BACK TO PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Everyone goes on a journey of self-discovery, self-inquiry, overcoming obstacles, and exploring their relationship to the universe …and now I’ll share some of my story with you.

At the age of 28, after being in the Army as a medic, bicycling throughout the Middle East and Asia, and getting my bachelor’s degree in Journalism, I was a successful real estate developer in Washington DC. I had everything people seem to want, a great job, lots of friends, my own 14-room brownstone in DuPont Circle, a great income, and a wonderful fiancé. I felt that something was missing, but I didn’t know what.

I then learned to meditate. My experience with meditation opened me up to a new world of possibilities. My life took a new direction. I began to explore the field of mind/body medicine, I read the book Perfect Health and I wanted to experience this type of lifestyle. I relocated to Massachusetts to work with best-selling author and mind body pioneer, Dr. Deepak Chopra at his health center. I didn’t know it at the time, but I was living with cancer. As I became completely immersed in holistic health, my life completely changed, and learned to live in a more balanced way.

During the eight years I worked with Dr. Chopra, I assisted him in many capacities. I also received the great benefit of experiencing all that his programs had to offer.  I learned the approaches to health through Ayurveda and the mind/body connection, and how to deal with stress and disease.

From Massachusetts where I first began working with him, he moved to California, where the Chopra Center ultimately ended up. I served as one of the managing directors establishing the new Chopra Center for Well Being. I also had the opportunity to work with healing my body and myself after recovering from cancer.

During my work as the education director with the Chopra Center, we hosted many programs and events. I had the good fortune to work with other well-known teachers such as Debbie Ford, author of Secrets of the Shadow, Judith Kravitz, founder of Transformational Breath, and Margo Anand founder of the SkyDancing Institute and author of Everyday Ecstasy, and I was able to immerse myself in their work while I helped to market and produce their programs. I was chosen to be one of the first teachers of Chopra Center programs, including Perfect Health and Primordial Sound Meditation, and have done so since 1994.

After eight years with Dr. Chopra, I decided to pursue more knowledge of Ayurveda and spirituality, and after a six-month sabbatical in India, where I pursued knowledge of self, spirituality, and mind body health, I moved back to the United States. I became a resident at a Zen Buddhist monastery, Zen Mountain Center, in Southern California.  During the two years I lived there, I meditated (sometimes eight hours a day) and worked as the vegetarian cook (known as the tenzo) in the community. I learned about silence and action, and self-discipline. I also created fundraising and marketing strategies for the monastery. I edited the book Three Bowls, a cookbook featuring their vegetarian fare. 

Gary Zukav, renowned author of Seat of the Soul, contacted me at the Zen Mountain Center. He and his work on spiritual partnership had been featured frequently on the Oprah Winfrey Show, and he was overwhelmed with the public’s interest and response.  Debbie Ford and Deepak Chopra had recommended my support services to him. And, in 1999, I became his first employee. To help him and his partner manage his new- found fame, I opened up an office in Mount Shasta, California, created systems and procedures, negotiated his contracts, and produced his seminars and appearances all over the country. I also developed a new organizational structure for his non-profit organization.  I became well versed in the spiritual partnership communication techniques, and tools of Seat of the Soul.  These communication techniques have been a cornerstone of my daily practice.
 
Following work with Gary Zukav, I served as the director of The School for the Work with Byron Katie, author of Loving What Is in Los Angeles. I revised the curriculum for the schools and traveled with Katie to direct the School for The Work throughout the United States and Europe. Katie shares what she calls The Work. It is a practice, which guides one to investigate beliefs that cause suffering. I became a facilitator for The Work, and use it today in my life and consulting practice.

I met my husband, my partner, and moved to Sedona, Arizona in 2001. I became civically involved and advocate for animals and the environment. I serve on the board of Keep Sedona Beautiful, a 35-year old conservation organization, and was a founding board member of a green building organization, Sustainable Arizona Education and Resource Council. I also established Balance in the Forest, a Citizen Action Committee, aiming to balance commercial and private use of our Coconino National Forest. 

Organizations and entrepreneurs in Sedona and across Arizona asked me to share the knowledge I gained both professionally and personally with them. So, along with teaching meditation, I helped organizations and professionals.

Then, to professionally share my talents with others, I founded Illumine Strategies, a holistic personal and organizational design firm. My mission, as I see it today, is to serve as a catalyst for transformation, helping individuals and organizations reach their potential by drawing upon my experience and the various techniques and tools I gathered while working with many amazing beings.

Call me now to explore our working together…
(928) 204-0067 home office, (928) 254-0064 cell or email me at illumine@esedona.net

Sarah McLean, Illumine, Strategies