Center To Self Reliance Blog

Love Meditation

2009-02-20T06:04:00.000-08:00

by She Who Weaves the Web

As I sit here writing this article on meditation, I am bowed and humbled by what comes into my space always when I need it. Always in my seeking I am richly rewarded with the cure to all my ills and the ever winding way to joy.

My wrist is hurting pretty badly. I've been working too much, not taking enough breaks, collecting stress like a tin pail sitting in the rain. The pain emanating up my arm, the anger I felt when they forgot to give me cream for my coffee and the sullenness of my child are trying to tell me something. And then I have occasion today to write an article on meditation.

Nevermind that in my daily inspirational readings I get the "meditation" card 8 times out of 10 and the "balance career and home life" card at least once per week. I guess it sometimes takes a lot to get my attention! And so there is pain... So with a humbled heart and the inner knowing that the teacher is always, always the student I'm going to answer the call to remind you, as I remind myself, about the power of meditation.

I think many of us are coming to be more aware than ever of the power of meditation as a way to develop our connection with divinity. Many people who never knew their inner world held so much richness and bliss have found a whole new way to communicate with their soul and their spirit. But we've almost forgotten what meditation is doing for the body.

My irreverence for my body has been legendary. I have sculpted, starved, toxified, whipped and negelected this body with the best of them. I realize more and more that I have never accepted this human body, nor it's perceived limitations and that created a great deal of disdain within me for the body. But as they say, all paths lead to Rome and as every strike of the keyboard sends a shooting pain up my arm this will be the last thing I type for the next couple of days. I promise to "get it"!

Yes, meditation can help you fulfill your destiny and put you in touch with your omnipresent self, your God Self, Higher Self and the All That Is. And if you keep on that road I am seeing that as with all great spiritual truths, you are lead back to where you first began and you see it with new eyes, new awareness and new wisdom. And this is what has happened for me. I have been lead from the body that I never could accept, to the mind and the inner planes of my soul that I could happily enjoin with and back again to my body. Now I know what this journey has been about, at least up to this point. I also know there is always more...

As odd as it may sound, meditation has taken me out of my mind, by allowing me to connect through my mind with No-thing and that has placed me squarely back in my body. What an unexpected miracle this is!

As is written on the OSHO Zen website: "If you want to live a more fulfilled life, first you will want to know your potential, who you really are. Meditation is the route to that knowing. It is the methodology of the science of awareness. The beauty of the inner science is that it enables whoever wants to explore and to experiment within, to do so alone. This eliminates dependence on an outer authority, the need to be affiliated with any organization and the obligation to accept a certain ideology. Once you understand the steps, you walk the walk in your own, individual way."

Yes, I so relate to that and this is why I meditate, but I have been delivered to a new destination within myself and I have never been so present within my body.

Osho masters say, "Many meditative techniques require one to sit still and silent. But for most of us accumulated stress in our bodymind makes that difficult. Before we can hope to access our inner powerhouse of consciousness, we need to let go of our tensions. Osho Active Meditations have been scientifically designed by Osho over a period of time to enable us to consciously express and experience repressed feelings and emotions, and learn the knack of watching our habitual patterns in a new way."

So Osho, you mean that if I meditate I'm going to really get to know myself? Snap! I guess that's why it took me so long to do it! Boy, am I getting the picture here...but the message is so simple it's almost easy to miss. This, for me isn't about processing my pain. It's about paying attention and understanding just how simple the answers really are. It's about understanding what this most amazing miraculous creation called a human body is capable of and capable of manifesting. It is understanding that the bodymind is God in the flesh, ever burgeoning to be purified so that it's desires, signals and messages are perceived through the eyes of love and can be interpreted and acted upon through life-giving means.

Meditation can help you get clear, connect you with your own divinity, the divinity of everything else and deliver you back into your body with a new awareness, more clarity and the ability to respond to your own body talk. I guess it's really that simple. I can attest to the newly forming power within me to connect deeply, in presence to my physical body. It is downloading into me and each day I become stronger in the knowledge that I have to integrate all the parts of myself, body, mind and soul to become all that I can and beyond. For me finally these are no longer words. Through the power of meditation, quietly and pervasively like a gentle rain and even through that pinch in my wrist... I am made whole.

Let's do this together.

There are several options here if you would like assistance with meditation and to explore what is right for you.

Meditation Classes and Events (Southwest Florida):
Love Meditation - Center To Self Reliance - Monday's 7:30am or 6:30pm Call 239-337-7333
Meditation for Your Soul & Diksha Blessing with David Essel - Wednesday's 7-8pm (First Wed of the month is free!) Call 941-266-7676
Divine Dance - Transcendent Dance Experience with Renee Bledsoe - First Friday 7-9pm (next event March 13th) Call 239-560-6314
Church of Spiritual Light - Every Sunday - 9:45am - 11am (Begins with silent meditation)

All of these events are hosted at Center To Self Reliance. Call 239-337-7333

Divine Dance - Oct 10th

2008-09-30T08:07:00.000-07:00

Please join us for Divine Dance on Friday night, October 10th from 7-9pm. Divine Dance is a free form dance gathering that promotes freedom of body movement and expression of self as a means of meditation, ritual and communion. We dance for about an hour or so (you can take breaks anytime and sit and watch or relax a bit) and then we end with a half hour Chill Meditation.
This is a FUN way to get together with friends and celebrate the body!

