Bill discovers that he has stopped treating his job as a tenured professor at one of the world’s largest art schools as his “day job” and his 48-year-old marriage is the best it’s ever been.
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Hi Friends-
Ariel and Shya often call Transformation the “slack-jawed approach to enlightenment” (where you simply see a mechanical behavior, let your jaw hang and say “huh.”) I had such a great slack-jawed moment the other day and I just have to share it with you all. I had been in a fight with my brother off and on for the last two weeks. It was around the subject of money and not paying bills on time, which historically we have both been very tense and defensive about. We had had a phone call about a particular money situation where I thought I had been very direct and straight forward, but I realized afterwards (with the help of the Kanes and my boyfriend Andy) that I had been condescending and unkind, and was really holding onto being right about my point of view. I apologized to my brother, and things got better between us, but it was still a little shaky and I think there was really a part of me that was not ready to let go of being right.
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Hello Everyone!
I just returned from Costa Rica and … Wow! By the end of the week, I knew that I wanted to return next year, and knew I wanted to stay longer. So I signed up for 2 weeks in 2010!
How completely unreasonable of me! I truly just did what I wanted to do, without allowing the details to dominate me. In that moment, I abandoned my old comfortable habit of having everything in order before I acted on something. I didn’t ask permission from anyone, I didn’t ask permission from my bank account, and I didn’t ask permission from my reasonable mind. I simply gave myself permission, and trusted the universe to support me.
This unreasonable impulse has also allowed me to see so many other things that I want to do this year, including taking Committed Impulse acting classes, going to Germany, taking the Kanes’ workshops, and paying off my credit cards.
Have a brilliant and unreasonable week!
Love,
Swain
Here’s another great article written by Ariel & Shya . I find it very refreshing to see that enlightenment doesn’t have to happen on a mountain top in a meditition pose, but can happen right here, right now, at home, at work or anywhere.
Enjoy,
David H
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Let’s talk about being in the moment. Let’s talk about enlightenment or Self Realization or transformation. Most people see these things as esoteric endeavors that require thought, intentionality and work that is arduous and difficult. The prevalent idea is that Self Realization can only be approached at special times under special circumstances and in special environments, such as in meditation centers, workshops or retreats. However, there is the possibility that these esoteric pursuits can not only be engaged in, but also achieved in the ordinary course of our lives, during every day activities. Since most of our days are occupied by our professional careers or work, it is possible to use this time to discover how to be in the moment and live one’s life in a transformed, Self Realized way. It has been said that it is easy to become enlightened on a mountain top but difficult in the marketplace. In today’s world, the office can be equated to the modern day marketplace. We are of the opinion that Self Realization need not be difficult and that it is possible to become aware doing the ordinary activities of our lives. Many people approach this moment as if it is not “it”. They see this moment only as a stepping stone to something else. This moment is “not what God intended”. People don’t realize that this moment of now is the only way their life can be and that whatever is happening in this moment is all that can actually be.
Hello Everyone,
I am happy to report that the Toy Drive I have been organizing was a huge success. We shattered last year’s numbers and collected over 800 toys! The pastor of St. John’s Parish, who is responsible for distributing the toys, spoke at the event to celebrate the Toy Drive. He was filled with emotion as he explained that, with the help of everyone who contributed, the Parish could reach its goal of donating to 500 underprivileged families.
I want to thank everyone for contributing and supporting me in this event. Your generosity is greatly appreciated and will translate to joy for many families that are going through tough times. A Judge I work for, who asked me to assist him in organizing the Toy Drive, personally sends his thanks to my “extremely generous friends.”
With Love,
Joe S.
Hi Everyone!
I just had the most amazing moment! For the past 3 years I have had a digital camera that I don’t use. Oh, I have stories why I don’t use it….too busy to learn; too complicated to understand, etc. The latest reason is that I couldn’t find the battery charger. I thought my son Adam had it, but he said he didn’t. So for at least 2 years, I haven’t used this camera.
Finally, I bought a new charger today. That was right before I participated in a pre recording with Ariel and Shya for their internet show, Being Here. During this show, I was able to see something about myself that I had not seen before. I really feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulder! I feel brighter and more myself.
I feel soooo self-expressive and have to share with you what happened to me since the wonderful workshop “The Art of Listening” in Hamburg, Germany in October! I had been really looking forward to it because as a Psychologist, I spend my life listening to other people. Ironically, during the workshop something funny happened; I suddenly saw that it was time to stop hiding by only listening to what other people had to say. It was time to listen to myself!
So I had one of my intimate talks with life and said: “Look, I know that I can be of help to people and would love to do it, so if you see a way of supporting me, now would be a good time.”
I have a strong interest in using a communication method called “Marte Me”, meaning ‘on one’s strength’. It is something not traditionally used by Psychologists, yet aligns perfectly with the Kanes’ Workshops on ‘Living in the Moment’. I’ts something that can be used by parents or anyone working with children. In my “plan”, I sat down and decided to contact all the Pediatricians in Hamburg and introduce myself so they can refer people to me…
My dear friends around the world!
I wanted to share something amazing that happened!
I recently got a new job at our mother company P&G (Braun) in Germany, where I will begin working tomorrow. For the last three years, I had been working in the Braun Design Department, and as a way to celebrate my departure, I threw a “Good-Bye” party.
At the celebration, I was blown away by the heartfelt speech of my boss, Peter, and the gifts my colleagues so generously gave.
Peter spoke in detail about how much I made a difference in the department and that I was the most efficient assistant he ever had! (He is turning 63 and had many assistants before.) His speech lasted 10-15 minutes long! He shared that I was able to arrange all processes so that they were easy for our employees and that it was really great to have worked with me, and that he was truly happy that I got this new job. I was just amazed at what I created there!
Recently, I’ve been searching for great musicians to create a band, and I recorded a demo track to present “my sound”. I recorded it on my computer in my living room. I sang, played and arranged everything on it. It was so much fun to write and record! I’m working on more demo songs and getting in touch with many musicians in the New York area. I’m very excited about it all. I’ve been receiving lots of positive feedback on it. As music has come alive in my life again, I’ve also been taking a very cool songwriting class with some really lovely people at Gotham Writer’s Workshop in New York. I’m learning so many different ways to write songs and so much about the music industry. I might even attend a songwriting camp in Nashville one of these weekends. It’s all an adventure!