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The Self Examiner

Sharing is very important to us at Cafe Gratitude. This blog is our means of connecting with you, our community through sharing what's happening with us and creating a conversation around the many facets of this community.
Tags >> workshop testimony

Last Leadership Training of the Year

terces

Leadership training this weekend was so inspiring. Matthew and I kept on saying to one another, "look at_________(we could fill in so many names), how amazing they are!" What a powerful group of leaders out in the world fulfilling on their commitments! What a tremendous community they are. This was their final weekend of an eight month course, with people gathering from all over the country. I am so grateful for each one of you.
Winter mornings and nights have us warming up around a campfire. Leche is starting to show signs of an upcoming birth, and we are so excited. I'll keep you posted.
Persimmons and pomegranates are just about ready for picking. Walnuts are off the trees drying in the barn. Our wine has been filtered once and the flavor is amazing.
Our community is seeing legal threats as an opportunity to crank up the love! How wonderful is that? We couldn't have asked for better partners for keeping our attention on gratitude!
Love you all,
Terces


on Nov 17, 2011 Posted by: terces | Comment (0)

Am I A Request For Love, Or am I BEING LOVE In Expression?

Nathaniel

 

Recently, I experienced the Kindred Spirit workshop with Matthew and Terces. There were many profound openings in my soul and realizations of truth in my consciousness. It is my hope to share some of the benefit I received in Kindred Spirit with you through this blog post.

Something Matthew said struck me as so very important and relevant for my whole life, for my entire way of being towards the world, towards others, towards God and towards myself. It has been blessedly reverberating throughout my awareness since I heard it in the course. Now as I write about it, I feel able to apply this seeing even more on a daily basis, and particularly as I consider what it is to pray.

What Matthew said is the title of this article: "Am I a request for love, or am I Being Love in expression?"

My understanding of this is as follows. Am I asking for love in my actions, words, and thoughts? (That is, asking for love as though love is not already present within me?) Or am I consciously allowing love to flow through me, in me and as my thoughts, words, beliefs, actions and attitudes?

This reflects for me upon my sense of what it is to be human, which is to have been created by God with a human nature and to have my human nature fully realized unto its highest end, which is to be a full and complete expression of the Divine nature, of love!

So, in every moment, I am aware of a challenge which naturally presents itself.

It is simply this: to be fully with this love, to be as this love, to be always and only an expression of this love, and to see when and where I am not.

 


on Aug 26, 2011 Posted by: Nathaniel | Comment (0)

Reflections from the Leadership Training Course

Guest

I'm back from a second amazing Leadership weekend at Be Love Farm in Vacaville, CA. I am incredibly grateful to be part of a group of forty strong dynamic and diverse light workers growing under Matthew and Terces leadership. Terces and Matthew's commitment to community and growing leaders is amazing, inspiring and producing incredible transformations.

This weekend I got in touch with how this training is providing me tools for a powerful inner healing. I grew up in a home in which community was always present. First, as a one of five children of a diplomat living in Germany, Turkey and Romania. Community showed up in the form of visitors and guests attending gatherings in our home, and visits and travels to others homes and places. Life swirled around me and I was enriched by it. Then as an adolescent, my parents settled in Washington, DC and created a spiritual center. From the age of thirteen, my parents held classes, services and workshops in our large home. In addition to these activities my father brought home a few assorted yogi's, inventors and kind folk who had fallen on hard financial times. These folks found refuge in our basement and lived with us for periods of time. During these years I experienced community connection in meditations, classes and services. But my experience included not only loving connection, but also anger at some of these strangers for intruding on my family experience. With my siblings, we criticized some of the community for being too wacky or weird. Honestly, I was embarrassed in front of my peers because I didn't have a “normal” family life! Looking back now I see my experience as a powerful early education in community. However there were gaps in my understanding of community, and those gaps began to show up when I was called to create and grow a spiritual center in NYC from 1975 – 1985. I am grateful I had the tools to create a dynamic center of spiritual learning and practice in mid-town Manhattan. So many people were benefited, so many good relationships grew. However my leadership skills, especially in growing community, were limited. I was still committed to being right and having strong opinions of others. I practiced unconditional love in meditation, but once I left meditation and re-entered ego awareness, the unconditional love gave way to judgements and opinions. These practices limited my effectiveness, and ultimately led to burn out.