If you're wondering what life looks like without all the partying, staying up late in smokey bars and one drink too many - Divine Dance could be the antidote, as it allows you to honor the "wild child" within, without the high cost of partying too hardy! Once you experience how it feels to free your body and release some of that pent up energy in a sacred and profound way, we know you'll love Divine Dance. If you think that being "good" means life is boring - think again!

For more info visit www.divinedancelive.com

Church of Spiritual Light Potluck Luncheon - Oct 12

2008-09-30T08:05:00.000-07:00

The Church of Spiritual LIght will host it's first first PotLuck Luncheon on Sunday afternoon immediately after the service on October 12th at Center To Self Reliance. Please bring your favorite dish to share.

For more info visit www.churchofspirituallight.org

We should look for someone to eat and drink with before looking for something to eat and drink... ~Epicurus

Addiction Alchemy - Raven Clan

2008-09-30T07:23:00.000-07:00

The Addiction Alchemy clan gatherings have been hosted at the Center To Self Reliance for almost 2 years now and I am so grateful for the sacred space that it provides for our gatherings. Once again another clan is beginning a medicine wheel journey with The Raven Clan, on October 4th at 2-5pm at the Center.

Raven is an amazing archetype and guide for going deep within. If Raven has come into your life, you can expect that your imagination will be sparked, and you can definitely expect many changes to begin to take shape within your life. Raven is all about creation...and sometimes in order to create, we must first relinquish old habits, lifestyles and ways of being.

With Raven medicine you will be courageously led into the recesses of your inner self and be given not only the knowledge of what needs be done, but the wisdom and wherewithal to make those necessary changes. For it is by facing what lies deep within that we surface with the most treasure!

Please visit www.addictionalchemy.com for more infomation or contact Renee Bledsoe 239-560-6314.

Rich in Personal Relationships

2008-09-16T10:34:00.000-07:00

Man is not holier or higher for the outward works that he does. Truly God that is the Beholder of the heart rewards the will more than the deed. The deeds truly hang on the will, not the will on the deeds. Richard Rolle

It is because we don't have any real challenge in life that most of us do not grow to our real height. We need a challege that is worthy of our capacities, and making money, if I may say so, is not much of a challenge. Neither is becomming famous or achieving power; and as for pleasure, challenge is conspicuous by its absence.

But becoming rich in personal relationships, learning to return love for hatred, being always aware of the unity of life, these things are the most difficult achievements on the face of the earth. Only when we see a person who has accomplished such feats do we begin to glimpse the heights a human being can attain. This is our real stature, and no matter what our problems or liabilities, every one of us can attain these heights through the regular, enthusiastic practice of meditation.

From Words to Live By Eknath Easwaran

"The Rabbi's Gift"

2008-09-15T09:02:00.000-07:00

The story concerns a monastery that had fallen upon hard times. Once a great order, as a result of waves of antimonastic persecution in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries and the rise of secularism in the nineteenth, all its branch houses were lost and it had become decimated to the extent that there were only five monks left in the decaying mother house:the abbot and four others, all over seventy in age. Clearly it was a dying order.

In the deep woods surrounding the monastery there was a little hut that a rabbi from a nearby town occasionally used for a hermitage. Through their many years of prayer and contemplation the old monks had become a bit psychic, so they could always sense when the rabbi was in his hermitage. "The rabbi is in the woods, the rabbi is in the woods again" they would whisper to each other. As he agonized over the imminent death of his order, it occurred to the abbot at one such time to visit the hermitage and ask the rabbi if by some possible chance he could offer any advice that might save the monastery.

The rabbi welcomed the abbot at his hut. But when the abbot explained the purpose of his visit, the rabbi could only commiserate with him. "I know how it is," he exclaimed. "The spirit has gone out of the people. It is the same in my town. Almost no one comes to the synagogue anymore." So the old abbot and the old rabbi wept together. Then they read parts of the Torah and quietly spoke of deep things. The time came when the abbot had to leave. They embraced each other. "It has been a wonderful thing that we should meet after all these years, "the abbot said,"but I have still failed in my purpose for coming here. Is there nothing you can tell me, no piece of advice you can give me that would help me save my dying order?"

"No, I am sorry," the rabbi responded. "I have no advice to give. The only thing I can tell you is that the Messiah is one of you."

When the abbot turned to the monastery his fellow monks gathered around him to ask. "Well what did the rabbi say?" "He couldn't help," the abbot answered. "We just wept and read the Torah together. The only thing he did say, just as I was leaving -it was something cryptic- was that the Messiah is one of us. I don't know what he meant."

In the days and weeks and months that followed, the old monks pondered this and wondered whether there was any possible significance to the rabbi's words. The Messiah is one of us? Could he possibly have meant one of us monks here at the monastery? If that's the case, which one? Do you suppose he meant the abbot? Yes, if he meant anyone, he probably meant Father Abbot. He has been our leader for more than a generation. On the other hand, he might have meant Brother Thomas. Certainly Brother Thomas is a holy man. Everyone knows that Thomas is a man of light. Certainly he could not have meant Brother Elred! Elred gets crotchety at times. But come to think of it, even though he is a thorn in people's sides, when you look back on it, Elred is virtually always right. Often very right. Maybe the rabbi did mean Brother Elred. But surely not Brother Phillip. Phillip is so passive, a real nobody. But then, almost mysteriously, he has a gift for somehow always being there when you need him. He just magically appears by your side. Maybe Phillip is the Messiah. Of course the rabbi didn't mean me. He couldn't possibly have meant me. I'm just an ordinary person. Yet supposing he did? Suppose I am the Messiah? O God, not me. I couldn't be that much for You, could I?

