Posts Tagged ‘Bible’

Jacuzzi For The Mind: The Sound Of Transformative Communication

I get to chant my rounds!

The morning after a 3-day transformative communication course I conducted in Brooklyn, I encountered a woman who had just completed the seminar. She was excited and had an experience she was eager to share with me. In the spiritual community where she lived she had taken a vow to chant daily a prescribed number of mantras on beads. She exclaimed, “This morning I realized that I don’t have to chant my rounds! I don’t have to chant my rounds!”  Her exhilaration filled the air with a sense of liberation. Seeing me puzzled as to why she was happy to give up her vow, she went on, “I get to chant my rounds! I get to chant my rounds!” She then explained how that morning she had begun to finger her beads and chant a few mantras. For the first time in her decades of experience tears flowed from her eyes while chanting. For the first time her attitude wasn’t “I have to chant my rounds.”

Authentic mantra chanting and high-level communication practices are two complementary vehicles through which we can utilize sound vibration to realize our spiritual identity and connect with the innermost stratum of the living soul.

A genuine mantra is a potent transformational vibration. “Mantra” means spiritual sound vibration that extricates the mind from material entanglement. Jill Bormann has conducted research on mantra meditation with various populations including military veterans. She describes meditative time with a mantra as a “Jacuzzi for the mind. It’s something you can use to focus and calm yourself at a moment’s notice, …it doesn’t require money, and it’s non-toxic… a person just needs to make it a part of their lives.” My personal favorite mantra for meditation is one of India’s most beloved, the Maha Mantra. Studies have shown that this 16-word mantra reduces stress and depression and increases qualities such as balance, fulfillment, and sense of life purpose.

In our programs we focus on transformation through communication. Awareness of how we use sound to influence our consciousness and environment is a powerful approach to personal and interpersonal development. In the beginning was the word. Just as the divine creates with sound, we can productively examine what we generate in our life with our sounds.

For example, to what extent do we build roadblocks to effective communication through responses that convey messages of invalidation, disempowerment, or self-absorption? This might take the form of unnecessarily advising or warning, shallow praise, avoidance of vital issues, or prematurely giving solutions. Effective listening is essential for the creation of the sacred space that is crucial for life-enriching relationships. Such listening focuses on what the other person is saying- not what we’re saying to ourselves about what the other is saying. In our expression we can consider the degree to which we communicate from fear, neediness, and insecurity, as opposed to purpose, joy and inspiration. Through three days of intense immersion in transformative communication the mantra yogini shifted her consciousness from “I have to…”- burdensome, obligatory, and mechanical- to “I get to…”- vibrant, inspired, and fresh.

Creating With Our Word

In The Beginning Was The Word

Just as the supreme creates with the word, we too create our lives with our word. Self-reflection is a core principle in personal growth, and it can be especially illuminating to consider our relationship with our word. In the Vedic tradition there is a literature called Upadeshamrita, or The Nectar of Instruction. The book concludes with a depiction of the most elevated spiritual consciousness, and it starts with a description of the importance of effective management of our words, for anyone interested in spiritual progress.

In the transformative communication seminars that I conduct we ask participants to examine the effects of kept and broken agreements. Typically, experiences and feelings connected with violated agreements include hurt, embarrassment, anger, betrayal, confusion, lack of clarity, disappointment and feeling devalued. Agreements honored are usually related with experiences such as trust, gratitude, responsibility, fulfillment, security, clarity, and respect. The purpose of such examination is not to moralize about the importance of keeping our promises. It’s about realizing how our relationship with our word affects our experience of life.

In this regard I suggest that there aren’t big or small agreements. Consider, for example, that I say, “I’ll call you tomorrow,” and I don’t call. We may think, “It’s no big deal.” With respect to our relationship, however, will the consequences noted above be in effect? Probably they will. At some level, your trust for me will likely diminish, and our relationship will be less whole.

Commitment is essential for self-development. Without it, we’re likely not going to significantly expand our possibilities and comfort zone. When we make agreements, we’ll probably find that, despite our best efforts, we sometimes don’t follow through. A strategy for handling broken agreements with integrity is a valuable tool for restoring relationships.

