01/02/2000

Dear Gail and Bob...

It's hard to find the words to adequately express my gratitude for finding Universal Remembrance University and participating in the New Millennium Celebration.  In my short stay I discovered an amazing amount about myself.... and I came away with an incredible gift.... the gift of facing my fears and accomplishing things I never thought possible, never dreamed possible.  That experience is opening a myriad of doors for me.  I walked on fire.  I can do anything I choose!  What could be more empowering!

I arrived looking forward to a few days in nature and participating in the world peace meditation, unsure of what else my time in Floral City would bring.  I knew nothing of your work... other than that an optional fire walk would be part of the program.  Me?  Walk on fire?  Hmmmm...  I wasn't sure about that... at all.  I joined a group of strangers on Thursday and became one with them in an atmosphere of Spirit, incredible love, acceptance, growth, learning, sharing and joy.  Each program was wonderful... thoughtfully and lovingly presented.  Each built upon the preceding one.... until suddenly it was New Year's Eve and we were building the fire.  I was truly facing my innermost fears as I broke through illusions of my belief system that have limited what I thought I could do.  With the help of Spirit and the energy of the group I literally broke through my fears as I broke a board with them written on it.  Then I broke a brick in half... with my hand.  I could hardly believe it!  I jumped with joy!  My experience was beyond anything I ever thought possible.  And that was BEFORE walking the fire!

Ahh... the fire... the crackling red coals.  Beautiful.  Stars were bright in the sky.... drums filled the cool night air, warmed by the hot coals, with wonderful sound and energy.  We were getting ready to walk the fire.  I wasn't sure I could do it... would do it... or should do it.  It called to me but more fears also called... loudly.  I've always been afraid of fire... since a shed burned by my window when I was four... and I have a strange disorder that has doctors considering lopping off my toes.  I wondered how I could face them with feet burnt to a crisp from doing something so.... hmmm.... irresponsible as trying to walk on fire.  But then I suddenly knew in my heart of hearts... deep in my soul... that it was right ...that my body would take care of me... that I could do it and should do it.  And I did.  I walked across the fire three times.  There aren't words to express my exuberance or the joy and energy of those around me.... regardless of whether they walked in the fire or not.  Unbelievable ...but oh so real.  We were all so very connected... with love and energy and Spirit. 

Something's changed inside of me... and it's showing on the outside too. Several people, unaware of my time at URU, have commented that something about me seems different.  As your bumper sticker says "shift happens".  I am so grateful for it.  I brought home half of the board I broke.  Each time I 
look at it I see half of the fears I wrote on it.... and I know that I truly can do anything I choose. 

Thank you both for who you are and what you do.  URU is wonderful and so are you!

Namaste,
Barbara Avicolli

01/02/2000

THE URU RETREAT IS A REAL TREAT FOR EVERYONE WHO VISITS.  LOVE IS THE WORD THERE.  IT IS THE ONLY PLACE THIS PERSON HAS EVER BEEN WHERE I CAN BE MYSELF AND KNOW I AM LOVED FOR WHO I REALLY AM.  YOU CAN NOT ATTEND A FIRE WALK (WHETHER YOU WALK OR NOT) AND NOT REALIZE THAT LIFE HAS SO MUCH MORE TO OFFER THAN YOU HAVE BEEN ACCEPTING.  WHEN I LEAVE URU IT IS WITH A RENEWED OUTLOOK ON LIFE, ONE THAT IS SO MUCH MORE POSITIVE AND ENABLES ME TO TAKE ON NEW AND MORE EXCITING CHALLENGES THAT LIFE HAS TO OFFER. I AM REMINDED OF HOW GREAT AND WONDERFUL  I REALLY AM AND EVEN THE BAD THINGS IN MY LIFE ARE REALLY GOOD.  I WOULD STRONGLY ENCOURAGE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT WHAT THEIR FULL POTENTIAL IN LIFE CAN BE , TO ATTEND ONE OF THE PROGRAMS AT URU..  IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE FOREVER.

STEVE COCCOVIZZO

04/12/2002

Dear Faith,

I’d like to clear up some misperceptions that some people appear to have about the Firewalk. 

It is a workshop in and of itself and one of the most powerful experiences that I, personally, have ever had. Firewalking is a cellular Shapeshift, I believe that is the reason that John was enthusiastic about having the U.R.U. team at the intensive. In meeting with them to plan their involvement at the Arutam Intensive, I was impressed with their dedication and professionalism.

A Firewalk ceremony is carefully crafted to raise the participant’s energy and connect them to their higher self/inner guidance. It is not a spectator event. If you have an agenda that you have to walk across the coals, you will not be allowed to participate. When one gets a clear message to walk there is no difficulty and for some the most empowering thing is to listen to the guidance that says no. There is also the knoweldge, for those that do walk, that anything is possible, a very empowering knowledge indeed.

I hope that this helps

Shungo

David Lowell
The Heart of Healing