Roger Vacher
"Hodge" by preference, I am 37 years old, British born and married to a wonderful American lawyer. I was raised by European hotelier parents (Anglo-Scottish/ French) in various countries around the world, ranging from Bahrain to Mexico and was exposed to the big wide world and many of its manifestations very early on.
Educated however mostly in the British system, I hold a bachelor degree in Politics from the University of Bristol (and Occidental, LA, USA), a masters degree in "International Hospitality Management" and quite separately an MBA in business - the latter, both from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow and its Zurich satellite respectively.
I sought out Michal Levin's teachings in early 2001 whilst going through an early career change from Corporate Finance with Deloitte in London to becoming a trans-European tour manager/guide for the world's leading guided holiday company, Trafalgar.
At that critical period of time, Michal's insights, guidance and meditational practices did a number of things for me including: reevaluating on an iterative basis my personal authenticity and needs; reducing fear of what the world held for me - particularly when I took to the unbeaten path; honing and redefining my path to personal individuation and socialisation; connecting me to a scientific rational basis for my new path whilst also opening me to the ample benefits and quest of meditation practice and to the possibilities for improved intuitive discernment; giving me the tools I needed to improve immeasurably my situational evaluative and decision-making capabilities.
I have found that Michal's very special world of spiritual thought, practice and outcome is perfectly adapted to the extraordinary complex and challenging times we live in both as individuals and as a global collective, bridging and integrating the spiritual and scientific in truly interesting and transformational ways.
In my spare time, I have worked/ work on various start up company projects (from travel to cleantech), and otherwise have a passion for current affairs, the arts in small doses, yoga and meditation and the various outdoor pursuits of my home town Luzern, Switzerland, which include skiing, swimming, hiking, bicycling and the art of doing ... relatively little. I speak 5 languages with varying degrees of competence - a demand of career, background and current hometown - and am always seeking new adventures be they what they may!
Cathy Mills
I have worked with Michal for approx 15 years. I am now 50 and live in Stroud in Gloucestershire in the UK. I am an artist currently involved with printmaking and drawing. My creative life includes many years as a community artist and teacher, working primarily with children in various settings.
My first encounter with Michal was through reading her book, ‘The Pool Of Memory’, that I discovered at a friends house. I was gripped and very moved by her story and I felt there was something there that could help me. Shortly after, I attended a teaching seminar she held.
The support of Michal and those around her has been a huge help to me. I have been pushed into examining myself in ways that are often uncomfortable but always done from a place of love. The ways in which I have changed since knowing and working with Michal are many. Some are too subtle to describe but I have grown more confident. I am able to understand myself and others more easily and I feel lighter and, significantly, I am more able to attend to myself. The process is a continual one.
David Lewis
I have been working with Michal Levin regularly for 15 years. I first saw an article on her in the Times in October 1998, which instantly caught my eye and went to a talk she was giving in Bayswater a few weeks later. I immediately felt a strong connection to what she was saying which became even stronger when I read her first book, the Pool of Memory. Since then I have attended and completed her Line of the Light series of seminars, read her books, run a meditation group, attended many of her talks and weekend seminars, as well as two retreats and a number of private one to one and by telephone. I have also recently completed her Core Curriculum 1 & 2 courses.
The revelations and knowledge acquired from her seminars, books, meditation techniques and teachings have enabled me to find a more healthy balance in all aspects of my home, business and emotional life as a result of which my contribution to society is greatly enhanced.
I live in Central London. I have been in several professions and am currently an independent corporate finance advisor and director/investor in a number of businesses.
Felicity Crush
I am originally from the United Kingdom, but for the last seventeen years have lived in a beautiful coastal town in Northern California, surrounded by mountains on one side and open to the vast expanse of the Pacific on the other. I used to work for Greenpeace so have seen some terribly polluted parts of the world and feel very fortunate that I have been able to settle and raise a child here. I now work on a range of projects from graphic design, art installation to social action.
I first met Michal in 2000, thirteen years ago. I had been exploring different Buddhist practices and came across her book, "The Pool of Memory, the Autobiography of an Unwilling Intuitive" during a visit to the UK. I was immediately drawn to contact her and thanks to an extraordinary set of circumstances, within an hour was sitting in her office. Since that time she has had a profound, positive and transformational impact on my life. Simply put, I am a much happier person. Over the years of working with her love and guidance I have developed an inner resilience and balance and a deeper joy in life. I now have a trust in the ongoing process of personal growth and development, a process which is not always comfortable nor easy, and has required facing the difficult parts of myself and often making hard choices.
Michal has helped me to transform myself into someone who now has a clear sense of my path and a deeper faith in my ability to live my highest values.
Jane Gately
Located in the Midwest, USA.
Senior executive responsible for Technology and Operations for a global professional services firm. My remit covered the UK, Middle East, India and Africa.
I have had a very successful and enjoyable career working across Europe and into parts of Asia. Over the years, I began to feel unbalanced and confused about life in general. Having worked with so many different cultures, I knew instinctively that I was looking for personal growth. An option would have been to find a personal/life coach but I wanted someone with the skill and knowledge to help me to understand more about myself.
