“As you need to rest in your own Pathwork
in order to become truly fulfilled, so must community life rest on those
same principles, which are followed through in action if the community is
to function harmoniously. And as the individual can never stop on his or
her path, because there is no one-time goal to be accomplished, so can a
community never stop doing this work together, of confrontation, of sincere
search and transformation.”
—Guide Session for the Washington Group, October 26, 1975, Pathwork Additional
Material Number 3
History
of Sevenoaks
Sevenoaks was founded by Donovan
and Susan Thesenga in 1972 as a center for personal and spiritual growth.
The 130-acre parcel of woodland and pastureland had been called "Sevenoaks"
since the Civil War, in honor of the seven majestic 300-year old oak trees
that crown a ridge overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains. The land had come
to them in a way that felt guided and gifted; from the beginning they knew
that Sevenoaks had a destiny beyond their own small personal business.
At first there was only one small house
on the land, where Susan and Donovan lived with two teenage sons and led
bio-energetic workshops. Four other adults lived on neighboring land, and
together they created a large organic garden, began improving the property,
and attempted to live an open and honest lifestyle.
Also in 1972, Susan met Eva Pierrakos, creator
of the Pathwork, and instantly knew that she had found the next teacher
on her spiritual path. Shortly thereafter, both Donovan and Susan plunged
fully into the Pathwork, commuting regularly from rural Virginia to New
York to work with Eva and her husband John, and to join the leadership group
of therapists, healers, and teachers that had gathered. In 1973 they converted
their therapy practice into a Pathwork practice, and many people came to
work with them in Washington, D.C. and in Virginia. Gradually a Pathwork
leadership group developed in the Mid-Atlantic area.
In 1976 the Thesengas received strong guidance to give up their personal
ownership of Sevenoaks, and they deeded the property over to the non-profit
organization of the Pathwork, renaming it Sevenoaks Pathwork Center. As
a result of this donation, the energy
of giving in the community exploded. Throughout the 1970’s many people
contributed substantially to the growth of the Center and of the Pathwork
community. Several major buildings were constructed, including Center Building
and Holly House.
In 1979 Eva died, and the Pathwork went into a substantial contraction.
The Mid-Atlantic Pathwork lost many of its leaders, and membership declined.
Sevenoaks went through several years of financial constriction, in which
everyone's commitment and faith were deeply challenged. Eventually a small
band of new leaders coalesced, with the primary commitment to love one another
and to work through whatever stood in the way of total union with one another
and with God. The group’s willingness to actively practice this commitment
started attracting others, and in the mid 1980s participation at the Center
started expanding again.
In 1985 Sevenoaks instituted a five-year program called the Pathwork
Transformation Program (PTP), which became the heart of our teaching.
Throughout the 1990s, membership and programs at Sevenoaks continued to
expand. In 1992 we built Morning Glory, a new resident
house. 
In 2001 we completed work on a beautiful round sanctuary building
that we christened Light House. This elegant and exciting new space has
become the hallmark of our Center and our work to awaken light and love and to bring that light and love to the world.
Since the early 2000s, Sevenoaks and the Mid-Atlantic Pathwork have been
in a major new evolutionary phase, dealing now with issues of succession
as Susan and Donovan are slowly withdrawing from being major figures in
the Sevenoaks administrative leadership. The challenge now is for the emerging
leaders of the Center to continue to maintain and evolve the Sevenoaks vision,
still inspired by Donovan and Susan's contributions while also drawing on
their own skills, wisdom and guidance.