What Participants Say About Clearmind's Programs
PRAC for Life
I have fallen in love with myself again
Thank you doesn't nearly cut it. I am at a loss for words to express the gratitude I have for both of you, Catherine and Duane. The work you are doing is beyond honourable. You are bringing such light and love back to humanity one class at a time. You literally are awakening all of us to what we have forgotten. What beautiful, amazing souls you are. Thank you for caring and understanding. Thank you for your patience and above all pure love. You get it and live it every moment. You are models and shining examples of what is possible. There IS hope for us all.
I so look forward to continuing my journey with PRAC for Life. I look forward to the day I am able to reminisce with you both about how far I have come. I came to the Awakening to discover my purpose, my service. I had to break down to break through. In doing that work, the purpose revealed itself quite naturally. Thank you for helping me to identify and nail my very crafty ego. Slippery fish, Trish, couldn't escape this time.
I have fallen in love with myself again. The sunshine is back and I realize you only need a little light to see in the dark. I have always felt that my life began as a long, muddy, potholed, dirt road. I relish the super, paved, expressway I am about to travel on. How absolutely refreshing. My life is only as difficult as I make it and the meanings are only what I assign. I can change all that, and largely I have. I am proud of myself, and that's enough. I see, feel and taste the changes in my life. This work works. And it's actually pretty simple. It is only I that makes it complicated. You are forever my family. I am eternally grateful. Love and light to you both.
Trish
I owe my life to Clearmind
I owe my life to Clearmind, for what I have discovered about myself and my life; for the support to push through and stand for what I believe in - me.
I own my thriving and successful business, and I might not have seen my value and worth without Clearmind. I am a mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt and friend to many, and would not have discovered my compassion, ability to forgive and simply love.
Without Practitioners Training (now renamed P.R.A.C. for Life), without the in-depth personal
growth and workshops provided by Clearmind, I would not have confronted many of the dysfunctions
and profound obstacles in my life. I am able to hold a very different view of myself and my struggles
because of Clearmind, and I am forever grateful for the integrity and influence of this curriculum.
Shannon
Victoria, BC
I am overall a much happier person
Overall the program has allowed me to completely evolve as a person, into a place where I am very confident in who I am and how I walk through the world, both personally and professionally. I have often been complimented by my director about my effectiveness in working with people and supporting them to reach their goals and to step through their challenges. The psychology of understanding human beings and their nature, including my own, has helped me contribute to my work in away that I could not have imagined. I am overall a much happier person and no longer look at blaming others if there are challenges but rather seeing my own part and how we are interconnected and how I can make a difference as an effective manager.
I believe the Clearmind Practitioner training program (now renamed P.R.A.C. for Life) is the number #1
most useful necessary educational
experience that I have ever taken. I would want every one I know to take this program, as I am certain it
would help them become better human beings: they would be happier, they would be doing the work that they
know they are meant to be doing, and they would be doing it well! It is proven that if people are happy at
what they are doing that productivity is very high and this is a benefit for everyone.
Tammy
Program Manager - Canada World Youth
I have stepped into areas that I would never have dreamed possible
In my opinion, the three years of Clearmind International's Practitioners Training program, (now renamed P.R.A.C. for Life) which I completed in 2005, have been the most instrumental in my ability to step into leadership. Before doing this program, I would stumble and fumble, get embarrassed and turn red easily when talking in front of people, whether I was introducing a project proposal as an engineer or teaching an educational inservice in occupational therapy.
As a direct result of this program, I have stepped into areas that five years ago I would never have dreamed possible: I am leading groups and teaching on an acute psych ward. I am facilitating workshops. I am better at speaking my mind and clearly communicating from a place of grace, heart and intelligence. I have become extremely aware of the intricacies in interpersonal dynamics between people, leading me to fuller and richer relationships both in my work and personal life.
I have connected with my passion and excitement for life and how I want to live it, which I bring into
my work. At one time I thought that I needed a change; when that job ended up being just as routine
as before, I realized that I needed a change within me. This program has given me the opportunity to
fully bring "me" into my work and there is never a dull moment!!!
Angela
Vancouver, BC
The Awakening
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
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
The Rude Awakening
You can grow as much as you are ready for
Clearmind is great and The Rude is terrific. You can grow as much as you are ready for. Many went beyond their limits to places they'd only dreamed of, perhaps never even knew existed.
In those brief two weeks (seemed like two luscious years!) you get to look at what you really want in every aspect of your life, and how you choose to contribute to the world on a scale you feel comfortable with. The small group you are with help you evaluate your attributes and find possibilities undreamed of. Then you choose and plan how you will show up in your new life - or reinvigorate your present one - work, relationships, home - sprinkled with what's fun for you.
Lives are even now being reshaped by people who found they had unused talents they knew not of, and dreams and urges to support themselves and others with the full glory we are all capable of. Be not content with littleness!
Stretched? Yes! In a totally loving and supporting environment. Forced? Never! Fun? You bet! Music, dancing and so many (truly all!) beautiful people flowering, it moves me deeply yet again to meet them again down memory lane even as I type this.
If you've ever felt The Rude is for you, save up now for the next one next summer! And I can really think of no better value you will ever get for its cost, if it is for you. Your heart will answer that one as you read this. Body locks = maybe not yet. A long deep breath = Yes! Yes! Yes!
Lauren
London, England
