Dr. David R. Hawkins has been my hero for the last three years. Having read all of his books on the subject of spirituality, and after watching a number of seminars recorded on DVDs and CDs, the time has come, I felt, to see my teacher in person. Realizing the profound changes that his teachings have already incurred in me, I was looking forward to “confirm” that that I believed he represents. There was also a hope for a leap in faith that comes from the reassurance that the master one follows is for real, and surrounded by the many people like me. And to tell the whole truth, there was this distant ray of hope that some profound changes for the better will happen in me, by just being near the aura of the teacher.
The October 3rd 2009 seminar in Long Beach CA. presented itself as the nearest opportunity available. Entitled: “101 Ways to Success” it promised to deliver on my expectations, and much more…
Otherwise, why would you spend time and money to fly from Australia to America, for just one and half day?
Little I knew then, that this is to become the best investment of my life. But, I’m getting ahead of myself…

Approaching the seminar’s venue on the morning of October 3rd, I noticed a long queue, stretching well outside of the building. “Surely, they aren’t the people going to Dr. Hawkins’ seminar!” I said to myself, as the perspective of being number 600-something in the queue looked decidedly unappealing. A few minutes later, I was firmly standing in the same queue, waiting to be “processed” by the admission staff. All went surprisingly smooth, and ten minutes later, I joined the crowd browsing through, and buying Dr. Hawkins’ books, DVDs and other publications; all autographed and very affordable. My shopping done, it’s time to enter the seminar room. It was almost full already, one hour before the start. Looking around, I saw people young and old, good and average looking, more than 800 in total. I couldn’t help but do some demographics. There were two distinctive age groups: group one, with the average age of 35, and group two, with the average age of 60. The whole audience was split 40%-60% between them, respectively. Gender-wise, an equal proportion.

Overall, participants appeared to me as representative of the middle America. Having said that, it’s worth mentioning that there were people from 30 different countries, with particularly numerous representations from Japan, India, South Africa and Mexico.
Not surprisingly, the soft tunes of “Alleluia” played in the background were drowned by the noise that only 800 of multilingual people could have produced…
Suddenly, within a fraction of a second, the noise disappeared. All eyes were on Dr. Hawkins making his way towards the stage. Can you imagine some 800 talking people, getting silent almost instantaneously? Astounding.

Dr. Hawkins begun to look around the room, paced the stage slowly, smiled, and asked his trusty companion – his wife Susan: “What am I supposed to be doing here?” After being told that he’s here to give a seminar, he asked: “Seminar? About what?” Then, he and the audience had a moment of a long laughter… and the seminar begun.
The subject: “101 Ways to Success” is not an easy one, even if you expand it, and make it “1000 Ways…” or more. Yet Dr. Hawkins, to my and probably many other participants’ surprise, was able to present a map to the success most of us so badly wants. The signposts were clearly marked, and easy to interpret. Those who expected it to be about “spiritual success” were surprised to realize that it was all about the “normal” day-to-day living success. Things like fulfilling one’s dreams, aspirations and goals; and how to make one’s life content and rewarding.

Naturally, the question arises, why it should even matter for the spiritual purist, who would rather excuse himself/herself from the daily grind of dealing with the issues of employment, career, raising a family, etc.
It does matter, because you have to take care of your “pet” meaning your body, as he stated it. That’s right, no matter how overwhelming your ecstasy is, you still have to eat and secure a roof above your head.
A powerful lesson about living “normal” life, from somebody, who lived both: the heights of spiritual experiences and the “earthly” achievements as a successful professional. Yes, it is not against God to succeed as a person, particularly if you’re able to balance the needs of your self and your Self.

With the seminar approaching its final stages, the time arrived for a long anticipated (at least by me) segment of questions and answers. The queue started to form very quickly, and in five or so minutes, about 130 attendees were lining up, ready to climb the stairs and get close to Dr. Hawkins. Interestingly, the gender proportion amongst those in the queue was 40-60% (women-men).
I was lucky, to be the tenth waiting. It allowed me the opportunity that many others missed, as only about 30 people were allowed on the stage, because of the time constraints.
As for my brief moment of sitting at the table with my spiritual hero… no words seemed to be worthy of the occasion. Thus all I said was: “Thank you Dr. Hawkins for being here for us.” Then, I asked if I can have a photo taken, and moved to the chair between him and Susan. The photo (very poorly executed) says it all. Complete joy and peace that I can vividly re-experience even today. When I was leaving the stage, it felt like I was flying. Now I know, what is meant by an “uplifting” experience…

The final ten or so minutes, were dedicated to Dr. Hawkins talking to us like a caring father would. He stood in front of the audience and said words that sounded like being addressed to each of us individually. His eyes were moving slowly from one corner of the room to another, as if trying to recognize everyone of us. For me, it felt like he was looking in my direction for much longer than I “deserved”. My tears were not alone, for those around me let their emotions flow freely. Men and women, young and old united with their teacher and spiritual father. The time of parting made more painful, by the realization of how fragile our lives are…
Was it worth it? Was attending this seminar worthy the time and money spent, and more importantly, the emotional expense that went with it?
The answer: What price do you put on experiencing a change you have been waiting all your life for? What price are you willing to pay for being moved closer to knowing God?
For to be where I am now, I would happily walk to Long Beach; knowing, that the angels will fly me back home.