A friend introduced me to Michal. Like me she had had a successful business career and understood the reasons for my feeling of being unbalanced. Over the last 5 years, I have had a number of personal sessions and have participated in her Core Curriculum courses.
Through working with her, I have learned a great deal about how the world works and how I internalise my place in the world. I feel I have the tools and emotional development to understand what is happening within me. The world will continue to be challenging and frustrating but is also fulfilling. What has changed is my inner guidance regarding my approach to life, how I fit within the wider world and what I can do to change how I participate in life.
Eva Kirner
I am an academic living in Germany and have worked with Michal for four years. I came to know about Michal through a recording of a very inspiring conversation between her and Ken Wilber. Having followed Ken Wilber´s work closely for over a decade, I was immediately intrigued by Michal´s unique approach towards an integral path that has resonated with me right away. Shortly after this initial contact I have read her book “The Pool of Memory” and soon connected with her in person as well. The past years ever since have been a fascinating journey of discovery.
Jo Hill
My name is Jo, I’m 43 and live near the South Coast, in England. I have been working with Michal for 18 months, although it feels as though I have experienced several decades worth of development in that time. I have completed her Core Curriculum parts One and Two, starting on part Three, as well as attended a retreat and working with her individually.
I know infinitely better who I am, and what I am about now - in a true and real sense rather than simply in response to what is going on around me. The ‘ripple effect’ across my life has been marked. It is almost as though I had been living as, and behind, a smoke screen - hiding and afraid without even realising it; I would have told you that my life was rich before! The difference now? It has been a transformation that is impossible to quantify, or to qualify with words; ‘authenticity’, ‘love’ and ‘connection’ come to mind but really they only express a part of it.
I ‘found’ and read Michal’s book ‘Pool of Memory’ in 1999. I felt deeply drawn to Michal and her work but the time was not right to be in touch. I had been a brand manager and concept developer for a couple of significant blue chip companies and was training in various holistic modalities and techniques. I combined these and set up a company specialising in finding marketing/brand solutions and expanding perspective.
The book, Michal’s words, stayed with me through all this – some part of me always knew that I would work with her. I now know that this work will never end and I am deeply grateful.
Kolinka Zinovieff
I met Michal nearly 20 years ago and I feel utterly grateful for the extraordinary guidance, love and insight she has shown me in that time.
My nature is discerning, I have never come across anyone who holds such wisdom and deep intuitive understanding as Michal.
I worked as Aromatherapist and Craniosacral therapists for 10 years in London before moving to Brighton where I now run a successful business selling essential oils worldwide, and also a retreat centre in France. I also teach courses on essential oil production.
When I first met Michal I was searching on a spiritual path, but had never met anyone before or since like Michal, her integrity, love, wisdom and crystal clear ability to see energy and one’s unconscious and consciousness, with such accuracy, is simply breath taking.
Working with Michal has helped me see with greater clarity and deepen my understanding of who I am.
She has inspired me to go beyond what I would have thought possible, both on an inner and outer level in life.
Kolinka Zinovieff age 46
Paul Lidgate
My name is Paul and I live in London. I have enjoyed working in the Nursing Profession for many years.
I have been working with Michal for about 10 years. I was first drawn to the meditation group/seminar day with Michal after reading an article in the Telegraph newspaper. I had a wonderful day.
Michal has helped me develop in so many ways through discussion and meditation. These words sound simple but they have brought a depth and breadth of knowledge about myself, fellow human beings and the universe. Michal has helped me to see more and do more. These are actually words used by Michal from time to time and until a few years ago I had not understood them. Good point to mention that this is a journey and there are no short cuts. I have been on several retreats and each one has brought something inspiring and stirred much thought.
The connection of others is important for me too, I am a little on the shy side. When we meet up for a seminar day or monthly meditation I am always reminded how wonderful it is being together.
Rosalynd Ward
I remember speaking to Michal on the phone for the first time and feeling it was absolutely right to make an appointment to see her without exactly knowing why. Now, seventeen years later I have some idea! I used to think ‘spirituality and intuition’ was like an added extra, something else to fit into life and give time to. Working with Michal has shown me how it infuses all of life and all of being. And that the more you open up and let it be a part of you, the more vividly you will experience life, relationships and everything.
I had no real inkling of what my ‘inner life’ was and how it connected with the outer world until I experienced the LEAP meditation that Michal teaches. I had tried other forms of meditation but none connected me to the essence of myself in the way that LEAP does or showed me so clearly another dimension and how it relates to all of us. It has been transformative in every sense of the word.
I am still learning; refining and expanding, going backwards and forwards on my journey. Life can still be problematic. But overall, when I think of the last seventeen years my heart lights up and I can’t help smiling. I feel extremely grateful that Michal and her teachings have guided me through most of my adult life so far.
I am 47 and work in the media. I have a young son and live by the sea in southern England.
Serene Miqdadi
I was born in Beirut in 1974, moving to Jordan five years later due to the civil war in Lebanon.