As they contemplated in this manner, the old monks began to treat each other with extraordinary respect on the off chance that one among them might be the Messiah. And on the off off chance that each monk himself might be the Messiah, they began to treat themselves with extraordinary respect.

Because the forest in which it was situated was beautiful, it so happened that people still occasionally came to visit the monastery to picnic on its tiny lawn, to wander along some of its paths, even now and then to go into the dilapidated chapel to meditate. As they did so, without even being conscious of it, they sensed the aura of extraordinary respect that now began to surround the five old monks and seemed to radiate out from them and permeate the atmosphere of the place. There was something strangely attractive, even compelling, about it. Hardly knowing why, they began to come back to the monastery more frequently to picnic, to play, to pray. They began to bring their friends to show them this special place. And their friends brought their friends.

Then it happened that some of the younger men who came to visit the monastery started to talk more and more with the old monks. After a while one asked if he could join them. Then another. And another. So within a few years the monastery had once again become a thriving order and, thanks to the rabbi's gift, a vibrant center of light and spirituality in the realm

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This story came from The Different Drum, by Dr. M. Scott Peck, M.D. It is the story read at our team building Global Relationship course at the Center to Self Reliance.

UYO in Wakefield Kansas

2008-09-11T04:26:00.000-07:00

Hello Everybody,

A friend of mine Steve Lewis, a recent graduate of UYO will be sponsoring a satellite course in Wakefield, Kansas . He’s some guy, I was fortunate enough to be at his course. My goodness what a transformation! I saw him go from isolated to connected over that weekend. I know that is why he wants others to have this awesome experience. I asked him to share with you all, his “big why”. You’ll get to read it a little farther down in this letter but, first I want to give you the specifics as the course supervisor. Everyone is invited to come and assist. There is still time to enroll students also. Let’s transform the town of Wakefield with all the love from the “Purple People”! Looking forward to seeing you there!!!

Date: September 19-21, 2008
Location: Deacons Lodge, Wakefield , Kansas
Website of the lodge: www.deaconslodge-wakefield.com

Steve's contact info: course cell is 785-447-1780 home 785-461-5498

Love,
Sparkle Simmons
Course Supervisor

Steve’s “Big Why”

My name is Steve Lewis. I am speaking to you about how UYO saved my life and taught me how to be grateful for my life. I didn't always feel grateful for my existence; after I got back from the first Gulf War, I became sick. I had what they called Persian Gulf Syndrome. You Vietnam Vets can relate to this illness, due to Agent Orange. I chose to blame others even God, for my illness. I felt that God was punishing me, for all the things I had done in my past. I chose to live in self pity for 15 long years.

After my wife left me, I had the choice of staying where I was or committing suicide. In my contemplating I finally called my brother for help in September 2007. He and his wife who was a former center owner and instructor had tried to get me into UYO for 13 years. I guess I had to take it in my own time. They loved on me and gave me so much support (it felt like my very own one on one UYO course!) It proved to be good timing because I found out in November 2007 that I had Prostate Cancer. I know that I would be dead now if not for my brother and sister-in-law.

So, in March at their suggestion I took the UYO course in FT. Myers , FL. to get the entire experience. It was great; I healed that part of me that had always felt broken! I mended some of the damage I had done with my wife and children, and I even let go of some of those ghosts haunting me after the war. I thank God for UYO, and thank you also to all of you who have kept UYO going so there would be a place to take it.

Now, I want to give that same unconditional love and acceptant to others in my life. I want other military people to be able to talk to friends and loved ones about their experiences. Be able to open up, let others support them, not just keep their feelings and experiences inside eating way at them. I know taking this course will help them heal same as it did me.

So, that’s why I’m hosting a UYO course in Wakefield , Kansas . I would love if you all would join me in giving the same love I once received. This course is not just for military even through there will be some service men and their families present. I would still love more assistants and students. Let me know if someone you love is in the military or even if you served, we’d love to have you! This will be a special course please join me September 19th-20th. I love my life and know now what a gift it is.

Thank You
Steve Lewis 1 sgt US Army (ret)

Contact info: course cell is 785-447-1780 home 785-461-5498
E-mail: essayons333@twinvalley.net
ESSAYONS means let us try; it comes from the Army corp. of engineers our MOTTO. (There is no Mission to Difficult no Task to Great, LET US TRY) let’s do this!!!

Relationship to Money

2008-09-02T18:18:00.000-07:00

Relationships are funny things.

They develop and mold us and we identify ourselves as we see our role in them.

Never did I realize that relationships went beyond how I related to the people in my life until I took a course called Money Freedom through the Global Relationship Centers.

In Money Freedom I learned that I judged myself and other people by how much they made in contrast to me. More to the point, I learned how some early issues regarding money in my youth had a direct bearing on how much I was willing to let myself prosper.

Money Freedom set my whole notion of money, my sense of worthiness, and success on its ear!

