Director's Message for March 2012

Greetings, Sacred Path Community,

I have a few announcements to make in this newsletter. To begin with, I want to thank the 25 men who gathered for the Mindfulness Practicum held in Topanga Canyon a few weeks ago.  It was 35 degrees outdoors when we arrived to set up at 7:00am.  It remained cool outside but we had a roaring fire all day to keep us warm.  The depth and breadth of the work accomplished was profound.  The takeaways were tangible and the notes of acknowledgment greatly appreciated.  I offered an additional discount to those attending the Practicum and who are registering for the Retreat.

Secondly, we’re about 6 weeks from the start of the 25th Annual Spring Sacred Path Men’s Retreat combined with the 12th Annual Call to Adventure Retreat for fathers and sons, boys and mentors.  Take advantage of the early bird discount by registering before March 15th.  We’re dedicating the MCLA/SP events for 2012 to the good men and their loved ones who have been deeply committed to improving their lives.  We’re celebrating the 25 years that the Men’s Center has been in existence and has maintained the mission of providing high quality opportunities for personal transformation.  The Spring Retreat is another in the lineage of memorable experiences for men from teenage years to elderhood.   Your support through participation is what has allowed us to stay the course for all of these years.  Once again you are invited to join your brothers on the hill.

I just learned that Andrew Soliz will be able to join us along with Thomas Alvarez to pour water for our Sweat Lodges.  Tom Couper has also invited Bill Stover, a Lakota Elder, to be our guest for this retreat.  Fulcrum Learning and Leadership Systems will once again be facilitating the Ropes Course.  The men of the Wisdom Council will be on board to offer their support, and of course, all of the great amenities provided by the Hilltop staff are available to us.  The only significant element missing at this point that would complete the experience is you.  So, if you haven’t registered as yet, please contemplate that your participation makes a difference for you and in the lives of those that you contact. 

Thus far, two of our men have generously committed to donate scholarship funds so that we can offer the CTA Retreat to men and boys from the inner city.  We can use more funds to be able to bring more triads (each comprised of two boys and one mentor) into the mix.  Please consider giving a donation, large or small, it all adds up (read the Calling All Heroes piece in this newsletter).  We will be bringing a few triads in from the USC/NAI program and additional triads from at least one other organization.  It’s always an outstanding opportunity for the men and boys from the suburbs to engage with the young and older men from the urban environment.  The realization of how much they all have in common is illuminating.  Bringing out the best in good men from all areas of our city makes for a real fulfilling culmination to the retreat as we welcome the younger men into the community of older men.

Thirdly, I have invited Leonard Orr, my friend and mentor of 38 years who has been one of my most influential spiritual guides, to return this June (the 1st through the 3rd) to present three events for men and women at Holy Spirit Retreat Center in Encino.  There will be a public presentation on Friday night followed by a seminar on Saturday and a Rebirthing workshop on Sunday. 

During the Friday presentation Leonard will speak about the importance of mastering energy. He will also tell us that it’s the time to become proficient at the practice of tuning into our intuitive information as our eternal process. He states that, “The mind has 50,000 thoughts per day, the body has over 1 billion every second,,, the body is over 1000 times as smart as the mind.”

The Saturday seminar will feature the topic of BALANCING MATERIAL AND SPIRITUAL SUCCESS and will focus on what constitutes true success, including money and complimentary money systems, investing, financial independence and spiritual values.  Leonard will show people how they can double their income through doing high quality work.  He will also show participants how to make a living from the self-improvement business. 

The Sunday workshop will allow participants to experience a guided Rebirthing Breathwork session.  Read in this newsletter an article by Leonard and what I wrote last year following Leonard’s work with our community.  Further information and registration materials will be posted in the April newsletter, but for now set the dates aside.  I know you won’t want to miss out on this opportunity to be with one of the most gifted and significant teachers on the planet today.

Lastly, but certainly not least, I wish to pay homage to my dear friend and mentor, Dr. Gary Fisher, who made his transition at the age of 80 on Saturday, April 3 at midnight.  I had known Gary for 43 years and feel blessed to have had such a deep and loving connection with another really good man. He will be dearly missed by many.