I moved to the USA in 1992, starting out in Boston, and finally got my Bachelors in Fine Arts from NYU. I then moved to London, completing my Masters in East Asian Art, at Sotheby’s Institute. My interest and journey then led me to train as an integrative coach.
Having the experience and exposure of various cultures led me to my own path of exploration, which began in the mid 90’s in the USA. I started practicing yoga, studied Vedanta, and explored various alternative health modalities.
About four years ago, I “happened” to attend a talk by Michal Levin at St James Church and the connection was immediate - it was as if all the age old teachings, the thread of truth that runs through time, was being expressed in modern day language- it was simple, easy to relate to, and most importantly practical.
Through my work with Michal, channels have opened up within giving me the gifts of increasing intuition, confidence in my path, and increasing fulfillment in my life. I am grateful for the feeling of being very comfortable in my own skin!
I consider myself a citizen of the world, and spend my time between London and Amman- Jordan.
Tina Bearham
My name is Tina Bearham I live in North London with my husband, I have two grown up children. I previously worked for my local council as a benefits officer.
I was attracted to Michal’s work after reading an article she had written, briefly describing her meditation experience. At the time, the nature of truth was very much on my mind, and Michal wrote that it was for her too. This was fifteen years ago. Since then I have attended Michal’s seminars, workshops and monthly meditation class in London. I continue to be connected to her work as a member of the Inner Group who link up monthly over the telephone.
I have found over the years that the LEAP meditation and subtle energy work, and the transmission of Michal’s unique energy, have opened a pathway to a deep awareness of myself, and connection to others. The work taps in to our deeper wisdom. This in turn helps us to carry the spiritual into our everyday actions and decisions. I think it is a very special experience.
Tracey Rood
I live in Johannesburg, South Africa. I am an accounting professional by training; I worked for one of the Big Four auditing professional firms for 14 years before moving into commerce.
I first encountered Michal Levin’s work through reading her autobiography, the Pool of Memory, around 12 years ago. That led me to working with her directly by attending seminars, having regular personal consultations, and participating in telegroup teaching sessions. I joined the Inner Group at its inception and have completed the Core Curriculum training for Levels 1 and 2.
At the time I read Pool of Memory, I was aware that I was searching for “something” in life, but could not define what that was exactly. Once I had met Michal and worked with her for a little while, I knew my search had ended – I would find what I was looking through working with her.
My life has been enriched immensely through working with Michal and I have grown and developed as an individual in more ways than I could ever have envisaged when I first started on this journey. The responsibility for doing the work is mine; but the catalyst for my growth and development has been Michal’s energy, insights and teachings.
Anna Frost
Hi, my home is near Sydney, Australia. I’m 63 and a seeker for many years before I discovered Michal. That was 10 years ago when I was intent on seeking an intuitive teacher/guide. I was certain I'd recognise right-off if they were right for me. So, after a bit of Googling, I turned to the archives of the Laura Lee radio show out of Seattle as I had previously enjoyed some of her interviews. Michal's interview from 2002 was there. It resonated with me. Really it seemed more of an overall feeling, a connection, than anything she said. Listening to her sensible, grounded, intelligent interview - she just appealed to me.
Within a couple of months, I began working with Michal's materials at that time - books, newsletter, then CDs - and began practicing her chakra meditation. I first spoke with Michal about a year later when she asked me something along the lines of, 'Do you want to work on yourself, or do the work?'. I said both….and on it goes. It has been, and continues to be, a most unexpected, deeply satisfying journey.
Caroline Ward
I am a designer living in Surrey, England and have worked with Michal for many years. I found Michal in a roundabout way that, looking back, seems ‘meant’ – an old friend saw Michal was speaking at Alternatives in London some years ago and thought I might find it interesting…I went along and so I began this compelling journey. As I say on Michal’s website, I have found that this work seeps into you deeper and deeper each time you encounter it. Sometimes I have made a series of small steps forward, sometimes a leap in understanding. It has demanded both courage and fidelity but the return has been an ability both to reach and receive a joy that has transformed me to my core and changed my inner and outer landscape irrevocably.
Clare Rawlins
I live in the UK, in a village in Hertfordshire, and I am married.
I graduated in art history and did some teaching for a few years, both to visiting US undergraduates and at a UK art school. I was fortunate to be able to return to university later to study fine art, focussing on painting and photography.
I originally moved to Hertfordshire in 1986 and had twelve years living on a farm, married to a farmer and establishing a love of living in the countryside.
Later I qualified in massage, practising it for several years and then trained in cranio sacral therapy, with a small practise, again for several years. I now work mainly as a freelance administrator and am part of the team helping Michal in her office.
I first met Michal in around 2002, after a friend recommended her . I had been interested in healing and energy for some years already, but was at a point where I needed some help. Through Michal’s insight, wisdom and teachings, I began to shift from seeing life in rather black and white terms, to allowing a much richer landscape to open up, and started a wonderful process of integration. I now have the help of a map to refer to for my own journey and some wonderful values for living, to practise and aspire to.