Seasons Greetings!
Over the Thanksgiving holiday I was reading an article in the November issue of Science of Mind, a guide for spiritual living. The article, written by three psychologists (Drs. Vieten, Schlitz and Amorok) from the Institute of Noetic Sciences, is titled “Seeing With New Eyes”. They indicated that over the last decade a research team from the Institute has explored in depth how people make deep, lasting changes in their lives. They wanted to know how people change their minds and alter their thinking, not just in small ways but also in ways that fundamentally shift our understanding of who we are and what we are capable of becoming. They explored what catalyzes these shifts and what factors make difficult, challenging, or painful experiences transformative rather than traumatic, leading to growth, healing, and wholeness.
The gist of their research revealed that big changes in life spring from changing things at the core -- altering our bottom-line view of the world and our place in it. In other words, when we change our worldview, changes in thinking, behavior, values, and priorities follow. They found that dramatic, long lasting shifts in consciousness spring from a fundamental shift in perspective. Transformation really means a change in the way we see the world and a shift in how we view ourselves. It’s more than a change in point of view. It’s a whole different perception of what’s possible.
Transformation in consciousness is something that opens a doorway or portal for us where suddenly there is a sense of possibility where there might have been none before. There’s a sense of having options where we didn’t perceive any before. Essentially there is a transformation of perception bringing new meaning and clearer purpose. The most fundamental change is within us allowing a profound shift in where we direct our attention and how we direct our intention. These moments can arise from experiences of awe, wonder or great beauty. They can also result from great pain, loss or suffering.
In their research, they found that while each person’s journey is unique, several common elements foster the kind of deep, profound and lasting transformation that shows up in real-world everyday life – in the way we treat people, in our capacities for gratitude and forgiveness and in our whole orientation to life and priorities. Some of the key elements that they discovered were:
1. Being a part of a like-minded, inspiring, and challenging community;
2. Continuing to access teachings through multiple ways of knowing – experiential, intellectual, kinesthetic, visual and auditory;
3. Having daily reminders in our environment;
4. A daily mind-body practice;
5. Making time for silence, solitude, and engagement with the natural world.
It was with the intent of providing opportunities to those on the path of personal transformation that I initiated a series of one-day Colloquiums commencing in January of 2006. These were conceived to allow men to gather in discussion about the salient and often challenging issues confronting them. In January of 2007 a series of Mindfulness Practicums was offered to teach practices that could allow participants to deal with their challenges in fundamentally new and productive ways.
The last Practicum of this year was facilitated for women. Mitch Roth and Clayton Norcross assisted me in holding the space for a select group of 14 women to do their Work. Many of the participants had father issues surface. One of the women wrote to me after the event and said that I could quote her: She expressed, “first of all, thank you for yesterday, I am looking forward to the next one. It was really nice to come together with women (and men) who also desire awareness, clarity and compassion in their lives, and it is always reassuring to know that I am not the only one who gets lost on that path.”
She went on to say, “I don't think about my dad very often (it may not seem like that to you, because you are the one I call when I need help). I have 100% intellectual closure and pretty solid emotional closure; sometimes life gives you a kick in the ass and you get a bad apple, so that was one of my bad apples and I accept that. But it is amazing how out of nowhere something can trigger that hurt little girl ‘I want a daddy’ feeling, and that feeling of being cheated. It was startling to me yesterday how many women had rebirthing experiences dealing with early deaths of their dads, dads who they adored and who adored them (and one of the women, who is in so much pain dealing with her dying dad). I have no idea what that feels like, other than the imaginings of my mind and the remembrance of daydreams of what I could do to make my dad like me when I was little, when I had no life experience to understand that it wasn't about me. Still today when I see people who have or had adoring relationships with their dads it hurts, even though I don't want it to and I beat myself up for it. So I decided that is OK, my daddy stuff is like a herpes virus that erupts from time to time and it is OK to feel bad.”