I learned in very specific ways, how I directly influence my own income, and how my attitude really does have a direct bearing on how much I attract into my life.

I now have an even more abundant life and, having taken the course with my wife, argue less about money than ever before. We each are now more responsible for dealing with our own financial issues, rather than blaming one another.

Money Freedom taught me that no matter how much I have or do not have, that my decisions and ideas about money shape me every bit as much as any other relationship and that I could make some new decisions that are more in my best interest.

Do I still have issues with Money? I sure do. Now I am aware of them and know ways that I am responsible rather than just blaming my circumstances (or my wife). It was one of the best investments I ever made.

Testimony from a Global Relationship Instructor

Money Alert

2008-08-28T05:19:00.000-07:00

The Money Freedom class is for REAL and it's being done at our Center. We have living proof. I am living proof. My income increased 30% within two years after taking this class. You really truly can increase your income and not even change your job unless you so choose. You also change your life to be abundant in all areas--it's true for me! Be of service to someone you care about and invite them to this class. Jan Davisson, Interior Designer

Women's Song Circle

2008-08-04T06:47:00.001-07:00

Our second public performance was held at the Living Now Expo on Saturday. I hope that other women who simply want to get together and sing will join our group on the second and fourth Thursday of every month. It is so much fun. And as Jaylyn, our leader says, "Every voice raised in song is a beautiful voice!" At the Expo for the fifteen minutes that we were singing, everyone stopped what they were doing to listen. Music fills the air with love. Come and experience the joy you get from singing together. Go to the Calendar of Events and look up the information about the dates and times or call Jaylyn Stahl at 239-823-9609.
Love,
Willo

Special for the Month of August

2008-08-01T05:07:00.000-07:00

Friends and Family,
Since April 2001 I have been moving toward my dream that I stated when I took my first Understanding Yourself and Others course. My dream is to be able to open up Global Relationship Centers throughout each state of the United States and fund these through my Sunrider business. June of 2003 I purchased the rights to have Global courses and February 2005 I moved into the physical space at 1939 Park Meadows Drive, Unit 9. I named the Center, Center to Self Reliance.

The name has several meanings. The first word Center means to find your own center. Center yourself. Over the past twenty years I know from personal experience working with many people that the Sunrider foods are specifically designed to bring balance within your body, center you. When you are centered physically your body has a natural urge for balance. A steady diet of extreme foods, yin, expansive foods such as sugar or yang, contractive foods, such as salt, can lead to mood swings and serious physical symptoms. "A steady diet of foods in the middle renews energy, relieves stress, and prevents many illnesses." Information is from The Self-Healing Cookbook by Kristina Turner. So on a physical level I endorse and teach the Philosophy of Regeneration through nourishing, balancing, and cleansing your body daily which effects your physical and emotional well-being.

Center "To" means to move toward Self Reliance.

Self Reliance is taking responsibility for yourself physically and emotionally. I had not personally experienced personal growth courses that helped me see some of my mistaken beliefs that I formed when I was a child. The Global courses have helped me see how my beliefs have had a tremendous effect on how I see the world and how I feel emotionally about money, myself, and loving myself and others.

We are often not able to see our true magnificence when we view ourselves from our early beliefs. As children, we experienced different things and as children we interpreted what we experienced from a child's perspective. These beliefs are what run our lives. When we take the three main Global courses, we learn about our mistaken beliefs and can make a choice to change those beliefs. We cannot change these beliefs when we can't see them. We also get specific tools to learn how to relate to our loved ones and have more closeness rather than separateness.

September through December we have three Global courses. In September we have Money Freedom; October-Loving Yourself and Others; November and December-Understanding Yourself and Others. Go to the calendar at www.centertoselfreliance.com and see all the dates and information about the courses. Regularly these weekend courses are $495 per person or $949 per couple. As a special for the month of August, anyone can register for any one of the three courses, pay $333 by the end of August, get the materials to have for the courses and have a savings of $162. If you decide to take two of the courses, the cost is $650 and if you decide to take all three, the cost is $975. Once you are registered, your class begins. Take advantage of this savings in the month of August!

Healthy Beginnings

2008-06-17T06:26:00.000-07:00

I am very excited to be offering a mini introductory four week seminar to introduce the CHIP program, which I participated in for the month of April. CHIP is a Coronary Health Improvement Project to teach Americans how they can make simple changes in their diet to lower their risk of heart attacks, diabetes, strokes and cancer. I always want to experience something to see how it works for me before I tell others about it. I was very pleased to experience over the four weeks the following things. I ate more food, reduced my food budget, lost five pounds, lowered my cholesterol by 18 points and reignited my love to prepare food for myself and share meals with others.
The four weeks focuses on

The Good Life That's Killing Us
Modern Medicine: Miracles, Money and Mirages and Starving for Oxygen
Winners in the Losing Game and Disarming Diabetes & Hypertension
Cholesterol and the Crucial Meltdown and From Despair to Destiny

You may come either Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 8 PM or on Thursday mornings from 9:30-11 AM.
The four weeks are:
Tuesday, June 17, 24, July 1 and 8th 6:30-8pm
Thursday, June 19, 26, July 10 and 17th 9:30-11am.

I personally feel that bringing friends and people who are beginning to want to make healthy changes will find this statistical information an eye opener as to what can improve in their health in a very short period of time. I also feel the importance of teaching Americans to go back to the importance of "whole" food. And it is always supportive to have others helping to remind you to make healthy choices.

