HWI News October 2011

2011-10-13T12:04:00.003-07:00

Donate to Heartwork Institute

2011-10-13T11:46:00.000-07:00

Are you willing/able to sponsor others who would benefit from our programs?

Each dollar that you give will go into the HWI Scholarship fund and will be used to assist another on this journey.

Please make a difference in someone’s life today by sending in a contribution to our foundation.

All donations are tax-deductible.

Donate Online

Mail your donation to:
Heartwork Institute, Inc. 882 Titus Ave. Rochester, NY 14617

A few of our recent Scholarship recipients have this to say about their Heartwork experience:

I can move again. I can be with myself. I am alive. There is blood and life flowing in me - not the concrete that was sitting on me band stuck inside of me. Thank you, Dale, for your very hard work, your dedication and patience. You have truly developed an incredible approach and way of life. I want to continue to be a part of the mission of Heartwork. It's saving me!!

I have gained many insights from this experience ….that the promise of love is always there for me- for everyone….that I am more willing to explore and feel others’ pain and yearning and to not be afraid to stand with my own….that everything we experienced throughout the weekend is LIFE, “intensified”…. that I want to live always as we did those few days- open to all of it.

Today I am clear on who I am and therefore can make choices that are in line with who I am and what I need to live a fulfilling, honest life. I can breathe the universe into every pore of my body…anytime. I now know that I am a beautiful woman full of passion and sensuality.

2011-10-11T15:02:00.000-07:00

End of year / Holiday SALE

half price on
Books & CD's

Books: ~~$39.95~~ $19.97
CDs: ~~$15.00~~ $7.50

more items available @
www.awakentheheart.org/heartworkstore

Support YOURSELF and HWI at the same time?

2011-10-11T05:46:00.000-07:00

Got online shopping to do?

Help support Heartwork’s scholarship fund and earn cash back yourself by shopping through Heartwork’s own web portal: www.shop.com/heartwork.

It’s like Heartwork’s own Amazon but better!

There’s literally thousands of partner stores like Best Buy, Target, Walmart, Sears, American Eagle, Express, Macys, Victoria’s Secret, Restaurant.com, giftcards.com. Did you know you can buy gift cards at giftcards.com for 10% less than the face value? You can also sell your unused gift cards at that site. Read below on how to get started…..

It’s easy to get started:

1. Visit www.shop.com/heartwork today.

2. Sign up as a customer for free, browse the site and start shopping.

3. Your purchases will help support Heartwork’s scholarship fund as well as earn cash back for you.

4. Once you have earned $10.00 in cash back, you can request a check, or use the credit on a future purchase.

5. Questions or need help? Call Annette at 888-340-9865.

6. Have fun shopping and helping Heartwork at the same time!

Weekend of Heartwork

2011-10-10T12:21:00.000-07:00

In A Weekend of Heartwork we look directly into the internal barriers we unconsciously create that keep us feeling disconnected. Using a combination of meditative, psychotherapeutic, and experiential tools, we learn how to move through physical/mental/emotional/spiritual blocks, so that we may connect deeply with the life in ourselves, others, and the Universe.

In an open and trusting environment, within a context of honesty and commitment, we work and play, and learn to see the world in a new and life-sustaining way.

A Weekend of Heartwork is a three-day residential experience.

(brochure from a prior Weekend of Heartwork)

Words that past attendees share:

Three and a half years had elapsed since my last heartwork event, and I was suffering. I had lost my way and my ability to access the precious pain of my original wounds. Through this experience, I was able to find the door to my heart and to give compassion to myself by being gentle, soft, and kind instead of being impatient and judgmental of myself and others. Diana

I found every single second of this experience valuable, particularly knowing that I was not alone and that everyone, even though , on their own journey, was there for me and more than willing to help if needed it. I found that if I believe in me, I can achieve anything I put my mind to , and if I fail, it’s ok. I could not have achieved what I did by myself. I needed the help of everyone…. their love and energy and knowing that if they could do it, so could I. Debbie

