1. Welcome to Issue #167 (December 2006) of MIND CHATTER, the e-mail newsletter of Centerpointe Research Institute: http://www.centerpointe.com. Mind Chatter is published once a month, on or about the 16th of each month. Please send Mind Chatter to a friend, and please send us your questions, comments, and suggestions. If this issue has been forwarded to you, and you'd like to subscribe to Mind Chatter, visit http://www.centerpointe.com/newsletter. To view Mind Chatter archives, visit http://www.centerpointe.com/newsletter/archives.php ................................................................................ 2. If you would like to unsubscribe, you can manage your account via the link at the end of this newsletter. (But please don't. We like you and we want you to stay.) ................................................................................ 3. In This Issue // MindQuotes (scroll to #5) // A few recommendations that may benefit you (scroll to item #6) // Important Announcements // Feature Article Like a Fish in Water by Bill Harris, Director (scroll to item #7) // Glowing Testimonials (scroll to #8) // COACH'S CORNER (scroll to #9) Welcome to our new feature, where each month a Centerpointe Support Coach shares their personal experiences with books that have inspired them, life-changing coaching experiences, and other information we're sure you'll find enlightening and enriching. This month, enjoy: What Would You Do If You Had No Fear? by Diane Conway Book Review by Lamont Williams ................................................................................ 4. MIND CHATTER contains articles about: // How you create your life--and how you can stop unconsciously creating experiences and outcomes you do not want, and instead begin to create exactly what you do want // Personal and spiritual growth in general // Meditation (high- and low-tech) // Recovery from emotional trauma // Pretty much any other subject I get excited about and want to write about. After all, it's my company and my newsletter, and I can do whatever I want with it. So there. ................................................................................ 5. Mind Quotes Words without thoughts never to heaven go. -- Shakespeare I do not know whether I was then a man dreaming I was a butterfly, or whether I am now a butterfly dreaming I am a man. -- Chuang Tzu Nothing is predestined: The obstacles of your past can become the gateways that lead to new beginnings. -- Ralph Blum The power of imagination makes us infinite. -- John Muir ................................................................................ 6. Live long and prosper! Unless you've been living in a cave lately, you must have seen some of the recent news about the health benefits of meditation. It's everywhere... * An article published in the American Heart Association journal, Stroke, recently reported that meditation can reduce cholesterol buildup and the associated risk of heart attack and stroke. * And another study of the elderly found that meditation actually added years to their lives. * The National Institutes of Health reports that regular meditation reduces chronic pain, anxiety, high blood pressure, cholesterol, and cortisol (sometimes called "the stress hormone") production. * A University of Wisconsin-Madison study discovered meditation boosts brain function and the immune system. * A recent issue of the American Journal of Hypertension featured the results of a study showing a significant lowering of blood pressure in a group of meditators compared to a control group of people who didn't meditate. The study also reported a 23% decrease in usage of antihypertensive drugs between the group of meditators and the other group. * A Harvard study also concluded that regular meditation can reduce pain, lower blood pressure, and cut production of the stress hormone, cortisol. * The most recent study by The American Heart Association shows heart and artery health improved 69 percent in test groups practicing meditation. And this is just the beginning. Practically every time you turn around there's another study documenting and supporting fantastic health and wellness benefits of meditation. So, what's the quickest way to actually achieve these amazing benefits? If there's a downside to meditation it's this... Traditional meditation can take years, even decades to master. The Holosync Solution changes all that. Holosync uses advanced scientific technology to induce deep states of meditation virtually at the push of a button. Most regular users of Holosync report fabulous results in weeks rather than years. Try Holosync for yourself-for FREE! Click visit http://www.centerpointe.com/demo/ to get a FREE Holosync demo CD so you can see for yourself how this powerful technology can improve your life. Here's an even better idea. Go ahead and order Awakening Prologue (the first level of The Holosync Solution) and get started with the real thing. With our One-Year 100% Iron-Clad Guarantee, you can do so with no risk whatsoever. Use Holosync for up to a full year and enjoy all the powerful and lasting benefits this kind of meditation brings you. And if you decide that Holosync isn't everything we promise, simply let us know and you can return it for a full refund. It's just that simple. If you have any interest at all in increased health and vigor, increased longevity, lower blood pressure, peace of mind, and all the other great benefits of meditation, at least give Holosync a try. Remember you can get a FREE demo CD by going to +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ http://www.centerpointe.com/demo/ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ And to learn all about the science behind Holosync, check out our extensive articles section here: ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ http://www.centerpointe.com/about/articles.php ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ** // ** Announcments You can resolve that big issue you've been struggling with... The amazing 5-Day Transformation for those who don't have time to wait for tremendous change! Participants at our last retreat were blown away by the new material I presented--and you will be, too! Though I knew it was going to happen, it still was quite shocking. I'm used to seeing people leave Centerpointe retreats experiencing a huge transformation, but as people left