Director's Message for October

Greetings,

To lead off, I want to thank Ralph Cavallaro and his staff for supporting the Men’s Center and Sacred Path by providing some innovative technical revamping of our newsletters and Internet capability. It has been our endeavor to expand our presence in the community and now we have the engine to drive the campaign to the next levels of communication. You will notice that the format of the newsletter is more user-friendly and that we now have a presence on FaceBook, MySpace and Twitter. You should be able to navigate through the newsletter and to our blog in an efficient and effective manner.

I also want to acknowledge Grant Mays and Rich Manners for the gift of service that they provide to us by shepherding the communication process through their invaluable roles in graphic design, editing and a myriad of other creative talents.

Secondly, our 22nd annual Fall Sacred Path Men’s Retreat is commencing in just a little over two weeks. I’ve gotten messages from some men that live out-of-town and who haven’t been to a retreat in a while indicating that they’re coming in for this one. I’m really looking forward to seeing them and welcoming back those that are among our yearly attendees.

Strongbear will once again mesmerize us with a story told in 4 parts, Christo Pellani and Grant Mays will enliven us with a drum circle for those wanting to become more proficient, and Albert Marrewa or Phillip Jennings will hold a session on martial arts. Nick Rath will be presenting his information on effective parenting. His workshops, during past retreats have been highly attended and have always garnered praise for the content and his style of communicating it. John Mafrici will also be conducting Rebirthing (aka conscious connected breathing) sessions. Among other events that are being considered: we welcome back Andrew Soliz and his cousin Thomas who will be pouring water for our Sweat Lodges, MCLA Associate Directors Dan Franklin, who will be facilitating a break-out session on relationships, and Steve Branker, who will conduct the powerful five-stage letter writing process to clear unresolved feelings; and of course there will be 12-step recovery meetings on Friday and Saturday and ample opportunity to create your own retreat experience. Dr. Howard Elkin, specialist in male-related health issues, is working on clearing his schedule so that he can once again speak to us. His last lectures left us begging for more information.

If you are planning to attend the retreat but have not registered as yet, please do so. If you’re on the fence, we hope you’ll hop off and join us. I will be presenting the last one-day event of the year that will be a Mindfulness Practicum for women on Saturday, November 7th at Holy Spirit Retreat Center. Registration forms for the men’s retreat and the women’s practicum are in this newsletter, on our blog and on our web site.

Lastly, the 56th Annual Group Psychotherapy Association of Southern California Conference on Mindfulness and Group Psychotherapy held over the weekend in Santa Monica attracted over 100 attendees. It was an honor to have been invited to give a two-hour presentation along with some luminaries in the field of Mindfulness. I’m looking forward to presenting on the topic of Mindfulness and the importance of having a daily spiritual practice at our forthcoming retreat.

That’s it for now. See you at Camp Gindling Hilltop and at Holy Spirit Retreat Center.

Namaste,
Stephen

22nd Annual Sacred Path Fall Retreat

October 22nd thru 25th

There are times when something calls to you.

There are times when you must follow the calling.

There are times when you must make a choice for your highest fulfillment.

The time is now.

What if you could retreat from the world in such a way that when you returned, you felt more alive, more inspired and more able to create effective results in your daily life?

What if you could take a vacation from your daily life and re discover your

authentic self, open up to new possibilities and real brotherhood?

What if 4 days could transform your life?

The Retreat is comprised of 4 experience-filled-days set in a supportive environment where you can connect with your authentic self within a context

of honor, acceptance and understanding.

The event will take place on a mountain top overlooking the coastline,

beyond the Malibu city limits in Ventura County. Food and lodging is

provided. An enriching experience is promised. An adventure of self-discovery is guaranteed.

