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S U M M E R 2 0 1 0 • V O L U M E 1 5 , N U M B E R 2
Lama Surya Das: Awakening the Buddha Within
I n Buddhism, patience is said to be the great-
est prayer. Choosing the path of patience,
gratitude and non-attachment, all of human-
ity—whether we describe our spiritual nature as that
of a Christian, Jew, Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu, agnostic
or atheist—has the capacity to transform suffering
and uplift our energies into mighty forces for good in
the world.
Lama Surya Das, one of America’s foremost
teachers of Tibetan Buddhism, has written a dozen
books on how to abide with life’s small scratches and
gaping wounds while moving toward our highest
human potential. But who is he?
Brooklyn-born Jeffrey Miller, raised in the tra-
dition of Judaism, earned his degree in Creative
Education from State University of New York at
Buffalo. For the next decade he studied Buddhism in
Turkey, India, Nepal, Japan and France. Renamed as
an ordained lama, a teacher, in Hindi Sanskrit “Surya
Das” means “Servant of the Sun.”
Of the 375 million Buddhists in the world, some
three million are American. Das’ Eastern teaching
demeanor and Western comical ease reveal the uni-
versal calm of a peaceful activist: “I live for peaceful-
ness, which is inclusive of all living things. Peace is
healthy; it drops the wrinkles from our faces and our
souls.” His writings outline a Buddhism that gives
men and women equal standing, is egalitarian and
nonsectarian, simplified and demystified. Nowadays
he playfully refers to his birthplace as “America the
Buddhaful.”
Finding the Buddha Within is used within our
Holistic Theology doctoral program. Appropriate for
both new seekers and experienced practitioners, Das’
writings combine accessible anecdotes with practi-
cal exercises on how to become a kinder person and
share in the bounty of true Buddha nature.
Twice he has visited our school’s “Authentic
Living” Internet interview series. For the full inter-
views, visit: www.aiht.edu/mediafiles/
authenticlivingradio.asp.
Pathways: May we begin with a general perspective
on the facts of life regarding Buddhism?
Das: Buddha lived 500 years before Christ. Then and
now, acknowledging that impermanence and
mortality are always with us, living an enlight-
ened life is possible for anyone who will practice
diligently. This idea ran counter to the ancient
caste system in India, in its unusually inclusive
approach to spirituality—and with no “club” to
either join or renounce.
With Hindu Buddhism, it’s about doing your
duty; whatever is uniquely yours to do. In
Tibetan Buddhism, wasting time is careless; it
devalues the limited moments of this precious
human life. Within any faith-based tradition,
our belief system is a life-giving water; it heals
inner conflicts and afflictions. Ethical intention,
reflection and openness to wisdom are typical
cornerstones.
PATHWAYS
continued…
2
Pathways: In your writings what is meant by the words “the
power of nowness”?
Das: It’s about awakening now. Nowness is a quality of being.
Some people live in the past or live in their head. How can
we be more awake and alive now? I like the word “Enliven.”
Through meditative awareness we cultivate mindfulness.
We learn to pay attention and avoid accidents. With
presence we may cultivate the good seeds of gratitude
here and now.
Every morning, waking up is a miracle. Taking a breath,
smiling and relaxing can bring an instant moment of
enlightenment. I practice praying, chanting and yoga,
morning and night. These are my mental floss. But we
don’t have to do everything at once, as long as we put in
place our real intention and motivation.
Pathways: What is religion/spiritual intelligence to you?
Das: There are so many forms of intelligence. Creative con-
sciousness is right-brain; it’s holistic. It intuits our place in
the world, seeing connections and how they interweave.
It’s true that it takes a village. So, how do we flow within
the universe, and with our Higher Power or with a Common
Power?
It often deals with things invisible: belief, faith, knowing.
Sometimes the material world is immaterial! Through full
engagement, an intuitive, soulful, caring awareness reflects
our empathy to be moved by others’ pain. Be more intro-
spective, not just looking at others or our self for what’s
wrong and what’s right. We can build the muscle; we can
train our attention.
