Control Taking
Story from M.E. VIC
This is a long delayed, but no less sincere 'thank you' for the wonderful CALM Seminar I attended. I have been a housewife for 24 years after marrying and having 4 children. Prior to that I was a Management Consultant. Needless to say in the family-raising years that followed, my business skills, especially in communication and self-confidence, diminished somewhat. I found it difficult to set meaningful goals, although I often made lists of what to do for the day – or even the week. That's as far as it got. I noticed my self talk was not always as positive as I would have liked, nor was my memory what I'd wish it to be. Goals were never set – I just drifted along, not daring to believe that my goals were really achievable. Since completing the CALM Seminar I've been more positive, more calm. My memory has improved. I'm making a conscious effort to set goals and can see they are achievable. For the very first time in my life I feel I'm getting to be in control. 'If it is to be, it's up to me' was just a platitude.
Being able to feel that sense of control has given me more self confidence. I feel very optimistic about the future. I know I have a purpose. I feel capable. My PP is so special to me I go there many, many times a day to let go of all negativity. To just BE. It's my special place where I feel only GOOD.
The whole seminar was extremely well presented, kept lively and very informative, invaluable in its scope and variety and accessible to folk of different backgrounds and belief. It's been of great help to me Sandy and I'm very indebted and grateful to you for such a fine program. Sandy, congratulations and thank you HEAPS for all you've done and are doing.
Positivity
Story from M.M. Tas
Dear Sandy,
Some little time has passed since I was last in touch and I’m pleased to say so much has happened since attending the 3 hour Meditation Seminar in Hobart and receiving the Peaceful Place set of CDs and the Switch On book. I’m just amazed at the difference it’s making to every area of my life, i.e. mental, emotional, spiritual, even physical. I would never have believed it possible unless I experienced it personally. Please allow me to share with you some more of the ways CALM has helped me.
When returning to aerobics after the 8 week summer break, I found I was much better co-ordinated and couldn’t figure out why… usually it takes a couple of weeks to “get back into it”. Then I remembered what had been said and written in CALM in relation to improved sporting ability and came to the realisation it was, in fact, the meditation techniques which had helped my co-ordination.
Recently someone spoke to me who hasn’t spoken to me for years. He is the husband of one of my best friends. He is also a Vietnam Veteran. He’s always appears to have a “chip on his shoulder” and, at best, he’d acknowledge you with a grunt, at worst, he’d simply ignore you. At the shopping centre last week I was acknowledged with a “how are ya” and after the initial shock I responded that I was very well thank you! I couldn’t help but wonder whether I was conveying more positive vibes toward him. In hindsight I’m certain that was the case.
I’m glad to say that whilst I’m still very involved in a fight against a local development proposal, it’s not causing me as much angst as it was before I started with CALM. I’m finding I’m more in control of my emotions (especially anger), I prioritise actions I want to be involved with and say “no” to some, and have been much more positive in my approach to the dispute.
Whilst these are just everyday challenges they are significant to me because CALM has made a difference not only in areas I’d hoped, but also in areas I didn’t expect. What has actually happened is that it’s increased my confidence enough to just begin contemplating facing a huge challenge which is still way off, but nevertheless no longer ruled out as a possibility.
Life Changing Decision Making
Story from M.S. NZ
Over 16 years ago I was in a highly paid, outwardly very successful career. I was working 70 plus hours a week at times and was stressed out and actually earning an hourly rate less than my secretary. I had been in a dead end relationship with a man I loved to bits for several years. I hated my job as the people I worked with were corrupt and dangerous. Despite the outward trappings of success I see this time as a very low part of my life. I knew I was looking for some answers and the courage to walk away from it. My father was also diagnosed as terminally – but slowly – ill and I was living in Wellington and wanted to get back to Christchurch.