our latest retreat, something was different--very different. Though a part of me expected it, I was still awed by what happened. Person after person approached me as the retreat ended and said, "You changed my life"..."I don't know how to thank you"... "This was the missing piece for me"..."I can't thank you enough." Why in the world did this happen? I've been getting tremendous positive feedback about these retreats for many years, but never anything like this. Why was the feedback even more positive? Here's what I think: in addition to all the other powerful things we do at the retreats, I completely changed the material I present to reflect the Nine Principles for Conscious Living I teach in my Life Principles Integration Process(R) online courses. This material describes how we create unhappiness and suffering and how we can create happiness and inner peace instead. Because this description is so clear, everyone who heard it (and practiced it during the retreat) had a huge shift. I promise that the same thing can happen for you... If you've ever thought of attending a retreat...or coming to your 2nd or 3rd retreat...NOW would be the time to come. Here is one person's description of what happens at these retreats: "There's no way to really describe it. It was intense, emotional, hilarious, intimate, fun, exciting and overwhelming all at the same time. Most wonderful was being part of a group that accepted, supported, listened, laughed and cried with me. We arrived carrying different bags but left singing the same tune, and manifested such respect and love for one and all. "It was like falling in love with 50 people at the same time. Each so different and yet the same. It sounds impossible and perhaps that's why it was so special--being with a group of human beings that most people only read about but never get to truly immerse themselves in. "I learned a lot about myself and how I interact with others. I learned that being vulnerable, being open and sharing with others takes tremendous courage. So I want to thank each and every one of the participants and the staff because each one took the necessary risks to create that tremendous group dynamic at the retreat. "If anyone out there is wondering about going on the next retreat, stop wondering and just do it. It just might change your life." --Mickey R. At a Centerpointe retreat... // You'll experience a true quantum leap--taking everything to a higher level... // With some of the most experienced "personal change coaches" in the world, you'll experience a profound shift in that life issue you so much want (and need) to change... // You'll meet other Centerpointe participants who become lifelong friends... // You'll "get" what "it" (and your life) is all about, and... // You'll experience some "industrial strength" Holosync, pushing you to new levels of personal growth, positive change, and deeper self-awareness. I'm at a loss to precisely describe what happens and what it feels like, but I'll tell you this... ...it feeds a deep part of every person who attends. This experience of unconditional positive regard, just by itself, creates tremendous change--not to mention everything else that happens at a retreat. (No one, I hasten to add, is forced to open up or be close to others, but you will feel safe doing so, and you'll find yourself feeling good doing so.) Here's another big reason for coming... As he has at retreats since 1992, performer/song-writer/old soul/recording artist/genius/amazing human being Michael Stillwater--who participants describe as spellbinding, entrancing, heart-opening, and awe-inspiring--will be there. I couldn't imagine a retreat without Michael's love and talent. Michael is one of the funniest human beings I know (every year he composes several absolutely hilarious songs spoofing me and Centerpointe that have everyone rolling in the aisles), and he's one of the most talented song writers and performers on the planet (really). He was asked to perform at the 9/11 Memorial Service in Washington, D.C., and has the ability to help people touch the deepest parts of themselves. I know you'll find him to be... ...one of the most amazing experiences of your entire life (really)! On the last evening we'll have a big celebration to bring everything to a climax. These end-of-retreat celebrations are always awesome, and I'm sure this one will be, too! In fact, my commitment is to make each retreat even better than the last one--which means you're sure to have an incredible experience! This retreat could be a real turning point in your life... You'll leave the retreat renewed and changed. If there's something that's been difficult for you to resolve in your life, or if you just want to move to a new level in your growth, this retreat could be the turning point--as it has been for nearly everyone who has attended. You don't have to drive, work, cook, problem solve, take care of others, or do anything except meditate, open your heart, heal your past, take charge of your life, let go of what's been holding you back, make new friends--and, move your life to a whole new level. You really can experience 6 months (or more) of growth...in just 5 days! I know this sounds like an outlandish promise, but it's absolutely true. People rave about our retreat staff... Even if this were all, this next retreat would be incredible. But, in addition, I'm absolutely thrilled to again have Dr. Beverlee Marks Taub, Ph.D. ("Dr. Bev"), as part of the retreat staff. I've known and worked with Dr. Bev since 1985. She helped me create the original Centerpointe support materials, and is one of the country's most top transformational therapists. I've seen Dr. Bev help resolve difficult and long-standing issues in a single therapeutic session. If you need a breakthrough, she will be available to help you achieve it. Here's what Dr. Bev said after a previous retreat: "Bill Harris has swirled together a magical mix of technology, supportive staff and evocative processes, which provide a safe crucible for the changes waiting to happen. "Participants know at a deep level they are safe. The grosser elements of psychic and emotional debris are thrown off, revealing the pure gold of the true authentic self, waiting to be reclaimed. "Bill is the Grand Master of this whole show. Part scientist and part irreverent talk show host, he penetrates the collective social facade, and gets