Pathways: Tell us about “Sweeping down from above and
climbing up from below.”
Das: Up and down are really the same—it’s the balance of yin
and yang, light and dark. Our soul is the heart and mind of
heaven on earth. Each step of the way is the way. Be exhila-
rated by breezes or rain from above and treasure the sharp,
cold rocks below, both at once.
Pathways: Let’s talk about the practical issues of working with
the mind, such as the difficulty of dealing with anger. Is it
better to internalize it or to externalize it?
Das: Anger is just an emotion that’s not necessarily negative.
It’s not what happens to anger us, but what we do with it.
How do we navigate all the winds of life? As you see anger
arise, note it and then think twice—at least! Put it into a
sacred place to observe it. We don’t learn this in school.
Picasso’s famous black and white painting, Guernica,
showed the ravages of war in pieces of horses’ heads and
other abstract signs of turmoil. He was angry but he chan-
neled it into art. Another way, my Jewish grandmother said,
is “Count to 10.” From there we choose how, if and when to
respond.
Pathways: Yes, while counting to 10 there’s time to pause and
ask oneself, “Why am I mad? What’s really going on?” Just
because somebody rolls their eyes, it doesn’t mean you
have to respond; their reaction may not be about us at all.
The paradox is that we, as givers of compassion, also take
refuge in it.
Das: Take refuge in kindness, good actions and “rely on” tak-
ing sanctuary in an embassy or a church. If you feel jealous,
take refuge in celebrating another’s good fortune; revel
in others’ success. In this way, compassion is redirected
toward healing our own wound. It is in how we adapt that
we are able to keep alive the essence of what we model to
others. �
Lama Surya Das
3
Neurotheology Goes Mainstream Opening our hearts in meditation and prayer, is it any
wonder that our brainwaves benefit measurably? CNN
recently reported on neurotheological findings that represent
hundreds of believers and more than a decade of study.
In How God Changes Your Brain (2010), co-author Andrew
Newberg, M.D., hypothesizes that spiritual practice can per-
manently strengthen neural pathways to improve cognitive
function through heightened interplay among brain regions.
Expanding on research breakthroughs as described in Why
God Won’t Go Away and in What the {Bleep} Do We Know? Dr.
Newberg’s scientific mind is what leads him to design experi-
ments through which states of prayerful/meditative conscious-
ness are measured to correlate gains in neurological integration.
This means that the local/task-oriented and nonlocal/con-
templative brain activities come together to create “more than
a feeling” of love, mastery, etc. The Higher Self’s realization of
non-duality represents a cosmic shift: from the abstract idea of
one’s self, to a qualitative experience of understanding self in
relationship, creating deeper empathy for others.
From the University of Pennsylvania, Newberg’s quantita-
tive research was explored recently on CNN Nightly News: a
mainstream portal for a meta-message on the science of prayer.
Here are interview excerpts with CNN News Anchor Campbell
Brown, Chief Medical Correspondent Sanjay Gupta, M.D., and
Newberg.
Brown: In terms of the facts of faith, the science of prayer;
when some say it’s all in your head, maybe they’re right.
Gupta: Along with generations of people who believe in God,
there are still generations of skeptics who wonder why. But
now, hard science is taking a hard look; exploring the brain
to see whether human beings are hard-wired for faith. The
answer may be yes.
Newberg: The brain is set up in such a way that it’s easy to have
religious and spiritual beliefs and experiences, and to incor-
porate this into our lives. Our work is helping people to
understand how religion and spirituality affect humans.
Gupta: Using SPECT imaging, a brain-scanning technology,
Newberg has examined Tibetan Buddhists meditating,
Benedictine nuns praying, and Pentecostal Christians
speaking in tongues.
No matter what the religion or culture, and no matter
which form of worship, prayer makes certain regions of the
brain “light up” in a unique way—as in the frontal lobe,
behind the forehead, which focuses our concentration. The
limbic system, deep in the center, triggers the emotions
of awe and joy. At the back of the brain, the parietal lobe
explores the feeling of becoming part of something greater
than oneself.