I came to this intensive with the intention of penetrating the frozen walls that encompass my heart and to get to the root of what was preventing me from creating the life I truly wanted. I wanted to heal aspects of myself that have been buried for many years and to put these fragmented pieces of my soul back together where they belong. I found that the weekend fully satisfied these expectations and then some. Having the support of 38 people was absolutely amazing. It really taught me how to receive and to not feel guilty about it – like I was not monopolizing everyone else’s time. The work I did was challenging and painful, but the group made it almost easy.
Juliette

I wanted to be able to learn how to live with an open heart. I found the way to this, and now better understand how to return home to myself. I reclaimed my hope, worthiness, and happiness, and realize that it is always worth opening to the pain and longing. Sara

I didn’t know that a person could change so drastically within such a very short time frame. I saw so many transformations right before my eyes including my own. I have a sense of peace that I have NEVER had. . I’m happy and have so much hope for myself. I feel cleansed for the first time in my entire life. Thank you for this gift. Renee

Presence Retreat

2011-10-10T12:17:00.000-07:00

In this retreat, we will allow ourselves to go deeper and deeper into Presence. We will explore the barriers that prevent us from accessing and living in Presence in our everyday lives. By becoming conscious of these barriers, we more easily move through them. (brochure from prior Presence Retreat)

Those who experienced a Presence Retreat say:

I really felt that this was a special workshop. The length of time, the content, and the practice was a particularly good balance. Coming home to oneself is the ultimate gift.... It couldn’t have been more perfect. So much deepening, learning, and experiencing. So much fun in exploring into the depth of being.... I welcome my life – I feel the transition – I am coming home in many aspects of being. Donna Berber

…the retreat was wonderful. I am still deep in my body, many people have commented on how calm I appear! I am practicing moment by moment (literally) and asking....what is it, what do you need, where are you right now....and have been able to stay in this place. Trish Gregg

Morning Awakenings-- while I was on my walk, feeling the earth under my feet, I realized it is not a lack of sleep that makes me tired, it is a lack of presence. Because I am now more present and centered in my body, I could actually feel energy come up from the earth and into my feet. I could have walked forever. Amazing feeling. Also, I realized am overweight because I am not present when I eat. I was totally brain dead yesterday because I didn't get home until after11:00. My boss, being the amazing man that he is, said: "hey lady, what planet are you on???" I said: "I'm on the planet of love!!!"Thank you for sharing your wisdom and compassion--it has allowed me to heal. Patricia R. Thompson

Letting Go III Retreat

2011-10-10T12:08:00.000-07:00

Heartwork is a process of "letting go with awareness into the Truth of one's Being-in-the-moment." This process is the essential foundation of Heartwork, through which Heartwork came into existence and continues to evolve. In this retreat, you will be taught the Heartwork tools for letting go, and then you will be given wide open space to find your own way using these tools. The two fundamental instructions for this retreat are:

“Watch increasingly closely to see if you are pushing away, fighting against, or running away from anything that is happening in your being in-the-moment, and when you find yourself doing any of these things, stop and let go into what is happening;” and, “Ask yourself, 'What do I really need right now?' And then give it to yourself.”

These two processes, combined, allow one to go very deeply into one's True Nature – that which is not separate from others, nature, God. (view prior retreats brochure)

Words from those who attended the Letting Go III retreat in September 2011:

Before this, meditation was just about working on Presence. This opened me up to being Present to my stuff. I found that after a thought train has carried me off, at the moment I come back to myself I can see/feel an emotional fragment pointing towards the hook that it used. Then I can sit with that hook cradled in my awareness. – Ken Rich

I am a joy-filled man resting inside of nothing. I am at PEACE. – Brian Stovall

I gained more insight than I expected. It gave me what I needed and wanted: the beginning of my new path of personal freedom. – Pat Thompson

I got in touch with the different forces/stories inside of me. I got in touch with my body. – Dan Kelly

Using the concentration and the tools will make it easier for me when I go home. – Dan Apt