everybody laughing about the riotous 'stuff' we all have and take so seriously. He wields his precision technology like a laser and knows just how and when to go deeper or to lighten up. "Bill says in his commentary on the process that five days on retreat provides six months of transformational growth. Because I saw physical, emotional and spiritual evidence to support this claim, I now believe this is true." Internationally known therapist and workshop leader Doris Laesser will also be there. Doris has been in private practice for two decades, working at University Children's Hospital in Zurich, as a lecturer at the Institute for Psychology and the Fritz Perls Institute, and has been a workshop leader at the Cortona Conference in Italy for the University of Zurich. And, Mariah Wentworth and Jean Greene, our two "body specialists," will be there, leading us each day in movement and stretching and giving... ...incredible massages. So please, come to the retreat. You'll have a tremendous experience, you'll learn a lot, you'll dramatically accelerate your growth, you'll listen to some very powerful Holosync soundtracks, you'll meet a lot of great people, and you'll... ...learn some exciting new things about...you! The cost for all this is only $2877 (tuition and lodging combined). This includes accomodations for six nights, three delicious meals a day, all presentations, and lots of attention from me and from the incredible growth coaches we've invited. Plus, if you sign up by February 1st, I'll knock a full $100 off the price. Here's my personal guarantee: If, at the end of the retreat, you don't think it was the most transformative experience you've ever had, just come see me before you leave and I'll refund your tuition. I make this guarantee because I know if I can just get you there... ...something will happen that will change your life forever! Please act quickly, though. This upcoming retreat is already over half full, even before I send this issue of Mind Chatter! For the last several retreats, it's become common for us to turn people away. So if you want to be at this next one... ...please let us know right away. To reserve your spot, we need a $495 deposit, payable with Visa, Mastercard, check or money order. Please note that this deposit is not refundable, unless we cancel the retreat. The balance of your payment will be due 45 days before the retreat begins. For more infomation, including the specifics of each retreat, go to www.centerpointe..com and click on retreats, or call us at 1-800-945-2741 or 503-672-7117. So that's it. Please come. You'll be shaking your head in wonder when it's all over, just as I was after the last retreat. You really can make tremendous progress with--even totally resolve--that big issue you've been struggling with. I'm really excited to finally meet you in person, and I know you'll enjoy meeting the other participants. To avoid the possibility of missing out, please call or write now to reserve your spot. See you there! Regards, William Harris, Director P.S.: Don't forget: there is a 100% money back guarantee on this retreat. I expect it to fill up fast, so reserve your spot right away. Spending five days with Michael Stillwater and Dr. Beverlee Marks Taub and Doris Laesser (and me!) is worth the price of the retreat all by itself, so don't delay! Reserve your spot now by calling 1-800-945-2741 or 503-672-7117. Or send your deposit to: Centerpointe Research Institute, 1700 NW 167th Place, Suite 220, Beaverton OR 97006. You can also reserve your spot by faxing your name, address, and credit card number with expiration date to 503-643-3114. (For more info, and to see pictures of past retreats, go to www.centerpointe.com and click on "Retreats.") ................................................................................ 7. Feature Article Like a Fish in Water (What are you immersed in?) By Bill Harris Life is a developmental process, even in people who never participate in any kind of personal or spiritual growth work. Without such work a person may not go very far in the developmental process, but still, life itself provides the impetus for growth. Developmental psychologists have noticed that all human beings move from one developmental stage to the next, that this process is driven by environmental conditions (though it may be possible to intentionally drive the process once a certain level has been attained), and that development begins at birth. We remain in a given stage until something happens that pushes us to evolve to the next stage, followed by a period of time during which we integrate the changes we have experienced. Stage-to-stage growth could be termed vertical growth, while the integration period is termed horizontal growth. One of the most important aspects of such developmental growth is that each new stage involves the ability to see yourself, other people, and the world, from additional perspectives. This ability to see from a wider, more all-encompassing perspective has been called expanded awareness by spiritual teachers. Since seekers have been looking for expanded awareness for thousands of years, seeing it in terms of the ability to take new perspectives gives the term a more concrete and practical meaning. As such, understanding the developmental process is crucial to... ...any person who wants to grow mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. You might even say that all mental, emotional, and spiritual problems (which admittedly covers a lot of territory)--even including the day-to-day problems of creating what you want in the world (paying the rent, creating a relationship, having a fulfilling life, etc.)