The 47-year-old single mom was in the kitchen making an omelette when her 11-year-old daughter, Nicole, started mouthing off to her from the living room. In a flash, Randa was face-to-face with Nicole. This kind of heated family drama would usually involve Randa raising her hand, followed by tears and recriminations. Nicole would leave for school with the sting of a slap and a dark cloud hanging over her day.
This day was different. In the 20 seconds it took for Randa to run into the living room, she remembered what she'd learned at the Three Principles-based, "Peaceful Parenting" class she had attended the week before in her neighborhood of Lakewood, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
She remembered: Your thoughts create your everyday personal reality; your feelings come from this; you can have a new thought any time.
Looking into her daughter's eyes, Randa found new words coming out of her mouth ... Read more of Randa's story
Below we've included more stories of people and The Principles, including our Retreat by the Sea.
A Latino woman in a white pin-striped suit stands in front of the classroom asking the group of 25 adults whether they reflected on a video presented during the previous class. "Do you remember anything about the video?" asks Gabriela Maldonado-Montano, whose job is to teach them the Three Principles. This was their homework, to muse on the taped talk given by Sydney Banks.
"I loved it," a woman in the front row replies.
"What did you love about it?" Gabriela asks.
"The message. That we ultimately know nothing."
The man next to her says he had a different impression. "I got the impression Sydney Banks was saying he couldn't teach you because you, yourself, are your own teacher."
The woman responds, "I guess what I meant is, you don't know it with your brain. You know it with your soul."
This exchange wouldn't be out of place at a Three Principles retreat. What is unusual is that this discussion is happening during a corporate training session ... Read more.
Center without Walls
by Maureen Latta
While I was in Santa Cruz in September with the task of going through the CSC archives of articles published about the Three Principles -- Dr. Roger Mills' legacy -- I came across a piece, written 17 years ago, called "Miracle on 66th Avenue," about the transformation of two crime-ridden Oakland neighborhoods: Lockwood and Coliseum Gardens.
Journalist Dashka Slater's incisive interviews and sensitive, colorful observations captured the "tentative, tender unfolding that is social change" so very well ... Read more.
Nothing To Do ...
By Elese Coit
We wanted to share a few words about the experience at this year's Retreat by the Sea, held in Santa Cruz, California under sun, rain and a big double-rainbow!
This year, we were delighted that the full CSC team -- including Ami, Gabriela, Liz, Maureen and myself -- were there to lead our deeply inspiring 3 days together. Here we all are in the back garden!
For CSC staff, there was a true stepping out into the unknown for the entire retreat. We felt "out on a limb" as we responded each day to where wisdom led for the group. Going "out on a limb" took us out onto the smallest branches, where silent and meaningful moments unfolded. We felt truly full and grateful. Our learning continues still.
And what a brave group! We began the retreat reflecting together on the theme of "nothing to do," and as we deepened our listening into quiet, willing to let go of doing, the entire group relaxed into the unknown, exploring new terrain, within. And the ocean was beautiful.
One participant shared that he was walking along the beach and suddenly burst out in maniacal laughter, realizing that "self-acceptance" was no longer an issue, "When really there is no self!"
Another said the experience "... provided me a path back to myself that requires 'nothing to do' -- I am wise as I am, my wisdom always exists and is available as a resource to me and others."
Dr. Keith Blevens and Valda Monroe joined us by teleconference one evening, and together we enjoyed sharing the simplicity of the Principles.
With very full hearts, we say THANK YOU everyone!
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CSC Radio Show
Here is how to tune in and listen to our weekly radio show Fridays at 10 am Pacific Time, hosted by Elese Coit and Ami Chen Mills-Naim.
Did you know you can get the show sent to you by email? A short mail gives you the link, and you just click and play. It makes it easy to share a show you like with others!
Our Monthly Call For those who would like to share with others more directly and impactfully in their work or professions.
"To Ami, Gabriela and ALL the people that spoke and/or participated in today's tele-seminar ... You made my heart grow :). When I felt that happen before, the 3 principles took me to a place more positive than I could imagine...
That happened again today. I can't wait to see where I go!
"Thank you SO very much. Take care always, RW"
Via virtual classroom on the third Thursday of every month.