In brotherhood,

Stephen

Sacred Path/Call to Adventure Spring 2012 Spring Retreat Information

To download the flyer for the Spring 2012 Sacred Path/Call to Adventure Rites of Passage Retreat, Click HERE

To download the application for the Spring 2012 Sacred Path/Call to Adventure Rites of Passage Retreat, Click HERE

Where Are All the Heroes?

By

Stephen J. Johnson, Ph.D.

Where are all the real heroes today? Role models that represent leadership for our youth appear to be absent or in short supply. Many young men today lack guidance to prepare them for manhood. Positive role models that represent the fundamental qualities of mature masculinity such as honesty, integrity, compassion, a sense of social responsibility and a commitment to purpose are needed now more than ever before.

In fact, now more than ever, our young males are yearning for a sense of belonging. Inner city youth, succumbing to the dramatic absence of fathering and mentoring, turn to urban gangs for a sense of belonging. Males from privileged backgrounds perceive acquisitions as the measure of manhood. It is evident that young men from all backgrounds have entered a troubled world with little guidance, diminished preparation and dashed hope.

In a time of our ancestors, tribes would initiate young men into manhood through a rite of passage. The elders of the tribe to ritualize the young man’s journey into maturity would facilitate a ceremony involving some form of challenge.

As the ones who created the world our youth will inherit, it is our job to prepare our young people for the journey ahead. Although we cannot provide them with their answers, we can point them in the direction of the right questions to ask and equip them with tools for their process of self-discovery. The Call to Adventure Retreat is a rare opportunity for young men to become heroes in their own lives and leaders in their community.

THE CALL TO ADVENTURE RETREAT offers contemporary rites of passage into manhood for young men. This is an ideal bonding experience for fathers and sons. In today’s culture, it is critical that young men have pivotal experiences that present a model of true manhood. This retreat is that transformational adventure!

Not only for fathers and sons, but for spiritual warriors of all ages… a four-day vision quest into the heart of one’s soul that includes discussions, stories, leadership and following processes, a team building ropes course, workshops, sacred ceremony, time for introspection, self-reflection and meditation all geared to providing dynamic opportunities to discover one’s authentic self within a context of safety, acceptance, understanding and love.

We endeavor to open the world of conscious manhood to those seeking enhanced awareness, clarity of values, sharpened skills and a mature masculinity modeling what it means to be a good man today. We will not be mailing out the flier but rather will spread the word via the Internet and interpersonal contact. Please pass this message to those that you would like to invite and you can also download and print the flier to hand out. We’re looking forward to assembling upwards of 80 participants for this very special event and we sincerely hope that you’ll choose to be with us.

Partial and full scholarships are awarded based on request and established by need. At this point we have approximately $1,000 and another $4-5,000 committed from two of our men in support of our upcoming 25th Annual Spring Sacred Path Men’s Retreat happening concurrently with the 13th Annual Call To Adventure Retreat. Their committed donations are earmarked for the CTA portion of the combined retreat (April 12-15, 2012). We would like to increase this fund by at least $5,000 in order to bring more deserving boys and mentors to the SP/CTA Spring Retreat. For each $500 that is donated we can fully scholarship one participant. Please consider making a donation or getting the message out to sources capable of contributing to our Scholarship Funds. All donations in any amount are welcomed and greatly appreciated.

For those wishing to donate to assist men in need, you can earmark your donation for the Conrad Burke Memorial Scholarship Fund. If you wish to contribute to our youth scholarship fund, you can earmark your donation for the Walter Atkinson Memorial Scholarship Fund. Checks may be made out to Millennium Oaks Institute that manages our scholarship programs. M.O.I is a 501c3 Not-For-Profit Organization that is overseen by Charlie Atkinson, Walter’s son. Thank you for your generous support of our programs.