I walked into Lambton Quay Whitcoulls store and was just looking for something to take my mind off everything. I went into a part of the store I am not sure I ever went to before. There was this
book with a blue head on it by Sandy MacGregor. Cannot remember why I was drawn to it but just bought it. Later that day I read the local newspaper where I lived and saw that this man was coming to Wellington – YIPPPEEE – saved me reading the book…….for now……SO I paid for my ticket and bought one for my secretary – who was struggling with personal issues at the time.
We arrived and found this man, pretty smiley but sort of gruff at the same time. Put this down to the military training he spoke of.
I listened with a semi open mind but the BIG thing was doing visualisation and building a Peaceful Place in my mind. When I did this it was in colour, and I could hear it and smell it……it was real and I used it through the period I needed.
I left my job, realising peace meant more to me than just having solitude. My soul battling with where I was working did me no good.
I moved to Christchurch and helped nurse my dad until he died over a year later. I was with him when he died and money cannot give me that time so, having realised what was more important, I was where I was needed.
Met my future husband and although the marriage has not lasted – have two amazing children I have now raised on my own for almost 7 years.
My mother died 20 months ago after 7 years with cancer and secondary cancer. Again I gave up work for over a year to be with her every single day. During this time I remembered the book, the course and the programme I had used. I even FOUND some cassettes – oops now on
CD! But I found a copy of the book – having given mine to a friend to borrow and it not coming back. I used it during Mum dying. She was my best friend and everything to me – so it was tough. It got me through, “porpoising” when I could - in and out of my peaceful place. I know where I built it – and have promised myself a trip to the beach at the end of the South Island…. Have not made it yet for financial reasons but that is working out as am now back to working and juggling the kids and trying to have a life again…….
Big tip - do not porpoise when at the lights……people toot and it ruins it! Driving is not a good time either.
I am sure more has developed in your seminars Sandy – but it has helped me through some pretty horrendous times, decisions and life events.
Nothing compares to what you went through but sadly also had a cousin's girl murdered over in Australia – front door when she got home, a man she had been seen laying in wait and stabbed her to death…….. Again I thought of you and remembered the training I had received…
Unlike any other form of stress relief it comes up when I need it……… I am committed to using it more and also trying to think of ways to teach my children who are 10 and 8.
Thanks again and it has been successful for me – think otherwise I would be slightly crazy!!!!!!!!!!or medicated….
Meditation for healing
Story from A.N. Tas
Thank you for your latest email. I am currently on leave from my teaching job due to a condition called spasmodic torticollis. I have had this condition for nearly two years now but I only discovered what it was last year. I have tried many alternative therapies without any success. Last year I attended one of your seminars in Tasmania. I am not very good at switching off in public as I tend to feel quite anxious and distracted. However I joined in with the group meditation at the end and I was amazed to discover when it was over that I could hold my head straight for the first time in eighteen months. I bought your book and set of meditation CDs. I have listened to the healing CD a couple of times but I let an ill friend borrow it a few months ago and haven't listened to it since. After reading your email I will ask for it back and possibly we could share it between us. After the success at your seminar my head began to involuntarily turn to the right again a couple of hours later. I know that I should be listening to the CD at least once a day and I have now made up my mind to do so. You are so right when you write about letting go of things such as status etc. for change to happen. My husband and I have decided to get rid of our mortgage by selling our house and moving into a smaller one. I will be able to cut back my hours of work until I feel I want to go back for more hours. I may decide to pursue a different line of work. I also agree with the fact that you have to let go of guilt and anger as it can replay over and over in your mind making you a bitter and unwell person. Since I have been ill I have slowed down and spent more time listening to my husband and two teenage daughters. Now I really listen not just nod my head whilst letting my thoughts be elsewhere.
I am going to meditate twice daily in an attempt to heal myself and avoid another session of botox to the muscles in my neck. This didn't work the first time and I am due for another lot soon. I will let you know how the meditation goes.
So thank you once again for your valuable advice and for keeping in touch.
