Selected Appreciations

WORKSHOPS • TALKS • SESSIONS • THE FIRST BOOK
THE PROCESS • THERAPISTS • CLERGY

“I appreciate your sensitivity, presence, and ability to meet me where I am.”

*****

“I’ve practiced and taught yoga 25+ years, studied meditation, studied Tibetan Buddhist ritual practices, done a little therapy, been blessed by some extraordinarily fine mentors, and still your work stands out.”

*****

“Your workshop was different than any I have encountered—refreshing and accessible. And what a fabulous group of people you brought together.”

*****

“I have read probably half of the self-help books in publication. I began searching ages ago with Marianne Williamson and Gary Zukav and more recently with Pema Chodron and Eckart Tolle.

Until yesterday—I have never so completely understood both why we want to live in the present moment and even more importantly the beautiful simple techniques for HOW TO DO IT ! Thank You, thank you.”

*****

“I am amazed and inspired by your ability to tap so seamlessly into the heart of the issue. I feel so fortunate I went to your retreat when I did, because it has completely changed the way I am dealing with my experience.”

*****

“I have referred to you as my earth angel, coming into my life at a time when I was so close to leaving because the enduring pain that I had been carrying for years had become too much for me to bear alone. And you offered me hope just through your witnessing, your presence and your deep compassion.

You allowed me to see that I am not inherently bad or insignificant or beyond repair. It’s interesting because I had tried so many avenues to move me towards healing. But, I wasn’t experiencing noticeable relief in relation to the amount of chronic suffering my daily life contained. Your presence, without a doubt, accelerated my process.”

*****

“It is hard to use words to express how moved I was by our retreat because it feels like they trivialize the experience.”

*****

“The thing I’m most excited about, Raphael, is that all the other techniques I’ve worked with over the years (and I’ve worked with many and worked them diligently) have NEVER gotten me this kind of result this fast.”

*****

“Taking your program was the final push I needed to make my dream a reality. I went into the future and asked, what’s the worst that can happen and can I be with that? Once I went there, all I did was take a little step at a time and the whole process wasn’t as scary as my expectations of it were. Now, I’m so excited! Thank you for your amazing work that got me hooked up with myself again.”

*****

“Thank you for your good works, thoughtful guidance, tender compassion, and seemingly effortless courage.”

*****

I am making my way and sense an authentic opportunity for healing, growth, and renewal. I was careful to moderate my expectations—another sort of resistance I suppose—but the session experience was truly profound.”

*****

“I want to thank you sincerely and deeply for the truly superb workshop you presented a week ago. The exposition of your ideas, together with the experiential activities was brilliant. Your energy was inspiring, and I came away a changed person.”

*****

“One quick beautiful benefit of what you taught me: as my son was falling asleep tonight he told me he was scared, and I asked him to tell me about it, and he said he worried he would fall out of bed. I held him and noticed he was clenching his fists, so I told him I saw his fists were clenched and asked if that was where his fear was, and he said his fear was there and in his tummy, so I asked if he could allow the fear to be there for a minute, and he said yes, and I felt him relax. I asked if he had noticed that the fear changed, and he said he was fine and would go to sleep now, and then he said, I love you, Mama.”

*****

“I have been asking for a way of feeling more connected to source and I couldn’t have found a better way.”

*****

“I want to sincerely thank you for the amazing weekend just past at Esalen. I’ve been to Esalen many, many times; taken a multitude of personal growth-oriented workshops; I’ve never had such a profound experience as I did with you.”

*****

“I’ve just read your book and I wish I’d read it 3 years ago, it may have saved me a lot of time and money on attending personal development and spiritual courses trying to figure out why I was so stuck in my life, this has explained it all! I have been working on bringing stuck emotions up, which I struggle with, but when I do, they clear and there’s so much emotional freedom in my life.”

*****

“Blessings to you for your commitment to healing and for your true care, compassion and love. I am inspired by your facilitation and leadership.”

*****

“I thank you so much for the gift you are and have been to me and to so many. I simply would not have been able to have survived these years—not to mention thrive without you! Your wisdom and your support and your love! A Holy Trifecta!”

