Cary Alburn's Comments on the Practicum Series

It is a pleasure to share my thoughts with you regarding the 2008 Mindfulness Practicum series, facilitated by Dr. Stephen Johnson. My interest in the series spawned from major life events occurring to me and a desire to learn new ways of possibly moving through those events, instead of holding on to the conditioned reactive responses that spring up so naturally, usually with little benefit.

Beginning in January and with the closing session on September 20, I found the series insightful, inspiring and beneficial, with noticeable tangible results as long as I remain mindful. Being in a mindful or present state is not yet an automatic frame in which to reference my world, however I am integrating many of the tools Stephen shared during these sessions.

The January opener was truly the foundation for the segments which followed through the months. I have been interested in Yoga, meditation, circular breathing and any knowledge which can be gleaned from wisdom cultures. This was an opportunity for me to belay the trepidation and anxiety related to questioning whether I was capable of properly executing these practices. That in itself has become some of the work for me to do as I walk my path.

I have experienced what a great tool the breathing exercise can be. It is truly one of the more dynamic experiences available to all of us. For me this exercise requires patience and assistance from the skilled and pliant hands of Rich Manners, Mitch Roth and Stephen.

I felt a strong presence with the group of men which gathered at these sessions, and I am grateful for the opportunity to grow as I sat and shared the experiences with my brothers. I continue to embrace the areas we directed focus on: presence, stillness, composure, kindness and discernment, to name few.

I keep Stephen’s compositions close at hand and usually read over the various handouts in the morning before I start work. I continue to hold the basic curriculum with me, in practicing truth, love and simplicity. I have also been receiving emails from the “Daily Om” and short quotes from Rhoberta Schaler, like the one below, which arrived today by email. These were steps suggested by Stephen and I have found them useful. As I integrated these small additions, they have acted as triggers which served in “reminding” me. The following quote pretty much sums up where I would like to be going and how these sessions have created value for me.
Regards,
Cary Alburn

“Your mind is where you live. Your world, your body, and your situation react in exact accordance to your mind. Not someone else's mind, your mind. An expanded consciousness expresses in an expanded experience.”

- Raymond Charles Barker

Info and Application for November WOMEN'S Practicum

Sacred Path Productions

Presents

The Mindfulness Practicum – A Day for Women

With

Dr. Stephen J. Johnson, Ph.D.

Saturday, November 8, 2008, 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.

“ I have just completed a series of Practicums for men commencing in January. The overall goal of this year’s Mindfulness Training was to investigate how mind, brain and body work together in ways that enhance personal growth and healing through engaging in the practices of meditation, conscious connected breathing and enlightened discourse. Essentially these one-day events were opportunities for attention to Dharma, which is the basic ground underlying the contemplative teachings and practices which enlighten us to the transitory nature of all phenomena, including mental states. The willingness to be intimate with the mystical nature of one’s soul, in contrast with the mind’s tendency for attachment to the conceptual illusions about the world, allows us to more fully comprehend the distinction between self and selflessness and the true significance of walking the path of devotion. Our challenge today is how to find interior peace, compassion and wisdom within the heart of change as we engage with the exterior world. I have been inspired to present this training for women and am answering the call. I feel blessed to offer this work to those on the Path.”

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 your flyer/application, click HERE

Upcoming Sacred Ways Kayak Adventure

Hey there friends,

As you know, I coordinate retreats to the Colorado River with my friend Andrew Soliz, a Native American, Sweat Lodge leader.

The flier is attached.

I hope you’ll take a look and think about joining us. Not because I make money on these trips, but because they are life changing for the participants. That’s why we do them.

Namaste,

Scott Ewing

More Info on Nick Rath's Book, THE JOB OF PARENTING

I changed the ad I have for my book.

The old ad didn't have a picture of the book and the wording was different.

This would be a great gift for a family you know! You can go to EBAY and search for "Nick Rath" or you can order direct from me.

Nick

Get YOUR Children to Achieve Adulthood!

Stop Raising Children and Start Raising Men and Women!

· Would it make your life easier if you didn’t need to yell?

· Would it make your life easier if you didn’t need to threaten?

· Would it make life easier if you didn’t need to punish?

· Would it make life easier if you didn’t need to help so much?

· Would it make life easier if your children did what they needed to do to become adults?

In less than 135 pages Nick can assist you in answering “YES!” to those questions. “The Job of Parenting” teaches tools that will get your children to do what they need to do to become adults. You can free yourself from yelling, threatening and punishing !

Big promises? Yes! And, the thousands of parents that have implemented the strategies, guidelines and philosophy from Nick Rath will tell you “It works!”

If you’re raising children, what you’ll have in fifteen years is old children! 

Raise Adults!

Who is Nick Rath?
Nick is Dad to biological, step, adopted and foster children. He has worked for over twenty years teaching and coaching thousands of families to achieve adulthood for their children.

What’s in the Book?

Chapter titles include:

· A Philosophy of Parenting,

· The Job Description of Parenting,

· The Job Description of Childhood,

· What’s Love got to do with it?,

· Discipline vs. Punishment,

· Rules & Consequences,

· Sexuality and Gender,

· “Successful, Independent & Interdependent”,

· Assist or Help?,

· Education,

· Skills,

· Experiences,

· Drugs (including alcohol),

· Temptations for Parents

· Personal Independence Day.

The Bonus!!

Nick has also authored over a dozen articles about parenting. As a BONUS for You the first twenty people to buy the book will receive a dozen different articles on parenting written by Nick.