You’re invited to participate with a group of dedicated individuals committed to supporting the work of the Men’s Center Los Angeles through our efforts to provide inner city boys the opportunity to have a memorable experience of conscious manhood. There are a number of areas in this endeavor that can use more manpower. MCLA is working in collaboration with Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas and the Los Angeles County Second District, C.U.R.E., USC coach Pete Carroll’s A Better LA, UNITY, those in prevention with LAPD, LA County Probation, County of LA Sheriff’s Department as well as LA County Parks and Recreation to expand our youth enhancement program. We sincerely hope that you’ll favorably consider joining us.

Our mission is to offer these retreats to more young males residing in the inner city. Upwards of 80% of African American children in south central Los Angeles and other urban areas across the nation are growing up without a biological father in the home, and we want to make a positive difference. Our current focus is on reaching out to private and corporate sponsors to help underwrite this program. Please consider making a contribution to our scholarship programs to support men and boys worthy of our help. On behalf of the men of the Sacred Path Wisdom Council, I thank you for your consideration of this request. Please notify us of your intention to make a contribution and we will discuss your preferred method of payment and provide further information concerning a tax deduction.

The 13th annual CTA is fast approaching. The event commences Thursday afternoon, April 12th, and concludes Sunday afternoon, April 15th 2012. It takes place on a hilltop overlooking the coastline, just beyond the Malibu city limits in Ventura County. A varied menu and comfortable lodging are provided. An enriching experience is promised. An adventure of personal development is guaranteed.

Visit our website, www.menscenterlosangeles.com, to read more about our programs and this upcoming retreat. Listen to audio recordings and view videos that illustrate what has been accomplished when good men come together to make a positive difference in their own lives and the lives of others.

Meet Leonard Orr

The following is what Stephen had written for the newsletter a year ago after Leonard’s visit to Los Angeles:  “We had a group of about 50 that attended Leonard Orr’s presentation on Friday night and 43 for the experiential day featuring conscious connected breathing sessions. I’ve known Leonard since 1974 and he never ceases to amaze me.  I introduced him Friday night not only as an original thinker but simply put, an original.  He is one of a kind.  His ideas and concepts are revolutionary and tend to push one to stretch beyond the scope of ordinary self-limiting reality to expand one’s mind and embrace the extraordinary realm of human consciousness. 

We had the perfect blend of male and female seekers that came together exuding such peaceful and loving radiance throughout the weekend.  You’ll find another of Leonard’s articles herewith including a review of the weekend by Rich Manners. Many thanks to all who participated and to the 15 skilled Rebirthers that assisted, you made a significant impact on the quality of the practicum.  We’re looking to next June to create another event featuring Leonard.

The women who attended acknowledged the consciousness of the men that were present.  So many events of this nature are packed with women and a smattering of men.  Conscious women love being in the presence of heartfelt, conscious men.  The Sacred Path Community is not only a community of men but is also comprised of the women that love the men and love being around our men.” 

Meet Leonard Orr

Leonard Orr was born in Walton, New York. During his teen years, he became a born again Christian. When he converted to Christianity and started to read the Bible, he took Jesus' words literally "He who believes in me shall never taste death," that anyone who believed in Jesus literally would not die.

He attended seminary with plans of becoming a preacher. However, while in school, Leonard said he felt a calling to be a minister to the "unchurched".  Pursuing this feeling of a calling and some of his curiosity about life, Leonard soon was reading and practicing "New Thought" philosophy such as Science of Mind based on metaphysical concepts.

He began teaching others that thoughts affect the outer world, and gathered a following. During this time he found he was spending increasing amounts of time in the bathtub, literally staying in for hours every day. He was having frequent flashes of memories of being in the womb or being born. He watched this process for a few years and began to understand what was happening. He then shared his experiences and found that there were many people interested in experimenting with ways to recall their birth memories. Leonard created "Theta House", the first Rebirthing Center to accommodate this interest. These early Rebirthers began breathing with a snorkel in a hot-tub while floating face down,(usually supported by 2 or more people), to stimulate womb memories. He noticed that a certain breathing rhythm would occur, which led to the start of the Rebirthing-Breathwork technique out of water.

