As someone who has both participated in and lead the kind of workshops you are talking about, I couldn't agree more. My uneasiness with what I was doing began in three ways.

Firstly, when I noticed that other facilitators, were actually very "stuck" themselves. Despite all their experience, they were continuously running the same old patterns. (Of course, I was too, luckily I had them as a mirror).

I also noticed regular participants over a period of several years who were clearly driving themselves towards goals that came from mind lead choices. (Of course, I was too). Such choices appeared to be influenced by the goals of others; the expectations of others; feelings of lack and need; or genuine desires to help others. In the driving of themselves towards these goals, which were often completely out of line with their natural talents, their was nothing but a path of frustration and disappointment ahead of them. On top of that, they were often spending huge amounts of money going back for more courses, thinking that that was all it would take, a bit more motivation and they would attain their impossible dream. Why was it impossible? Because it was often way out of line with their true self. They were just building themselves an artificial program to run round in. In my view, a self deception not a development of self. No attempt was being made to uncover the true self and set it free - we all have natural gifts which are stunted and covered by our conditioning. When you give up this mind lead stuff and practice listening to your heart, your path unfolds naturally and your energy is freed to run congruently with your innate beingness, which then in turn stimulates your gifts (and you) to unfold to their (your) full potential. There is a natural expansion and liberation from old patterns that brings more joy than I could possibly describe.

The third thing that troubled me was that I was running firewalks where it was obvious that whatever the setting (even in large corporate events) some people were having dramatic healing and spiritual experiences. ( I must point out for those who have attended what I call a "five minute firewalk" or a mad dash over the coals, we are not talking about the same experience). I couldn't help but ask myself, how can I, in truth, be offering this amazing ancient sacred ritual, linked to the idea of "manifesting your dreams" or being more productive in the workplace. I felt I must completely dedicate my work to helping people unfold their spiritual understanding and connection.

Synchronistically, that was when I was invited to try working with Openhand. Openhand teaches a whole package of unique meditation and movement which anyone can learn and take with them to incorporate into their daily life, so that their unfolding is being stimulated continuously, not just in the workshop environment.

Openhand Workshops are geared to help all of us progress through the various stages towards enlightenment that I believe is our birthright, but is not widely understood or taught elsewhere. These key philosophies which get shared at a gradual pace so we can assimilate them at our own pace make me absolutely rejoice, after years of floundering around in the dark, I am understanding who I am and what I am doing here on this planet. Is that better than manifesting a Ferrari, you bet! And it is much rarer! My heart feels brimful of joy, I feel truly whole, nothing missing. No-one and no-thing can take that away. A wonderful calm is in place which can't be upset by a material loss.

I give thanks for my continued learning and unfolding.

Lesley
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Society has projected that a person's level of intelligence is by earning Degrees. Just another piece of paper and another tree ripped from its roots!

Though I feel education is important, there is that "information overload" affect.
I always seem to come back to "Cause and Effect".

It is like a slow manipulation of the mind where the mind becomes emcompassed with ideas and everything outside of true existance. The higher the Degree, the more income. The Governing rules of society.

I certainly have had my share of education and workshops but my thoughts were of earned pride which of course is ego driven. My education has never given me fulfillment.

I like to think of my education as a tool that enables me to provide for my kids and myself in society rather than "who I am".
Simply, grateful for the opportunity.

Unfortunately numerous people still measure their self-worth by their lifestyle. Thus, creating a constant battle of obtaining and competing only to sink deeper in attachment.
The o'l saying "all this glitter is not gold" is the outcome.

I too feel more workshops are needed in understanding "Truth of Self" and I'm not speaking about Dr.Phil's "Self Matters" book either! I am fully aware of how personalities are formed and that trigger is Societies Rules. Dysfunction at its best!

It is awesome that Openhand offers the approach in truth! There needs to be plenty more of what this Forum offers world wide and I am hopeful that this shift will rule in my kids lifetime. We can only begin in baby steps.

Much Love and Blessings

Lori D. Carson