Speaking for the three men that had the privilege of supporting the women for the day, it was a very moving experience to be present to their healing process. It takes a lot of courage to be willing to enter into the deep work with people that are initially unknown to you but the women bonded readily and felt a sense of kinship as they related to each other and shared themselves openly.
The Men’s Center will host another series of one-day events at Holy Spirit Retreat Center. There will be another Sacred Path Practicum for women on Saturday, May 23rd and, prior to that, a day for men and women to look at their relationships on Saturday, March 14th. The next event for men will be a Symposium on Saturday, January 31st. It is titled, Healthy, Wealthy and Wise: Spiritual, Physical and Financial Fitness in the New Year. We will have some guest presenters who are experts in their fields. What better way to start the New Year than to look at your life with the intent to see yourself with new eyes and to review your attentionality and Intentionality to the details that are most important to you.
The word “Change” has been foremost in our minds as we have come through the election and now look forward to a new administration and a path offering different outcomes. What changes are you willing to make this year? The Sacred Path Community is here to support you on your journey of personal transformation to an expanded consciousness. Look below for further information about the Symposium and be one of the first to reserve your spot for the day.
Wishing you and your family a Happy Chanukah and a Merry Christmas,
Stephen
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Healthy, Wealthy & Wise Symposium January 31, 2009
What does it mean to you to be healthy, wealthy and wise? Perhaps it has occurred to you that health doesn’t just pertain to the body; wealth doesn’t just pertain to your pocket book and wisdom doesn’t just pertain to your mind. For example, you can be financially, physically and mentally depleted while continuing to make deposits in your spiritual bank account. One’s prosperity is not just measured in dollars or other forms of material success. Abundance is a state of mind; a condition that allows you to choose faith over fear, acceptance over resistance, truth, love and simplicity over that which tends to create the more complicated life.
On January 31 we will convene for a day to explore what it means to live an uncomplicated life, one without worry and anxiety with the freedom to move through life with relative ease, regardless of what the situation or prevailing condition. We’ll discuss what it takes to have good physical, mental and emotional health. It comes down to living in the energy of the natural order. Those of us on The Path have discovered that once you shift into the Universal Divine Order that flows from the metaphysical laws that govern the flow of the universe, your life takes on a completely different state of consciousness and balance.
This Symposium is designed to bring good men together and once again to bring out the best in them. We will gather on this day for the opportunity to interact with the facilitators who will present information on their areas of expertise and invite open forum discussion. The intention is that you will leave this event with a better understanding of what it takes to further the endeavor of living a life balanced between the physical world and the spiritual realm; to further your awareness and understanding regarding your health, economic concerns and the right use of your essential intuitive wisdom.
Dr. Stephen Johnson will present on the integrated field of Spiritual Psychology that includes a focus on metaphysical laws and mindfulness training as well as the proven benefits of practicing body awareness, meditation and affirmative thinking. Stephen will invite participants to share about the challenges we are facing as well as what we have gained from our own experience with the practice of “Right Livelihood.”
In 1974, while a Doctoral Fellow in Rehabilitation Psychology at the University of Southern California, Stephen published his research on the Benefits of Yoga Therapy on Self-Concept, Conflict Resolution and Emotional Adjustment. He went on to study a post-doctoral curriculum for four years at the National Academy of Metaphysics and was one of a group of individuals assisting Leonard Orr during his pioneering work with the powerful breathing process called Rebirthing. This became the foundation for the blending of spirituality and psychology that has been at the heart of Stephen’s personal evolvement and his professional practice as a psychotherapist and educator for nearly 40 years.
Dr. Howard Elkin suggests that a New Year always reminds us of our quest and need to make constructive changes in our lives. A true motivator when it applies to health and fitness, he will discuss nutrition and exercise goal setting and how physical wellbeing is the cornerstone of his 4 quadrants of wellness. Paramount to healthy aging will be a discussion on hormone evaluation and replacement. Furthermore, to separate a scientifically based approach from all the media marketing hype, there will be a discussion with recommendations for selecting truly useful supplements for the average busy man living in this stressful time. Howard presented at the October retreat to an audience of 60 men that found the material to be quite informative and useful.
