WDM teachers

We’re so excited to have the following Waking Down teachers and mentors be joining us for the Sacred Summer Celebration! Have a look at what they’ll be offering during this special weekend. If you are interested in setting up private sessions, it might be best to wait until after our loose “schedule of events” is posted in early July.

Saniel Bonder, WDM founder

Saniel is the founder of Waking Down in Mutuality. After awakening in late 1992 and discovering a living spiritual transmission flowing from his Heart, he found it necessary and inevitable to chart a new, mutual, in some ways revolutionary course. Ever since, he has pioneered and championed the democratizing of non-dual, embodied, “divinely human” Heart-awakeness and collaborative emergence. Saniel helped birth the idea of the Sacred Summer Celebration, and believes a gathering like this, on a piece of property owned by a practitioner, will create a qualitatively different feeling of embodiment for all of us.

Offerings: Workshop on Saturday, July 16th, entitled “Loving the Land: The Gift of Sanctuary”

Talent to share: Flute playing

Contact information: saniel@sanielandlinda.com; 877-783-3873

Website: sanielandlinda.com

Linda Groves-Bonder, WDM senior teacher & Saniel’s wife and teaching partner

Linda has a “compassionate passion” for students who are dedicated to their awakening and ongoing integration as divinely human beings. She’s also well known in WDM for her profound expertise in helping each one awaken into embodied consciousness. With an immense love for all living creatures, she is uniquely nurturing and inspires us to feed all of Life from the Heart. She’s also a professional singer/songwriter, and creator of “Joy of Being” her new toning CD. Andrew Cohen, the founder of EnlightenNext writes of it: “Haunting, evocative, hypnotizing, profound, and penetrating, Linda Groves-Bonder’s original vocal toning awakens the spiritual heart and gives us a glimpse of eternity.”

Offerings: Workshop on Saturday, July 16th, entitled “Loving the Land: The Gift of Sanctuary”

Talent to share: Singing/toning

Contact information: linda@sanielandlinda.com; 707-933-8398

Website: sanielandlinda.com

Dan Will, WDM teacher

From self-proclaimed bull in a china shop to being known for his big heart, the teacher Saniel Bonder refers to as “most visibly transformed,” Dan Will embodies a dependable style of everyday awakening that deeply welcomes all of who we are from the unlimited to the profoundly human.

Offerings: Sittings, discussions, private sessions

Talent to share: Singing

Private session fees: $25/hr

Contact information: dwchair@verizon.net; 703-243-2695

Allan Morelock, WDM interning teacher

Allan’s presence and tender holding leaves us feeling soothed and nurtured. He’s been described by practitioners as a “poem in motion” and a “mountain stream where you can find deep nourishment for your soul” as well as a “modern day mystic” by Saniel Bonder. For his day job, Allan owns a tree and lawn service and landscaping business and is known as “the tree guy” and even “the tree whisperer.” He’s got a deep and sacred connection with Mother Earth, especially trees.

Offerings: Sittings, tree talks, meditations, private sessions

Talent to share: Poetry reading

Private session fees: sliding scale $20-40/hr

Contact information: allan@embodiedheartawakening.com; 732-249-8796

Website: embodiedheartawakening.com

Leslie Oelsner, WDM interning teacher

Leslie embodies the goddess in every aspect of her Being. Her clarity of heart is quite astonishing, and those who have had the pleasure of being in retreats or sittings with her leave wanting to experience more of her sweet wisdom and endearing grace. Leslie is also a psychotherapist, a musician, and a mother of two. The path of family and friendship has been an integral part of her own spiritual development, as well as her long time love of Buddhism, and many other streams of spiritual influence. Her deep love of music has manifested in her long time musical partnership with her husband Geoff; founding and directing two women’s vocal ensembles; and participating in Early Music/Renaissance performing groups.

Offerings: Free workshop on Sunday morning, July 17th, entitled “Sacred Exchanges with Nature”; sittings, discussions, private sessions

Talent to share: Musical performance on Saturday evening, July 16th

Private session fees: sliding scale $20-40/hr

Contact information: leslieo@cox.net; 479-521-2395, cell 479-236-0031

Geoff Oelsner, songwriter/performer and WDM mentor

Geoff is a poet, a singer/songwriter, and a psychotherapist. He presents his poetry and original songs in not-for-profit benefit performances, accompanied by guitar, harmonium, harmonica, and dulcimer. Geoff ‘s loving presence and compassion are truly unforgettable, and some of the many reason’s he’s such a popular Waking Down mentor.