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Life Mastery October 4, 1997 Well, my friends, it has been about a month since Tony Robbins’ Life Mastery seminar in Hawaii concluded and after a month of digestion, it can best be described as nothing less than spectacular. After completing one-half of the journey, which included touring nine countries and attending six seminars, it appeared that a greater sense of appreciation for Life Mastery was inevitable. Once again, Tony created an energy and an atmosphere that revitalized the 1500 attendees from day one until midnight, eight days later. This course is much different than “Date with Destiny,” which I attended in January. It is divided into physical mastery, emotional mastery, relationship mastery, financial mastery, and leadership mastery. Among the speakers for this particular seminar were: Gen. Colin Powell, Larry King, John Grey (Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus), Kathy Buckley (comedian), Art Berg (a quadriplegic who completed a 325-mile marathon in seven days), and many other heroic individuals. But Tony Robbins is definitely the star of the program. He suggests that participants assist one another in defining each other’s goals. Sometimes you are put into a position where you may be critiquing or analyzing another individual. You may call it “diagnosing” your peers which entails any means of support which may help an individual define his or her confusion. Tony has some excellent exercises to facilitate the process. Given the fact the I have the utmost admiration and respect for Tony, I found myself “diagnosing” him and have come to the conclusion that he is one of the most powerful, loving, intelligent, and hard-working individuals I have ever met. In my opinion, his energy can not be compared to that of another human being. He has been given a gift to engage, entertain, and energize even the most stubborn, distant, self-hating, resistant person. Trust me, I fell into some of those categories. As time passes, it amazes me how much more can be appreciated in life once one surrenders and simply trusts the process, the process of life. Wouldn’t it be so pleasant if the world were free of judgements and expectations? Yes, I hear you. Great concept, impossible to achieve. It is an enormous challenge or opportunity if you choose to view it that way. I have had glimpses of that kind of freedom at times when I discipline myself into seeing only the child of God in people. Maintaining that focus and concentration is the task at hand or the gift awaiting each and every one of us if we choose to accept it. This unique discipline comes when one is in alignment with him or herself and is trusting of the process. Wow, that is deep!! Hold your breath because we are going under again. Are you ready? The intensity that brews in each and everyone of us gives us all an incentive to keep taking plunges into this incredible journey of life. Art Berg, author of “Finding Peace in Troubled Waters,” touched me when he comments that the miracle lies in the journey of life, not in the destination. That is so meaningful and powerful. So many times we get so caught up in the drama of life and hold ourselves accountable to outcomes. Why? So we drive ourselves crazy trying to get there? How many times do we actually reach that destination? But trying to reach that destination through perseverance, determination, and surrendering at times, that is where the real work, glory, and peace can be found. Life Mastery enables you to get a glimpse of what you are like when you are performing at your very best (peak performance). This surge of energy and focus only lasts for the duration for the seminar for some people. Maybe they think Tony is going to come home with them and be there when they lose their focus. Who knows? The opportunity that he presents you is to maintain the discipline and focus once you go home. He gives you a program that hopefully you will follow. It’s tough. As I have mentioned before, Tony does not tell you what is wrong with your life. Rather, he is committed to acknowledging you for what is right and magnificent about your life. The details of maintenance are left up to you. How come many people cringe when I mention the name Tony Robbins to them? Is it because he is success? Wealthy? Handsome? Egotistical (Aren’t we all at times!)? or is it simply that many of us, I included, have not taken the time to either read one of his books, attend one of seminars, or surrender to one of his many infomercials? I included myself because before I attended his seminars, I thought he was the most egomaniacal, money-hungry, snap-on-smile jerk ever to fit inside that little square box we call a television. What is my purpose in telling you this? Am I trying to convince you to attend one of his seminars or read one of his books? Am I telling you that he can definitely change your life? Am I telling you what is wrong with your life? The answer to all these questions is definitely, NO! I am simply getting back to that fantasy land of no judgements and expectations. If some people were to make a conscious effort of learning more about Tony an his beliefs and came to the conclusion that he could not help them so be it. It is your choice. But before you simply turn off his informercial, skip by his books in the bookstore, or throw away literature about an upcoming seminar, what harm could it do to attempt to bring a new experience into your life. You have nothing to lose except time. And I know that we all have more time than we think. Actually, these last five or six sentences have nothing to do with Tony. They all support the concept of surrendering, being open to new experiences, and trusting the process. How many times do we feel that the job we are currently in will have nothing to do with our future, will not help us grow, has nothing to do with what we really want to do. etc.? In all seriousness, everything that has happened up into this very moment of your life has been perfect for your individual soul’s evolution. It may be time to take one of those deep breaths again! I would have never thought that I would be writing this stuff two years ago. It’s a part of me now. Though I would like to change some events in my 27-year life so far, I realize that I can’t. What I can do, is put a positive twist on any situation that I perceive to be negative. By doing that, I am not sad when I think of my father’s death, my paralysis, Princess Diana’s death, etc. I merely say to myself, all these events occurred for a reason, whether it was to teach me a lesson, to help me go to a deeper relationship with myself, to help me appreciate the gift of life, to live more in the moment, etc. What I just wrote had so much emotion behind it. Currently, I am sitting in my hotel room, in beautiful London, England, on the journey of a lifetime, and I have managed to lose that thirst for life for the moment. Why? Because I am putting too much pressure on myself. Because I am not living in the moment and taking in all that is beautiful around me. Because I am so worried about what other people’s expectations may be and what their judgements may be if I don’t come back walking when the journey is over. Pretty foolish, huh? Guess what. I’m back with a huge smile on my face and yelling out how “smashing” life is. That is what they say here in England, isn’t it? The advice I gave to myself, “Scott, you are entitled to feel down, but take a deep breath, close your eyes, and visualize all the positives in your life at this very moment.” As you can probably tell, your change of state can turn on a dime. I always ask myself, “Is life really that bad?” And then I usually laugh at myself!! In conclusion, attending Tony’s seminar was another experience on this journey that I will cherish forever. It gave me the opportunity to go to an even deeper level of relationship with myself. Remember, there are levels upon levels and the miracle is in the journey of getting to that next level. But don’t forget to be grateful and acknowledge yourself for reaching every level. Two highlights of many personal highlights for me during the seminar were walking on my hands as Tony held my legs during his famous firewalk and climbing a 50 ft rope and then swinging on a trapeze. Both exercises were to eliminate fears from my life and to say the least, they were quite successful. As I did after attending “Date with Destiny,” I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the following individuals who helped me achieve my goals during the seminar, some in person and some from afar: Tony Robbins And as always, thank you for listening!! |
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