You Will Experience:

• An opportunity to be heard and to heal

• Relationship workshops How to improve them, or how to dissolve them with

dignity

• How to understand & deal with anger

• Dealing with issues surrounding recovery, including: sobriety, life

crisis, infidelity & divorce

• Opportunities to explore your psyche in large & small group formats

• Healthy self development & personal expansion

• Music, Laughter, Tears, Joy & Fun

Join the Extraordinary Men of the Sacred Path Wisdom Council, MCLA Executive Director Stephen Johnson, Associate Directors Steve Branker and Dan Franklin as well as our Sweat Lodge Leader Andrew Soliz on “The Mountain” as we explore what it means to

Man Up! What it takes to be a good man today

Men, Mentors and Mindfulness

Stephen Johnson, Ph.D., LMFT has over 35 years in practice as a psychotherapist standing at the forefront of the developing field of Male Psychology, and is creator and leader of the Sacred Path Retreats for over 22 tears.

Steve Branker, BSW, has been with the Sacred Path Retreats for over 19 years and has stood by Stephen coordinating the events and retreats for over a decade. He has been involved in the Personal Growth Movement and Men's Work for over 30 years.

Both Dr. Johnson and Steve Branker have been married to their wives for over 30 years, are raising 7 children into young adulthood, and are keenly aware of the challenges that men and their families are facing today.

To view further information, including fees, click HERE

To download the application, click HERE

Women's Mindfulness Practicum November 7

Sacred Path Productions

Presents

The Mindfulness Practicum – A Day for Women

With

Dr. Stephen J. Johnson, Ph.D.

Saturday, November 7, 2009, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Holy Spirit Retreat Center

4316 Lanai Road, Encino

For over 35 years, Dr. Stephen Johnson has been bringing out the best in people. In 1976 he co-founded The Center for Holistic Psychology in Beverly Hills. The early 1980’s saw the creation of Blueprint For Life Seminars for men and women and in 1984 he co-founded the H.E.A.R.T.S.WORK retreats also for men and women. In 1987 he was inspired to direct his attention to men’s work and created the Sacred Path Men’s Retreat and founded the Men’s Center Los Angeles in 1988. For the past 20 years he has focused his work largely on men and their relationships. Now it is once again the time to give back to women. This is your opportunity to participate in a life enhancing experience with Stephen and his staff. As one who is committed to living a conscious life, you are invited to attend this Practicum on the Spiritual Psychology of Mindfulness.

In this challenging time it’s helpful to surround oneself with likeminded people seeking the solace and comfort within the understanding and compassion that connects our hearts and opens our minds to new ways of dealing with life’s lessons. In July a group of women gathered for another Practicum devoted to that endeavor. Safety, sincerity and the spirit of sisterhood flourished in an atmosphere conducive for deep work. At the end of the day the question was unanimously posed, “When can we do this again?” November 7th is the day that has been set aside for a select group of women to join Stephen. You are invited to be a part of this group. Explore, share, meditate and breathe deeply together during a day designed to replace the stress of doing with the lightness of being.

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.

Space is limited; enrollments will be accepted on a first come basis; please enroll early to reserve your spot.

To download the Flyer/Application, Click HERE

Open Mind Resource Center

Are You or Someone You Know Going Through a Challenging Time?

The state of economy, our environment and world politics are touching many of us on different levels. Some are dealing with a loss while for others stress is affecting their relationships, and emotional and physical health. As a response to this situation many of today’s innovative leaders, including myself have come together to help create the Open Mind Resource Center (www.OpenMindResourceCenter.com). Here you can find the tools and support you need to transform your challenges into greater awareness and clarity. PLUS you can access free downloadable gifts from our bank of experts with no purchase necessary.

Change your life NOW at www.OpenMindResourceCenter.com! Also please forward this to family or friends who would find it beneficial.

This resource center was inspired by Ronald Alexander, PhD (www.RonaldAlexander.com) a licensed psychotherapist and pioneer in Positive Psychology, Mindfulness and Creative Thinking. In his new book, WISE MIND, OPEN MIND: Finding Purpose & Meaning in Times of Crisis, Loss & Change (New Harbinger Publications) readers can learn how to transform any crisis through his unique three step process that combines mindfulness mediation, creative thinking and positive psychology to help them:

• Let go of their past
• Tune into the present and their core creativity
• Move forward with passion and purpose

Learn more about developing your “wise mind,” mindfulness meditation and how you can transform your life at http://www.ronaldalexander.com/books.html.

Wise Mind, Open Mind is available at Amazon.com, BarnsAndNoble.com plus fine bookstores everywhere.

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