Step Into Your Power
“Power to the People” a 1971 song by John Lennon, was just one of the many uses of this phrase to attempt to shift power towards the people and away from governments or other controlling powers. Most people want power. I am not referring to power to overpower and hurt others per se, but the power to achieve what you want with your life, the power to overcome illness or hardship, or the power to reach your goals.
Unfortunately, the society we live in today is not very empowering to individual people. In fact, it is mostly the opposite. Many people are aware that the information we are given in the media is controlled by “the powers that be”. And some realize when going to the doctors or hospitals, the pro quo is typically that “the doctor knows” what is best for you. And even the songs and commercials we listen to are so negative, degrading and fear-based. When did we give all this power away? Did we forget that we all have brains? Or did we just forget how to use them? Or did they just shut off or shut down at some point?
So what can we do as individuals to regain some individual power to achieve the things we want and rightly deserve in our lives? There are many organizations out there to help us work to achieve these things; most of them require much self-discovery, and serious application. These classes are NOT for everyone, as many people just aren’t ready to wake up and take ultimate responsibility for themselves and the world they create around them. It is A LOT of work. But with these tools, many have found that any and everything is possible.
Avatar
Harry Palmer, who has a background in educational psychology, started Avatar in 1976 after resigning his tenured teaching position. Harry’s writings have been translated into 20 languages, and his business model has had a major impact on the personal-development seminar industry.
Avatar classes are from 2-5 full days; depending on the workshop you choose and are taught all over the world year round. It is a straightforward self-development course that can be considered expensive. The basic weekend workshop, called ReSurfacing®, costs $295. Section II of the course, which takes four to five days, costs $500, and Section III of the course, which takes two to four days, costs $1500. (Course prices vary in different countries.) During the course, students are given many hours of personal attention, and any student who is not satisfied after Section II of the course is entitled to a full refund. There are no introduction meetings, but there are many free and inexpensive materials that help tell you more about the concepts and tools used at the workshops. Visit: http://www.avatarepc.com/ to learn more.
Landmark
Landmarks concepts are based on the early study and works of Werner Erhard. This work initially created the popular est Training which was retired in 1984 and replaced with Landmark’s “The Forum” which was founded in 1991. Landmark employees over 450 people, and has over 800 extensively trained leaders worldwide. It is an employee owned company with revenues over $86 million and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.
Programs are offered in more than 125 cities via 52 major offices around the world. More than 200,000 people participate in Landmark's courses each year. Landmark has classes for all ages including children and teens. Free introduction meeting are held often to introduce people to what the classes are like and to get questions answered. There are a variety of classes including topics on relationships, communication, and living passionately. Prices vary from $400-$2900 depending on the class. To learn more about Landmark and the education they offer visit: www.landmarkeducation.com
Training in power
Faye Fitzgerald, based in Vancouver, Canada, is a social worker that has done extensive anthropologic and historical research of various world cultures and theologies and utilizes these ancient tools in her training classes. Faye’s original intent was to assist those who were suffering from stress, anxiety, depression, and addictions. She observed that many in the health and social services fields were unconsciously taking on the stress and negativity of those they were attempting to heal. She developed the Training in Power program in 1986 to assist those she observed caught in cycles of negativity.
Based on meditation, these classes teach attendees to empower themselves, eliminate fear from their lives and be responsible with the power they are achieving by helping others. Many healers, Reiki masters, trained psychics, and professional healers have found this training to be very beneficial in their work and have incorporated the training into their healing and meditation practices.
There are approximately 60 teachers on the faculty of the Academy and classes are taught mostly in Canada, Oregon, Nevada, Washington, California and Arizona. There are a variety of classes available including classes for children, corporate professionals and relationship classes and costs vary between $400 –1200. You can learn more about Training In Power at www.traininginpower.com
Free Classes
If you just can’t seem to manifest the money you need to attend one of these powerful classes, another option is to read Eckhart Tolle’s book – A New Earth: Awaken Your Life’s Purpose and take the free class offered on Oprah’s website at http://www.oprah.com/obc_classic/webcast/archive/archive_download.jsp which can be downloaded as text, audio or video. She also has another class starting in June, 2008. An interesting side note, from Eckhart’s book, he states that he just “can’t write anywhere else but Vancouver” which is where Faye Fitzgerald from Training in Power is based as well.
Another free source of power materials is Guy Finley founder of Life of Learning Foundation which is a non-profit organization founded for the purpose of helping people to realize their full potential. Life of Learning is a welcome harbor for anyone wishing to let go of harmful negative states such as stress, fear and resentment in favor of a life filled with more love, compassion, and excellence. On his website www.guyfinley.com he offers free eBooks, podcasts, downloads, lessons and spiritual exercises.
As stated in Eckhart Tolle’s book, many people just are ready for change and attending these classes or reading these books just don’t resonate with some as they are not at a place where the frequencies match so some people see no value – and that is OK. These classes are for people ready to recognize themselves as the amazing beings they are, and to look inside with curiosity instead of judgment to become something more.
In doing research on this topic and having attended meetings and talked with attendees of many of these workshops, I have found some negativity from each (as with all things beneficial), but have mostly seen these “negative issues” as people being human and not wanting to delve into their own personal issues, or do the necessary work to slough off old belief systems or patterns that have often become just too comfortable to release.
As children much of our power is taken away and we become easily impacted by other’s belief systems around us, making us unsure of our own power and abilities. All of these classes are having a considerable impact on the collective consciousness of the world. I hope you get the opportunity see this for yourself.
QUOTES
"If I had to narrow it down to one thing that I have received from undertaking courses with Faye Fitzgerald and the Training in Power Academy, I would say that the deep sense of self-esteem and understanding of my unique contribution to the world is what stands out in my mind." BF, British Columbia
Avatar attendee quote:
I am once more taking full responsibility for myself. I realized again (too well) that all the blame is useless. I write my own script. I am no longer a victim. The future is bright and exciting. S.R.
Landmark quote:
"An eye-opening course about community - how we're all connected as human beings, and how one person really can make a difference in the world." The Gazette