Newberg: The faithful see this as confirmation that God has
designed us to believe. The nuns saw those scans and said,
“Yes… it makes sense that God is up there and we’re down
here.” Obviously, there has to be a conduit through which
we understand God.
Gupta: But secular critics say the research still leaves unan-
swered questions.
Brown: Dr. Newberg, you’ve done research specifically into
what happens in a person’s brain as they pray.
Newberg: It’s something that actually activates many areas of
the brain. It affects our emotional parts of the brain, along-
side the logical parts of the brain. The new neural pathways
help us feel connected to our universe, to God; it all creates
a buzz of activity, making us feel energized. I think that’s
part of why it’s so powerful.
Brown: So there’s actually part of the brain that reacts in a
certain unique way when somebody is having a religious
experience. Give examples of where you have seen this?
Newberg: The brain’s parietal lobe normally helps us develop
our own sense of our self, relative to the world. When we’ve
studied people in prayer or meditation, there’s a decrease
in this area. It follows that they would experience a feeling
of losing their self-centeredness, just as they lose the sense
of space and time. They feel a connectedness with God that
is overwhelming and powerful.
It also affects the brain’s limbic system, creating immense
joy, love, compassion and empathy. It has a tremendous
effect, not only in the moment, but carries into the inevi-
table ups and downs of the years that ensue. �
4
Find Your Inner TeacherNext to the parents, a heart-inspired
teacher is the most important
thing for children. Pun intended.
Working with students of all ages,
Lori Desautels, Ph.D., has honed the skills
of teaching from the heart for more than
25 years. She has helped young people
rise above a host of obstacles—environ-
mental, physical and mental health chal-
lenges—and to shine. She now brings
these special skills to “teach the teach-
ers” in three university programs.
As the
mother of two teenagers
and a preteen, naturally she has gained
a nourishing pantry of “kitchen table
wisdom” as well. Lori has seen her own
children’s minds evolve and spirits dance,
when given the attention of mindful,
caring teachers. “People of all ages know
when you are listening, intuitively, for
what they may need as well as what they
say. They know if you’re fully present, in
the moment with them. And we all learn
more deeply from the safe space of feel-
ing understood. We all want kinship.”
She adds that during middle school
years—which is part of her own teaching
experience—there’s a conflicted continu-
um of childhood, adolescence and matu-
rity. “Suddenly, peers’ opinions may take
on greater significance than anyone’s,
which is ironic in that they’re all bubbling
in the same hormonal stew. Especially if
there’s a troubling ongoing situation, it’s
essential that students not feel judged.
At this age, kids gain exponentially from
hearing reflective observations and
ideas regarding options rather than pat
answers; then they can shift from a vic-
tim mentality by gaining a greater sense
of personal responsibility.”
Lori says her AIHT dissertation
research is how she discovered a
new educational calling. “I wanted to
embrace academic science and spiritual-
ity together, and our school principal
was supportive. During 40-minute
classes for 14 weeks, two groups of
students interacted on topics such
as: 1. Thoughts are energy, and
our thoughts present us with
opportunities to act in positive
or negative ways; 2. In scientific
research, positive thoughts
are more than 100 times
more powerful than negative
thoughts; 3. By choosing to shift our
thoughts, students and teachers have
the ability to shift many outcomes too.
In these classes and subsequent groups,
school attendance and GPA improved!”
Encouraged to share her find-
ings with the Dean of Education at
Marian University, Lori soon joined the
Indianapolis Teaching Fellows as a gradu-
ate mentor/supervisor. She also oversees
needs assessments within a transitional
graduate program, Teach for America,
and is an undergraduate instructor.
Her upcoming book is entitled How
May I Serve You? A Revelation in Education.
Through anecdotes and archetypal
mythology, its message for future teach-
ers is to bring esoteric intuitive skills into
the mainstream classroom, to “Find your
inner teacher.”
In its prologue, Lori writes: “In
this new paradigm I encourage you
to explore your own perspectives,
to see how rigid or pliable they feel.