*****

“Finding your book was like entering a time machine and discovering where my work and inquiry might lead me, if I worked really hard and was really insightful and lucky, several years downstream. The clarity of your insights, the integration of the various aspects of your model and understandings, the elegant articulation of the subtle feeling states and concepts involved” is nothing short of stunning.”

*****

“You are pretty magical in terms of your ability to go to the cellar of every situation and somehow dance down those steps playfully.”

*****

“I will forever remember your wisdom, your playful spirit, your smile, and most importantly, your ability to create a safe space, a sacred place. I’m taking a deep sigh in acknowledgment of being set free.”

*****

“Even though there is other material out there in this arena, your book, The One Thing Holding You Back nonetheless seems seminal in its originality and crisp, fresh approach to a core human process.”

*****

*****

“Today, my children (ages 10 and 12) witnessed my receiving some bad news over the phone. The situation was both upsetting and frustrating. After the call, they gathered around me, comforting me and urging me to “feel my emotions,, telling me not to “stuff anything down.” Later, when I thanked my son for his help he told me “I was just telling you what you’ve taught me.” Raphael, I think you’ve saved the next generation!”

*****

“You had just the right balance of humor, music and humility to make the workshop feel safe and worthwhile to me.”

*****

“You have a beautiful interpretation of the human struggle and a great delivery. Bravo.”

”*****

“The recent “Breaking Free Teleclass” was remarkably special to me. I was open and seemed to absorb more. I have finally been applying the surfing guidelines and I’m slowly (but steadily) feeling more grounded. Thank you, Raphael, for all the guidance and support you offer to all of us.”

*****

“I wanted you to know how very much I appreciate your ability to take whatever anyone says, hold their words in a space of loving acceptance, and find something positive to say about their sharing that makes the person feel like they’ve made a valuable contribution. You have an incredible talent there, and are a facilitator of a very high order.”

*****

“I think this is what I have needed all my life instead of medicine, shock treatments, therapy. All of that could smother to a certain extent my emotional pain, but not address it in a healthy and wise way that could bring resolution to all the turmoil and misery. There is real hope!”

*****

“I’m a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist, hence my interest in your techniques. I have listened to most of your podcasts with clients, where I found you had a really amazing way with putting people at ease, also paraphrasing what they said in a way that really makes the client feel understood and heard in a way I have not witnessed before. Obviously I have studied other Client Centered Rogerian approaches, but I feel your technique is more impactful than any I have studied thus far.”

*****

“You have been such a gift to me in this difficult year. Your experience-based wisdom, gentle teaching, and fiery modeling have given me tools for living and working and sharing that have truly changed my approach to life—and pain. I believe compassion is the theme but this is the first time in my life that I feel I have tools to help me come from a place of compassion for myself and others.”

*****

“I have been reading a chapter of Surfing Your Inner Sea every morning This book is an absolute treasure. It has helped me immensely. I find the book to be a product of a highly gifted and intuitive writer and I look forward to reading it again and again. I have highly recommend it to friends and give it as gifts.”

*****

“You have directed the most thinker of thinkers to an inner place, a whole new world. For me (us) this is so very exciting.”

*****

“The workshop was unlike anything I’ve ever done and feels larger than words for me. I tried new things and what I got in return was so much more than I imagined. I experienced a camaraderie and connection with others that has changed my life.”

*****

“One thing I uncovered was a belief that if I really allowed myself to feel certain feelings then that would make them true. If I really focused on the feeling of being inadequate, and what that felt like in my body, then that meant I am inadequate. Now I know, and experience daily, that the opposite is true!”

*****

“I just felt the urge to let you know how much your work means to me. It is filling the hole, it is the missing link, in all of my personal and spiritual work that I have been doing for the last ten years. Now I wish to spread your wisdom to all of Europe.”

*****

“I want you to know how much I appreciate your tremendous help, insight and caring. You created a space in which our group as a whole, and myself individually, had an opportunity to do some major healing and growing. I also thought that your ability to stay present, fluid, sensitive at all times was an art form.”