The evening will be a video for approximately one hour, a recipe to focus on for each week. and tips to include in your week from the CHIP program. Come and enjoy the evening or morning. There is no cost. Simply call 337-7333 and let me know which time you will be coming.

Loving Yourself and Others

2008-06-10T07:06:00.000-07:00

The realization that I came to while reading the book this week, Tomorrow's God, by Neale Donald Walsch is that more people need to get the beautiful skills that you learn in Loving Yourself and Others about how to love yourself, understand what your feelings mean and why you create the feelings that you do in order to put the responsibility on others to make YOU happy which is not other's job. Your only job which is discussed in Neale Donald Walsch's newest book, Happier than God, is to be happy, joyful and love yourself so much that you want to give that love to everyone that you encounter each and every day. I have been doing the Global work now since April, 2001. I purchased the Center June, 2003 and with the help of Sparkle had the courage to get my own place which we did, March 2006 at Park Meadows Drive. Just after getting our location, Bill Riedler, the founder and owner of Global Relationships Corporation died, May 2006. The transition to our new owner, Pamela Dunn took place December 2007 so we are now in a position to bring forth the new focus on where Global is going in 2008.

I'm so excited because one of the instructors who is coming to teach Loving Yourself and Others is from St. Louis. Kraig Kidd has been involved with Global for as long as Pam Dunn. Kriag moved back to St. Louis after having a very successful Corporate job for many years to bring this work into more people's lives, since he is now a father of a beautiful daughter. Please go to his web site and learn more about Kraig to understand the quality of an instructor we have coming to teach June 20th at the Center. His web site is www.kraigkidd.com. He would be happy to speak with anyone or you can e-mail if you have questions.

Our other instructor who I'm so happy to have the privilege to hire is Jan Davisson, our own local instructor. Jan has completed all of her Global training and requirements to teach all over the world. She is the first Instructor Candidate who has completed all the requirements to teach Loving Yourself and Others from our community since I have owned the Center. You can experience Jan teaching our Generating Results Cooperative class on June 18th. Don't miss coming to that class next Wednesday evening at 7 pm.

The third instructor is Eric Draper. Eric is very involved with important lobby work with the Audubon group to preserve natural habitats in the state of Florida. He lives in Tallahassee and as many of you have experienced, Eric teaches Understanding Yourself and Others, and the Power of Choice course at our own Center. One of our Global graduates called me so disappointed this past week because she didn't see the e-mail about Eric being in town last Monday to teach Power of Choice. You don't want to miss being in Eric's classes!!

So with all of that said about our incredible instructors who will be teaching the class, Jan Davisson, Pam Dunn, Kraig Kidd, Eric Draper and myself have set the intention that we will have 22 people in our Loving Yourself and Others Course. With more people in the class, each person can pay less money and I can cover the expenses of the materials and bringing these people in from a distance. The regular cost of the course was $633..... but the course is now $333. That includes a set of CD's The Tones That Lead to Love by Bill Riedler. The cost of the set is $100 alone. Please call immediately to make your reservation for the weekend. Again all of our courses have a money back guarantee. No one by the way since I've owned the Center has asked for their money back. They say instead, "No amount of money could pay for how my life has changed." I personally feel the same way... I have such a purpose for living and making a difference in the world today...when today we need a community where LOVE is in action with every encounter with another person you have. Call me at 239-337-7333 to make your registration for this outstanding opportunity.

New Happenings at Center to Self Reliance

2008-06-01T15:17:00.000-07:00

I've lived in Fort Myers now for almost twelve years. One of the most difficult parts of my move to Florida was leaving a women's choir in Concord New Hampshire which consisted of over 200 women who got together every Monday night to simply sing. I would return home on Monday evenings feeling so alive, happy and full of joy. I've attempted getting a singing group started for many years and about a month ago I met a woman who has agreed to start a Women's Song Circle at the Center. Her name is Jaylyn Stahl and is excited about leading the group. As she has said, "Every voice raised in song is a beautiful voice! No singing experience required!" Our Songweaver's chorus was the same. There was no previous experience needed, no strong voice needed, simply anyone who would like to sing songs by rote. I hope many women can come Thursday, June 12th to experience our first Women's Song Circle. We plan to meet the second and fourth Thursday of the month from 7-8:30. If you haven't heard or seen the documentary movie, "Young at Heart," it will emphasize the beauty of singing and what it does to inspire the musicians, as well as the audience.

The Church of Spiritual Light has brought the weekly service to the Center every Sunday from 10-11 am. Renee Bledsoe and Joanna Salerno have also introduced Divine Dance which will be the second Friday of the month, June 13th from 7-9 pm. Renee also will be starting a Medicine Wheel, White Dove on Sunday, June 15th, 5-9 pm.

Once a week starting Tuesday, June 17th from 9:30-11 am. Lorie Koenigsberg will be conducting an Abundance, Prosperity Intention Circle. The group uses the principles of gratitude, setting intentions for abundance and prosperity and then deepening the intentions by relaxing and using progressive relaxation guided imagery. Lorie is a Board Certified Hypnosis trained facilitator. Bring a pillow and blanket to be able to fully relax. Learn from the experience and feel "Renewed Energy."