The contrast provided by opposing
events or circumstances is the gift IF
we choose to experience it that way…
if we have the eyes to see and the
imagination to delve into the active
life of teaching and learning.” �
“Ferris Wheel,” a poem by Lori Desautels, Ph.D.,
was chosen for Illuminations: Expressions of
the Personal Spiritual Experience. Also featured
among its 180-plus contributors from 43 countries
are interviews with metaphysicians Marianne
Williamson and Rev. Desmond Tutu, and
creativity innovator Julia Cameron.
5
Open Heart, Open MindAfter a stimulating day of advocat-
ing for patients and family mem-
bers who are coping with the challenges
of Alzheimer’s, while also inspiring a
nursing home team of busy colleagues,
Dawn Cagan relaxes into the quiet antici-
pation of a calm evening at home under
the stars.
It wasn’t always this simple.
Upon earning her undergraduate
degree in social work from Arizona State
University in 1990, Dawn leapt into the
blur of daily commuting within medical
communities amid the sprawling cities of
Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe. It almost
seemed that she and her husband, Jeff,
spent more time in separate cars than
at home. Within the next few years
they were blessed with two sons, which
meant four daily schedules to manage.
“Realizing that we didn’t want to
think of our lives in terms of ‘schedules
to manage,’ eventually we made a major
lifestyle change,” she says, “moving to a
rural community that’s two hours away
from the big-city life, and light-years bet-
ter for our family’s quality of life.”
Certainly Dawn’s ongoing studies
in meditation, neuro-linguistic practice,
life coaching and hypnotherapy helped
her to look inside and imagine how thrill-
ing it could feel to hear coyotes in the
canyons, and drink in the expansiveness
of distant vistas amidst a beautiful two-
acre homestead. Nowadays, glimpsing
a neighbor at their local book store and
sharing an impromptu visit, she and her
family enjoy a familiar sense of commu-
nity, connection and spontaneity.
Even before relocating, Dawn
dreamed of earning a master’s degree.
In her search for heart-based studies in
helping others to harmonize the perfec-
tion of body, mind and spiritual balance,
she was delighted to discover self-paced
studies with AIHT.
So it’s a natural extension, she adds,
being able to inspire coworkers with her
own experiences of how they too can
make changes and make a difference—
in their own lives and as caregivers.
“Healthcare settings are often so
task-oriented that clinicians may not
pause long enough to share eye contact,
maybe pat someone’s shoulder. In mak-
ing a personal connection, a chaotic
moment is often transformed. There are
moments of joy when we talk with a cli-
ent and pause to hear a bird sing. Just
touching a person’s hand when it’s time
to go to an appointment can make the
difference in their feeling startled or feel-
ing at ease. So my mantra, at home and
at work, is ‘open heart, open mind.’”
Dawn Cagan received AIHT’s
Yozwick Memorial Scholarship in 2008.
This spring she finished her master’s
studies—graduating at the same time
that her sons, Jon and Tyler, graduated
from high school and middle school.
Congratulations to all! �
AIHT salutes Andrea Russell, winner of our
Yozwick Memorial Scholarship for 2010.
Born in Montreal, Quebec, Andrea holds a B.S.W.
degree and has a minor in sociology. She has
completed additional special education courses,
holds a certificate of ordination, and works in
Indiana as a mental health agency case manager.
Andrea is now enrolled in our masters program, with concentration studies in
metaphysical spirituality.
To learn more about Dawn Cagan:
www.serenitylifesolutions.com
So it’s a natural extension,
she adds, being able to
inspire coworkers with
her own experiences of
how they too can make
changes and make a
difference—in their own
lives and as caregivers.
Dawn Cagan
6
Spirited Away to JordanRecently planning my lifetime trip to
Egypt, I added Petra to my itinerary
as an aside. Little did I know my priorities
were mistaken. The Dalai Lama defines
“miracle” as “the unexpected.” Jordan
proved to be a country of biblical, his-
torical and technological miracles.