Throughout this time, Leonard was fascinated with the idea of not experiencing physical death – which he termed "physical immortality," and read, studied and searched for all the information that he could on the subject.

In 1973 he ran for mayor in Los Angeles.

Leonard Orr is the founder and father of the worldwide Conscious Breathing – Rebirthing Breathwork movement. He discovered the technique in the mid 1960’s. Through him it has spread like wild fire to over 27 countries, and over 100,000 Breathworkers throughout the world. Conscious Breathing/Rebirthing has been nick named the Pranayama, (yogic breathing,) of the west.

He is a life-long student of self-transformation, body mastery, and is one of the pioneers of the New Age. He is a modern day yogi, visionary, teacher, author, businessman, and leader in the fields of longevity and physical immortality. He has been lecturing and doing trainings all over the world for 38 years. He has met 8 immortal yogi masters so far and has been their devoted student for over 28 years. He is the author of over 20 books. His unique ideas have healed and changed the lives of millions worldwide.

His ideas are exceedingly transforming and revolutionary. Some of his topics include Conscious Breathing, healing with the elements; earth, air, water, and fire, spiritual enlightenment, self-healing, body mastery, the science of affirmations, responsible citizenship, personal success and self-improvement, prosperity, democracy, comparative religion, economics, health, and immortality.

Leonard is famous not only for discovering Conscious Breathing-Rebirthing, but he also defined the “8 Biggies of Human Trauma:”

Birth Trauma

Parental Disapproval Syndrome

Specific Negatives

the Unconscious Death urge

Past Life Karma

School Trauma

Religion Trauma

Senility

Leonard Orr: The Two Trees

There is new hope. A new Nostradamus book has been found. It says that when the true meaning of the Garden Trees is revealed, the Age of Truth will come...

In the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve there were two special Trees.

Do you remember what they are called? The tree of temptation was called the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. The Bible says that if Adam and Eve ate the fruit of this tree they would surely die.

Understanding the true meaning of this story is a matter of Life and Death. And yet I have never in my life heard a sermon in any church that explained the true meaning of this story. Here is the true meaning of these trees and if you honor this meaning and practice these simple truths, you will have the secret to Life, to success, and to personal mastery.

The name of the second tree is The Tree of Life. To eat of this tree, the Bible says, gives us Everlasting Life. Since Adam, very very few people have discovered the meaning of this Tree. The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil is the Mind. It is the fruit of this Tree that produces death in our thoughts, beliefs, and feelings. When we get trapped in our thoughts, beliefs, and feelings, we die. We cut ourselves – our mind and body – off from the Source.

The Tree of Life is Life Itself – the space between our thoughts, beliefs, and feelings. The Tree of Life is the Energy evenly distributed throughout time and space. It is the Eternal Spirit, God, Infinite Being. It is Life Itself.

To eat of the Tree of Life is to Live in the reality beyond the Mind, which is the Source of the Mind and all things. It is the thinker. To bring our Mind into harmony with our Divine Nature is Eternal Life. Learning to live with Spirit Power instead of Mind Power or Physical Power. Absolute Power is Perfect Rest. When people are stuck in their Mind, “the Spirit no longer strives with them."

To eat of the Tree of Knowledge is to be dependent upon the Mind and external reality.
To eat of the Tree of Life is to be dependent only upon Infinite Eternal Spirit. We have to Live in Spirit which is Love, Simplicity, and Truth. We have to learn how to get our strength and power and peace and rest from Spirit rather than forcing it with the mind and physical power. This doesn't mean being lazy and sitting around meditating on a mantra. It means using the mantra to motivate ourselves to move, and love, and be of service. Not just running around doing nothing, but intelligent action grounded in wisdom and joyous, creative artistic Self expression. We can find ways of serving God, ourselves, others, and the planet in eco-friendly ways that are designed to support high quality Life for everyone.

