Life Source, It’s
in the Title
By Guy Riekeman, D.C., President, Life University
In last month’s column Dr. Bill O’Brien stated, “Education
is essentially a spiritual quest.” My personal interpretation of his statement
is that education is a process of self-discovery, a defining of life values;
it is a time of exploring and unfolding personal possibilities. At the most
basic level, education provides a structured environment in which one develops
skills, ultimately culminating in graduation with the receipt of a diploma.
However, at its highest ideal education provides an environment of life-long
learning in which one acquires and develops critical thinking skills, and is
stimulated to develop a philosophy of life.
This analogy of educational processes can also be applied to the divergences
within the Chiropractic profession. While much of the profession continues its
separatist battles, struggling to acknowledge the most basic principles, something
dynamic is happening at Life University. ‘Probabilities science’
would tell us that at the basic level Life University should be out of business
today, but the Life community and many equally committed people of the profession
hold to a higher vision, and as such have rallied together to restore Life’s
campus, raise $4.85 million, and re-establish accreditation. The student population
has increased to 1300, faculty and administration are working in concert to
build a new vision, and the alumni and friends of Life are catching the spirit.
Therefore, in contrast to the probability of Life being out of business, we
are very much in the ‘possibility’ business of building the future,
as we begin this exciting new journey.
If you were to ask me what has created this dynamic, to identify the ideals
behind this energy, I could only suggest that
It’s not just about how to do something, but the deep appreciation for
the why of doing;
It’s not just about achieving success, but rather the values expressed
in the processes used to achieve;
It’s not just about the actions taken, but about the congruency of the
action with the principles.
Why, what is our purpose? Is it simply to train people to become doctors providing
mechanical patient care? Not only no, but emphatically no! We believe that it’s
about understanding the nature of the human being; about recognizing humans
as spirits as well as matter, and proffering the expressions of intelligence
through matter.
Values, we want our students to graduate with more than the basic clinical skills.
Our goal is to graduate students who not only have clinical skills, but also
are life-long learners who will continue to develop themselves in becoming more
valuable and productive citizens. To this end Life has defined eight core values
on which our educational programs will be structured. The values that will define
a unique Life University education include integrity and citizenship, leadership
and entrepreneurialism, contemporary scientific worldviews and relationship
theory, among others.
Congruency is an integral component of leadership and program design for Life
University. It is expected that our graduates will have gained an appreciation
for integrating consistency in word and action, and that these tools will enable
them to further develop their lives and businesses in a way that reflects the
values and philosophy conveyed at Life.
These basic principles are inherent to an environment that provides opportunities
for critical thinking, and the growth of a philosophy. The truth of this has
never been more evident than it was during our January 2005 Life Source program,
where the why, the values and the need for congruency were introduced as the
foundation on which our future will be built.
Not only have these core values been implemented into the educational programs
of Life University, they will also serve as the basis of our future Life Source
seminar programs. Life Source will now be held twice a year (April and October)
in Atlanta, Georgia. Each four-day program will feature world-renowned presenters
who will speak to the eight core principles (outlined above). The programs will
include opportunities for both personal and professional development with sessions
that are practical, entertaining and deeply moving.
Planning for the April 2005 program is already underway. Psychologist, Annette
Goodheart, Ph.D., will be talking about relationships and how they impact our
every day lives; and Joseph Dispenza, D.C., star of the popular film “What
the Bleep Do We Know Anyway,” will discuss the real-life application of
quantum mechanics and successful living. Other speakers will be announced as
the details of the program are finalized.
I would like to personally invite you to join us in experiencing the new Life
Source. The essence of the program is perfectly reflected in its title—Life
Source is truly a quest of self-discovery, and an opportunity where you, your
staff and your spouse will discover the tools for personal and professional
success. Join us.
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© Copyright 2005 Today's Chiropractic