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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