Memory, Healing and Anger
Story from S.M. NSW
I gained so much from your
Meditation Seminar and put the theories to the test after our very first coffee break with amazing results. I was chatting with a lady and when we returned to our seats I tried to remember her name - total amnesia! So, even prior to you telling us that our memory lies in the subconscious mind, I went to my Peaceful Place to see if that might help - I thought of a lot of names - no, it had gone. Then suddenly her name just popped into my head. I couldn't believe it. As you say, it's not until you prove it to yourself that you are hooked!
I also found it hard to believe that one could find answers to problems in the Alpha state - until proving it with the soothing sound of your voice and music on the
Meditation CDs. I have lived with a chronic illness my entire life, which I inherited, and was on the brink of giving up the battle and "letting nature take its course" when I heard your interview on Radio and about the remarkable work you were doing to help other people.
My main reason for wanting to attend your Seminar was that I had hoped my son would accompany me. He has deep-seated anger, road-rage etc. and without taking up any more of your precious time suffice to say he has "attended" your
2 Day Life Skills Seminar on the DVDs with remarkable results - I also loaned him your book "
Switch on to your Inner Strength" (I have read many books through the years on this theme but none with so much clarity and ease of understanding as yours) he listens to your Guided Imagery CD and rang me to tell me he is now sleeping better than he has in 3 years
My sincere thanks and best wishes.
Creativity
Story from C.D. NSW
I tried out the
creativity CD yesterday. First time I asked to write a song, worked fine, done by the time the CD had finished. Then before I went to bed I thought I'll give this another try but this time I specifically asked for the greatest wedding love song ever written. Once again it all came out by the end of the CD! It just flowed so easily.....
I was present to thoughts and feelings at the beginning of the CD that it was all too hard and wouldn’t work and realised this is one of my blockages etc in life. It felt so great when the words all came out so easily just by asking.
My Life's Purpose chart is up in my bedroom on the built-in's sliding mirror doors. The recent wedding I MC'd at was great, I used the techniques throughout the evening and found I was at ease and experimented more with my performance.
And when I have
negative thoughts or anxious feelings in my stomach I now know it is my subconscious up to its old tricks once again. At least now there is a way to not have it control me.
I will send you the lyrics I wrote some time soon. Talk soon.
Health and healing
Story from K.J. NSW
I am still reaping the benefits of the
CALM Life Skills Seminar. I'm not in a habit yet of meditating on a daily basis, however I do get withdrawal symptoms if I leave it too long without meditating which is great. It prompts me to make a meeting with my subconscious a priority for that day, and it always reveals something important that I need to know. It also calms me and helps me to feel centred and blessed. I will get better at making it a regular event in my day, I know this. One delightful success I've found with my Peaceful Place is in
managing pain. I have a food allergy and despite my best efforts it occasionally passes by the gatekeeper and I am quite ill the following day. One symptom is acute headache that doesn't respond to anything except visiting my Peaceful Place. When I do, the pain subsides noticeably and I spend the time directing healing energy to my body, particularly the parts most affected by the reaction. The pain relief is wonderful as well as the fact that I feel I am doing something to help heal my digestive system. So once again, thank you for what you do Sandy, it is a gift that you give to others and I spread the word as much as I can.
Peaceful Place
Story from M.T. NSW
I would like to share my feedback with you and all your readers. I completed the seminar approx 5 years ago and have been using PP during that time. I suffer from Myocarditis which is defined as inflammation of the heart muscle and in my case causes an accelerated heart rate and chest pains - I have found that PP has help me greatly because I can control the heart rate and the pain by going to my Peaceful Place. I would like to thank you Sandy for helping me overcome and accept my health issues.
