When awakening happens, the mind’s need to understand disappears into the unconditional love and acceptance of the Heart.

-Tom Thompson

The Enlightenment Pathways

1964: Began regular practice of Meditation, Zen and the Yogic Pathways

1971: Yoga Teacher Training Certification (Hatha, Raja, Karma, Bhakti and Jnana yoga) with Swami Vishnu-devananda / International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre / Val Morin, Quebec

1971-1972: Trained in Raja Yoga with Dr. V. Kothandapani
Franklin College / Franklin, IN

1972: Studied Tai Chi Chuan with sifu Ed Young / New York, NY

1973: Learned Seven Yogic Rites of Rejuvenation from a yogini in California

1973: Studied Buddhism with Iku Mayeda / San Luis Obispo Buddhist Temple / San Luis Obispo, CA

1976: Became a disciple of the Siddha guru Swami Muktananda Paramahansa. Received shaktipat and was given the spiritual name Anant
(infinite, eternal).

1976: Was authorized by Swami Muktananda to teach Hamsa meditation to others

1978: Became a student of, and received shaktipat from, Kundalini Maha Yoga master Shri Dhyanyogi Madhusudandas. Received the spiritual name Tulsiram (healing power of God)

1979: Siddha Yoga Course Certification

1979: Siddha Yoga Center Leader Certification

1980: Advanced Siddha Yoga Course Certification

1980s: Completed Vajra Panjar Training I through III and Vajra Panjar Applied in the Kundalini Maha Yoga tradition with Shri Anandi Ma and Dileepji

1982–1990: Co-founded and taught at The Woodbury Yoga Center / Woodbury, CT

1985 and 1988: Traveled to India, Kashmir and the Himalayas to visit Shri Dhyanyogi, Swami Nityananda and other gurus and to visit holy sites and ashrams

1987: Received transmission in Maha Ati Yoga from Tibetan Buddhist Vajra Guru H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. Received the spiritual name Ogyen
(perfection of sky essence) / Karme Choling / Barnet, VT

1990: Co-founded The Awakened Heart Center for Conscious Living (initially the Hara Foundation) / Southern Pines, NC

1997: Studied Qigong and Tai Chi Chuan with sifu David Chin

1997–2007: Attended satsang, intensives and retreats with nondual teachers Gangaji, Francis Lucille, Wayne Liquorman and Adyashanti

2002: Yoga Alliance 500 Certification

2005: Attended The Nature of Enlightenment intensive with Adyashanti /
Omega Institute / Rhinebeck, NY

2007: Darshan with Mother Meera

2008: Cosmic Freedom Qigong Level I and II Certification from sifu Dr. Chok Hiew

2014: "Waking Up” event with Sam Harris in NYC

The Human Potential Pathways

1964: Began the study and practice of Hypnosis and Transactional Analysis

1977–1990: Mental Health Worker in psychiatry

1985: Attended Werner Erhard’s FORUM

1990: Certified Emergency Medical Technician / Connecticut

1991: Certified clinical hypnotherapist / American Council of Hypnotist Examiners

1992–2008: Multiple trainings in Energy Psychology, Transactional Analysis, Qi Gong, Redecision Therapy, Personality Adaptations and related subjects at the Southeast Institute for Group and Family Therapy / Chapel Hill, NC

1994: Advanced Hypnotic Changework Techniques with Carolyn Deal

1994: Parts Therapy training with hypnotherapy instructor Roy Hunter

1995: Hypno-analysis training with Dr. Anne Spencer

1995: Redecision Therapy Training Certification with Dr. Vann Joines /
Southeast Institute / Chapel Hill, NC

1998: Advanced Hypnotherapist Certification with James Hoover /
National Guild of Hypnotists

2001: Energy Consciousness Therapy Certification with Dr. Fred Gallo

2002: Energy Diagnostic and Treatment Methods Certified Practitioner with Dr. Fred Gallo

2003: Life Purpose and Career Coach Certification / Life Purpose Institute
San Diego, CA

2007: Fearless Conversations Coaching Seminar / Fearless Living Institute
Boulder, CO

2015: Trained as a HeartMath Certified Trainer (HMCT) to deliver the HeartMath®Resilience training to groups of all kinds, and for staff in organizations such as companies, hospitals, clinics and health-care companies, nonprofit organizations, government institutions, schools, universities, law enforcement, community and social-service agencies.