Graduate Info
The East Bay Graduate Group – Leading by Example
| ELLIE: | Cary, you graduated from the Process in 2000 and Sarah, you in 2007. You’ve been friends for more than 45 years, and for the past two years you’ve co-facilitated the East Bay (California) graduate group. What drew you to be facilitators? |
| CARY: | IThe Process is so incredible; it shifted my internal experience and reinforced things for me in such positive ways. Since my Process I realize that I get joy from helping other grads reinforce it in themselves. Plus being a facilitator lets me spend time with Hoffman grads, which is a major bonus. |
| ELLIE: | Sarah, why did you be-come a facilitator? |
| SARAH: | I use Process tools daily but my association with the graduate group lets me deepen my use of them. Cary patiently waited for me for years -- not just to do the Process but also to be a facilitator, so eight years later here we are, co-leading a great group of people in this extraordinary work. |
| ELLIE: | What have you learned about yourself by being a facilitator? |
| CARY: | I’ve discovered that I like being a leader, and I’m reminded that my ego is not involved in facilitating - that it really is about helping us all through this work. Being in front of people is becoming very comfortable for me, and it’s affecting how I move through the world. I feel more at ease, which is really nice. |
| ELLIE: | How did you learn to run the group effectively; were you trained? |
| SARAH: | The Institute does a fabulous job training facilitators and creating programs that we use in our individual groups. Cary and I had the advantage of being trained at the Facilitators Training Conference in 2007, which was a great experience. It was a meeting of graduate facilitators from all over the country over a long weekend at White Sulphur Springs. It was helpful, fun and very generous. |
| CARY: | Because the Institute does a great job of creating the programs, you don’t have to innovate in that sense. As a facilitator, you can add your particular flavor to the program, but it’s spelled out for you, so if there’s anxiety around “How will I know how to run a group?” that should be dispelled. |
| SARAH: | And once you’re a facilitator, the Institute is incredibly supportive in giving advice, keeping you on track, continuing to train you. If ever there’s an issue, you’re not out there on our own -- you have the Institute behind you. |
| ELLIE: | Having been facilitators for two years, would you recommend it to other Process graduates? |
| CARY: | Definitely. It presents huge opportunities for personal growth and greater self-awareness. And for Process grads who find it difficult to motivate themselves to do the tools on their own, facilitating is a great way to stay connected. Some of the grads in our group have shared that if it weren’t for the group they may not continue to stay as connected to the work. |
| ELLIE: | The East Bay group has between 20-30 grads at each meeting. What draws them? |
| SARAH: | The group is special -- it has an amazing chemistry. Some people come to meetings with their Process classmates, which creates a cohesion that I don’t think Cary and I are responsible for. That cohesiveness, that magnetism, draws other graduates, which is a testimony to the beauty of our group. |
| CARY: | I’d like to add that Sarah and my partnership as facilitators is lovely and strong because of our long history. I’m sure people feel our ease with each other as we work together. |
| ELLIE: | Is your group a venue for socializing, for Process work, or both? |
| SARAH: | We save some time for socializing, but graduate groups are about running the programs and staying connected to the work. |
| ELLIE: | You’ve had Hoffman teachers at your group? |
| SARAH: | Yes! Process teacher Tim Callan grounded us in the use of the tools and Devi Cavitt Razo led us in an exuberant two-hour non-stop play session. It was so much fun, I broke my toe! |
| ELLIE: | Clearly the Institute and the grads who attend your group are lucky to have you. Thank you both for bringing people together and for keeping the work of the Process alive! |
Hoffman Grads Bring Forgiveness Garden To Life
“Never underestimate the power of a few committed people to change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
~ Margaret Mead
The famous anthropologist could have been talking about Hoffman graduates when she uttered those words.