Jan Davisson and myself are enjoying teaching together the third Wednesday of the month. The class that we teach is Generating Results Cooperatively. Our topic for this month is "Bringing Your Life Into Balance." Each month is a different topic and one that you can use and think about throughout the month. We want to bring these topics to groups of people in different places of work.

In July David Essel is going to be doing a lecture the first Wednesday of the month and the other three Wednesday's he will be doing a meditation and a diksha blessing. This means we will be having the Generating Results Cooperatively class the third Thursday of the month starting in July.

Renee Bledsoe is going to teach a Reiki Workshop Saturday June 28th from 2-4 pm. In this workshop you will learn about channeling life force energy in the tradition of Usui Reiki and receive the first degree Reiki Attunement. Reiki I Attunement is the first step to preparing your energy body to bring in more life force energy and light for healing of self and others.

Our main course in Global this month is the Loving Yourself and Others course. Go to the web site to learn the many benefits of this outstanding course. The course will be taught by three outstanding instructors. Kraig Kidd will be coming from St Louis, Jan Davisson, our own Center instructor, and Eric Draper, a certified instructor from Tallahassee. We are very fortunate to have these extremely talented instructors. Don't miss this opportunity to learn techniques to enhance your relationships.

Sylvia Hermreck's Experiece of Understanding Yourself and Others

2008-04-11T18:24:00.000-07:00

I arrived at the UYO (Understanding Yourself & Others) workshop unexpectedly, and at the last minute. I had heard about UYO for several years but there was always a good reason not to attend (funny how many of the other's in my class ended up there the same way). Finding the time to spend an entire weekend at yet another workshop wasn't all that appealing. After all, how life changing can one weekend be?

Ha! How life changing can one weekend be? Well, three weeks later, I can tell you that not one day goes by that I don't find myself contemplating some aspect of thought from that weekend. Not only did I gain knowledge from my own experiences, but also as each of my fellow travelers explored issues in their own lives (including the instructors and assistants) I learned something from each and every one of them. It was astounding to me that a group of such very diverse people had so much in common (and so much to teach, and learn from, each other).

I can absolutely tell you that I would not be where I am today if not for that weekend. I learned so much, that as I am confronted with different situations, choices, or events in my life, I know that just that bit of knowledge which I most need at that moment, will pop into my head from the UYO weekend. Most importantly for today, that weekend I heard what I most needed to hear right now. Isn't it worth your time to go, listen and discover the message you most need to hear at this point in your life?

The spirit of generosity and love exhibited by the Center's "family" also astounded me. As we "newbies" entered the room, unsure of ourselves, huddled around our centers as though to protect our fragile hearts (or is that our egos?), we were surrounded by ebulliently dancing assistants and instructors! They were so beautiful in their joyfulness! Throughout the weekend, they shared their love, their tears, and their courage (along with boxes of Kleenex and bottles of water!) with us. And yes, by the end of the weekend, even I was "dancing"!

As I go forward in my life, one of the things that I have chosen for myself is to be one of those joyfully dancing assistants. So why not sign up for the next UYO, I'd love to be the one to hand you a water bottle, or a hug!

The First Wealth is Health

2008-04-10T07:26:00.000-07:00

This quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson helped me see the importance of what I am doing at the Center. I have been particular about my health for two main reasons. One, is that growing up in a funeral home, I saw many people die at early ages. Second, my own family members were overweight.

Reading from Words to Live by Eknath Easwaran, he said, "When you regard your life as a trust, you realize that the first resource you have to take care of is your own body. This can be startling. Even your body is not really your own. It belongs to life, and it is your responsibility to take care of it. You cannot afford to do anything that injures your body, because the body is the instrument you need for selfless action. That is the fine print of the trust agreement: when we smoke, when we overeat, when we don't get enough exercise, we are violating the terms of the trust.

If you want to live life at its fullest, you will want to do everything possible to keep your body in vibrant health in order to give back to life a little of what it has given you."

Refreshing Relationships by Joe Sexton

2008-04-04T07:29:00.001-07:00

Joe Sexton, a graduate of all of the Global Courses, has written an article to express what he experienced by taking the Refreshing Relationship Course. He is willing to share this article with us. Thank you Joe.

Whether you are just starting out on a relationship or you have been with your partner for years, The Refreshing Relationships course will give you a deeper understanding of your partner and make your relationship stronger. It is an exploration into new things, and into seeing old things in a new light. The muscle we will exercise is communication, either strengthening it, establishing it, or re-establishing it.

We start the weekend with an exploration into the relationship as it is or what it has become. What do we expect from our partner? What do we blame them for? What do we do to make each other unhappy? But the purpose of this isn't to make a laundry list of our partner's faults. We share our lists, and discover that our partner has listed things we never knew about or didn't think were problems. From there we decide to paraphrase the Freedom Paragraph from Loving Yourself and Other, which problems we now recognize and correct and which we choose not to change.

We work during the weekend on seeing ourselves through our partner's eyes. What do they see in us that we do not see in ourselves? This is a positive inquiry, looking not at problems but at strengths. It is an exploration of the question, "Why do you love me?" We usually think we know the answer, but sometimes our partner sees strengths in us that we don't see in ourselves. We do things that we think are trivial that give great happiness to our partner. The things we think are of great importance sometimes aren't. Either way, we haven't communicated this to our partner before today.