The best word I can use to describe the retreat is “beautiful”. It was gentle, yet had the necessary amount of structure and firmness to support my inner journey. – Mike Boyack

I feel more at peace with myself than I ever have in my whole life. – Cheryl Barron

I loved the mindfulness and the structure of this retreat. – Michell Hays

I have more of a commitment to living in Loving Presence. – Bill Vosteen

Letting go is not, as it turned out for me, a “magical” experience, but has proven to be quiet and grounding, a slow motion wave into eternity. – Nancy Ruby

I was amazed at the meditations and the understanding that Heartwork brings to that process of opening. It all came together for me – all the years of work and practice. Each piece was a jewel – well timed, gentle, and deep. – Dana Kilgore

My learning is not complete. But I know if I pass through the fear again and again, I will be open and able to gently appreciate more, and close myself off less. – Michele Baldwin

I learned that I can be quietly alone without any input, unless I choose it. – Carol Preston

"This Is It" Retreat

2011-10-10T12:02:00.000-07:00

We all arrive in our intentions and create the retreat in response to whatever shows up in the space in-the-moment.

Participants share their experiences from the "This Is It" retreat:

The "This Is It" retreat absolutely satisfied my expectations. I was able to voice and work on my two intentions in such a way that no other therapy has touched. – Nancy

The "This Is It" retreat provided a space in which I was free to relive my trauma as a child and to experience it in a new way. I am now able to freely pass though the walls that have trapped me for most of my life. – Michele

I'm just back from a wonderful "This Is It" retreat. I have to share with you the most magical thing that has ever happened in a Heartwork event. When one of the participants was deeply grieving the loss of his soul when his first true love committed suicide, a little bird flew into the window. I went over to the window and saw her sitting on the ground, so I went out to see if she was injured. When I came out, she flew away. She was a young female cardinal. A few minutes later, she returned, and sat on the window sill looking in at us. I went over to the window and she flew down to the ground. When I went out, she was sitting still on the ground and I went over to her and gently put my hand under her chest and she stepped up onto my fingers. I carried her into the work space, and she just sat on my hand for a while, checking everything out, and particularly the man grieving his loss. Then she flew up into the rafters, where she perched and watched from above, while the man completed his grieving. When he was complete, we went over to her and the man held a broom up to her, which she stepped onto. He took her outside and put her on the ground, and she flew away.Magical!And the clincher is: his first love's favorite birds were cardinals, and she had a family of cardinals in their backyard which she fed! - Dale

Dale's utilization of group energy and dynamics was (not unexpectedly) masterful. One person's journey touched others. I learned much about myself from everyone present. I grew in compassion and understanding as I saw commonalities between what each person was struggling with and what I struggle with. I grew by listening to and giving to others and I gained tremendously from the support that I received. I suspect I would not have gotten as much if I had been alone. - Jason

So much of the "This Is It" retreat was valuable and the "value" continues to resonate. What I will remember with absolute vividness for the rest of my life was the appearance and presence of "the cardinal". I get goosebumps every time I think of it. I have struggled to convey it to other people (and have done so only with a select few -- people who are spiritual and curious/open enough to possibly understand (or at least not "mock me" or it.). - Jason

Year-long HTP "Who Am I REALLY?"

2011-10-10T11:57:00.000-07:00

In the "Who Am I, REALLY?" year-long HTP we bring focused, discriminating awareness to all aspects of Being: personal/ego, soul, and spirit. This allows us to see, experience, accept and integrate ALL of Who/What we really are, as clearly, deeply, and broadly as possible. The year-long "Who Am I, REALLY?" HTP brings together the whole Heartwork picture: How to access Who you really are, how we split from our True Nature, working through our wounds to re-access our True Nature, the Essential Aspects of Being as doorways to True Nature, and how this all comes together in the Soul.

The year-long "Who AM I, REALLY?" HTP will expand on the 2006 Retreat (view the brochure) and will explore all aspects of who we are in much greater depth than was possible in the retreat.