Peaceful Place
Story from J.N. USA
The CDs are wonderful. I'm now using them on a daily basis and things are indeed changing. On January 1st, I suffered a heart attack and had to be rushed to the hospital where I had three stents implanted. I spent two days in the cardiac care unit and then released. I had no idea I was so ill! And still can't believe I actually had a heart attack. There was no damage to the heart muscle because I got help so quickly. Two more stents will be inserted on the 3rd February and I'm looking forward to getting that done. My husband was amazed at my calm throughout the whole affair, but I have to credit that to you and the peaceful place exercise. I was able to remain calm fully knowing what was happening.
On the way to the ER, I kept telling him to slow down and that I would be alright. I can't believe how much better I feel since I had the stents done but am still having to take it easy. I'm so glad that I did not have to have open heart surgery. If this had happened just a few years ago, this would have been a quintuple bypass operation. But I am doing fine. By the way the first time I tried the Healing Yourself CD - I did it at night just before bedtime. I was so energized after I did it, that I wanted to get up and do housework or work on my gourds. Of course, I didn't. But find it best to do it in the morning and in the afternoon.
Peaceful Place
Story from R.H. Vic.
How are you? I did your course when you came to Melbourne. Sorry it has been six months to write and let you know how I'm going. Firstly I have to tell you that doing your seminar was one of the best things I have ever learnt and really appreciate what you did for me. Peaceful Place is a part of my life every day even if it's for 1 to 3 minutes and I do your Relaxation and Meditation CDs most days. It is and always will be a part of my life as it helps me so much in how I feel and daily stress. I have moved to Perth 3 weeks ago to be with my father and my sister and brother. So nice to be home with family. I am feeling well and look after my health just starting to get back into a routine. I am still doing alternative things and still choose not to do chemo and full surgery for breast cancer. I feel a lot better having my family here to support me. I hope all is going well for you Sandy and your family and I always think of you when I listen to your calming and caring voice on the CD. I hope in the future we can meet again. Take care and all the best.
Heart Attack
Story from T.T. Tas
I had my first heart attack at about 8.30pm one hot Tuesday evening (would you believe that it was still 30 degrees in Hobart) just after completing my regular evening workout. I was sitting down putting on my socks when the symptoms first struck. I was alone, everybody else having left the gym, and the staff were at the other end of the complex. They were too far away to hear, and I could not raise my voice loud enough to be heard outside of the change room. I knew that the next person due in there was the cleaner, and that was not till 9.00pm. It was what happened next that makes me truly indebted to you Sandy. I went to my Peaceful Place and was able to bring down my pulse rate, control the sweating and feeling of nausea and "distanced" the pain sufficiently to allow me to get dressed and go for help. There should be no need to tell you what I did first when I was struck again some two weeks later. I'm here to tell you it works! I look forward to catching up with you again in the not too distant future, but in the meantime I know that your support is only a CD away.
Forgiving and healing
Story from W.G. ACT
Following the seminar I realised Sandy's techniques have become automatic for me. I don't think about them.
I was approximately 6 months down my healing journey when I discovered Sandy's book "Piece of Mind". Sandy's system demonstrated how I could take control and make a huge impact on my recovery.
Attending the CALM Life Skills Seminar was a turning point for me as the techniques learned gave me the tools to help myself in all facets of my life. When faced with survival or not, there was a strong resolve to invest the time practicing my Peaceful Place (PP). It is only now that I have realised I don't think about going to my PP, I just automatically do it.
I go to my PP while waiting for appointments, prior to encountering new situations, making important telephone calls, to remain centred and be able to see situations as they are and not become caught up in the emotion of the event, prior to meditation, prayer and any activity requiring total concentration, every chance I have to just sit, and every night before going to sleep. As I now do it automatically it doesn't seem much. It has maximized my body's natural healing energies, has had an enormous impact on my coping skills, energy levels and my health and well-being. It is a major factor in me being as well as I am today.
The Forgiveness tape is so powerful. When next I met the person I forgave it was unbelievable. The atmosphere was so different. I was received as a long lost friend and our relationship has not looked back. What a relief, yet so easy thanks to Sandy's tapes.