Another part of the weekend explores the barriers we erect that block communication. Why don't we share some things with our partner? Are we afraid that our partner will be angry? Insulted? Disgusted? We learn that it is OK to ask for what we want from our partner.

The last part of the weekend is an exercise in appreciation. Do we show our partner that we appreciate all of the positive things they do? Are we showing that appreciation in a way our partner really loves, or just in the way that we think they will love? Using all of the new information we have learned over the weekend, we practice appreciating each other by providing our partner with an experience they will truly enjoy.

After the weekend I found that I saw my partner in new ways. I remembered the things that attracted me to her all those years ago and discovered new things I didn't know were there. I learned some things we could do differently to strength our bond even further. I learned ways to show my love that truly mattered to her. And she learned the same things about me. I wish I'd had the benefit of this class when we were first starting out in our relationship, and every couple should take the course every few years to keep their relationship strong.

I'm Excited!!!

2008-03-31T19:06:00.000-07:00

Pamela Dunn, the new Owner and President of Global Relationship Centers came to test the changes in the Understanding Yourself and Others course March 14, 15 and 16th at the Center. I had the opportunity recently to ask her what her mission is for Global. She said that she feels every human being has the right to see their true magnificence. In January, 2005, Pam completed writing the year long study program with workbook and CD's entitled, Journey to Your Soul's Magnificence -What a Difference a Year Makes. Nightingale Conant just picked up her work to publish and bring to many people who are looking for ways to do a self study program. They will be marketing Pam as "a fresh new voice on the scene whose ideas are more well developed than other big name authors." Check the calendar to see the dates that Sparkle will be teaching Journey to Your Soul's Magnificence at the Center.

Pam's teachings are based on the belief that everyone can integrate their life in order to find balance mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically with the intention of unleashing their magnificence. Once that magnificence is unleashed, you can express yourself in a self reliant, interdependent manner. Pam teaches within corporations, schools, and the public and has done extensive work for the City of St. Louis' Juvenile Justice System. Pam created the Peaceful Project, a program guiding individuals to develop and maintain inner peace and personal responsibility. This program is currently given on a regular basis to juveniles arrested for gun violations and their parents in the City of St. Louis. It is a court-mandated program with excellent results.

Global Relationship Centers Inc. provides profound learning experiences that enhance an individual's personal and professional development. We purposefully empower people to discover, honor and incorporate their unique contribution in the world, thereby creating cooperation, harmony, and oneness. Pamela has been involved in this industry for over 20 years. Her corporate background has been in the area of executive development with experience in the banking, service and retail industries.

With Pam's guidance and direction I have set objectives for 2008. I have high hopes that with our new owner, who has been well trained by Bill Riedler, Global is in good hands with a bright and exciting future. I know that I'm excited to be the Owner of Center to Self Reliance where we offer the best courses I've ever taken.

How do you like the new look of the newsletter? Thanks so much to Renee Bledsoe who has supported the Center from the beginning. She creates beautiful web pages, especially for projects that she believes in so much. Her first love is Redirecting Children's Behavior, which is the course that started her on her journey to discover what her unique contribution is to the world. Thanks Renee!

Why I Have the Center to Self Reliance

2008-03-07T03:52:00.000-08:00

Wednesday morning I picked my two granddaughters up to take them to the Renaissance Montesori school. Mary, my older nine year old was crying because her younger sister, Isabella, five, had awakened during the night, went into their parent's bedroom and had gone to sleep. Mary didn't like when she woke up to find her younger sister in bed with her parents. Because of my training in Redirecting Children's Behavior, on the way to school I told the girls I would like to give them a little history lesson about how it was when I was a little girl.

I used myself as an example that I was the oldest and when my younger sister came into the world, I felt dethroned from being the only child and was very upset. The fortunate thing for her is that she could express how she felt, I couldn't. Mary held the stuffed toy in the car, made the decision that she wanted to be dropped off at school last so she could have more time in the car with me.

After we dropped Isabella off at her school, Mary talked some more about how she felt, spoke with her mother on the phone, and by the time we were a few miles from school, Mary was looking in the mirror and telling herself what she loved about herself. Letting children feel their feelings, giving them a little extra special time to have quality time with an adult, helping them see their value as a person, all adds up to children feel good about themselves. Building self esteem is so important. She got out of the car knowing that it was normal to feel upset and she could let her feelings go more easily when she was able to express them. Feelings buried alive, never die.

I want more children to have parents who build self esteem in children. I assured Mary her parents, and her parent's parents did not have manuals on how to handle daily situations. Parents make mistakes, but they LOVE their children. Mary was "responsible" for me learning about Redirecting Children's Behavior. She is why I got involved in this wonderful personal growth work. Thanks Mary for giving me a purpose for my life!
Love,
Grandma Willo

The New Beginning

2008-02-14T11:10:00.000-08:00

March 14, 15, 16 and graduation on the 17th will be the new beginning for Understanding Yourself and Others. The course has been in existence for over 30 years and as you can read on the blog, it has had a profound effect on people's lives. Why then is this a new beginning? December 7, 2007 Pamela Dunn became the new Owner and President of Global Relationship Centers. She has been involved in this industry for over 20 years.

Pam's teachings are based on the belief that everyone can integrate their life in order to find balance mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically with the intention of unleashing their magnificence. Once that magnificence is unleashed, you can express yourself in a self reliant, interdependent manner.