Since Pure Life exists in the space between all our thoughts and we have over 50,000 thoughts per day, we are involuntarily visiting our Source over 50,000 times per day. But most people don't realize that this space is the Tree of Life. They are not aware of their Divine Nature and do not build it into their self-esteem nor listen to it. The ultimate True Religion is Silence. In Perfect Silence there can be no argument; no doctrinal differences. There is only unity and Oneness. This Oneness can resolve all conflicts. Oneness can stop all wars.

Everything that exists is created by mind. But we are the Source of Mind and all thoughts, doctrines, beliefs, and feelings. They all are optional and subject to choice. The purpose of conflicts are to expand our communication and raise us into higher Truth until we dwell in Truth, Simplicity and Love which is Knowledge of Life Itself. When we master our relationship to the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil and the Tree of Life We become the masters of our own Eternal Life.

However, in order to eat of the Tree of Life, we have to get past the flaming sword and get back into the garden. The flaming sword is the symbol for spiritual purification. What is this? Simple spiritual practices with earth, air, water, and fire do the job.

Earth practices are vegetarian diet, regular fasting, a personal exercise system, massage, sound (music, percussion,,etc), and doing work that we love - a career of loving service.

Air practices are conscious energy breathing.

Water practices are bathing twice per day and being conscious of the quality of our drinking water.

Fire purification is done by sitting with an open flame alone for 5 to 19 hours while meditating on our energy body.

In addition to these simple practices, we have to watch the quality of those 50,000 thoughts per day and have harmony in all our relationships, in other words, to live in love all the time.
Meditating on the names of God continually is the basic form of prayer that pulls the Presence of God into our lives and raises the quality of our live into the Presence of God.
Think spiritual community!

Each of the above simple practices is scientific and self-validating and yields a Life of Pleasure and Inspiration, even Bliss.

Blind Perspective, Volume 5

Countdown

 I wish to God I could argue with my ophthalmologist. He has just said the words, “You’ll be permanently blind in two years.”

 After 5 years of hospice work for people with AIDS, I know where this is heading. I look deep into his very black eyes and ask, “What is the protocol for treatment?”

 He smiles and is relieved that I am not hysterical or licking his boots for some miracle. I know there is no cure for CMV Retinitis.

 “Two years of Gancyclovir, intravenously,” he says curtly. He hands me a prescription for a pick line and the medication, which is considered a form of chemotherapy. “It can be hard on the kidneys; drink lots of fluids with it.”

 “Does that include a good Chardonnay?” I say jokingly. He gives me a quizzical look, not sure if he should be alarmed.

 “You can go downstairs for the pick line now. Something tells me you know the drill.”

 “Yes,” I reply, “a little too well. I’m a hospice aide preparing for nursing school.” Well, there goes that pipe dream, I add under my breath. Not a high demand for blind RN’s these days. 

As I am prepped for the pick line, an avalanche of countless dreams that will never be realized begins to creep in, and I cringe at the immensity of disappointment that awaits me. I’ll cross that bridge when I get there, I resolve. I hold my breath as they slowly insert the pick line needle in my forearm. This is really going to put a crimp in my dating!

This is all happening way too fast for me. I want to go home, listen to Tori Amos or eat a gallon of Cherry Garcia. Anything but this!

The pick line is throbbing in my left arm but doesn’t impede my driving with my stick shift. I drive home in a daze, feeling like I’m suddenly not a well person. I wonder if I’ve joined the ranks of the Undesirables, with “Death” tattooed on my forehead. My life flashes before me in very slow motion as cars zipped past me. I look in the rear-view mirror and know there is no turning back. I have to take this one by the horns; this prop is for real! It’s in my left arm for all to see.

 Stuck in L.A. traffic, everyone is in a hurry to get nowhere on this road, and I’m in a rush to save my life.

 Somehow I manage to get home in one piece. I sit on my favorite chair and watch the squirrels, Chip and Dale, dodging the mockingbirds. They look up defiantly and munch on their cache of goods. The window prisms dance in the light and I, with my 20/20 vision, can see all the way to Century City. I laugh at life’s irony. I cradle my head in my hands, the pick throbbing.

 “Two years,” I sigh.

 The countdown begins.

(To be continued in the next issue)