Carole Onderdonk

In October it will be 30 years since I took the est Training. It is surely the best thing I ever did for myself.

Czech Republic Vacations

Mike Hayden
www.seniormanagementservices.com

Anatomy of the Mind, Dec 3, 1974. Graduation and the end of who I used to be.

Then, lots of est seminars and assisting. Even though I was a single parent, I quit my job to have more time for assisting… knowing that everything would turn out OK, which, of course, it did… much better than OK. (I haven’t had a “job” for 35 years.)

Soon, I started my own business that allowed me to write my own ticket and continue my est participation.

My biggest hits were assisting in the Creative Department, playing classical/flamenco guitar at Franklin House events for a few years, and working with a world-class chef in the Franklin House kitchen.

In the Training, I learned that life works to the extent that I keep my word. From there, I continuously create it the way I want it.

Recently returned from a 4-year work/study tour of American towns.

Mike

Francis Giles

During a Forum in NYC,’90, I gave Werner two photographs of my mother, who had Alzheimer’s for 22 years. In a note, I told him that the image that was dark and guarded was how I saw her before the est training. The other image, open and perhaps, more elevating of her and her condition,the latter was how I experienced her, the disease, and our relationship after the training. Werner and I happened to leave the auditorium at the same time, just we two. At first, nervous and a bit unsure, I said something silly like, “Great Forum, Werner” and just as I did, a child like eagerness came to me and I asked, “Did you get the two photos I brought you?” He said, “Those are yours?” And at the same time, he picked me up and hugged me. I have attempted to explain the experience. It goes something like this. There was a infinite peace in that hug, a respect I had never known and another space for me to return to see her again and to let others see those photographs in exhibition and published many times over. Thank you for the training.

Grant Mitchell

When I look back at who I was before I took the EST training, I see someone who would be unrecognizable to anyone who knows me now. I draw on lessons learned there and in the six-day with every student that I teach and every moment that I celebrate living with my wonderful wife. Hardly a week goes by that I don’t think with great affection and gratitude for the people there, Ron Bynum, Jack Schropp, Prema, Harry, Hal Eisen, Janindra, Vanessa, and Alan, and so many others.

And, now on a completely different note, does anyone know where we can get our hands on the six-day movie?

Leigh Gudeman

My life changed for the better in so many ways. I always felt I was alone in a world that I knew we are all one. After the training I discovered I was not alone and not only was i not alone but there were thousands of people like myself. Over the years I have come to realize how powerful it would be to have everyone who ever took the training to live out of one simple quote from Werner. “The problems, we have now in communities and societies are going to be resolved only when we are brought together by a common sense that each of us is a Visionary. Each of us must come to the realization that we can function and live at the level of Vision rather than following some great leader’s Vision. Instead of looking for a great leader, we are in an era where each of us needs to find that Great Leader in Ourselves.” Werner Erhard. If this Quote calls to you as it does to me I would like to hear from you.

It was so fun to reminisce and to reconnect to those days. I did the communication workshop first, in August of 1980. It changed my life in ways unimaginable. Then the est training in January, 1982, the Forum in August, 1989, and the 6-Day in January, 1990. My life has never been the same since my first experience of est. I am grateful every day.

Because of est I made friends for the first time. Before est I would not seek friendships with anyone I thought was better than me. After est, everyone became a potential friend. If I saw an interesting, smart, involved, beautiful or handsome person, and I wanted to get to know that person, I would go introduce myself and ask about them. I can talk to anyone now and have many long-time friends of all ages, races, sexes, weights and intelligences. My life is so much bigger!

Because of est, I started a nonprofit to provide free psychosocial support to cancer patients and their families. This nonprofit has been operating lovingly for thirteen years and has changed the idea of cancer in my community. People who do not even know that I had anything to do with the beginning tell me about this wonderful organization they found which has helped them live their lives fully even though they have cancer.

Because of est, I have been able to be present at the deaths of many friends and family. It is my calling to be with those who are dying. Me, who was so scared of death that I couldn’t even enter a hospital, much less work in one (which I did as a patient representative). Me, who was so scared of death that I suffered anxiety attacks. After est, I not only could be in the presence of dying, but knew that was exactly where I was meant to be. My fear just disappeared.

Because of est I got to hug my mom and dad and have a totally different relationship with them than I had ever had before. I loved them so much, and I knew they loved me, too. I was able to be with both of them as they died and know I was a friend and a comfort. That could not have happened without est.

Because of est, I am an idea machine. Tons of ideas just pop into my head. Things that make sense. Things that make businesses. Oh, and my husband, too. He did the Forum in 1989 and won his company’s $10,000 award the next year. He was a chemical engineer in research and development and he said the Forum cleared away what he used to consider barriers to solutions. After the Forum, he knew possibility. It was amazing.

Because of est, I can say I am sorry and ask for forgiveness. What a relief. And what a shortcut to better relationships.

There is so much more that has come into my life because of est.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Sue

Walter Peters
www.landmarkforumhawaii.com
We’re having a PARTY and you’re invited!!!! Any and all graduates of EST, The Forum, Landmark Education, you’re invited to join us in Honolulu. We have a reunion scheduled for Saturday, July 11th, 5:30pm at the Diamond Head campus of the Unity Church of Hawaii. We also have a Reviewer’s Forum, open to all grads, Scheduled for October 10th & 11th at the Sheraton Waikiki. SFO Landmark Education Center is accountable for registration. (415) 882-6300 or pruiz@landmarkeducation.net You may also call me directly at (808)383-1717 or liveyourdreams@hawaii.rr.com E Komo Mai Aloha, Walter Peters

shelly Heather Paul

I received an email the other day to EST Graduates and opened it and saw a piece by Hal Eisen (a co-incidence or fate)and realized he was my trainer. Hal wrote about his artistic creativity and his experience and that resonated with me since my painting is on the easel waiting to be returned to.

Jane Green
JaneGreenCSW.com
I took the EST training in the early 1970’s. I continued my education at Fordham Univ, and then on to Rutgers School of SW and then Florida’s USF to end up doing what is called “Parenting Coordination” in Florida…..I find myself using what I took from EST….”What you resist persists”…Don’t try…just walk…if you try, you fall down…etcetera… It was the beginning of the new. Jane

Jeff Gaines
www.facebook.com
The above site is a facebook page for est grads. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=70542075604#