Deborah Bowman, Ph.D. leads a contemplative, creative and full life as artist, author, psychologist, and Professor of Transpersonal Counseling Psychology and Wilderness Therapy at Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. As a psychotherapist and trainer for the Boulder Psychotherapy Institute she offers courses in Creativity and Gestalt and Jungian studies. A practicing artist for over 25 years she is currently breaking ground in combining photography with the words of the Buddha.
Deborah is a student of Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, a Buddhist teacher in the Tibetan lineage, and derives inspiration from wisdom teachings from around the world. Her work in the wilderness frames her experience in nature and the Tao te Ching gives her language to express that connection. Her journey to healing began when she lost an eye and almost died in a climbing fall in 1979. Following this trauma she began an inner journey immersing herself in art, nature, Gestalt and Jungian approaches to healing.
Inspired by her own transformation she returned to school and began a twenty year career as a psychotherapist. This affords her the great opportunity to walk the healing path with others. Teaching gave her a voice to share the powerful and transpersonal methods she discovered. Finding a life partner at fifty was a reminder that miracles happen and even the hardest nut (herself) can be cracked open!
Discovering a way to combine her artistic proclivities with profound teachings opened a door Deborah thought had been locked, a way to weave art into a meaning contribution. Photography became a way to play with light and color while interacting with the people, traditions and beauty of the world. Rendering sculpted images in photography allows her to explore another favorite medium while making sacred art accessible to others.
Creative and symbolic expression plays a dynamic role in the evolution of Deborah’s contributions to psychology and art. Her early painting followed themes of nature, her dissertation explored the dream painting process and her current work explores the significance of spiritual iconography on the psyche.
Deborah has shown her work in galleries in Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming and Kansas. Now seeking a broader audience, her book and photography are available world wide. She may be contacted for workshops, lectures and gallery shows at deborah@luminousbuddha.com.
Other offerings:
When Your Spouse Comes Out: A Straight Mate’s Recovery Manual is available Spring 2008 co-authored by Carol Grever, M.A. and Deborah Bowman, Ph.D.
As a psychologist, Deborah contributes to this book by presenting a compassionate approach to family relationships, personal healing and guidance in working with difficult emotions.
Laos