--are problems of lack of development, of incomplete developmental shifts, or of developmental shifts where something some sort of trauma occurred. More on this later. Several years ago, I had a revelation while studying several models of spiritual development. I was particularly interested in the last stages of spiritual growth, those occurring right before what spiritual traditions call enlightenment. These last stages are generally thought of as being "stages of spiritual growth," where what happened before these stages is generally thought of as being... ...something other than spiritual growth. As I pondered this question, however, it struck me that spiritual growth actually begins at birth, and that all development is spiritual development, even though it isn't generally thought of that way. Spiritual development, then, includes development in areas some might consider to be "worldly"--psychological and emotional development, and the development of social skills and "success skills." It would also include cognitive development, moral development, and development in several additional areas. "Development is development"... ...and all of it is spiritual. Let me explain. The great modern philosopher and developmental psychologist Ken Wilber is fond of saying that spiritual development (in fact, all development) is a matter of adopting additional perspectives. We begin life with a very limited perspective. As we develop--as we evolve spiritually--we add additional perspectives (I'll explain what this entails in just a moment). As we add perspectives, our awareness expands. In fact, these are just two different ways of describing the same phenomenon. You might say that as we develop we increasingly perceive and experience how everything is connected and goes together--we focus more on the relationships between people, things, and events--rather than seeing and experiencing people, things, and events as separate from each other. In other words, our perspective... ...becomes more holistic. There is a relationship between these two ways of seeing and well-being. The more we see things in terms of how they are separate, the more likely we are to be unhappy, fearful, anxious, unsuccessful, and isolated. The more we see how everything goes together and depends on everything else, the more likely we are to feel good, to feel connected to the world and other people, and to be successful. In other words, the more perspectives we are able to take... ...the better life works. People, then, go through a series of developmental stages, each involving a wider, more all-encompassing perspective. Each new stage includes the capabilities and awareness of the previous stage, and then adds new and more encompassing capacities. Like nested Russian dolls, each new developmental level transcends and includes the previous level (which transcends and includes its previous level, and so on). These new perspectives have a definite direction, one of increasing inclusiveness. Ken Wilber has described this process, in the simplest terms, as being one of moving from me, to us, to all of us--each involving a broader and larger perspective. In the earlier stages everything is about me. We are egocentric, unable to see the perspective of others. We are narcissistic. At higher developmental levels, we see things in terms of us, our social group. We become group-centric, or ethnocentric. We see the needs and wants and perspective of our group, but not that of those outside our group. With still further development, our perspective becomes world-centric, including... ...all of us. Not everyone, of course, moves through all three of these levels (which are generally subdivided into a number of sub-levels, as we'll see). Some never make it past the egocentric stage; many stop at the ethnocentric stage; a few make it to the world-centric level. And, there are levels beyond world-centric, which even fewer people attain. Because there are so few people living at these higher levels, there is less information about them. In a later article I'll share more about these higher developmental levels. There are potential problems and limitations in living at a lower developmental level (or, you could say that there are advantages to living at a higher developmental level). Just as a child has fewer tools and abilities to deal with the world than does an adult, people at a lower developmental level lack the perspective to effectively and resourcefully deal with the complexity of life. A religious fundamentalist, for instance, who sees the world in simplistic black and white terms (one characteristic of the ethnocentric level of development), is less prepared to deal with complex multi-dimensional situations than is someone at a higher developmental level. Some people are traumatized while at a certain developmental level, or during the shift from one developmental level to the next. Such people may transition to the next higher level, but do so with certain mental, emotional, and spiritual problems and pathologies. These might include fears, anxieties, anger, depression, what I've termed "magical thinking,"(1) social immaturity, illogical thinking and other cognitive problems, problems of moral judgment, personal boundary problems, and a number of others. An argument could be made that most, if not all, problems that cause people to seek counseling, therapy, self help, and personal growth programs (including Holosync) are problems of development. One's developmental level, then, influences cognitive, ethical, social, and psychological aspects of life, and even the ability to be successful in the world. Another key aspect of being human that is directly related to one's level of development is our sense of self, our perspective on who we are and how we relate to the rest of the world. In each new developmental level, our experience of what we consider to be our self broadens (in a fascinating way, as you will see). Eventually, if development continues for long enough, one's perspective of what makes up the self comes to include the entire universe--what many people refer to as enlightenment. Like a fish in water... When a person inhabits a certain developmental stage, he is completely immersed in that stage and all its various perspectives, whether mental, emotional, social, ethical, or otherwise. We could call this the fish in water affect. Being immersed, one cannot objectively see the patterns, characteristics, and ways of seeing oneself and the world that make up that stage. In each stage, you are these patterns, characteristics, and ways of thinking, and as such you are totally immersed in them and unconscious of them. Like a fish in water, your current stage of development is your reality, and... ...you don't have the perspective to see or imagine anything else. Once you move to the next developmental stage, however, you clearly see the characteristics of the previous stage. Now, instead of being those ways of thinking, you have them. They become part of your repertoire, whereas before they were automatic and unconscious. Developmental issues are behind nearly all the problems