Awakening Together: Intimacy as a Spiritual Path

Don & Martha Rosenthal -- A Workshop for Couples
January 25-27

Intimacy is supremely challenging. Many people long for the deep satisfaction of a fulfilling intimacy, but learning the art isn't easy; often help is needed. Intimate relationship brings us face to face with deeply conditioned habits of mind that breed our most powerful conflicts. For most of us, hurt, anger, and other painful feelings are an inevitable accompaniment to intimacy. Our response to our negative feelings can become the raw material for greater understanding and compassion. We can honor the full expression of all our feelings, while preserving a safe and loving space through a radical change in the purpose of the relationship. Instead of antagonists in a power struggle, we become allies in a journey of exploration into finding our Source and perfecting our love.

Change comes through understanding, not effort. Instead of judgment, we learn to open the heart; instead of pain and anger threatening our safety, we learn to hear a cry for help; a new quality is born in our relationships. We'll work with real emotionally resonant issues through sharing, discussion, and exercises with one's partner. We'll create a non-judgmental, emotionally safe space, where everything is voluntary and privacy is honored. We'll learn practical applications that will be useful to couples in profound difficulty, as well as those seeking to enhance their grace and joy.

Don Rosenthal had retired from a career as a successful classical musician, and was dwelling in a remote Alaskan cabin when he came together with Martha, who had been a teacher. Their first five years were spent in an Alaskan cabin living a simple life of inner exploration. When they emerged Don became a writer and counselor, and Martha became a spiritual midwife. They home schooled their son Aram, now 19. In the last ten years they've shared their tangible vision of mature, loving relationship with 1500 people in retreats in Canada, the U.S., and Europe. Many have found that their approach really works.