I have personally been able to experience Pam's teaching in December at the instructor training class, "Self Reliance" at our Center. She purposefully empowered people to discover, honor and incorporate their unique contribution in the world, thereby creating cooperation, harmony, and oneness.

Pam has been training the instructors for the past year and a half. Tanya Bozeman came to the Center in January to teach the instructors-in-training, the "Image" class. In the class we came to express our magnificence of our "I am Presence." When you focus on expressing only the magnificence that you are, you see others in their magnificence too. The intention for everyone to be who they really are was inspiring.

February 8th I traveled to Baton Rouge to experience the "Singles Adventure," taught by Pam. It was a journey to the heart. Throughout the journey I discovered things about myself. With the guidance of Pam I got tools to self reliantly continue to monitor the progress that I am making in creating the relationship that matches my best vision of myself. I'm so thrilled with the course that I will be offering it at the Center August 8, 9, and 10th, 2008.

Soooo... I feel very excited about what the New Beginning with Global is going to be like. We will have the first Understanding Yourself and Others with Pam, the Owner and President teaching with two other male instructors, Bruce Price from Cleveland, Ohio and Mark Miller from Tallahassee, Florida.

"Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm." Ralph Waldo Emerson

"We can do anything we want to do if we stick to it long enough." Helen Keller

My dream is to have Global courses be in all 43 countries where my other business, Sunrider, is located. The way all of the Global courses impact people's lives, I want more people to experience them. I'm enthused and have been with Global now for 7 years. I feel we are ready to bust loose and reach the masses.

Check the calendar on my website, www.centertoselfreliance; the Global website, www.grc333.com; and experience the array of courses that are available for the offering.

Blessing and Peace,

Love,

Willo Uhl

What Global Courses have contributed to my life

2008-01-29T12:36:00.000-08:00

This is almost going to seem impossible to put into words, but I will try for the benefit of anyone considering the path of personal growth courses. Since doing my first Global workshop , which was Understanding Yourself and Others, 11 years ago, I have gained an incredible connection to others. An unbelievable level of empathy, of patience, of relating, of feeling what they feel. I cannot even describe what a closeness this has brought to my family relationships. It used to be a struggle for me to slow down and and listen, even though these relationships are truly , without question, the most important things in my life!!! These connections have grown and are now not only effortless, but bring immense joy!! Wow...who would have thought that something I used to have to work so hard on....could now be what I am best at. There is no price I would not pay , no place I would not travel to, no obstacle I would not overcome ...to have what I have with my husband, daughters, mother, mother-in law, grandsons, son-in-law, grandmother, friends. etc.
The spillover has also given me the ability to create financial abundance and wonderful business connections, a confidence in my own value and the ability to use my time for what matters most to me. If anyone had told me I could create all this from the tools I learned and the experience I would have in these courses, I would never have believed it. I'm her to tell you...believe it!!!
With Love,
Elizabeth

Stepping Into The Light

2008-01-21T17:36:00.000-08:00

The Understanding Yourself & Others course was one of the most profound experiences of my life. During that course and the time that I spent assisting after my graduation have all yielded life changing revelations.

I experienced more love and more true human connection in that course room over the weekend, than I had in my entire life up to that point. I learned how to truly connect to other people and to myself. I learned about mistaken beliefs that had been running my life. But more than that I learned how to diffuse and redirect them. Everyone in the course holds a piece of your puzzle. It is an amazing experience.

My husband and I also took the Redirecting Children's Behavior course and both of us learned a great deal about both what we were doing wrong and what we were doing right. We are both working and making a great deal of progress in becoming the kind of parents that every child should have. The concept of redirecting behavior both with children and adults is an incredibly effective tool that can help anyone create the life of their dreams. But first you have to redirect your OWN behavior. That is the key.

The saying, "Things don't change, we do", is so appropriate, because that is what these courses do for you. They help you to shift the thoughts and beliefs that got you into the space you are in and help you to create new ways of thinking that are empowering to yourself, your loved ones and truly anyone you come into contact with.

I recommend Understanding Yourself and Others and Redirecting Children's Behavior to anyone. You leave those courses energetically about 200 pounds lighter and you are armed with real tools to help you create closer, more loving relations with everyone and everything. And isn't love what it's all about?

Home Sweet Home

2006-04-17T18:31:00.000-07:00

Our new Center location, both on the web and our physical location, has given me a sense of home. I feel what we have is a place where we can connect, feel safe, loved and have acceptance about ourselves. I've enjoyed preparing the place with attention to small details, done with much thought and love. Our first US Attitudes course the end of February is when we created the path to self reliance; our first Loving Yourself and Others course in March brought many people together to learn empathy with each other, and this weekend will be our first Understanding Yourself and Others course. I'm so grateful for the people who will be coming into our doors to get the love they deserve and to share this love with others. Our community is open to everyone.
Blessings and Light,
Willo

Welcome

2006-04-12T07:38:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone and welcome to Willo's Blog. Please feel free to leave comments and post articles and information that you think might be helpful to our community. Check back often to see what others have to say. You can also signup to have the messages emailed to you.

We hope you will help us build this community. Be the change that you wish to see in the world!

Blessings,
Renee Bledsoe
Webmaster for Center To Self Reliance
www.centertoselfreliance.com