Lauren Spiro

When we are present in the moment, we are free from any attachment from the past as well as free and open to what lies ahead.

Living each day in awareness invites discovering new depth and meaning; we are shown the way through, and all we have to do is be open to the possibilities.

Through our relationships with self and others we create a dynamic energy that can manifest a new reality. This soulful synergistic awakening is powerful in truth and wisdom and is our Devine legacy.

As we tap into meaning found in the depths of mind/body/spirit dialogues we come to understand the elegant mosaic that is someone’s life. This dance of discovery and fusion, much like the metamorphosis of caterpillar into butterfly is an evolutionary growth process.

It is an act of faith to give credence to creative expression; it’s a process of burning off the haze and illuminating the inner self. We, and others, are changed by this process.

As a child of the universe, how we live our life is an artistic creation; We are the canvas, infused with rainbows, reflecting light, and healing wounds.

As we deepen our awareness that change happens through us (not to us), we more fully embody our role as visionaries ushering in a cooperative and peaceful world.

To create a just America, an America where everyone is included we must envision it, we must convincingly and collectively believe it and speak it. This is not a revolution against something, it is an evolution towards a better quality of life for all living beings.

by Lauren Spiro, Leah Harris & Dan Fisher

Emotional crisis can happen to anyone, at anytime. But how many of us are equipped with the skills to support a friend, loved one, co-worker, or even a stranger through a crisis? Actually we all have an instinctive capacity to help others through crises, but just need to gain the skills and confidence to do so.

Many of us are taught to fear the expression of strong emotions, and to hide or suppress big feelings. We have also erroneously been taught that only specially trained people or “professionals” are equipped to handle these experiences. But people knowledgeable in conventional treatment often aren’t exposed to community-based, holistic, common sense, person-to-person approaches. Many people have gained wisdom and resiliency by working through emotional distress, and it is helpful to do this with someone who understands the growth potential in these experiences.

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It has been several years now that we have been bringing Emotional CPR (eCPR), our public health education program designed to teach laypeople to assist each other through emotional crisis, to communities across the United States and overseas. Many people have told us that the skills they have learned in our training have helped them communicate better in all their relationships. They also tell us that eCPR is a “way of life,” in that it is a practice of being more accepting of and present to ourselves and others. This is very good news, and it is an invitation to take our understanding of eCPR to a deeper level.

A few months ago I had the great honor of speaking with Kofi Annan, former secretary general of the United Nations, after a talk he had given locally here in Washington, DC. We spoke about eCPR and there was a moment that I will remember for the rest of my life. He looked deep into my eyes and said, “We are in the same line of work. We are peacemakers.” It was a profound statement that inspired me to think more about eCPR as a tool of peacemaking.

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