Participant testimonials from 2006 "Who AM I, REALLY?" Retreat:

I really, really, really like this format! My life is always very hectic, so this has been a great change of pace. – Jean

It was FANTASTIC! It exceeded my expectations. It was the best get I thought. Perhaps because it built on others I've done. The readings helped place the work in the work in the brain also. - Alex

The retreat has been so very powerful, being able to identify all the parts of me that make me whole. - Carole

It was truly transforming and nothing but joy and gratitude have filled my heart. - Sonja

Death March

2011-10-10T11:40:00.000-07:00

The “Death March” group will explore, as profoundly as possible, the depth and breadth of Being - all aspects of it: the spiritual, the personal, and the interpersonal (as one of my good friends put it: "The Death March!").

In addition to participating in the 5-Day Death March Retreat, The Death March will meet for 2 hours twice-a-month via conference call, at a time when all participants are available to meet, The meetings will include individual and group work, and group discussion, using the Heartwork tools, and with a group and individual (including my own) commitment to not hold back! The goal for each meeting will be to look as deeply as we possibly can, minute-after-minute, hour-after-hour, meeting after-meeting, month-after-month, using the of energy our own and the group’s intention as a powerful support for our inquiry into Who and What we really are, and What this is all about. Participants will also do bi-weekly co-counseling trades.

Testimonials "How the Death March changed my Life:

What I learned at the Death March retreat at a very deep, experiential level is that when I am attached to something.....whether it is something I want, or something I don't want...but I have an "attachment" to the outcome, I suffer. When I let go of the attachment, I let go of the suffering. - Trish G

The Death March has allowed me a higher comfort level with the fear of death, which is permitting me to live more from love. Perspective and priorities come to mind – I am able to let go of many things that in the past have kept me operating from my ego and living in fear. I find I have greater acceptance & compassion for myself and others, and as a result, I move through the world with ease. I have so much more space to just be! - Helen O

“I feel much more sane and sober since the Death March retreat. Much unnecessary stuff has fallen away. I have a lot less unnecessary mental activity going on and, as a result, less internal dramatizing of the circumstances of my life. I am more in direct contact with myself and the things going on around me. I have more fully dropped into myself.”- Ken L

I feel immense joy in "merely" being alive in this moment, and I know it is a direct result of my Death March experience. I feel happy as I get ready to go to work, as I clean my house, as I do my grocery shopping, cook dinner... all my every day ordinary movements are full of pure unadulterated appreciation for being here right now, and now and now and now !!! - Ruthie O

Since returning home from the Death March Retreat I am moving freely through my world. The paralysis that has kept me hostage in this body and world has been lifted. I am free to live. How grateful I am for the opportunity to finally LIVE and BE FREE before the inevitable final days of my life arrive. Amen. - Michele B

2010-08-14T14:20:00.000-07:00

Private Sessions In Austin

2010-08-14T08:25:00.000-07:00

Dale will be seeing people for private sessions in Austin in February, and has three openings left: one each on the 9th afternoon and evening, and 10th morning. If you are interested in having time with him, please email him at dalegee22@gmail.com. Dale's fee is $130 for 50 minutes, and $65 for each additional 30 minutes. Your health insurance may cover all or part of my fee, as he is a New York State Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Please check with your insurance company to see what is possible.

October 15th - 16th M i n i R e t r e a t

2010-08-14T07:58:00.000-07:00

24-hour Mini-Retreat: "What Do I Need?"

During the course of the day, I will teach, and you will practice, the last in a series of tools that will help you to learn how to “Let go into the Truth of your Being-in-the-moment”

Mini-Retreats provide you with an opportunity to experience the dynamic inner-work that Heartwork offers, with a minimal expenditure of time and money - AND you can do it from your own home or at any location with a friend.

I know you will have a wonderful opportunity to deepen your inner work if you choose to participate in this event.

People who missed the previous Mini-Retreats in the series will be allowed to do the online "Letting Go" Mini-Retreat prior to the "What Do I Need?" Mini-Retreat at no additional charge. The retreat starts at 9 pm on the 15th and ends at 9 pm on the 16th.