that lead people to Holosync and Centerpointe. A person with emotional problems, for instance, is sure to be immersed in their emotions (in a way characteristic of their current level of development). Instead of having their emotions, they are their emotions. They are caught in their feelings. Because they are immersed, their feelings seem to just happen to them, unconsciously and automatically. If this person was a fish... ...his emotions would be the water. Instead of saying "like a fish in water," we could say, "like a person immersed in his emotions." Let's say a person suffers from limiting beliefs, which generate outcomes that aren't resourceful (the mind will always figure out a way to make what we believe come true, or at least seem to be true). If you are immersed in your beliefs, you can't examine them, you can't watch to see how those beliefs create unresourceful outcomes. You can't be in charge of them. You don't have them, you are them. Unconsciously immersed in what you think is true, you operate automatically and unconsciously creating in your life... ...exactly what you believe to be true. When you move to the next developmental level, you gain a new awareness of what, up to that point, you had been immersed in. In the first several developmental levels the move to a new level happens when external circumstances necessitate adopting a new perspective and operating in a new way. Circumstances draw your awareness and attention to that which you were previously unaware, including what you were previously immersed in. In a moment I'll describe some of these environmental influences. In higher developmental levels these shifts aren't necessarily dependent upon external events. You can, in fact, intentionally create a shift to a new level by adopting what many teachers call the witness perspective. This means watching yourself with curiosity, mentally standing outside yourself and watching what you are doing, whether it involves moving, feeling, thinking, or something else. More on this later. You cannot watch with awareness--"be the witness"--and be immersed in what you are watching. Watching creates awareness of what you have been immersed in. Awareness, then, is one of the keys to development. And, guess what--meditating with Holosync... ...dramatically increases awareness. There are other ways to increase awareness(2), which we will look at later. When you watch yourself with awareness, your perspective expands. You see things from a new angle, from a higher spot on the mountain, so to speak. From this new perspective, you become aware of that in which you previously were immersed. Before this new perspective, you were it. After the shift, you have it. To look into this more deeply, let's call what a person is immersed in subject (what the person is), and that which the person has become aware of (from the new perspective) object (what the person now has). For instance, children at a certain developmental level are immersed in their feelings--they are, quite literally, their feelings. As such, they are able to exercise little if any control over them. After the developmental shift, however, these feelings move from subject to object--the child now has them (and therefore has a greater possibility of controlling them and being at choice about them). After the shift, the child is aware of the feelings in a way... ...that was not possible while he was immersed in them. Development, then--and remember, all development is spiritual development--is a matter of moving an increasing amount of who and what you are from subject (something in which you are immersed, and therefore unaware of) to object (something you are aware of, and therefore have). Let's see how this works. A developmental psychologist would say that an infant is immersed in his reflexes, body movements, and sensory impressions. These things constitute the infant's entire world--the infant is his reflexes, his body, and his immediate sensory experiences. At this stage, everything is subject and nothing is object; from the child's perspective the environment is just an extension of who he is, and he makes no distinction between self and other. An emotionally healthy mother, however, promotes the child's emergence from this embeddedness in various ways: by not meeting the child's every need, by stopping nursing at a certain point, by acknowledging and encouraging displays of independence, and in many other ways. At a certain point (usually between ten and twelve months of age), these environmental influences, along with the child's developing nervous system, cause him to make the transition to the second developmental level. At this level, the child begins to make a distinction between self and environment, between self and other. After this shift, he is no longer immersed in his reflexes, sensory input, and his body. These now become something the child is aware of having (as opposed to unconsciously being them). These things cease to be subject and instead become object. At the same time, something new becomes subject--something that, once again, the child will be unaware of, something the child is but does not yet have: his impulses and perceptions(3). Being immersed in them, the child's impulses are automatically and unconsciously acted upon, without awareness, and objects are understood only as they are perceived (i.e., the child has no ideas about them nor creates any symbolic representations of them). At this second stage, then, the self has reflexes, sensory awareness, and movement (where these were subject, they are now object), while the self is impulses and perceptions (these become the new subject). The next developmental shift comes at about five and seven years of age. In this third stage, perceptions and impulses, which were subject, become object. The child now has these rather than being them. At the same time, something new--in this case, needs, interests, and wishes--become subject. The self now has perceptions and impulses (along with reflexes, sensory awareness, and movement, from the first stage), while the self... ...is needs, interests, and wishes. In the fourth stage, beginning sometime around age 12, needs, interests, and wishes become object (something the child has) while interpersonal relationships and group roles become subject (what the child is). This marks the end of the egocentric developmental levels, and