Dr. Lars Weckbecker

Ayama – Centre for Re:Connective Arts was founded by Dr. Lars Weckbecker. Lars is a doctor of philosophy, former university professor for media and communication and studied media, sociology, politics and psychology. He is a researcher, author, documentary film-maker, speaker, facilitator, counsellor, coach, mediator and explorer. Lars is currently training as Systemic Counsellor/Therapist and soon also as practitioner of psychotherapy, while also deepening his knowledge of embodiment and relational arts in order to further develop Re:Connective Arts as an integrative and transformational practice and toolbox for personal and collective growth, healing and transformation.
After exploring political activism and philosophical thought focused on the issues and problems of the outer material world for much of his life (e.g. patriarchy, sexism, racism, exploitation, inequality, capitalism, colonialism, totalitarianism, specicism, environmental destruction), in 2014 and 2015 he went through a deep “crisis of love” that led to a “psychological and spiritual turn” inward and his fascination, research and explorations into (socio-)psychology, relationships, self-inquiry, relational arts, trauma, embodiment, spirituality, healing and love – a fascination that lasts until today. Driven by the vision of a “more beautiful world our hearts know is possible” (Charles Eistenstein), love became the concept that unified his interest in the conscious and positive transformation of outer and inner worlds; in this sense love for him is at once deeply political and spiritual.
On his journey he established The Love Project, A Documentary Journey into the Heart of Love and developed and facilitated the Circle of Lovers, a regular reconnective space for the exploration of questions related to love and the embodiment of love as self-in-connection which later became the foundation for the development of the The Art of Re:Connective Loving seminar series. Lars immersed himself into ideas and projects related to love and conscious loving. He studied philosophers, professors and spiritual teachers, interviewed dozens of people about love, immersed himself in communities and spaces that aim at healing and addressing social and psychological issues of love, deepened his own reconnective practices, faced his demons, shadows and inner child, and went to self-development workshops, rituals, conscious spaces, spiritual and political communities and events. In short, he experienced some “weird shit”, some magic and some powerful ideas and tools for personal, communal and cultural transformation and healing.
One thing struck him in his explorations from the beginning: How the reconnective design of spaces and the use of seemingly simple reconnective techniques and practices empowers people to open up and liberate and integrate repressed aspects of their self, reignite their passion, joy and life force, trigger healing processes and positive personal change, create experiences of deep connection and love to self, other, community and life in general. In short, he was intrigued by his encounter with what he later called Re:Connective Arts and their potential for seeding, healing and growing love..
He realized, in the end, love is just another word for profound connection in its most beautiful shape. To reconnect means to learn how to heal and how to love again. Hence the vision for Ayama – Centre for Re:Connective Arts was born. Welcome home. Aloha.