*****

“All my life I’ve told my body what to do and to do it without complaint. I never really paid too much attention to it unless it wasn’t working properly. Now, I am listening and paying attention to it and my body loves it! When my body wanted my attention, it had to yell really loud. Now it can be its subtle and gentle self, if that makes sense. The body really has an intelligence of its own. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I’m forever grateful.”

*****

“I often think of you and the time we spent at Esalen. It was a massive turning point in my life at a time when I felt very lost. Since the experience I’ve just been so much happier and more accepting of not just the things I’m doing, but also myself and I’ve also noticed that I’m now able to offer so much more to other people and am generally living a much more full life.”

*****

“It was such a pleasure talking with you on the phone last night. I must admit I did have some concerns that because the session was via phone we might not connect as well as if it were in person. I was so wrong! I felt more connected and supported by you in that first conversation than I have with therapists or coaches that I’ve worked with for years.”

*****

“One thing I am really appreciating is that when difficult feelings come up my old tendency to reach out for a friend to talk about it, I can instead self soothe by being fully present for myself rather than “needing” someone else to give me that love and attention. It feels good!”

*****

Workshops

“Unique among spiritual guides, Raphael rolls up his sleeves and dives with people into places their inner work may never have pierced. Attending his workshop was an unforgettable experience, a giant wake up call. His teaching is full of humor, humility, maturity, understanding and wisdom. Many of us emerged with new levels of hope and resolve.” – T. G.

*****

“Personally, I have found no teacher or process that I trust more or that engages so many facets of my being.

During the presentation, I was absolutely moved by your authenticity and vulnerability as you shared your message. I felt honored that I was sharing sacred space with you and the people who risked sharing some of their struggles. You serve as a teacher who has risked to be real. What a generous heart.” – R. H.

*****

“Raphael is one of the first people I’ve met that really walks his talk. He is truly authentic. And totally present with everyone at his workshops.” – A. B.

*****

“It’s been over two weeks since I have been doing this, and I am feeling more peace, freedom, and joy each day. Before the workshop I hated going to work. I was just putting in my time and basically dragging myself through each day. Hating myself and it. I love my job now because I have allowed myself to know that I am alive in each moment, and the struggle is gone. I work better with people, too.” – T. S.

*****

“I have felt better in the past month than I have in a very long time in my life. And I really feel that your seminar was a big turning point for me. I want to thank you for your wonderful spirit, your healing presence, and for the incredible work you did with me.” – B. S.

*****

“Listening to you and watching the skillfulness, gentleness, and love with which you worked with people was so valuable—I learned from you. But somehow you knew that something more was called for. What I experienced in those few precious moments with you was Being Seen, fully, in a way that included the personal but went beyond it, through it. Thank you from the depths of my being.” – A. H.

*****

“This has worked with my dog, my daughter, with my partner. It sounds a little too huggy, but it really is changing me in very profound ways.” – P. B.

*****

“Thank you so much for a day that was truly transformational. You were an inspiration to me as a teacher, both in the supercalifragilisticexpialidocious quality of your presence and the integrity you brought to the questions and coaching of participants. I give your book to friends and recommend it to students.” – L. M.

*****

“I loved your workshop and how you made being in the present a natural feeling rather than ”˜woo-woo.” We didn’t even have to take our shoes off, there were no pictures of anyone ”˜greater’ than us to revere, and we even got to move the altar to the side!! That meant a lot to me.” – Z. C.

*****

“Regarding my weight, I’m not sure how many pounds I’ve lost, but my clothes are certainly loose and my rings are sliding. Thank you again for the revealing one-on-one we had.” – P. S.

*****

“Thanks for the change in perception from your very effective technique. I found it to be very useful.” – T. Y.

*****

“I think that sometimes you see the best of yourself in someone else. Raphael just puts you in a position to be able to do that.” – B. W.

*****

“My bullsh-t detector didn’t go off once!” – H. N.

*****

“I have been very cautious in my life, choosing to play it safe in many, many ways. With these questions I am coming out more, and at the same time going in. The beauty of it is that I do not have to change a thing, and yet by accepting it all it seems to be changing itself. And isn’t that after all the illusion of all time? Nothing is changing, and yet in every moment everything is changing.” – D. S.