Director's Message for September 2008

Monday, September 1, 2008

Greetings,

22 men registered for the last Mindfulness Practicum on the practice of Refraining.  The July Practicum was the 4th in the series that began in January, and I’m facilitating one last Practicum for men on Saturday, September 20th, focused on the practice of Discernment.   Since this is the last one-day event for men before the October (23-26) retreat and actually for the remainder of this year, it will likely draw attendance from those that have participated in the whole series and those that have had to miss one or more events and those that are looking forward to participating in at least one of the Practicums before the series ends; therefore, if you plan to attend please register early to reserve your spot (new registration flier included with this message).  We’re adding names to the pre-registration list now so indicate your intention to participate and we’ll add your name to the list.  On the 20th we’ll be doing a review of the 4 practices and then focus on the practice of Discernment.  The day will include Mindfulness meditation, conscious connected breathing sessions and discussion.

It’s important to understand the difference between judgment and discernment.  The right use of discernment comes closest to what we refer to as exercising sound judgment as distinguished from being judgmental.  For instance, we can discern that a person is overweight or that someone is thin.  It’s when we have an opinion about whether that’s good or bad that we’ve traveled into the problematic realm of judgment.  We can discern that we have a preference for people who believe as we do without judging those who don’t.  We may prefer vanilla to chocolate, but that doesn’t make chocolate bad.  When we release the judgment habit, we don’t discontinue having preferences, we just let go of applying negative labels and connotations to the things we don’t prefer.  We’ll explore the practice of discernment, another facet of Mindfulness Training that allows us to balance our rational thought process in harmony between head and heart.

I’ve had a number of women remind me that I haven’t done an event for women in several years and they’ve requested that I put on some events to include them.  With that in mind, I’ve decided to facilitate a Mindfulness Practicum focused on the 5 practices to be held at Holy Spirit Retreat Center on Saturday, November 8th.  This event will be a day just for women participants.  Rich and Mitch will assist me as we hold the space for the women to convene for their own day of exploration into the training of Mindfulness.  More information will be forthcoming, however, feel free to let that special woman in your life know about this event.  Further information will be forthcoming.

I have booked 6 more dates at Holy Spirit throughout 2009 commencing in January.  My intention is to host a one-day event for couples as well as events to include men and women.  I’ll be determining, along the way, how each event will be structured.  I trust that you’re enjoying your summer and taking time to be Mindful along the way.

Our 21st Annual Fall Sacred Path Men’s Retreat is less than two months away. Though we were anticipating last April that we’d be in the new building at Hilltop, there were completion delays so that we were still in the tents.  However, this October will be the first time in 4 years that we’ll be able to utilize the newly reconstructed facility.  We are also excited about the expansion of our program to include US Veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan as well as Vets from previous campaigns such a Vietnam.  You will find, included in this newsletter and on our web site, my pre-registration letter and the registration fliers that can be downloaded and printed.  

We would greatly appreciate it if you would forward the retreat information to family members, friends and acquaintances.  We’re in an expansion mode and wish to reach beyond our regular mailing list to invite new men to join us on the mountain.  In addition to the Internet materials we have printed a quantity of hard copies, and if you’d like to have some fliers to distribute, please let us know.

In brotherhood,
Stephen

Links to Fall Retreat and Practicum Flyers

For the flyer/application to the Sacred Path Fall Retreat, click HERE

For the flyer/application for US Veterans to the Sacred Path Fall Retreat, click HERE

For the flyer/application to the September 2008 ManUp Practicum, click HERE

To read Dr. Johnson's Pre-Retreat Letter, Click HERE

A Message from Christo Pellani on the Upcoming Fall Retreat

Hello my brothers,

I writing to you since we have connected over the years in a conscious environment. I want to share with you an amazing experience that has impacted my life in profound ways... and I'm thinking of some of my brothers who may also benefit from it... you all came to mind.

 This event, called the SACRED PATH MEN'S RETREAT, will take place on the 4th weekend in October: THURSDAY, OCT. 23 (evening), FRIDAY, OCT. 24, SATURDAY, OCT. 25, and SUNDAY, OCT. 26 (until 3pm).

These four days are life changing.... an intensive spiritual adventure of self-discovery and growth with an awesome conscious community of men. The facility is a beautiful fully- equipped camp called "HILLTOP"  in the Malibu mountains,the environment is a pristine Chumash ceremonial site, overlooking the entire coastline, the food is great, the atmosphere is charged.  This is an opportunity to give yourself a change of perspective and insight into the process of becoming a better man – period! There are many experiential activities and processes at these retreats as well as plenty of time for reflection and integration...

Please check this link for prices, more info, and to register for the retreat:  http://www.menscenterlosangeles.com/sacredpath.htm

Some of the many insights I have received from my experience at HILLTOP include:

deeper understanding of my gifts to give to the world

improved communication in all of my relationships

enhancement of leadership and self expression qualities

tools to deal with issues around anger management

deeper understanding of my spiritual constitution

dealing with and overcoming self-imposed limitations and fear-based beliefs

and best of all for me... manifesting a FATHER who adopted me at one of the retreats!

Obviously I know that when good men come together they bring out the best in each other. Consider where you are in your life right now, and go within for a moment to ask your self if you’re ready for a breakthrough. Life has been very complex and has its seemingly endless challenges – and opportunities. This may be one  for you to  give yourself the gift of an opportunity to  move through your obstacles and grow into a new refreshed awareness of who you truly are.

Hey,  do me a favor  before you decide whether you want this experience.  Let’s discuss it. Trust me on this.... the retreat is a truly unique experience; it will change your life. I will be happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have...
Your friend and brother in spirit,   Christo Pellani

PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO ANYONE YOU FEEL IS INTERESTED

Christo Pellani

christodrums@soundformation.com