All the very best for practicing your PP. Invest the time and effort and it will become automatic and life changing. Thank you Sandy for sharing your wonderful techniques.
Peaceful Place
Story from G.C. Vic
Thank you very much for changing my life around with the seminar we went to in Melbourne. Your seminar changed my life around as far as my business, which has doubled and I have a better outlook on life. I am very calm nowadays and don't let things get me stressed. I still remember most of your little tips and yes, they do work and I am still going to my PP several times a day. Another thing has happened since your seminar - I no longer have the shakes and I can't remember when I didn't shake! Thank you for everything. Fond Regards.
Pain and Blood Pressure
Story from F.D. NSW
The following is paraphrased from a letter received from someone who is 77 years old and does not want to be identified:
I bought your book - "Piece of Mind" and the 2 tapes when I was on medication for high blood pressure. I then attended your seminar. I have never taken the original drugs prescribed, however by applying your methods, my blood pressure is now normal. I "treated" swollen lymph glands in my right arm pit with meditation to the extent that the swelling was no longer detectable. I have now had one full year without pain and am presently travelling around Australia enjoying life to the full.
Anxiety and Anger
Story from M.P. NSW
It's been a couple of years since I did the 'CALM Life Skills Seminar'. I just wanted to thank you for all the help that your program has given me. The course really changed me. When I went to Sydney to do the seminar I was thinking of leaving home and wasn't sure of my future. I didn't feel I had control over my life. My real problem was that I didn't have 'Piece of Mind'. Since the seminar I went through a lot of stepping stones. Firstly I had to really find out who I was. There were several terrible tragedies in my life - so now welcome to anxiety. It took me a while to snap out of it, but I did eventually, with the help of meditation. Then a close cousin passed away after day surgery - so welcome again to anxiety. But this time I meditated - don't worry, I still get angry at her loss. Now for something positive! Now I'm Manager of my parents' Grazing Property, married and a proud stepfather. Anyway Sandy, again thank you.
Birthing
Story from M.M. ACT
My wife has being wanting to email you about what she experienced when giving birth to our youngest son, about 4 weeks ago. She had been playing your birth CD at night for weeks prior to the birth and during labour she visualised the colours as per instructions. She was amazed at how easily she was able to relax and deal with the pain. She told me (I was there) that between contractions she was actually relaxing deeply!
destructive behaviour
Dear Sandy - You did a seminar many years ago in Wellington for the Australian Scholarship Group and I bought the tapes and a book for my daughter. She taught herself to find her peaceful place and she's used it ever since and so have I.A couple of years ago you came again and we were both extremely pleased to meet you at a seminar and we both bought tapes and ooks.
We've been dealing with abusive patterns of behaviour which go back many generations.
The forebears of my daughter's father's family on her father's side were so extremely cruel. It is also part of her father's makeup.
In my family destructive behaviour is on my father's matriarchal line and we haven't been able to do the genealogical research yet to determine the reasons.
We often remember your situation with your daughters years ago and how difficult that was.
I am so overwhelmed at times that I forget my PP and when I consciously remember to do it things improve. And sometimes when I look back over the day and sort out what got me through it, I realise it's the PP kicking in of its own accord somehow. I learn't it well but I need to apply it more often.
I do want to thank you for your dedication to sharing your experiences and learning with all of us and I hope to do more seminars with you either in Australia or in New Zealand in the future. E E, NZ
The last 2 years have been challenging
Your seminar was the best thing I have ever done for myself. I do appreciate your continuing e-reports. The last 2 years have been challenging. Peaceful Place, and the meditations acquired, has made all the difference, in finding the good, and having the resilience and stamina, to support our family - my potential, gifted to God. All the best to you and your Team. Thank you so much, B.B. S.A.
Online store
Seminar Information
Short talks
Books
Audio CDs
DVDs
Packs
Coaching
Meditation