*****

“I’ve reaped clear and obvious benefits from my weekend workshop. On one occasion I was able to tell my boss clearly, and without anger, that his interfering made me uncomfortable. Another time I was able to tell a person who I find distasteful to stay away from me ”” again, quietly and without anger. I felt very good about both experiences. Thank you!” – A. S

*****

“I really enjoyed the workshop. It gave me a different way to approach a difficult breakup I’m going through, and I’m feeling much more confident about the decisions I’m making. I thought the personal stories you shared were very meaningful and helpful. I also got a lot from watching you do the one-on-one sessions. It’s helped me to be more patient when talking to people and more willing to let them make their own discoveries. I’ve always found it hard to trust that people have the answers inside of them (me included). Your workshop convinced me!” – K.L.

*****

Talks

“I have seen many speakers in my time, all possessing a piece of the puzzle. Most of them, to one degree or another, had much ego invested in their puzzle piece. Raphael did not speak from ego. He spoke from the heart. Open, loving and honest, 100% focused on each person he interacted with, never impatient. I am truly impressed.” – E. S.

*****

“It was such a pleasure to hear you. It is my opinion that traditional therapy can have a run for its money! Such a treat to be in the room with you and experience your service to the planet.” – J. K.

*****

“One of the wonderful things about Raphael is that when I attended a talk with him, he told us we could get ahold of him anytime on the Internet, and I’m going “Yeah, right, we’re going to have an easy time doing that.” But it’s true—he’s right there.” – B. W.

*****

“Raphael absolutely embodies unconditional love, non judgment and acceptance. If you spend a lot of time with him as I have at talks and in workshops, it rubs off on you.” – C. M.

*****

“Raphael and his work has been of course very personally satisfying to me, and helped me feel better about myself and my ability to be able to handle and cope with my life. But it has also been a huge help to my friends that have read his book and have attended his talks and seminars. He’s making a difference in our lives and he’s allowing us to make a difference in other people’s lives.” – B. W.

*****

Sessions

“I felt like ten million bucks after our session. I’ve been using your technique and find it quite helpful. I just want to express my appreciation and gratitude for your generous, kind and loving spirit. Thank you for illuminating the world by the light that shines from within you.” – L. C.

*****

“Much gratitude for your openness to my pain. I was amazed afterward at what I’ve internalized and not given expression. Every day brings more clarity about the years I’ve spent sleepwalking, assuming rather than being.” – N. G.

*****

“Thank you for speaking with me. It is always so comforting and reassuring to talk to you. You always seem to know the right questions to ask, really LISTEN to the answers, and know the right thing to say in response. That is really a gift my friend. Thank you so much.” – K. L.

*****

“Raphael has meant more to my life than I ever would’ve imagined possible. After all, we’ve “only” spoken via email and the telephone. But the love, kindness, and support he has offered me has been nothing short of miraculous. He is an incredibly talented author and speaker, but more importantly he is a LISTENER. You know when you are speaking to him that you are being heard. You also realize how seldom that has been the case throughout your life. The healing power of that alone is limitless. By the same token, he is an incredibly powerful teacher, but more importantly he is my FRIEND. We are all in this together, and we will never free ourselves by continuing to impose hierarchies of any kind, even under the guise of “spirituality” . We must join together with each other in love and respect. Raphael lives this truth on a daily basis and is an example to us all of what true Relationship can, should, and some day, will be. I feel very very blessed to be able to consider him my friend and so honored to know that he also considers me his.” – J. K.

*****

“I feel safe with very few people, and I feel safe with Raphael.” – W. H. M.

*****

“I am very grateful for the chance to work with you and I very much appreciated the warmth and caring with which you reached out to me. My time with you in Newton stands out as one of the sunny, expanded, wonderful moments of my life that I can bring to mind to help me recall the possibility for such openness.” – C. Y.

*****

“I have a very dramatic thing to report. The day after you worked with me I woke up, and a huge cyst on my thumb that I have had for years reduced in size to 1/3rd and the next day to 1/2 its original size. I really appreciated what you helped me with. It seemed to be really important. I’ll see you again, I’m sure.” – A. S.

(Note from Raphael: Sometimes healings like the above do occur in sessions, even though they’re not designed or publicized as such. Full presence is the healer, though, not me.)

