Testimonials
What Participants Say About The Awakening
The work that Clearmind is doing goes right to the core.
Master Certified Coach Andrew Barber-Starkey has attended dozens of personal growth workshops. Hear how he thinks Clearmind's Awakening workshop compares to others.
The workshop is so powerful
The weekend was amazing, my gosh, my sadness is gone, I feel a new beginning happened, and I have my old self back. I definitely would like to take more courses as the times passes. The workshop is so powerful.
You are offering a great program and I must complement you on your staff; both your facilitators were great and you can be proud of them. But know what a difference you are making helping people find their true inner self and peace. You are doing a great service to our planet and mankind. Thanks for everything and for my personal experience and fabulous weekend.
Annette
Vancouver, BC
So many people commented on the positive change in me
It was the most amazing experience I have ever had! I thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me this opportunity. I took it on full blast and enjoyed myself immensely. So many people commented on the positive change in me. The facilitator hugged me at the end and told me this place is my home. I am so grateful to you, to my doctor for recommending this workshop, and to everyone at the Awakening weekend.
Rob
Vancouver, BC
Thank you on behalf of the universe for bringing me back to life!
Duane and Catherine... I know I've said this before, but what you have created here at Clearmind truly amazes me... you have given new meaning to life and to love... I am so honoured, so grateful, and just feel so alive... thank you once again from the bottom of my heart, my children's hearts, my family's hearts and thank you on behalf of the universe for bringing me back to life!
Shari
Vancouver, BC
Clearmind is an authentic, loving, respectful spiritual community
At one time in my life, I was going to enter the Christian ministry. I went to Theological College and did a four-year Master's degree in theology. At the end of it all, I was the only one in my graduating class who didn't get ordained. I just couldn't give my life over to a religious institution. Plus, there was something about being ordained that didn't seem authentic to me. It was the "specialness" aspect that didn't seem right to me.
Anyway, I've spent a long time searching for a "religious" community where I could feel safe and accepted, a community that didn't have any cult-like qualities or wasn't an instrument of social control or one that insisted on adherence to a particular dogma or guru or leader or required the worship of a cosmic Santa Claus figure like the "Man in the Sky" described in the Ricky Gervais film The Invention of Lying.
When it comes to organized religion, I've been very wary of charlatans and other professional persuaders who try to market spirituality like it's Coke or Pepsi.
My experience in AA and my relationship with my friends in AA was my first real step into learning to live a spiritually centered life. A few years after stumbling into AA, I found A Course in Miracles and like many others, I knew it was my path; but it was a path I followed on my own for many years. Then I did the Awakening in January of this year and found my community. For me, Clearmind is an authentic, loving, respectful spiritual community that embodies the spiritual principles inherent in the Course.
Love to you all,
E
My perception of everything has shifted
I was absolutely blown away by the level of trust and love that was generated over the space of such a short time, during the Awakening weekend. I'm so grateful to all the assistants, to Duane and Catherine, and to all those present. I've felt a shift in the core of my being, and the universe is a much more friendly place today. I am connecting with my students and coworkers with a new ease. And when I stood up in a large staff meeting at lunch to give a brief report, I noted the absence of fear (which would have been there before - subtle but present). In other words, I'm experiencing a whole new level of confidence in myself - giving myself permission to be seen and heard.
I have also noted an absence of much of the usual physical pain and stress in my back and shoulders - evidence of release of tons of long-held baggage (mostly during the breathe sessions). My weekend partner's open and vulnerable face keeps coming to my consciousness as well - reminding me of the beauty and ease of CONNECTION (which has seemed so elusive from my defended stance). My perception has shifted - my perception of everything! It has been lovely to follow the wins everyone has been having. What a profound time together. Look forward to seeing some of you October 16 weekend for more. Yeah!!!
Alison
Roberts Creek
I send patients regularly to Clearmind
I send patients regularly to Clearmind to complement the medical approach to healing and health with sound experiential counselling and group therapy. Your entry level workshop, The Awakening, is a powerful weekend that allows those participating to awaken to new levels of self awareness and empowerment. I am impressed by the heart, dedication and knowledge of the Clearmind community.
I would not hesitate to refer any patients to Clearmind International Institute, knowing they will be in good hands and would highly recommend your services to other physicians.
M. Rondeau, M.D.
Dr. Malcolm Rondeau Inc.
Vancouver, BC
Thank you again for inviting me to the Awakening
I just wanted to thank you again for inviting me to the Awakening. I have not been able to stop thinking about the weekend. I feel I am only half way there and that I have so much more to discover and learn about myself. I know part of the truth was in there during the reenactment but I want to know the whole truth. I was amazed at my feeling for my mother but I know I still have to deal with my father issues. I am glad we now have a support group; it would be a great tragedy if the group were to lose connection. We have so much to offer each other.
Deborah
London, England
The Awakening was profoundly moving for me
Greetings from Oxford. I am back in the world of illusion, but feeling lighter than usual. The Awakening was profoundly moving for me. Being cradled on Saturday gave me something I had been waiting for, for fifty years.
When I was born, my mother was out cold so I was wrapped up and put in a cot. No one in those days thought it important to bond with or to affirm a newborn baby. So when I was held and Duane said 'It's a girl!' and everyone looked at me with love in their eyes and words of comfort on their lips, it was as if I was coming into the world again, but this time with everything I need.
Thank-you everybody.
Caroline
London, England
It was the first time in years where I could share myself without the weight of guilt and self doubt
I arrived home from the Awakening on Sunday and, before all else, connected with my wife, sharing my experience and its profound impact. It was perhaps the first time in years where I felt I could share myself without the weight of guilt and self doubt. It was such a nice way to be; it's been so long since I felt like I wanted to be seen by anyone.