Howard was born in Richmond, Virginia. After obtaining a B.A. in English, he attended the Medical College of Virginia where he earned his MD degree in 1979. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Michael Reece Hospital and Medical Center in Chicago, followed by a fellowship in Clinical Cardiology at Northwestern University. He moved to Southern California with his wife in 1984 where they raised two daughters. After completing an additional fellowship in Invasive Cardiology, he opened his practice in 1986 in Whittier, California where he still resides.
Howard is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease, and
Anti-Aging Medicine. He is best described as an integrative physician
that espouses the best in both traditional and alternative treatment modalities.
His approach in managing his patients is focused on linking the connection between
the body, the mind and the spirit. His interest and knowledge in nutrition,
exercise and stress reduction benefit his patients as well as those who attend his seminars
and speaking engagements.
Howard is also an athlete who has competed in gymnastics, marathons and triathlons.
During the last ten years he has successfully competed in bodybuilding on the national level. His zeal for exercise has garnered attention from various colleges and universities where he has served as team physician.
Chris Rudy is a personal trainer, certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine. He creates individual fitness programs for clients using an integrated blend of weight training, core/abdominal and cardiovascular exercises with an emphasis on functional moves that will improve everyday life.
Chris was a featured personal trainer on the Discovery Channel's "National Body Challenge" series in 2004. His client lost 28 pounds and won the competition! He works with everyone from beginners to athletes to seniors with a focus on teaching you how to exercise safely and effectively. Chris recently celebrated the grand opening of his new Oasis Personal Fitness facility on Ventura Boulevard in Woodland Hills.
Chris states, "I enjoy working with people of all fitness levels, and see the potential in everyone. Commitment is the key. If you are willing, I will show you how to reach your goals and together we can design a program and make lasting lifestyle changes that work for you."
Not since before we were all born has there been a more challenging, frightening and possibly seductively opportunistic time. Join the men who will be attending this event as we explore how we all are dealing with the “Economic Meltdown” and how we can cope, grow and prosper during these unprecedented times.
Your input can be significant as we enter into an in depth discussion led by Richard Bizzaro inviting all of us to share our experiences, hopes and fears about money and the economic challenges we’re confronting.
For over four decades Richard Bizzaro has been building businesses. Starting in the fashion business on 7th Avenue, he studied under the first empire builder in apparel, Chester Roth, participating in the growth of a 500 million dollar conglomerate. He became the youngest Vice President ever to sit next to the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of one of the leading brands for 13 years.
Meeting his wife, Wendy, during the last year of his tenure at Kayser Roth, they set out to pioneer the new fashion of Active Sportswear. They went on to develop Wendy Gray Sports Editions, a design studio that created projects for Reebok, Japan's leading store Seibu, Rollerblades and many leading companies
Joe Weider, the Fitness Industry's leader, asked Richard to join him in 1983 to build the budding empire know as Weider Health and Fitness. 15 years later Richard led a successful Initial public offering on the NYSE after reaching $1.2 Billion in sales from $25 Million over those 15 years. The business took him to Utah where a total of 565,000 square feet of manufacturing, distribution and administration offices were built. A staff that was assembled in 1990 with 47 employees grew quickly to over 1400 in seven years and the business remains one of the largest employers in nutrition. He was named Entrepreneur of the Year in 1997.
Richard then turned his attention to the Direct Marketing Industry where he merged two of the leading companies into the 6th largest Multi Marketing Company in the world. He sat on the Board of the Direct Selling Association in Washington D.C and shared the position with Amway, Avon, Herbalife, NuSkin and all of the leaders of the industry.
Today, he owns a company devoted to Leisure and Travel. The All Resort Group, the largest Transportation Company in Utah, has expanded to 4 major western cities and has grown in sales to over 400% in 4 years. Richard enjoys skiing with his children and grand children and riding some of the Grand National Champion horses that Wendy has trained and shown all over the Western United States. Wendy and Richard currently live on the Gray Barron Ranches in Park City, Utah and Chatsworth, California.