on Aug 22, 2011 Posted by: Guest | Comment (0)

Trust, Practice and Payoff: Jumping into the Abounding River.

cheyenne

 

Tomorrow our living room area of our central offices will be filled with open minded powerful workshop participants.  Every month we hold one workshop where Terces and Matthew Engelhart share what they've learned and what they're practicing in their lives.  In these workshops, they open their hearts, speak authentically and transparently, and spend the entire weekend expressing what they've created in the many communities they've founded.  People from all of the world come to these workshops and we know that it's a challenge for many to come, stay for the weekend, and to listen without filters, defenses or resistance.  I'm here to tell you that we know that you've got your own methods, that you've learned how to survive, what works and what doesn't.  We know that you've got it together... and these workshops are an opportunity for to release what isn't working.  How's your relationship with money?  Do you fear it, hate it, depend on it...?  If you struggle with finances, don't trust money or feel confined by it, the Abounding River Workshop (this September) might be another path that works better for you.  Think of these workshops as invitations to another way... not as "the way".  We don't offer you the truth, these are tools that we like and we're referring them to others because they work so well for us.  Our last workshop was The Abounding River and we brought it to Manhattan with great reviews.  I encourage you to try out some of Matthew & Terces's books and see what practices they offer work for you in your life.  Remember that it takes a little discomfort to create a true shift.  Whatever you're stuck on right now has its payoff (otherwise you wouldn't be stuck there, right?)


on Jun 17, 2011 Posted by: cheyenne | Comment (0)

Surrendering to the Life that is Waiting For Us

Erin

"We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us."— Joseph Campbell This quote has been my mantra ever since I went to Hawaii for the Aloha Awakenings retreat in March. What a journey it's been getting there and returning - nothing short of miraculous - and all because I was willing to let go of the life I had planned.

I just recently relocated (again!) from Los Angeles to San Francisco, after a very strong message from Spirit to "Come Home" when I was sitting in the middle of the Pachamama Alliance annual fundraising luncheon on November 17 last year. I knew I was supposed to leave my beautiful Topanga Canyon home, but I figured I was going to land either in Santa Monica or Venice. As soon as I arrived in San Francisco the night before the luncheon, though, I had a very strong feeling that I was supposed to move back to northern California. In all my years in the bay area, I had never lived in The City; perhaps this was what was calling me. So, after that luncheon, I decided to pack up a few things, sell my car in L.A. and do a month's worth of house sitting in the bay while I looked for a place to live in San Francisco.

Even then I was letting go of the life I had planned, but that was just the first step.


on May 03, 2011 Posted by: Erin | Comment (0)

The Abounding River Workshop through my eyes

Heather M.M.

 

This weekend I attended The Abounding River, a workshop taught in a pay-it-forward style by the creators of Cafe Gratitude: Matthew and Terces Engelhart. I had flipped through and purchased the Logbook (which the work shop is based off of) so I kind of had a sense of what I was in for. I was excited that I would be exploring my self-worth, my relationship to money, and saying positive “I Am” mantras in the Cafe Gratitude style. What I did not expect was that I would leave with a much stronger sense of courageousness in my heart, a beautiful new ring (I will explain more about that later), and the option to take on a whole new view of my life.

The workshop started Saturday morning. I snuck in quietly though the back door as a room of friendly people turned their heads to gaze at the sound of the creaking hinge. I managed to find a seat and the workshop began with us all introducing ourselves. Matthew and Terces sat up front and shared “Ok, so to start with this morning, We’d like for you to all share your name and one thing you are uncomfortable with sharing about your relationship to money”. Wow, I thought, as the source of my most embarrassing money secret instantly came careening to the front of my mind. I tried to think of anything else to share that wasn’t so embarrassing. As I thought, I listened. In the moments prior to my arrival, Matthew and Terces had created an environment of trust.