The Five As

An effective approach is the “five As”, which are 1) Acknowledge, 2) Accept responsibility, 3) Account, 4) Apologize, and 5) Amend. “Acknowledge” means to recognize that we have a broken agreement, and to express this to the person whom we transgressed. Accepting responsibility, the second of the As, denotes realization that I responded in a particular way that caused me to not honor my word. The third A is Account. Expression of accountability consists of genuinely explaining what happened. Apology is the fourth A, and it’s noteworthy that it’s fourth, not first. Oftentimes we act like apology is the first and only step in effectively handling a broken agreement. “I’m sorry” can be more about my need to restore my image, than about sincerely reinstating the soundness of the relationship. Amend is the fifth A, and consists of actively redressing the situation.

A Culture Of Trust

‘Tis a season for making resolutions, when we consider things we can do to better our lives. This is a powerful opportunity to enhance the culture of trust in our relationships, and within ourselves. My proposal is that we invoke special awareness of the effects in our life and relationships when we make an agreement and keep it.

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To Be Understood

“To be understood is a basic human desire. To know how to effectively listen and convey understanding is a key element in expressing love and care.”

David B. Wolf

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“I was highly skeptical. Very untrusting. I only went to the foundational because my girlfriend had won a free ticket in a raffle. That course was enough to open my eyes to the possibility of more. I was very hesitant at first about the advanced course and at a certain point during the course I didn’t want to come back. However, after going all the way through I am so glad that I did! Satvatove allowed me to get back in touch with myself. It unlocked some deeper truths about myself that I had buried very deep. I left the course feeling much more in alignment with my true self. I am no longer sleepwalking through life. Things that seemed hard before are now easier. There is much less fear and worry and doubt in my life. As I remain conscious good fortune happens around me just by being present with life. I am not stumbling in the dark, instead I am now walking with eyes open. I encourage everyone to give themselves this gift. It’s repeatable science, it works.”
Joel

“I was helped to recognise some of my patterns and given tools to identify others. The workshop allowed me to look within and really own my strengths and personal power. For that alone it was worth attending.
I also learned that I value deep and meaningful connections to people, and am able to reach out and connect with authenticity. The experience was worthwhile.”
Narottama Tester
Foundational seminar – Florida July 2010

“This Foundational course will provide the foundation in my life for excellent communication and success in all avenues, material and spiritual. I am very grateful to David, Marie, and all of the staff for this wonderful seminar. Thank you all of you.”
Raghunatta Bhatta das
Foundational seminar – Florida July 2010

I feel alive, happy, and brand new after having completed the course. I have reconnected with so many long hidden qualities such as assertiveness and self confidence. I am definitely feeling empowered to speak out and let my voice be heard. I have turned self hatred into self love. My commitment to maintaining my spiritual practices has deepened and for this I am most grateful.

Maria Carter – musician and writer
Foundational seminar – Florida July 2010

“Wonderful to reconnect with the enlivening, empowering, magnificent energy that is the Satvatove Experience. Thank you David and Marie for all the hard work you’ve done through the years to get this seminar to where it is and what it is now.
I got much more out of this than I did the previous two times – and that’s saying a lot.
I truly value your association, and I’m indebted to you both.”
Wayne Watt
Foundational seminar – Florida July 2010

“This has been a truly invaluable experience. The quality of your attention and your education is beautiful and powerful. Thank you for helping me uncover my personal value and room for growth, and for hold me accountable for my self realisation. I am very grateful for your clarity, and your intention. The love in the room abounds and I thank you for that.”
Christina Garcia
Foundational seminar – Florida July 2010

“Got me in touch with core issues of which I was unaware were controlling me. This was sobering and I gained practical tools to help me deal with these challenges.”

“Simply put, these seminars allow you to become the person you have always wanted to be. I have been through a dramatic transformation emotionally and mentally. The core focus is on communication. Communication with yourself and with others. It is quite amazing how much is not said when you are talking to someone. Not being sure whether they have received what you have spoken as what you mean and not receiving what they have said on the other end causes problems. I mean think of how often a mis-communication has caused problems in your life that could be avoided or even dissolved entirely if there was clear and concise communication.”