To download the Flyer/Application for the “Healthy, Wealthy and Wise” Symposium, click HERE
On January 31 we will convene for a day to explore what it means to live an uncomplicated life, one without worry and anxiety with the freedom to move through life with relative ease, regardless of what the situation or prevailing condition. We’ll discuss what it takes to have good physical, mental and emotional health. It comes down to living in the energy of the natural order. Those of us on The Path have discovered that once you shift into the Universal Divine Order that flows from the metaphysical laws that govern the flow of the universe, your life takes on a completely different state of consciousness and balance.
This Symposium is designed to bring good men together and once again to bring out the best in them. We will gather on this day for the opportunity to interact with the facilitators who will present information on their areas of expertise and invite open forum discussion. The intention is that you will leave this event with a better understanding of what it takes to further the endeavor of living a life balanced between the physical world and the spiritual realm; to further your awareness and understanding regarding your health, economic concerns and the right use of your essential intuitive wisdom.
Dr. Stephen Johnson will present on the integrated field of Spiritual Psychology that includes a focus on metaphysical laws and mindfulness training as well as the proven benefits of practicing body awareness, meditation and affirmative thinking. Stephen will invite participants to share about the challenges we are facing as well as what we have gained from our own experience with the practice of “Right Livelihood.”
In 1974, while a Doctoral Fellow in Rehabilitation Psychology at the University of Southern California, Stephen published his research on the Benefits of Yoga Therapy on Self-Concept, Conflict Resolution and Emotional Adjustment. He went on to study a post-doctoral curriculum for four years at the National Academy of Metaphysics and was one of a group of individuals assisting Leonard Orr during his pioneering work with the powerful breathing process called Rebirthing. This became the foundation for the blending of spirituality and psychology that has been at the heart of Stephen’s personal evolvement and his professional practice as a psychotherapist and educator for nearly 40 years.
Dr. Howard Elkin suggests that a New Year always reminds us of our quest and need to make constructive changes in our lives. A true motivator when it applies to health and fitness, he will discuss nutrition and exercise goal setting and how physical wellbeing is the cornerstone of his 4 quadrants of wellness. Paramount to healthy aging will be a discussion on hormone evaluation and replacement. Furthermore, to separate a scientifically based approach from all the media marketing hype, there will be a discussion with recommendations for selecting truly useful supplements for the average busy man living in this stressful time. Howard presented at the October retreat to an audience of 60 men that found the material to be quite informative and useful.
Howard was born in Richmond, Virginia. After obtaining a B.A. in English, he attended the Medical College of Virginia where he earned his MD degree in 1979. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Michael Reece Hospital and Medical Center in Chicago, followed by a fellowship in Clinical Cardiology at Northwestern University. He moved to Southern California with his wife in 1984 where they raised two daughters. After completing an additional fellowship in Invasive Cardiology, he opened his practice in 1986 in Whittier, California where he still resides.
Howard is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease, and
Anti-Aging Medicine. He is best described as an integrative physician
that espouses the best in both traditional and alternative treatment modalities.
His approach in managing his patients is focused on linking the connection between
the body, the mind and the spirit. His interest and knowledge in nutrition,
exercise and stress reduction benefit his patients as well as those who attend his seminars
and speaking engagements.
Howard is also an athlete who has competed in gymnastics, marathons and triathlons.
During the last ten years he has successfully competed in bodybuilding on the national level. His zeal for exercise has garnered attention from various colleges and universities where he has served as team physician.
Chris Rudy is a personal trainer, certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine. He creates individual fitness programs for clients using an integrated blend of weight training, core/abdominal and cardiovascular exercises with an emphasis on functional moves that will improve everyday life.
Chris was a featured personal trainer on the Discovery Channel's "National Body Challenge" series in 2004. His client lost 28 pounds and won the competition! He works with everyone from beginners to athletes to seniors with a focus on teaching you how to exercise safely and effectively. Chris recently celebrated the grand opening of his new Oasis Personal Fitness facility on Ventura Boulevard in Woodland Hills.