Many people around me were openly sharing their versions of their own money nightmares: some people couldn’t stop worrying about saving enough money or paying their bills on time while others couldn’t stop spending and were deeply indebted to friends, family, and banks. Finally it was my turn and the atmosphere of integrity couldn't stop the words from coming out of my mouth: “What I’m most embarrassed by is that I am still supported by my parents and I’m terrified of the notion that I will have to support myself one day”. Silence met my ears and it was over. I felt a sense of relief. My fears were on par with everyone else’s, even if the ideas that led to them were different: Now I know I’m not the only one with major fears around money.

The major perspective that is shared in this workshop is that money is inherently neutral: it is our own personal blocks that create our relationship troubles with it. We worked with partners to look at money from multiple perspectives and unveil what our subconscious ideas around money really look like. One example of this was thinking of our relationship to money as a friendship or romantic relationship and then answering questions like “Do you expect me to make you happy?” and “Is our relationship security to you?” The implications of our responses were profound. Most of us had terrible relationships. We worked to come to see how our perspectives could be different, Matthew and Terces were empowering us to take responsibility for our relationships.

Around lunch time we got an invitation to do a homework assignment: “During lunch we would like you to give something away- whether it is money- like a higher tip than usual to your waitress- or an item. We’d like you to give it to someone who is not in the workshop, to someone who has no idea why they are receiving from you then come back and report your findings to us after lunch”. I left having no idea what I was going to give- or how. I had no cash on me but I left it open.

I went to lunch with some of the participants at Gracias Madre- Cafe Gratitude’s sister vegan Mexican restaurant. I was sitting, happy to be out and exited to connect with some of the other participants on a more casual level. As I sat down at the family style dining table, there was a beautiful woman across from me wearing a lovely rose quartz and silver ring. I could tell it was a beloved belonging so I complimented her on it. I was looking for a connection to her and I had no idea how deep it was going to get. She looked at me and she said “you like this ring?” and I replied “yes its beautiful” she then preceded to take it off her finger and hand it to me, “its yours now”. Yes, she wasn't following the protocol of the assignment, she knew clearly that I was in the workshop with her, but she said she felt particularly attached to the ring and had been inspired to give it up, make it into an offering.

I felt honored and had some trouble receiving it. I had only wanted to connect with her and being gifted was a challenge to me.  I called my own self worth into question. I was encouraged to accept and receive the gift. The ring is still on my finger now as I write this, its a beautiful reminder that life goes on, with or without our most prized possessions and that sometimes life really does deliver unexpected gifts.

On my way back to the workshop I realized I had nearly forgotten to give my gift. I reached into my bag and found my BART (bay area rapid transit) ticket. It had enough on there to get someone somewhere. I wanted to give to someone who clearly wasn’t in need- I wanted to prank someone with my gift: sometimes giving without reason is joyous and hilarious. I ran up to a girl my age putting gas in her tank and handed her the public transport card. “I want you to have this” I said. Surprisingly, without any skepticism, she said “thank you” and accepted it. I could learn a thing or two from her.

When we arrived back Matthew and Terces encouraged people to share their stories. I learned so much from hearing the people around me speak about their experiences. There were a few hilarious stories.  I heard one participant in the workshop who had given his money to someone on the street and said to him “spend it well”.  Apparently the person didn’t take kindly to the statement and replied “excuse me sir but do I tell you what to do with your money?”. It was a sweet anecdote that I felt pointed to a much larger relationship that the man had with money: needing to feel in control of where it went. We all laughed and took in the lessons everyone had to share.

We moved on to more exercises and talked about reconstructing our perception of debt. One woman shared her fear around debt from investments in music equipment. Terces shared “try to consider that you have been blessed with the gifts of what you were asking for and now the world is asking you to step into your gifts by creating wealth from the instruments you have received”. This was a revolutionary way of looking at the concept to me: Having debt comes from a place of having been abundant enough in the first place to have received what you were asking for AND you can choose to see it as a calling to create more abundance. How empowering.