A spiritual home is wherever a pro-
found sense of belonging is felt. I first
felt at home in Jordan on Mount Nebo,
where Moses was shown the Promised
Land. From this vantage point I scanned
a biblical panorama from Bethlehem to
the Dead Sea, Jerusalem and Jericho. In
a country where Jesus, prophets and pil-
grims lived and traveled, I felt connected
to past and present, ready to forge into
the future.
The next homecoming was in
Petra (meaning “stone”), a wonder of
the world. Carved into the mountains
and as “discovered” during Indiana
Jones’ Last Crusade, the Treasury
was the temple of treasures with
ancient Greek, Roman, Egyptian and
Arabian deities flanking the portals.
Petra has many portals. They are
doorways “home” to other dimensions.
Entering one cave in the hidden city, I
felt transported to the tomb provided
by Joseph of Arimathea for the burial of
Jesus. Washington Cathedral’s crypt cha-
pel depicts that saint carrying the holy
grail, a crusader focus, to enclose in the
tomb. I did not see the grail, but other
connections appeared.
Driving away, I recognized the
higher elevation rock formations
encircling the ancient city as resem-
bling those on another continent.
One religious holiday I traveled from
Barcelona to see the Black Madonna of
Montserrat. Waiting for hours, I sadly
left without a closeup of the statue.
Racing to my connection, I heard and
felt wild wind and looked up the moun-
tain at mysterious stone formations like
snowmen standing guard together. I
realized that the Madonna inside the
basilica was a 12th century representa-
tion of Mother Nature’s real deal.
Above the rose-red city of Petra the
surrounding rock-faces resemble those
mountain relatives. (The Montserrat
hymn sung daily begins: “April rose,
dusky lady of the mountain chain…”)
We are all related. In Native
American thought, rocks are “stone peo-
ple” in the sweat lodge. Stone people,
the oldest storytellers, voice history. In
Shinto belief, forces like mountains are
deities inseparable from people, existing
in the same worlds, sharing connections
and complexity.
My Arab guides next brought me
to Islamic and crusader castles and
Muslim perspective. In a howling wind,
stumbling through ruins, I believed their
account. At the sites I asked for forgive-
ness for everyone involved in the atroci-
ties centuries ago. With a sincere heart I
told my guides, “On behalf of the crusad-
ers, I apologize.”
The next day in Hadrian’s favorite
city, Jerash, as I stood at an intersection
of Roman roads replete with chariot
wheel ruts, a final thought hit home. I
envisioned that crossing of perpendicu-
lar roads as two-dimensional. I extended
the visual representation into a third
dimension and the depiction of an open
graph paper sphere encircling the earth.
Where I stood, I reflected on hori-
zontal meridians of space (every earth
place, linking with all others) and lon-
gitudinal meridians of time (deities
connecting through mythological and
chronological time). Every person is an
intersection of those lines. That is how
we are all connected in every way with
every being of every space in every time
forever. We are at home. �
Fran Ward, Ph.D., AIHT faculty
7
GraduatesThe following are graduates from
February 1, 2010 – April 30, 2010 (except
where noted).
Doctor of DivinityPamela Patterson DunnChristine E. Fisher
(graduated September 30, 1997)KiMonica Bridgers MurrayFrances Davis Roberts
Holistic HealtHBACHELOR OF SCIENCE
Marianne L. KochanekCathy Lou Pearson
MASTER OF SCIENCEAnne Lynn CoxLaura A. MachicekDewane Willis
(graduated November 30, 2009)
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHYSusan Ellen Rau
Holistic MinistriesBACHELOR OF SCIENCE
Karen Sue Dean (graduated December 31, 2009)
Akihiko Koda
MASTER OF SCIENCEMaryanne Mesple’
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHYDiane Doyle Gubisch
Holistic tHeologyMASTER OF SCIENCE
Francesca Maria Fortunato
MetapHysicsBACHELOR OF SCIENCE
Laura Alexa Crawford Mojan TabriziCynthia Jean WhitneyAnne M. Withers
MASTER OF SCIENCEWendy E. Smieska
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHYDavid B. BoydPatricia Meade LeonardRhonda McBride SchneiderAnnaLynn Zinn de Vine
naturologyBACHELOR OF SCIENCE
N. Kathleen Hunnaman
MASTER OF SCIENCE Richard N. Vang
(graduated January 31, 2010)
parapsycHic scienceBACHELOR OF SCIENCE
Blossom MastersSue Thornton
(graduated September 30, 2009)
MASTER OF SCIENCEShelly CumminsPenny Johnson
(graduated January 31, 2010)
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHYIngrid M. Raunikar
In The News✒✒ Rabbi Victoria
Esther Ben-
Toviya, doc-
toral student
and author
of Created in
the Image of God, has written a metaphysical book on the
Kabbalah. It includes six CD meditations.