Thanks to the dedication and hard work of dozens of Hoffman grads who met at White Sulphur Springs on several occasions (for blister-producing, back hurting, dirt making fun) what was once a dirt-filled Olympic size swimming pool has been transformed into a “Forgiveness Garden,” a lush natural sanctuary in the middle of Hoffman’s California home.
Flowers, native and non-native plants, shrubs, trees, and a river walk help make the Forgiveness Garden the perfect spot to relax, meditate and focus on Process work. The garden is anchored by a majestic 40-year old olive tree, which symbolizes world peace and gives the garden a lived in, old-world feel.
Major funding for the Forgiveness Garden came from the generosity of Process graduates John and Carol Cochran (John sponsored the garden in loving memory of his father, John Cochran, Sr.), and Tom and Barbara LaTour.
The Transformative Power of Joy & Play
- A Jubilant 1-day workshop for grads and guests, in Mill Valley, CA -
Saturday October 17th from 10 AM – 4:30 PM
Bring your friends and family and join Hoffman teacher Mary Amrita Arden, as we spend a day LIGHTENING UP!
Sowing the seeds of peace and joy in our hearts allows us to create a climate of love and to wisely face challenges. And an attitude of playfulness brings ease and aliveness to our mind, body and spirit.
Come experience the hidden pleasures available to us through music, art, stories, visioning, interactive expression, and loving appreciation.
Registration: Please call 800/506-5253 to register.
Space is limited to the first 40 people, so please register early!
Tuition: $95 / $85 early bird rate if you sign-up
by September 17
Location: Mill Valley, CA (directions upon registration)
Other: Please arrive by 9:30 to sign in, and plan to bring your own lunch.
Q2 Graduate Intensive
– Continue Your Transformation –
The Q2 is Hoffman’s outstanding 3-day course for Process grads, held at White Sulphur Springs in California and at beautiful retreat sites on the east coast and the midwest.
While the Process supported you in releasing negative love and meeting your authentic self, the Q2 moves you further into self love, your vision, deep compassion for yourself and others and into laughter and fun!
Like the Process, some of the Q2 is spent working in small groups led by an exceptional Hoffman teacher. Small groups allow you to do more advanced Hoffman work with the love and support of your classmates.
Select A Date and Location for your Next Q2:
Oct 23-25: Techny Towers Retreat, IL
November 20-22: White Sulphur Springs, CA
December 4-6: Trinity Center, CT
To learn more or to register, visit www.hoffmaninstitute.org, then click on Graduate Programs and News, or call an enrollment counselor at 800-506-5253.
Graduate Teleclasses are Fast, Affordable, and Packed with Great Insight
These one-hour phone classes, led by Hoffman teachers, cover a variety of Process-relevant subjects. They are convenient (call from wherever you are), inexpensive, and they put the focus squarely on your most personal inner work.
UPCOMING TELECLASSES:
PARENTING TEENS with Hilary Illick
Date: Wednesday, 9/9 from 5:00-6:00 PM PDT / 8:00-9:00 PM EDT
TOOLS FOR NEW GRADS with Jane Biondi
Date: Monday, 9/21 6:00-7:00 PM PDT / 9:00-10:00 PM EDT
ELEVATORS – INSIGHTS INTO THE PSYCHE with Sharon Kennedy
Date: Wednesday, 10/14 from 4:30-5:30 PM PDT / 7:30-8:30 PM EDT
UNLOCKING YOUR CREATIVITY with Hilary Illick
Date: Thursday, 10/22 from 5:00-6:00 PM PDT / 8:00-9:00 PM EDT
TOOLS FOR NEW GRADS with Linda Hartka-Reiss
Date: Wednesday, 11/18 from 5:00-6:00 PM PST / 8:00-9:00 PM EST
Tuition: $29 per Teleclass.
Register Online at https://www.hoffmaninstitute.org/register/teleclasses.html
or call 800/506-5253.
Can’t make the designated day or time? Playbacks of most classes are available for a limited time for just $19. For more information email us at teleclass@hoffmaninstitute.org, or call the number above.