I was feeling a bit nostalgic when I read recently that the old Jack Tar Hotel (The Cathedral Hill) in San Francisco is being torn down to make way for a hospital. It reminded me of the early days of the training that I did there. Those were some wonderful and exciting days weren’t they? “Home of the First est Training – A Bit of History”

Irene Kendig
www.irenekendig.com
It was July of 1976. My mother called to tell me about a fascinating guy she’d seen on TV named Werner Erhard. “I want to find out about this thing he’s doing,” she said. “and I want you to come with me.” I still remember the name of our guest seminar leader: Susan Patterson. She started sharing, and whatever it was she had, I wanted. I couldn’t register fast enough when the break came. I ran to the back table, concerned that the training would be full before I could sign up. My mother and I decided to take different trainings. She did August A. The whole world changed while I was in the training. “This isn’t the same world that existed prior to the training,” I thought. Everything was brand-spankin’ new. It was as if I’d gone into the training with my head on backwards and, somehow in the process, it had managed to rotate 180 degrees. I started keeping my word. I went from being a victim in life to being at cause. I spent the next ten or so years attending programs and volunteering. I went through every est seminar there was. Remember “About Sex?” (smile) I did the Guest Seminar Leaders Program (GSLP), and the Six-Day. I did an amazing course called “The Nature of Reality,” that was led by the consultants and took place over eight consecutive weekends. I attended “Making Relationships Work.” I was on dozens of logistics teams and phone teams. I became a Training Supervisor. I enrolled fifty children into a Children’s Training. Everyone in my family did the est training. Today we are more in touch with our love and support for one another than ever before. I am so proud of my family. My word has become law in the universe. I am rarely at the effect of anyone or anything. I have the freedom to choose my attitude in every moment, and I choose joyous acceptance, love, gratitude, compassion and peace. This is what I bring to life in every now . . . now . . . now . . . Thank you, Werner. I am so very grateful. I love you.