✒✒ Marcella Bakur Weiner, Ph.D., is co-author of Love
Compatibility: 12 Personality Traits that Can Lead You to Your
Soulmate. An adjunct professor at Marymount Manhattan
College, she also serves on the faculty of International
Association for Human Relations Training. Marcella and her
husband, William Weiner, Ph.D., are both doctoral gradu-
ates of AIHT.
✒✒ Velvete H. Womack, Ph.D., is co-author of Higher Mind,
Lower Mind: Discovering the Power of Spirit.
✒✒ Doctoral graduate and Veterans Affairs retiree Jim
Strickland, L.C.S.W., is the author of Hospice: A Holistic
Journey through the Shadow of Death.
Accomplishments✒✒ AIHT congratulates Holly Helshcer, Ph.D., for her 2010
appointment to Arizona’s State Board for Private Secondary
Education. She has served as president of three campuses
within the Brown Mackie College system, and previously
was an executive director and adjunct professor at col-
leges in Ohio and Kentucky. Helshcer is an award-winning
essayist.
Events✒✒ Art therapist and AIHT faculty member Annette Reynolds,
M.P.S., R.N. welcomes her spiritual colleague, Rev. Lauren
Artress, D.Min., to lead “The Labyrinth Journey: A Path
Toward Healing,” with facilitator workshops in Birmingham,
AL on July 15–16: www.pathtohealing.org.
✒✒ Doctoral graduate William Ayles, author of The Prophecy, is
working with TimeLine International to present “The Agape
Event” at University of Connecticut’s Storrs campus, on
August 21: www.theagapeevent.com.
Editor’s note: AIHT regrets that we are unable to publish all
alumni news items.
Left – right: Velvete Womack & Marcella Bakur Weiner
Revelations At www.aiht.edu our Revelations bulletin board is
your 24-7 forum to explore the Big Questions as well
as garden-variety ponderings, observations and
insights; just whatever’s on your mind. Have you
been there yet? If so, do you go there often? With
postings as diverse as metaphysical media news,
dream interpretations, study tips, job networking,
and pertinent links to a growing variety of topics,
Revelations carries all the interactions you choose.
But it’s up to you to initiate and participate in e-
discussions that are of interest. Give Revelations a try,
and see who else is attuned to ideas that are close to
your heart. Sometimes a quick chat can reignite one’s
studies… or at least create an enlightening, guilt-free
diversion!
Holisti-Links Reminding our AIHT family of another networking
opportunity that’s available to thousands of alumni
worldwide, we invite you to visit Holisti-Links to learn
about reciprocal Web listings among you and school
peers. Are you looking for an inspiring, eco-friendly
retreat setting? How about life coaching, original art,
ministerial musings, or publishing guidelines?
If your Web content fits within our general areas of
networking news, please send us your Web link for
review: holisti-links@aiht.edu. For reciprocal linking,
be sure to note your student or graduate affiliation
with AIHT within your Web site.
New Courses Students and graduates who refer others to enroll in
an AIHT degree program are eligible to receive a free
course of your choice. With more than 100 titles avail-
able, give yourself just what you want!
AIHT enrollees and alumni may always add elective
coursework for $150 per additional course. For non-
students, single courses cost $450. Try something
new, or dive deeper into your favorite subject. It’s all
good!
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