“… On a personal level, I thank you again for the depth and carefully delivered transformational opportunity you offered, I felt quite ready and grateful for it, and know that it has already and will continue to make a difference in my life.
Blessings and I hope we meet again.”

“… So, Satvatove it is a profound and amazing experience for me. And it was intense but not not in my expected difficulties to overcome etc, but in the wow – this is life, and I want to live with this intensity for anything else would be a waste…”

My experience of the Satvatove programs is that it penetrates to the level of the soul helping cut through the conditioning that blocked me from experiencing the real immense joy of connecting with my soul’s original constitution.

I first discovered Satvatove Seminars when my daughter sponsored an event in our home town. After participating in that event I knew I still had some emotional baggage which was triggered by ongoing patterns in my life that needed changing, especially with close family members. I knew this but had not been able to ‘figure it out’! It was too personal. So I enrolled in the Advanced Seminar held in Florida.

Shree Discovers How To Be The Author Of Her Life
David Wolf interacts with a group discussing the value and benefits one can derive from participating in Satvatove courses.

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“I especially appreciated the very relevant discussions on assuming responsibility for one’s relationships… Your compassionate motives and personal empathic skills were very inspiring. Thank you for a very effective and pertinent course…”

“This training provided me the opportunity to learn skills that will enable me to help others, and to gain many spiritual realizations. And most importantly, through this seminar I’ve become empowered to change that part of me that I would like to change.”

“I truly enjoyed the personal transformation life skills workshop. What really enforced the concepts were the role-playing and the games. The experience I felt while putting into practice what I learned is something I can draw on. I know these skills will only serve to enhance my work with my clients and my relationships with my family. Thank you.”

“I thought that this course was very valuable. I learned skills I will apply in my personal and professional life. It was very helpful the way the class was set up – when we learned a skill we immediately applied it so as ‘to use and not lose’. I was amazed at how quickly we were able to penetrate and get to the real issues… On a scale of 1-10 I would give it a 10+.”

“Now i see that it’s not enough just to care about the other person. To be a good helper requires real work, thoughtfulness and knowledge. I feel greatly benefited from taking the course and feel confident that the effect will begin to snowball as I continue practising what i’ve learned. In particular, I feel an increased awareness of how to communicate more effectively and how to be a real helper to another person. Besides all the helpful skills I learned and increased awareness I experienced, I had a lot of fun! The loving mood of our group and our growing experiences together made me wish it would never end. Keep teaching the course!”

Diane Consbruck, Homemaker

“I so relish the taste of mastery and excellence that permeated the course… I love poetry. The course stimulated poetry-in-motion – i.e. all styles, lengths, meters, euphony, cacophony – produced interesting and diverse strains of music, planting seeds of remembrance of who and what we truly are and the potential we all possess for reclaiming our divinity.”

Debra Sue Lynn

“… After the seminar, I feel more aware of who I am, more conscious of the way I behave, of the way I interact with others, and less in need of pretending something about me in order to get approval from others.”

“During and upon completing the Advanced Seminar Experience, I found that it was possible to feel completely free from the anxiety, confusion and pain that was a constant part of my life before. I may not always be free from it now, but I know that it’s possible, and that brings hope, positivity, and the power to reconnect with that soaring feeling of the true me – without any covering.”

“… the personal growth that I received from the seminar has been rewarding. I have a new sense of strength with my voice. I feel I have the ability to become more clear, confident and connected with the relationships I want to improve on.”

“Satvatove was a super-cleanse. David and Marie create a space where it was okay indeed encouraged to just be myself. Such a relief to simply be accepted and encouraged no matter what was brewing inside me.”

“ “Living as the soul”. That realisation has been the most powerful for me, having taken the Satvatove Advanced Seminar. Throughout my life, I have heard that we are spiritual beings, not of this mundane body and mind. That our material experiences are due to the mind and ego, but that the goal is to transcend these things and live as the soul.”

“… In the course I really plugged into my true, genuine being, and the courage and self-respect to express myself and BE myself, whatever that may be. It’s still a work in progress, but I know now that I have the tools and experiences necessary to keep that going in my life. Thanks Satvatove.”