the beginning of the ethnocentric (group-oriented) levels. And, once again, the child becomes immersed in something new--in this case, his roles within the group, in mutually reciprocal one-to-one relationships, and in buddy-type relationships (those involving shared feelings and experiences). At this stage the child learns to follow group rules and to act not just for himself... ...but also for the group. In the fifth stage, group roles move from subject to object, and another new subject appears: personal and individual identity (i.e., a personal identity apart from the group, individual authorship). Though the individual is a part of the group, there is, for the first time, the beginning of a true separate self, a true separate identity. In the sixth stage, the individual is no longer immersed in personal and individual identity (it moves from subject to object, from that which he is to that which he now has). And, once again, something new becomes subject: what developmental psychologists call inter-individuality, an increasingly holistic awareness of all of us, an awareness of his connectedness(4) to all others. (This, by the way, marks the end of the ethnocentric developmental levels and the beginning of a world-centric outlook.) Having made his personal and individual identity object, he no longer is his work roles, his career, his duties. He has them... ...but they are no longer who he is. There are stages after these six, most of which are generally thought of as stages of spiritual awakening (as I've said, however, all of these stages are spiritual stages, as they all involve development of the person's sense of who they are and their relationship to the whole). As you might expect, these additional stages continue the process of immersion in something new, then, in the next developmental shift, moving this subject to object. Notice that in each new level more of who and what you are becomes object. As this happens, you gain... ...increased awareness, more control, and a broader and more inclusive perspective. I've given the most slender description of each of these stages because my goal has been to outline the process rather than fully describe each stage. Because these developmental stages are crucially important to your growth, I plan to describe them in greater detail in future articles. There are several other important features of this model you need to know about. As I mentioned earlier, many people fail to move past the first two or three levels. Because they have less awareness, a more limited perspective, and cannot control what they are immersed in, such people see fewer choices and have a more limited ability to function resourcefully in the world. Others make it to the fourth or fifth level, where they can function much more resourcefully, while a few continue to develop past any of the levels I've mentioned here. Ken Wilber lists at least nine levels and postulates that... ...more will appear as human evolution continues. My experience, over many years, with over a quarter of a million Holosync users, is that Holosync pushes the listener to rapidly develop through the six levels I've described (of course, many people come to us having already moved through several levels), and continues to create accelerated development through the even more advanced levels beyond. Much more happens in each new developmental level than the few items I've mentioned here. New cognitive abilities, new ways of making moral distinctions and sorting out moral and ethical dilemmas, new ways of seeing and experiencing self and other, new ways of acting socially, new problem-solving abilities, and many other new perspectives in every area of human life, emerge. Though fascinating, I will discuss these at another time. Finally, I've also eluded to the fact that each passage from one level to the next includes potential challenges. Many people are traumatized in some way while in a certain level, or during the transition from one level to the next. In fact, I would say that most Holosync users come to us with unresolved issues stemming from such trauma. This can cause a failure to make the transition to the next level--or, to make the transition, but dragging behind them many unresolved mental, emotional, social, and spiritual pathologies. In the next article I'll discuss some of these developmental problems and how, using Holosync and some of the other tools we provide, you can recognize and overcome these problems. Interesting information, you say, but how can I use it? And what does it have to do with meditating with Holosync? Right now, you're immersed in something. The best way to use this information is to recognize that you are, right now, immersed in something. It might be your emotions, or your idea of who you are. It might be your beliefs, what you consider to be important about life, your personal boundaries, what you think you have to do, or what you think is possible. It could be your moral stance regarding what is right or wrong. Or, it could be how you see your role as husband, wife, daughter, son, worker, leader, victim, hero, clown, screw-up--or any number of other things. At a more advanced stage you might be immersed in your sense of being a separate self, rather than experiencing yourself as the interconnectedness of all and everything--what some would call the growing edge of enlightenment. Whatever you're immersed in, development to the next higher level comes when you step outside of what you're immersed in and observe it. This is the value of witnessing--watching with curiosity and awareness, with no agenda for what happens. If you're immersed in your emotions, for instance, chances are you have an emotionally difficult life, where life is an emotional roller-coaster, one emotional drama after another. This happens because you are your emotions. Emotionally, you're running on autopilot. If, however, you can mentally stand aside and watch yourself have your emotions--if you can adopt the witness perspective and objectively notice yourself being emotional--your emotions will move from subject to object. Instead of being immersed in them, you'll have them. Once this happens... ...emotions stop being a problem. Your job, then, as you continue to meditate with Holosync and your other personal growth practices, is to ponder the question, "What am I immersed in?" Even if you find this question