Chris states, "I enjoy working with people of all fitness levels, and see the potential in everyone. Commitment is the key. If you are willing, I will show you how to reach your goals and together we can design a program and make lasting lifestyle changes that work for you."
Not since before we were all born has there been a more challenging, frightening and possibly seductively opportunistic time. Join the men who will be attending this event as we explore how we all are dealing with the “Economic Meltdown” and how we can cope, grow and prosper during these unprecedented times.
Your input can be significant as we enter into an in depth discussion led by Richard Bizzaro inviting all of us to share our experiences, hopes and fears about money and the economic challenges we’re confronting.
For over four decades Richard Bizzaro has been building businesses. Starting in the fashion business on 7th Avenue, he studied under the first empire builder in apparel, Chester Roth, participating in the growth of a 500 million dollar conglomerate. He became the youngest Vice President ever to sit next to the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of one of the leading brands for 13 years.
Meeting his wife, Wendy, during the last year of his tenure at Kayser Roth, they set out to pioneer the new fashion of Active Sportswear. They went on to develop Wendy Gray Sports Editions, a design studio that created projects for Reebok, Japan's leading store Seibu, Rollerblades and many leading companies
Joe Weider, the Fitness Industry's leader, asked Richard to join him in 1983 to build the budding empire know as Weider Health and Fitness. 15 years later Richard led a successful Initial public offering on the NYSE after reaching $1.2 Billion in sales from $25 Million over those 15 years. The business took him to Utah where a total of 565,000 square feet of manufacturing, distribution and administration offices were built. A staff that was assembled in 1990 with 47 employees grew quickly to over 1400 in seven years and the business remains one of the largest employers in nutrition. He was named Entrepreneur of the Year in 1997.
Richard then turned his attention to the Direct Marketing Industry where he merged two of the leading companies into the 6th largest Multi Marketing Company in the world. He sat on the Board of the Direct Selling Association in Washington D.C and shared the position with Amway, Avon, Herbalife, NuSkin and all of the leaders of the industry.
Today, he owns a company devoted to Leisure and Travel. The All Resort Group, the largest Transportation Company in Utah, has expanded to 4 major western cities and has grown in sales to over 400% in 4 years. Richard enjoys skiing with his children and grand children and riding some of the Grand National Champion horses that Wendy has trained and shown all over the Western United States. Wendy and Richard currently live on the Gray Barron Ranches in Park City, Utah and Chatsworth, California.
To download the Flyer/Application for the “Healthy, Wealthy and Wise” Symposium, click HERE
Leeann Karidis - Comments on Women's Practicum
The practicum on mindfulness has inspired me to appreciate the beauty in the details of everyday moments, instead of mindlessly fast-forwarding from one task to another, one day to another.
The breathing exercises have instilled in me a calmness which serves me in coping skills during stressful situations.
Learning the skills to cope with life’s dilemmas, by refraining & not reacting, have brought a sense of peace to my life. I feel I am better able to avoid “drama” that I can cause by overreacting.
I feel by being more mindful, I can avoid accidents or injuries due to mindlessness.
Being more mindful makes me consciously aware of my life. I appreciate more, enjoy more, simplify & not over-complicate situations.
Life is for living; by being more mindful, I am living a beneficial life.
With great appreciation,
Leeann Karidis
The breathing exercises have instilled in me a calmness which serves me in coping skills during stressful situations.
Learning the skills to cope with life’s dilemmas, by refraining & not reacting, have brought a sense of peace to my life. I feel I am better able to avoid “drama” that I can cause by overreacting.
I feel by being more mindful, I can avoid accidents or injuries due to mindlessness.
Being more mindful makes me consciously aware of my life. I appreciate more, enjoy more, simplify & not over-complicate situations.
Life is for living; by being more mindful, I am living a beneficial life.
With great appreciation,
Leeann Karidis
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