*****

The Book

“Yours is the first book I’ve been able to give to my non-spiritual friends, those who are perceptive enough to not be constrained by ”˜religion’, but still hunger for something real.” – D. J.

*****

“Finally, with your book, come all the tools a person could ever need. LTQ sounds so simple at the outset, it reminds me of a quote attributed to Albert Einstein: “Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.” Your book is so full of constant reassurance, guidance, inspiration, practical action, that I read a bit of it every day.” – B. P.

*****

“Thank you for your contribution of Unconditional Bliss. I have read it twice, and have it close by on many days. I love the presentation of two simple questions. My husband has picked up the book, and he, too, finds it to be such a simple concept that eliminates so much baggage.

I am a compulsive person, have a history of trauma and abuse—it is easy for me to get side-tracked, and “hook” into people, places and things in order to “buffer” some of the pain. This book, at this point in my life was instrumental in transitioning from following the “addiction experts,” therapy, and the multitude of books often promising “the answer.” The best part for me, is living this way prevents the fall from the binge, the spending spree, or the fix from toxic people. What a gift. Thank you.” – M. R.

*****

“Your book stands out by its remarkable clarity and practicality. You offer a simple tool that allows people from all walks of life to access their “beingness.” This is priceless and so much needed, especially in the difficult times that America and the world at large is crossing now.” – N. A.

*****

“I am reading your book, which I just bought yesterday, and I can hardly put it down. Your writing style is exceptionally easy to read and straightforward. It’s fascinating to me, also, how my experience while reading your book is to have lightbulb moments. What I think sets your book apart is the absence of doctrine as a foundation for believing what you present in your thesis. This is truly refreshing.” – D. K.

*****

“Even though I was going through an exceptionally hard time when I read the book, and the chatter part of the brain kept saying, (pardon me) “This is bullsh-t. No one can be in this degree of hardship and feel good.” The still intuitive voice that is always right egged me on. And it is a very, very wise and precious book and you are doing good work indeed.

I have since loaned the book to my sister who has Parkinson’s disease, who loved it, and found it very helpful and healing, and I recommended it to an acquaintance who lost his beloved wife to a long cancer battle. I have told several other people about your book. You have touched on something- it is something people are struggling towards themselves- definitely part of the universal homework right now- people are trying to talk about this- but you give them tools and a proven path. And your technique is SO simple, and the book is so sweet, clear, and short. And it works.” – A. F.

*****

“Of course Raphael would be very sad that I keep passing my book around and around rather than having people go out and buy it. But I have shared this with a lot of different people. It’s interesting because I don’t really say a whole lot about it. They just tell me what’s going on in their lives that isn’t right, and I tell them there is a book they should read that would help, and I hand it to them. And then two or three days later I get a phone call back, this is wonderful, this stuff really works.” – B. W.

*****

The Living the Questions and Emotional Connection Processes

“Thank you for your practicality without dogma.” – L.G.

*****

“Over the years, I’ve learned how I become driven by whatever I resist, however subtly. I appreciate Living the Questions because it helps me be present to my actual experience in the moments when that’s hardest to do.” – T. P.

*****

“As a psychologist I’ve been trained in many theories, and I’ve done a lot of my own personal growth and what I’ve found is that Raphael’s two questions and the way they’re asked always get to the heart of the matter, especially with the most core issues. So I refer his book to many of my clients, and I have received so much positive feedback from them.” – M. M.

*****

“Living the Questions is so wonderful because it helps you become aware of how you truly feel about things. You become open, accepting of others just exactly as they are. It’s a wonderful release and it makes your life so much more enjoyable.” – P. S.

*****

“Living the Questions gives me the opportunity to get out of catastrophising my life.” – W. H. M.

*****

“Living the Questions helps all of us learn how to be authentic.” – J. J.

*****

“I would say that there’s not a single soul that it couldn’t benefit. I’ve actually introduced a lot of friends to it. And my daughter-in-law, in a time of great trouble came to it, and was intrigued by it. Her oldest child is nine years old, and has problems with embarrassment and lack of confidence. He was having a sort of emotional breakdown over something going on in a baseball game. Usually when these things happen for him, he gets kind of hysterical. But my daughter-in-law sat him down and lived the questions. He totally clicked in. He said I’m feeling embarrassed and frightened. We were just all blown away that this is even accessible, without training, to a nine year old boy in emotional pain.” – C. M.