“I greatly enjoyed the course. It exceeded my expectations in all ways. There was a good mixture of lectures, brain-stimulating activities, and group interactions… I found the whole process made me so much more aware. Not only did you present knowledge on specific skills, but you also gave knowledge that improves and empowers our overall state of consciousness. I feel totally rejuvenated because of that… I will definitely recommend this course to others. It was structured and presented better than any of my college courses.”

Kar Delaney, College Student

“I found that the course was a very valuable experience. I feel I benefited greatly. Communication with my children has already improved dramatically. My limited perspective has also become apparent as well as the means to broaden it.”

David Musterer

I sincerely appreciate all you did. What I learned helped me center, prepare myself to do this beautiful thing. You pointed me in a direction to find many things not only to finish, but that will serve me well in this life.

I was able to listen to one of your radio shows with Marie and you interacting with a caller. I feel more relaxed after the listen. And now I know how to access it, which is another great feeling. Thanks for the link.

“The course has given me invaluable tools for dramatically increasing the quality of my life. I can openly and honestly say that it is the best course I have ever taken. The facilitation created such an incredible atmosphere required for Read more

“Marie! Loved the energy you brought to the course! I was surprised what came up for me today, and last night, and I am interested in what will come from the introspection it inspires!…”

Tapped into my sensitivity + vulnerability in a safe environment + I am inspired to go further … earned tools to take responsibility for my broken agreements + awareness of the grungies + payoffs, so I can transform and instead be in my integrity w/ honesty + trust.

“Good experience, with lots of applicability for my product management and coaching work. . .”

“Retaking the course definitely helped me to integrate more fully the basic skills that are essential to true communication…I got the validation that I can listen (sometimes!). This has lifted my spirit in ways that will continue to expand with time. Marie is amazing in her heartfelt intention to truly share this transformative practice to as many as possible…

“I wish I had taken this 40 years ago. It will change my life and connect me to my family.”

“This was my second time taking the Foundational. Taking the Foundational after the Advanced Course was like taking a completely different course than the first Foundational experience. I have undergone a rapid transformation since the Foundational and approached this Foundation with a completely different consciousness and was able to gain just as much if not more this time than last time. I was able to be a sponge this time, taking in as much as I could.”

“Deep and inspirational experience. I created breakthroughs. Truly enjoyed it.”


The Foundational experience was truly amazing…It was an unfolding process that brought me a new comfort and sense of peace which came from a higher place. . .

However, the reality of the immeasurable value of the course became apparent within the first three hours of the first day of the Foundational Seminar. The principles that are rooted in the truest nature of humanity as spirit beings and the fusion of great world religions and cultures mirrors the things that unite humanity across, cultural, physical, and emotional boundaries we create as societies and individuals. This course has awakened potential within me I forgot I had. I want more! I would recommend it to everyone!

The life you want is attainable through this. I walked in here thinking that I had been duped into paying for a fake motivational course. I am walking out with a newfound look on life- A new paradigm that never existed for me before. My confidence and trust in myself is soaring.

I have never seen it’s equal and I have studied with the best, with the inventors or those who studied with the inventors of processes from rebirthing to EST, Gestalt, Rolfing, Somatics, kundalini yoga, and other psychomeditative processes. I have found your work to take people to just the right places. I am impressed to see all that I have studied come alive in such a concentrated and devotional form. Previously, I have had the skillset, heart and intuition available to help others crack their shells. But never have I seen it done on such a large scale, with such depth and breadth and in such a short time and such a grounded way.

So I will try this again, especially when I am attached to not letting go of my view/point….I’ll even gather the courage to try it with those close to me, where it is needed most, and yet harder to do. I’ll risk my point not being valued, in order to create a space where those close to me feel honored, and their point valued…..

“Satvatove was the best decision I’ve made in 2009 and it’s not my habit to make poor decisions. Since that weekend and because of what I learned about Kyle, I’m now closer with friends & I communicate in all aspects Read more

I’ve had two main careers and several other ‘jobs’ in my 51 years. Taken a plethora of courses in self-help and improvement. Grown spiritually, emotionally and mentally. NOTHING compares or comes close to this experience as a catalyst for personal Read more