What is the Rude Awakening Workshop?
The Rude Awakening is an intense, passionate and exciting two week journey toward a new definition and experience of what true leadership means for each person in their sphere of influence. We are constantly teaching those around us what we believe about ourselves, others, and the world, and more often than not we complain about not ‘getting’ the results that we want. In this leadership training, we accept responsibility for the inherent power we have, and make a choice about ‘giving’ those very things that we want proactively with family, friends, and finally the world.
We come to terms with the existential dilemma of the purpose of our existence, and have the opportunity to address life long issues. A Course In Miracles states that all of us have a ‘special function’, a particular and unique life purpose. This is a workshop committed to embracing the entirety of our unique human life experience and using every nuance of it to reveal this purpose, then acting on it. We bring ourselves into a state of absolute congruity, in alignment with God and the universe, and discover a profound sense of wholeness, clarity and direction. Life becomes an adventure.
The Rude Awakening, 2006
The only happiness we ever experience is when we position ourselves in alignment with the universe around us and God at the same time, as a ‘giving’ contributor to whatever situation is in front of us. It is the transmission of this divine energy into the world that allows us to be in a state of creativity, connection and love. The ‘creativity’ comes through us, the ‘connection’ is the relationship to others this creativity seeks, and ‘love’ is the result of combining these two primal elements together.
The experience of love emerges as we are willing to give of ourselves, in whatever unique form we are meant to in the various situations of our lives. We can not create love, we can only experience it by letting it be expressed through us. We are the instrument, not the song. We are the phone, not the message. It is through embracing our unique function that anxiety transforms into excitement and passion, depression becomes purpose and compassion. We start calling the state of love and creativity our home.
What will I discover?
Your unique life purpose, and the excitement, passion and possibility that come along with it. You will leave the workshop with greater vitality, committed to a year plan that addresses how you will implement your special function in the four quadrants of your life: Relationships, Self, Spirituality and the World.
You will discover that indeed to ‘get to where you want to go, you have to be where you are’ first and foremost. You will reap the rewards of practicing discipline in all aspects of your life, driven by a positive goal that brings more expansive possibility with each step you take. The degree to which you embrace what you are currently in the middle of will equal the extent of your experience of the ‘heaven’ held hostage there.
As we embrace our life’s purpose we re-discover the joy of truly believing that today anything is possible.
What can I expect?
The Rude Awakening is a graduate workshop, requiring participants to take the Awakening as a prerequisite. As in the Awakening, this workshop achieves a balance between experience and understanding. It is an international workshop, with students coming to Vancouver in the summer from all over the world. Because participants have done the Awakening and know what to expect from our workshops, the relationships formed over two weeks with other participants, assistants and facilitators are much deeper. This depth affords a more thorough experience of pioneering a path through the levels of defense in your psyche and freeing you to an alarmingly honest and spectacular view of your inner self and your ultimate purpose beyond yourself. The pace allows for more integration time. There will be some free time in the afternoons to relax, meditate and enjoy the pool, tennis court, trails and hot tub at our wonderful Springbrooke Retreat Center.
The workshop is typically taught by two qualified facilitators, and features a number of trained assistants. The team is dedicated to providing you a safe, non-confrontational professionally delivered two week experience that prides itself on respecting the speed of which each participant decides to proceed. We ensure a therapeutically responsible and professional approach to the delivery of all of our programs. In Canada, our facilitators are educated and registered with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC) or the Canadian Professional Counsellors Association (CPCA).
Workshop assistants, who work under the direction of facilitators, receive in house training in responsible, ethical delivery of service. We adhere to our own Code of Ethics, as well as those of our associations.
The Rude Awakening is a two week workshop starting at dinner on Sunday and continuing until the Sunday two weeks hence. Most materials are provided, and you will be notified of extras to bring well in advance. The workshop is residential with food provided throughout the two weeks. Dress casually and comfortably for the workshop and be ready to change the world.
What have others said?
“I have gained a deeper awareness of my true self on an emotional/feeling level. I see that it is all about me and that ‘me’ is enough to see my mess and clean it up. I feel real.” P.L.
“I now completely understand who I am in the world, my contribution to it and my importance in it.” K.M.
“I now have a sense that the answer doesn’t have to be hard, that by loving and nurturing myself I can connect with others and achieve true intimacy and love.” V.S.
“Where do I start? I have a real sense of self and that my self makes a valid contribution to the whole. I feel naturally beautiful and funny and as if I really am a gift to the world.” W.C.
“I experienced a joy that I have never ever experienced in my life. While in this state, I discovered life is so much easier. I feel free from a lot of blocks. For God’s sake I sang in front of 27-plus people!!!” H.W.
“I feel like I’m coming out of my box in a way I’ve not experienced before. Beginning to ‘know’ that my potentials and possibilities are unlimited and exponential.” A.L.
How can I register for the workshop?
You can register for this workshop online. Please note that when you register online, we will need to contact you to confirm registration, so please make sure that the information that you enter is accurate.
You can also mail in your registration by downloading our Rude Awakening brochure, which includes a printable registration form, and the description of the workshop from this page of the web site.
This workshop is only offered in Vancouver, Canada, onsite at our very own Springbrooke Retreat Center. For more information, or to contact someone regarding the Rude Awakening, please email our Clearmind Vancouver Canada location.
An information package about this workshop is available for download.