FEE: $99 / FREE to HTP members

email: awakentheheart@gmail.com or call 888-340-9865 to Register

Words from participants who have attended mini-retreats:

I found the retreat really worthwhile in ways I didn't expect. In fact, it wasn't anything like I expected. I connected with my inner child in a way I never have before. – Brian C

The 24 Hour Retreats gives the opportunity to spend the whole day in focused attention, to be able to go deep and shed the layers. I came into the Retreat not knowing what relationship I wanted to work on but it soon became evident to me that the relationship I needed to connect with was with myself. The process took me on the journey back to my essence, my true self. It allowed me to let go and see how so much holding was keeping me away from myself and all my other relationships. I had isolated myself without knowing it. I became free of those restraints and embraced love for myself. This was a profoundly gentle process and with the support of the group was able to really dive in. – Carole

Thank you for the time of this HW mini-retreat. My experience today was transforming through using the tools you offered us guidance on. I particularly learned about going back into an incident, and reframing the context using what I had learned about what it is I needed and could not ask for at the time, creating a very painful time. When I reframed it, it changed the history. It was nothing short of miraculous. I came away from this mini with a centered and authentic personal power that feels lasting.- Nancy

A NOTE from DALE

2010-08-14T07:45:00.000-07:00

Dear Heartworker:

Heartwork is at a turning point. Over the past couple of years, there have been numerous indications that people are now more interested in the inward, meditative aspect of the Heartwork process (i.e., retreats) than the more emotionally expressive work (intensives). This was clearly pointed out by the feedback we received from participants in the last few events.

In order to help plan for the next year-or-two, I’m very interested in finding out exactly what and how you would like to go forward in your inner work in Heartwork. Below is a list of events that I would like to offer. Descriptions of these events can be seen by clicking each, they are also accessible in the Quick Links menu in the right column on this page . I would be most appreciative if you would select the events you would most likely attend, and send your responses to us at awakentheheart@gmail.com .

___ 3-month meditation/inquiry group

___ 3-month “Death March”

___ Year-long “Who Am I, Really?” Heartwork Transformational Program

___ 4-day Letting Go III Retreat

___ 4-day Presence Retreat

___ 3-day Weekend of Heartwork

___ 3-day “This Is It” Retreat

I've outlined what could be a great offering, BUT I'm waiting to get the responses from everyone to see what the group wants before I decide anything. Please respond with your choices and preferences, by emailing HWI at awakentheheart@gmail.com, your input is very important.

BEGINNING MAY 2012:

The 3-month meditation/inquiry group will include daily meditation, weekly inquiry trades with a partner, monthly 2-hour conference calls and monthly 24-hour mini-retreats. It will teach all of the Heartwork meditations (people will do the Letting Go mini-retreat if they haven't yet done so), and will include teachings on the Inquiry process for people who haven't already received these teachings previously.

BEGINNING AUGUST 2012:

Condensed version of the very powerful and highly successful year-long "Death March" offered last year, and will include the dynamic Death March Retreat.

BEGINNING NOVEMBER 2012:

The "Who Am I, Really?" Heartwork Transformational Program is an expansion of the popular "Who Am I, Really?" Retreat facilitated in June, 2009. We will explore in much greater depth all aspects of our nature, from our animal instincts to our True Nature. It will include all the elements of the HTP.

Blessings and Love,

Dale

INQUIRY - the process of exploring "with-in" ......... Join the Journey

2010-08-14T06:06:00.000-07:00

Inquiry is a dynamic, open-ended exploration into the immediacy of our experience to more deeply understand the mystery of who and what we truly are. The practice is based on a simple but profound principle: Being freely reveals itself to anyone who loves to know the truth of reality and is willing to wholeheartedly surrender to not-knowing and remain open to and curious about truth. To paraphrase George Washington Carver's reply upon being asked how he discovered the thousands of uses for the lowly peanut, "If you love something deeply enough, it will reveal all its secrets to you."