We closed out the day with a final homework assignment: “Notice how abundant you already are and come back tomorrow to share your findings with us”. My mind was already calculating millions of anwsers: clean water, social services, friendship, health... We walked around the room sharing information and hugs and finally the day ended and  I was offered a ride back to my home.

I would love to share with you about my second day and beyond, but if I do this blog post might turn into a novel. This workshop has been a blessing and has left me feeling more capable and abundant than ever before. What is even more amazing is that this is just one of several workshops offered throughout the year  by Matthew and Terces at a Pay it Forward rate. People who are interested in supporting the benefits of workshops like these are encouraged to donate a limitless amount while people who are experiencing a financial challenge are encouraged to pay what they can: even if that doesn’t come in the form of cash. I am so grateful for all of the gifts I have received this weekend and I am paying my abundant feeling forward by trying on this new view of life and passing it on to others: A view of being provided for.

Click here to see a list of upcoming workshops.

 


on Apr 21, 2011 Posted by: Heather M.M. | Comment (1)

Unabashedly Self Expressed at Aloha Awakenings

Guest

My heart is overflowing with gratitude and joy as I am sitting here, searching for the right words that will do justice to the experience I had with Aloha Awakenings. It was such a gift to be submerged into a level of astounding beauty on Earth I had never experienced before. Just when I thought it couldn't get any more beautiful, my surroundings became showered with the light of my new friends and family. All of our shared experiences became so much a part of the colorful, abundant surroundings that blessed us graciously. Even the generous sprinkling of stars seemed brighter each night while they reflected everyones' experiences from the day.
I have learned so much about myself and the community I represent through the workshops we had each day. The exercises and tools we learned were so powerful, and I feel better equipped at being a leader in my community. I have never felt so safe being exposed and sharing what I thought were incomplete parts of myself. The level of LOVE and acceptance were as abundant and powerful as the  glistening ocean surrounding us. Although sad to leave, I have returned feeling reborn, transformed, and ready to LIVE and GIVE unabashedly!
 
I have learned recently in studying the law of attraction that you don't attract what you want, you attract what you ARE. I am so grateful that I attracted Cafe Gratitude, this workshop, and these people into my life. If this is a testament to who I am , I feel so truly honored, and that I must be doing something right. I hope to pass this feeling and inspiration on to everyone who crosses my newly lit path, and am looking forward to expanding my awareness through future workshops!
By Talyn


on Apr 07, 2011 Posted by: Guest | Comment (0)

Weekends that make the world shift

cheyenne

I am totally inspired by the incredible transformation in people's lives through our workshops!  I attended one of their most recent Kindred Spirit workshops and found that at least two couples found each other there that weekend through attending the workshop. I've watched people declare their love for each other, commit to what their life is for, reconnect with their families, and act on their life's passions.  These workshops are powerful trainings in tools that we use in our community.  We recognize that this way of life is not the truth, but a perspective that works wonderfully for what we are committed to.  We invite you to try it on and see if it's something that serves you like it serves us. 

Last week Terces and Matthew married a couple who met in one of their Kansas City workshops.  Whole communities gathered in gratitude and the relishing of abundance have started with a workshop.  What new life is available to you on the other side of these workshops?

 


on Mar 07, 2011 Posted by: cheyenne | Comment (0)

Stretching Against Fear and Doubt in a Foreign Country

Guest

 

Valentina came from Germany finding us through  Jason Mraz and attended our weekend workshop. Valentina's enthusiasm for life and genuine courage and openness inspired us all and we urged her to talk about her experience through our blog.  Meet Valentina:  a beautiful shining spirit causing her life in Germany.

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on Feb 10, 2011 Posted by: Guest | Comment (0)

Gratitude !

We love the expansive feeling we get from cultivating an attitude of Gratitude.

What are YOU Grateful for today ?

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