
Affectionately known as "America's #1 Success Coach," Jack Canfield is the originator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series and a leading authority in the areas of self-esteem, achievement motivation, and peak performance. [www.jackcanfield.com]

Arianna Huffington is the co-founder and Editor in Chief of the Huffington Post and the author of twelve books. [www.huffingtonpost.com]

Seth Godin is a prominent author, blogger and speaker. [www.squidoo.com/linchpin]

Krishna Kaur is the founder of YOGA for Youth, a program that takes yoga, meditation, and stimulating discussions on the philosophy of yoga to urban youth. [www.yogaforyouth.org]

Norman Lear has enjoyed a long career in television and film. He is also a political and social activist and philanthropist. [www.normanlear.com]

Leilani Münter is a professional race car driver and an environmental activist who uses her voice in the number one spectator sport in America as a catalyst for change. [www.leilanimunter.com]

By going undercover to meet slaves and slaveholders, Kevin Bales exposed modern slavery's penetration into the global economy. He co-founded Free the Slaves, which has helped to liberate thousands of slaves. [www.freetheslaves.net]

Sophie Chiche, lifebyme.com founder and curator, enjoys asking deep questions and living a life of meaning. Today she's launching Shape House, an urban sweat lodge, a place to melt away fears and fat. [www.shapehousela.com]

Entrepreneur and writer Mastin Kipp founded TheDailyLove.com, which merges pop culture with inspiration, and co-founded The Love Yourself Company, an apparel company that has started a global self-esteem movement. [www.TheDailyLove.com]

Liz Phair is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. [www.lizphair.com]

Archbishop Desmond Tutu is Chairman of The Elders, a group of world leaders who address some of the world's most pressing problems. He works energetically for human-rights and in his ministry. [www.tutu.org]

Zainab Salbi is the founder and CEO of Women for Women International, a group dedicated to helping women survivors of war rebuild their lives. [www.womenforwomen.org]

Despite his physical challenges, Sean Stephenson has taken a stand for a quality of life that has inspired millions of people around the world. He's a professional speaker, psychotherapist, and author. [www.timetostand.com]

Kia Miller teaches Yoga at Yoga Works in Los Angeles, leads teacher trainings, and runs retreats and workshops on meditation, chakras, pranayam, and mantras, and other practices. [www.kiamiller.com]

Simon Mainwaring is an ex-Nike/Wieden creative, former Worldwide Creative Director at Motorola/Ogilvy, branding/advertising writer, author/speaker/blogger, Australian, idea geek. [www.simonmainwaring.com]

Shannon Bindler is a style editor, life coach, and the co-founder of Get Up Girl, an empowerment company that inspires women to shine. [www.getupgirl.com]

Grammy-nominated art director/designer/photographer Mathieu Bitton has designed over 450 CDs and movie posters. He's a renowned collector of and authority on black films and their soundtracks. [www.candytangerine.com]

Opus Reps founder and agent-producer Jorge Perez travels the world producing photo shoots with great photographers and celebrities. He's also very involved with Meals on Wheels in Los Angeles. www.opusreps.com
well-being

There’s a synergistic moment when people meet, when we experience expansion into a new world, beyond what we know and expect. This transformation of individuals and communities by supporting and fostering the well-being of body, mind, and spirit in relationship has always been meaningful for us.
That meaning became crystal clear when, in the midst of an argument, Mudimo consciously made the choice to say, “I’m not going anywhere.” In that moment, Jane got to face how she would normally pull away from being in connection. That was the beginning of our experience and practice of what we call naked communication. Whatever our differences, we chose to stay with the moment rather than pulling away from it.
There have been many tiny moments of awareness and connection as we’ve practiced being in touch with our senses – working with breath and sensing the back of our lungs for the first time, drumming with special needs kids and being totally connected with them, or just walking down the street and experiencing a wave of peace rushing through. Those moments have completely changed how we view the world.
Sure, we get off track sometimes – almost every day! We get back on track by practicing what we teach. We listen to our bodies, bring awareness to our breathing, use movement and rhythm, allow for naked communication, and let what there is to do emerge from here.
Succumbing to concerns about survival – not literally life and death survival issues, but the everyday relational, financial, and other stresses and worries that are part of everyday life – is what we call being on the survival circuit.
We’ve found that in challenging situations awareness and acceptance help. They’re the source of all participation. For example, it helps to be aware of the meanings we give to events, circumstances, and life. The kind of acceptance we’re talking about isn’t about tolerating or enduring, but welcoming and celebrating what is, without trying to change it. Then the way is clear for mindful participation – not in reaction to our circumstances, but as a creation from our passion and commitment. By listening for and consciously choosing well-being, life unfolds effortlessly.
– Mudimo and Jane Okondo
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