Ron Chapman introduced himself, “My clientele know me through facilitation, leadership and organization development efforts provided through my consulting and advisory companies, (www.MagneticNorthLLC.com, www.LeadingPublicHealth.com and www.SeeingTrue.com.) yet that identity is only a magnification of the man I’ve become through more than twenty-five years on a spiritual journey.
I’m often asked about my beliefs. Truly the path has shown me that there are no self-made men or women. We’re the products of that which has been transmitted through any number of individuals who have shaped us with their time, attention, words and thoughts; so too with religions and traditions.
In my case, mentors, advisors and therapists have been instrumental. And the influence of esoteric Christianity, twelve-step recovery, Tao, Buddhism, The Course in Miracles and other practices is undeniable.
I’m a man who has faced alcoholism, relationship traumas, career disruptions, and any number of personal failings. I am a human who through the teachings of others has seen the self that must be abandoned if something greater is to become of me. I’m a father forced to face his mistreatment of his daughters. In truth, I’m a lot like you.”
Ron shared, “Many years ago I asked a spiritual elder why my course was so rocky and tumultuous. He recounted the story of Jacob wrestling with the angel of the Lord. The angel eventually crushed Jacob, but from that struggle came the nation of Israel.
Esoteric Christianity teaches that Jacob is the self that must be overcome. And the struggle itself is worthy and necessary. And that Israel is our manifestation in the world that is channeled through us after we have been refined by the effort.
As I look around my life, I can see the manifestations: two daughters who navigate the world with great wisdom and who have long ago forgiven me my failings, a dozen or so people who have benefited greatly from my experience, strength and hope, and, companies and organizations that today are able to yield much greater good in the world from my involvement. Three books carry my message in different forms: A Killer’s Grace, Seeing True: Ninety Contemplations in Ninety Days and What a Wonderful World: Seeing Through New Eyes. A number of compact disc sets, recordings and writings reside in different places in the world. Several animals have been part of mutually enriching relationships with me.”
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