difficult to answer (by definition, whatever you are immersed in is difficult to spot), you can always watch yourself. If you watch, if you pay attention, you will eventually become aware. Observe your body, your emotions, your thoughts, your idea of who you are, your beliefs, what you think is important in life, what rules you think are important, what roles you've adopted, what seems to be necessary, what seems to be possible. The more you watch, the greater your ability to see these things... ...from a broader and more resourceful perspective. Holosync is valuable in this process, because Holosync increases awareness. It makes watching from the witness perspective progressively easier. As you gain the ability to do this, the developmental process accelerates. Instead of waiting for life conditions to force a change, your expanding awareness quickly moves you to the next level. It's just plain impossible to remain immersed and watch. As Fritz Perls, creator of Gestalt Therapy, said, "Awareness, in and of itself, is transformative." When you combine Holosync with your decision to pay attention, to watch, to notice what you are immersed in, and transcend it, your growth takes off like a rocket. As this happens, mental, emotional, and spiritual problems dissolve. What's more, as you use Holosync, pathologies that may have developed in the transition from one developmental level to the next--the same problems that lead us to seek out personal growth programs, therapy, meditation, and other approaches in the first place--are healed. Holosync, then, moves you more quickly from one developmental level to the next, it expands your awareness of who you are, and it helps clean up problems left over from prior levels. In the next article, I'll discuss some of the problems that can develop at each developmental shift, show you how to recognize them, and discuss what to do about them. In the meantime, keep listening to Holosync, and consider taking the Life Principles Integration Process online courses (a free preview lesson be accessed at http://www.centerpointe.com/life/preview). And, as always, let whatever happens be okay. Be well. Bill (1) See Mind Chatter #156 (http://www.centerpointe.com/newsletter/mindchatter_06_01.pdf), Mind Chatter #157 (http://www.centerpointe.com/newsletter/mindchatter_06_02.pdf) and Mind Chatter #158 (http://www.centerpointe.com/newsletter/mindchatter_06_03.pdf) for a three-articles series on this subject (2) Several powerful ways of increasing awareness are incorporated into my Life Principles Integration Process online courses. For more information, and to listen to a free preview lesson, please visit http://www.centerpointe.com/life/preview. (3) These terms (including others to follow) are used by developmental psychologists in very specific ways. Because we're interested in how subject becomes object, then is replaced by a new subject, over and over, for as long as development continues--rather than the specific means of these terms--we won't go into the exact meanings of these terms at this time. (4) This is the first stage, according to psychologists, where true intimacy is possible, because prior to this level there was no truly developed self that could be intimate with another person. ................................................................................ 8. Glowing Testimonials Dear Bill and staff: In deepest gratitude, I thank you for the phenomenal gift of Holysync. As a forty year meditator, I've experienced the theta and delta states much of the time. Yet, the lifelong challenge has been to live life consistently in that natural state of being. After only two weeks of Awakening Prologue, I am already integrating these brain patterns in conscious awareness. How astounding and also how wonderful. I have worked with people for twenty-seven years, as an independent counselor and my intention is to share this incredible technology with everyone. Your work certainly holds one of the biggest keys to the collective evolution of mankind. Thank you for being so dedicated to the well-being of humanity. My clear intention is to learn and grow throughout the entire twelve levels. Also, I feel guided to attend the retreat in Austin, Texas, next April. Please give me more specific information regarding it. That is very much appreciated. May I extend a warm thank-you to every one that serves all of us on your staff? Please know that what you give mankind is the best blessing of a persons lifetime and that you could be doing no greeter service for your human family. With the deepest gratitude of my heart and soul, Thank You All! -- Murali ** I recently sent for your Holosync programme. I have been listening now for just over two weeks and am into the second track of the recording. Initially I found the Tibetan bowls quite irritating. Normally I love the sound, but in this case it was too much. Anyway, I stuck with it and toward the end of the two weeks I found it far more relaxing and the sound no longer irritated me. When I started listening to the second part I found that I was able to start receiving insights into my problems.I also realised that I was more relaxed in my approach to my daily life and that the unrealistic expectations of myself no longer held sway. I must say that for a short time in using these tapes, it is a remarkable improvement. I am looking forward to the experience of further improvements. Thanks so much -- Marilyn ** Dear Bill You are so right! I want to thank you very much for your coaching and shared experiences. This along with the holosync is literally changing my internal states in a way I have never had control over before. Amazing!!! Something seems to be very different in my internal experience now. Things which have induced a state of panic and fear are amazingly reduced in their intensity and in some instances I feel I am in a state of meditative interest instead. The other day I found thoughts and feelings arising in a situation where I started observing myself create anxiety, stress and fear by projecting scenarios into the future. It was strong but as I saw them and became interested in them as you said they would, they disappeared. When I arrived at school 2 days later the very scenarios I was afraid of arose but instead of fear I was more curious and starting relaxing and started responding very differently than usual - at least I thought I was