of our world as we avoid more and more situations, emotions, thoughts, etc. We will also explore the process of Sensing Taboos, which dissolves the third knot. 

Module 4: The Knot of Alienation

In this module, we will examine the fourth knot, the knot of Alienation, where we turn away from being and set ourselves up for reinforcement of the first knot of positive reification, thus completing the negative circle that is responsible for the degradation of consciousness to a state where we are asleep and unaware that we are asleep. This knot is the force behind self-destructive urges, the persistence of negative thoughts and emotions and the absence of positive thoughts and emotions. We will also look at the process of Sensing Agency, which dissolves the fourth knot. 

Module 5: The Knot of Fragmentation

In this module, we will examine the fifth knot, the knot of fragmentation, where the other knots have created dynamics in our personality structure that are pursuing mutually exclusive objectives. This knot creates feelings of being split or torn, being caught between a rock and a hard place, ambivalence, indecision and paralysis in life. We will also look at the process of Sensing Systems, which dissolves the fifth knot.