*****

“I have used the questions with my mother, and they worked. There were no bells and whistles, just a simple drop-by visit when I didn’t bring any expectations to be dashed. It was okay. I left peacefully. They have worked for me in other situations as well. Thank you for sharing this simple, effective tool.” – T. G.

*****

“Living the Questions has benefited me both personally and professionally. I’ve used it with students and clients as a way of helping them get in touch with what they’re feeling and what their concerns and fears are.” – C. B.

*****

“Living the Questions is the most elegant and practical process I have ever experienced for achieving a grounded sense of well being in the midst of intense emotional reactions. I use it regularly. I consider this technique one of my best tools for clear thinking and decision-making as well as optimal health.” – O. L.

*****

“This process is so portable and so understandable that it is something people can take with them, that they can use anywhere, at anytime, that is invisible to other people, and yet it is so powerful because it comes from within.” – C. B.

*****

“LTQ filled a hole that had not been filled in before by anything else that I had done or read about. Raphael has offered me a tool to be able to move beyond where I’ve ever moved beyond before.” – B. W.

*****

“Living the Questions has meant a great deal to me. It’s given me access to my emotions on an at will basis. I think most of us don’t realize what we’re feeling emotionally most of the time, so it’s like a tool that’s standing right there when I’m in pain, or I’m confused, or I’m frustrated.” – C. M.

*****

“Living the Questions helps me get clear about what I’m fearful of. I can find a way to move forward without having to hold on to the controls so tightly. Those of us that are controllers often try to drive our external world, when in fact all we can really control and be in touch with is our internal world and then just be flexible enough and big enough to embrace, and to be with those things that are most scary to us. And then we can let go of it and get on with it. And that’s really been the most helpful thing to me personally.” – C. B.

*****

“I really think God meant us to have a good time on this planet and we haven’t been doing it. And this process is one of the ways to get there.” – B. W.

*****

Therapists

“Raphael Cushnir gives us additional skills to help our clients experience more joy in life. “Living the Questions” provides a framework for people to get clarity on feelings and the moment, and then possess the possibility of greater connection and even spiritual growth.” – Joseph E. Siegler, MD

*****

“The Living the Questions process outlined in Unconditional Bliss has been of great benefit to my clients. It helps them to feel their emotions, to own them, and to recognize both who they really are and what they’re capable of becoming.

I use the process personally as well. In addition to its practical aspect, I find that it has a profound spiritual component. It enables me to open more fully, go deeper, and transform.” – Joseph Petzel, Ph.D. professor, John F. Kennedy University

*****

“Raphael Cushnir has provided us with a gentle tool that everyone can use. As clients practice his technique, they are able to climb out of the mind chatter and drop back into their hearts. A loving gift for all of us to utilize.” – Teyani Rain Whitman, M.A., CMHCC

*****

“Many of us on the path of self-growth and transformation know that Self-Inquiry is THE tool and entering the Present is THE answer. Raphael’s book delivers BOTH. Using his two (and only two questions) helps me wake up ”” fast and simple. Embedded in this book is a core awakening process that I enjoy practicing, and highly recommend to my clients.” – Frederic Weidemann, the Unifying Fields Foundation

*****

“Unconditional Bliss” is a lovely handbook which will help clients realize the power of “living the questions.” It’s simple, clear, accessible and inviting. It offers a wonderful introduction and guide for the process of inquiring within.” – Jett Psaris and Marlena S. Lyons, Co-authors, “Undefended Love”

*****

Clergy

“You present your work with clarity and warmth. The people at the workshop found it, and your book, to be both powerful and helpful.” – Reverend Ed Townley, Unity in Chicago

*****

“Raphael blends a mixture of warmth, humor and compassion to teach his simple yet profound process. We thoroughly enjoyed his workshop and endorse it without hesitation.” – Reverend Maureene Bass, Unity San Francisco

*****