My Teachers

Tony Konopka left this world on June 4, 2009. In our 31 years of marriage together, he taught me about my own preciousness through his unending glance of unconditional love. He taught me about my goddess strength through his firm belief in who I was becoming. He also managed to teach me how to set boundaries and stand up for myself, by pushing me too far at times. And most of all, he patiently taught me how to love.

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was my spiritual teacher for over 25 years. I started practicing Transcendental Meditation (TM) when I was 21 years old, and became a TM teacher in 1972. I taught meditation full time for nearly 17 years. I am gratefulto Maharishi for opening and deepening a permanent ground of understanding and experience of Transcendental Consciousness deep inside me.

I met John de Ruiter In 1999. He ignited in me what I call the “fire of Being”. Through his powerful transmission, my Being force woke up and started moving through my body as if alive on its own. He taught me that the silent transcendental field of Consciousness wasn’t outside of this life. I didn’t have to leave life through meditation to locate it any longer. It ran through my life and my body.

Saniel Bonder and Linda Groves Bonder came into my life in July of 2000. They gifted me with their nourishing love and grounding support while my mind and ego struggled to surrender to the knowledge that I lived in this world as Consciousness Itself. They helped me claim and realize that not only was I fundamentally Consciousness, but that the entire creation was also This. The same Consciousness lived and played everywhere. Under their guidance, and the guidance of several of their trained teachers, I grew to embody the principles of awakening and came to become a teacher of Waking Down in Mutuality. They continue to be shining lights of love and inspiration for many students.

Ron Kurtz and all the talented Hakomi trainers helped me explore my inner psychological world in a safe and nonthreatening way. This process has been on-going since 2002. Thanks to their help, I became conscious of much that had been skillfully tucked away in my unconscious. I am grateful for the freedom and ease this self-discovery has brought to my everyday life. I am particular grateful to Ron for his generous compassion and assistance he provided me at the time of my husband’s passing.

I happened upon Jeannie Zandi by chance in 2008. In the beginning, I simply liked being in her soft and playful presence at her small living room gatherings. Later, I began to realize that her deep loving presence was penetrating into my heart and mind, and quietly dismantling the last knotty remnants of who I falsely believed I was. By the time I realized this, the process was in full swing. Jeannie met me in my existential emptiness like no one else during my dark night of the Soul. She also showed me the magnitude and invincible nature of my own heart.

Oscar Mira-Quesada introduced me to cross-cultural Shamanism in 2005. He has helped open my eyes to the beauty and sacredness that is all around me in my world, and rekindled the spark of magic in me. Through example, he has inspired me in the art of creating and using ceremonial sacred space for healing, and for creating a better world. I am grateful for the grounded supportive connection to the Earth, sky, and stars I did not know before meeting Oscar. I walk differently upon this planet now.

Obviously, there are many more people that have influenced my life in many important ways, including my family. I am very grateful for all your guidance. You know who you are!