I spent yesterday reminiscing about the connections and love I felt at the workshop. I am still overwhelmed by all the gentle encouragements and compassionate attention that was offered me. I feel so blessed to have shared this with you all and can only say that it has been one of my great life experiences.
Upon waking this morning, I struggled with fears that those deep connections I had felt at the Awakening had been an anomaly, a singular experience unsustainable in normal life. I woke my wife and she held me and walked me through the steps of giving the feeling a name, trying to identify the suspicion of self, asking if it was true and trying to make space for an alternative. Gradually, I began to feel that love was something I could receive, and that it was all around me and that I deserved it.
The rest of today I have been, frankly, high. It's like I took the earplugs out, the dark glasses off, and I just smiled at people and they smiled back and the music on my ipod sounded amazing and I heard lyrics differently and wanted to call you all and hug shop clerks etc. I went and talked to my mom and dad for an hour about what I've experienced and they were simple and sweet and offered nothing but encouragement and love. Where have I been all my life?
I'm a little calmer now, ready for round two. I won the battle today in this wide world. I intend to wear my medal proudly as I prepare for more.
Again I want to extend my eternal gratitude to all of you, in whose eyes I saw that I might one day become whole again.
Kevin,
Vancouver
The space to stand tall
I took a trip to liverpool ,
looking to be enlightened ,
when i got there i was anxious,
and just a wee bit frightened,
i walked into a dark room ,
love switched on the light,
all those years my eyes were closed,
but the weekend gave me sight,
it helped me see my children ,
my family and my friends,
it helped me see the moment ,
instead of looking round the bends,
and forever i"ll be grateful,
to all of those selected ,
by god and love and the universe ,
to always stay connected.
There's one other person I forgot to include
The love and compassion she simply exudes
From the depth of her being, it shines from her soul
Our safety and comfort, her one focused goal
She shares of herself, she gives in her all
I thank you, Satu, for the space to stand tall.
a lil geordie ditty love peace n respect xxxx
Lory,
Liverpool
I feel I've become empowered overnight almost
If you'll remember both Julie and I did our "Awakening" together. Yet that didn't stop us from heading into a crisis within our already rocky relationship. It shook the foundations even harder to be honest; So much so that we finally hit that point in our relationship where we couldn't keep blaming each other any longer. We had to face the crisis in a state of confession rather than blame.
It was such a beautiful moment to be both in that place of confession with one another and to feel alive with sharing our pain that we'd been isolated in. It's been such a LONG time since I've felt connected to Julie because of the battering I've taken from my ego. I was ready to walk away yesterday in the knowledge that I was doing the right thing. In that moment I was SURE it was over. I was SURE I was helping her by doing so in some delusional ego trip that had me thinking back to Duane's lecture "Are You Helping or Hurting". So how wrong could I be when only hours later I'm listening to Julie share with me her fears and insecurities from a place of confession, not blame and I'm almost in floods of tears crying because I feel so connected to her?
I've allowed myself the space these past few weeks whilst we've been spending some time apart to feel what it's like being with my own fears and insecurities. It's been enlightening to say the least. I've felt grounded at times with being in that space and other times I've just wanted to be run and find shelter away from my feelings. Yet I've carried on. Life goes on and so have I. I feel really proud of myself for staying with the feelings and not allowing them to constantly dictate my life. Work could of got very messy otherwise if they had.
But what is also so reassuring to come out of this is for the first time in ages my mother has spoken to me about how she feels. My mother, who is not very good at opening up herself, said to me this afternoon: "When you're in that place, when you're SO inside yourself with your thoughts etc. it feels like nobody is getting in. I appreciate you need your space at times but it can sometimes feel like you're rejecting me when I do try to talk to you." I felt that yesterday myself after speaking quite openly to her about the crisis I was in with Julie. I came to realize that I don't allow my mother in at all at the moment because of my issues around feeling controlled by her. But to the point where I'm not even acknowledging my own mother and I'm triggering her so that she feel rejected? WOW! That really shook me. To say I'm feeling a bit sad and guilty around that would be an understatement.
I have so much hope in my heart today that things are moving forward how they should though. I'm absolutely loving this work of Clearmind and seeing the developments in my own life and others' too. Through doing "The Awakening" and attending the lectures and now group, I feel I've become empowered overnight almost. I feel like I'm really starting to take steps to develop my relationships and I hope to continue that as part of my commitment next year too.
The one with my father is most prominent at the moment though. 9 years ago today he sadly died of a stroke. I felt his presence so much during the week-end of The Awakening and whilst doing the breath work I saw him beckoning me towards him. My initial feeling is that these past 9 years I've been following him slowly to the grave. I haven't really been living my life. For a good 6 of those years I was caught up in active addiction using alcohol and drugs to escape reality. I feel it's now time to 'let go' with love. I have to say good-bye to my dad. But I don't know how to do that right now. I don't know how to love him so how can I let him go....with love? It feels as though that transition in letting go has already started happening somehow through the connections I have felt with family and loved ones recently though. Don't ask me how or why. It just feels as though something BIG is on the horizon for me this coming year. Good or Bad? Who knows RIGHT?
Love and Blessings to ALL my Clearmind family xxxx
More Awakening Experiences
Wondering what the Awakening experience is like? Drop in on this conversation between Awakening participants, in the days after their workshop. (Many thanks to these participants for being willing to share.)
Various Participants,
Liverpool
