Silent connections, Felt expressions

IEC Conference: 2025

Silent connections point to our interconnectedness: recognising the deep connection between oneself, others, and the larger world.

Felt expressions point towards authentic, embodied, and emotionally resonant forms of communication or self-expression.

The workshop is organised around the four principles of an un-conference and allows for spontaneity and self-organisation:

  1. Whoever comes is the right people:  the participants’ presence is key to the success of the event.
  2. Whatever happens is the only thing that could have:  acceptance of the outcomes of the discussions as the most possible given the circumstances.
  3. Whenever it starts is the right time: creativity and insights arise when they are ready, not according to a schedule.
  4. When it’s over, it’s over:  letting things conclude naturally when they have run their course.

This workshop invites a philosophy of flexibility, openness, and trust in organic processes and an acknowledgment of our natural impulse to come together, connect, and explore.

Self-Acceptance is invited and explored through embracing all aspects of oneself, including strengths, weaknesses, past experiences, and imperfections.

DU BUF, Paul

United Kingdom / Netherlands

Paul graduated as a registered nurse in 1994 and has worked as a specialist addiction nurse in prevention, treatment, aftercare, dual diagnosis, training and innovation in addiction treatment services in the Netherlands and the UK. His NHS online recovery project received a clinical excellence award and he coordinated an NHS alcohol outreach pilot project in London, became an independent nurse prescriber and somatic practitioner with a specific interest in trauma to support his clients better. Paul is focused on transitioning addiction services to become trauma-integrated. He was awarded certification as a global nurse consultant by the international council of nurses and was part of an international team reviewing the first universal nurses curriculum. He published “Shadow Dancing; embodied recovery for trauma and addictions” in 2023 and is the founder of the ERA-Institute. ERA stands for Embodied – Radical – Attunement and the institute’s mission is to create and support a culture that is trauma integrated. He currently resides and works in London in a drug and alcohol community service.