In this issue:
Article:
Relaxing Into Wakefulness or Why
Was I Smiling on the Examining Table?
Three Great Learning And Growth Opportunities Coming
Soon:
Article:
Relaxing Into Wakefulness or Why Was I Smiling on
the Examining Table?
In late February, I spent most of the week at a
meeting with a couple of my long-time mentors. One
had experienced a life-threatening illness some
months ago, and thankfully, is now recovering well.
After sharing a few of the details of his illness and
ongoing recuperation process, he ended with a laugh,
"You know what? What we teach is true!! We are so
much more than our bodies!" The direct experience of
his illness illuminated the reality of ancient
spiritual truths.
How do we know how we will respond to a crisis, a
life-threatening illness, or that of a loved one, or
even to a momentary stress? Truly, we don't know in
advance. I often remind students, clients, and
myself that we are all on the big 'Trust Walk of
Life. '
This week, I had my own experience that confirmed one
of these spiritual truths that is conveyed through
the Enneagram and other wisdom traditions. In the
big picture, my situation really was no big deal. I
had a colonoscopy. My doctor told me he does 35-40
procedures a week, so certainly for him and the
medical team, it's all routine. What about for the
individual patient?
Historically, I've tended toward the 'wimpy' side when
it comes to medicine. I have noticed how I have
gotten queasy around excessive blood and tensed up
around needles and intrusive instruments and
procedures. (And, yes, this has something to do with
my dominant type). But it was not so this time. What
was different about me when I found myself with an
IV inserted, and oxygen flowing, laying
bare-bottomed on my side on a table (excuse me, but
it's true) covered with just a thin blanket (was
that for privacy??? Forget that notion), with 5
young technicians (one female, four males, all
seemingly in their early 20's) moving about the
room, and who were busy talking with each other
while we awaited the arrival of the doctor?
What surprised me was that I found myself in a cosmic
giggle, and I noticed a genuine smile on my face. A
part of me was simply watching what was taking
place, recognizing the parts of me that were
experiencing emotions, including embarrassment; the
part that was being compliant; the part that was 'at
home in myself,' the part that was curious about the
young technicians and their experience. This was the
third anniversary of my dad's passing, and I was in
contact with the feeling of missing him and
experiencing our closeness. Simultaneously, I felt
connected to my body and my heart, and experienced
being a part of a precious, sacred moment in which
Perfection and Love were absolutely present. It was
quite astounding.
One of the teachings of the Enneagram is that all we
really need to do is Relax, not in the sense of
'relaxing ourselves to sleep,' but Relaxing
Ourselves into Wakefulness: relaxing tensions in the
body in order to come into contact with sensation;
relaxing mental strategies, attitudes, and fixed
ideas in order to come into contact with curiosity
and deeper knowing; relaxing identifications with
emotional states in order to experience open
heartedness, compassion and truthfulness. That is
how we move toward contact with the Great Reality of
life.
In the midst of the craziness of life, there is a place
of Sanity, Love, Perfection–all of the qualities of
Essence. What the Enneagram teaches IS true. And
here is a way in: Relaxing into Contact with What Is
Here in This Moment.
If not now, when?
I invite you to join me in upcoming programs. Each one
is oriented toward relaxing into and experiencing
more Wakefulness, Truth and Love. I'd love to have
your presence.
Blessings,
Roxanne
Announcements: Three Great
Learning and Growth Opportunities
Become an Enneagram "Deep Coaching" Practitioner
For coaches,
therapists, spiritual directors, hypnotherapists,
body workers, acupuncturists, energy-workers and
holistic professionals
who are called to take their work to a deeper level.
The last class series filled!
Next session:
Thursdays,
2008,
9:00-10:30 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time,
April 3-June 26
For information on the details, the benefits, and to
register now, click
http://www.lifewisecoaching.com/certification-program
Join
this community of pioneering professionals to gain
invaluable insights, skills and confidence in
integrating the power of the Enneagram into your
work.
Valued at $4,163.00
Register now for just
$697.00
http://www.lifewisecoaching.com/certification-program
*
Required to complete the Deep Coaching Practitioner
Certification Program
****************************************************
Release Pesky Patterns and Activate Your Potential:
A healing and regenerative retreat for women
May 1-4, 2008
Burlingame, California
For Just Twelve Women
Ready to experience the inner peace, ease, and sense
of accomplishment that
come with radically new perspectives
Spend Thursday dinner through Sunday lunch in
the "Safest Room On Earth"
Laugh, cry, be honest, share in an intimate
community of women
Dive into yourself and release old stories, patterns
and emotional charges
Gain profound insights
Celebrate surprises and remember the wonderful truth of
you
Roxanne will be joined by Dr. Vicky Cruz,
a highly regarded and popular holistic Chiropractor
and a Certified NET practitioner. Dr. Cruz teaches
NET nationally to Acupuncturists, Chiropractors,
Medical Doctors and Psychologists.
This retreat integrates the robust and illuminating
wisdom of the Enneagram with a powerful mind-body
tool for freeing stuck patterns in a practical,
grounded and experiential format to accelerate your
movement toward the life you want to live.
Valued at $12,126.05 plus accommodations and meals
REGISTER NOW! $1295.00
Registration limited to just 12 women.
For more details on this life-shifting experience
and to register:
www.lifewisecoaching.com/release-pesky-patterns/
****************************************************
The Levels of Development: the Vertical Dimension to
Personality Type and Guide to Greater Health and
Transformation
Burlingame, California, June 13-15, 2008
The Levels of Development, one of the most profound
contemporary contributions to the Enneagram field
and identified by Don Riso and Russ Hudson, provides
a vertical dimension to the personality types. This
"vertical axis" of the types explain some of the
most important things that we find in human
nature–fluidity and change, resistance and
conflict, freedom and compulsion–among many human
qualities. Working with the Levels not only provides
recognition for where we are in our journey of
growth, but also guides us toward greater health and
transformation.
Join Dr. Roxanne Howe-Murphy and Dr. Ronna Phifer-Ritchie,
authorized Riso-Hudson teachers, in exploring and
experiencing this stunning body of work.
Workshop Price: $295.00
$260 per person when two or more register at
the same time.
For more details and to register:
http://www.lifewisecoaching.com/levels-of-development/
* This
course meets the requirements for 15 hours
of Continuing Education Credit for MFT's
and LCSW's and can be used for credit toward the
Deep Coaching Practitioner Training Program
****************************************************
See Roxanne's recent blog articles on "Procrastination:
It's Not What You Think" and other topics.
www.lifewisecoaching.com/journal/
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