although no-one else commented upon it. It was awesome! I have never understood that feelings are a creative process and that I am the one doing that. I always thought they arose spontaneously and through Herculean effort I have been trying to let them be. Instead I discovered I m am very active and very ingeniously creating them at the expense of my own happiness and well being. This discovery alone makes every cent I have spent with you more than worthwhile. On this topic I have noticed it is difficult to uncover beliefs when I sit down to do it but under the pressure of a situation they are very clear and simple. One of the beliefs I would love to change is around money. I would actually like to become wealthy. I am a school teacher and love the work but am not making enough money to do the things I want to. Can you recommend a good direction for me to take in this regard as I would like to address this issue quickly if possible. Thank you again for everything Regards -- Laurie ................................................................................ 9. Coach's Corner by LaMont Williams The book I'm reading right now is called "What would you do if you had no fear?" by Diane Conway. The title alone spoke volumes to me, and I'll tell you why in a moment. Reading the book immediately caused me to ask, "What would I do if I had no fear? Would I write a book? Follow my passion more intensely? What would I do?" But then I remembered that I had dealt with my fear, and I continue to deal with it everyday. Space will not permit me to tell you the entire story. I was in my late twenties when I was told I had a rare, incurable kidney disease. Unsure of the future, I immediately made sure all my business was in order. I was told I would need a kidney transplant in as little as five years in order to survive. Within two years I was on dialysis. Dialysis wasn't a quality of life choice - it was the only choice. My first day on dialysis I cried the entire session. I thought to myself, "When this is all over, I'm going to make sure I hug my wife and tell her how much I love her." I'm not necessarily a quiet man; I have always showed her how I felt. But now little things became very important to me. I was placed on the transplant list and in November 2001, I received a kidney transplant. I was so appreciative to God for this gift. The day after my transplant, my wife gave birth to our first child. Now every time I see, touch, or hold my daughters I am reminded of the miracle of love that was wrought in my life, all while I faced a daunting degree of fear. I am so grateful to have a family that prayed for and with me. So, after such an experience I felt like a new man. I began to do the things I always wanted to do. I needed to make sure I worked for passion and purpose and not just profit. I followed my passion of touching people's lives by continuing to volunteer for the National Kidney Foundation and other charitable groups. I resumed getting the word out about kidney disease with renewed dedication. Today, my quality of life is much better. I live without fear of dying, and that has truly freed me. It's often said that we reside in a fear-based society. But I refuse to allow other's fears about my disease impact my faith. There are certain words that can generate fear in a person's heart -- "incurable" and "disease" are certainly two of them. Yet these words served as my catalyst. I decided then and there that I wasn't going to allow a disease to kill me. I also decided the fear of dying was less than the joy of living. That's it! I chose to live. I made a choice and you can too. I sincerely believe that whatever you choose sets in motion a chain of events. I am so glad I conquered my fear of dying right then and there. I thought to myself, "If I am going to die I'm going to die doing everything I could do to live." What choice do you need to make today? Choose to live. Live life to its fullest. So, what would you do if you had no fear? When I have the opportunity to speak with others I am constantly reminded of the impact fear has on an individual. The question this book poses (What would you do if you had no fear?) has the potential to help so many people confront this issue of fear. Our culture feeds on fear. I love the book's message because it forced me to think outside the box. One of the questions in the book is: "Have you ever daydreamed about taking a risk but still felt paralyzed by Fear?" I call this paralysis by analysis. Fear of failure is what prohibits so many from reaching their dream. Have you ever considered how many times Donald Trump failed or wasn't successful at something? Yet we celebrate him for the many times he got it right. Many wealthy people fail over and over again before they succeed. Perhaps the educational benefits of failing are too often overlooked in our society. No one wants to be a failure. Yet scientists perfect formulas through experimenting (failing) several times. In NASCAR the mechanics try and get the proper balance on a race car by asking the driver to go out and test-drive the vehicle. How many of us are willing test-drive our dream? How many of us are willing to risk failure and face fear in order to realize success and freedom? I've learned how to confront my fear. That's what being on dialysis did for me. When you confront your fear you must be willing to let go of your old self in order to experience newness. I have a Centerpointe CD here at my desk entitled "Making Change Easy" (most of you Centerpointe Participants have one too). One of the affirmations on the CD is "I am willing to leave my old way of being behind and open myself to something new and better." Sometimes we are invested in staying in a place that's safe yet unproductive. But when it's time to grow, we must leave this in order to achieve that. There's freedom and opportunity in change. I discovered so much about myself when I allowed myself to change. Isn't it nice to experience a brisk autumn afternoon filled with fresh rain? But imagine if it were autumn all year long. Wouldn't you miss the beauty of a snow-covered mountainside? Change is good. Your dreams are waiting for you. Again, what would you do if you had no fear? Now go do it. Best Regards, LaMont Centerpointe Support Team Coach // LaMont Williams is a customer support coach at Centerpointe and has just returned from our latest retreat. =//=