Annette Anderson has been a Diamond Approach student since 2004 and a teacher since 2014. In addition to working with individual students and inquiry groups, she is a teacher in the Gulf Coast Diamond Approach group and will be offering introductory weekends in Costa Rica in 2020. She has a background which includes leading personal transformation courses, spiritual retreats and groups; as well as spiritual coaching, and serving as a healthcare executive.
How did you find the Diamond Approach?
Several years before finding the Diamond Approach, while teaching a personal transformation seminar on integrity, I had an epiphany. It arrived as a message about my life and my future. It felt profound, it came from another place than my mind. A large part of the seminar was to look at our purpose in life, what has always been there that perhaps we haven’t been aware of; to look at what is calling us, what touches our hearts. When I did this exercise, I saw that my purpose was to “support people in knowing themselves as spirit.” This was the beginning of my transition from a corporate executive to supporting others with their spiritual unfoldment. After this, I began the transition from my corporate career to creating a spiritual coaching and teaching practice.
Sometime after that realization, my husband and I were looking for something that would provide inner growth and development. We had finished our work in another teaching some time before and were feeling pretty dry. My husband read about the Diamond Approach in one of Ken Wilber’s books and was intrigued. We started searching for schools and ended up with the Gulf Coast Diamond Approach. I went, not knowing much about the Diamond Approach, but willing to step in and see what might be available. I will never forget my first retreat. I could feel my soul beginning to open and relax as if it had been a very hard, dried sponge, as if it was now being infused with drops of essential oil. My soul softened. There was a deep knowing that I was in the right place.
Several years later, the Ridhwan Foundation announced that they were beginning a new Seminary. I immediately knew that becoming a Ridhwan Teacher was the next step in my life purpose. I submitted my application and was ordained in 2014.
When you first started, what was your greatest challenge?
I tend to be a very reserved and private person. The inquiries with the deep, deep sharing were difficult for me and brought up anxiety and fear. But even though it was difficult to open myself up in that way, it soon became clear that this opening, and the courage it took, were the portal to something much deeper and richer than I had ever experienced. Allowing myself to be vulnerable to the fear of rejection and/or judgement created a softening and opening of my heart. This softening and opening later became a yearning and longing that kept taking me deeper.
What has kept you engaged with the Diamond Approach teachings?
For as long as I can remember, I have had a thirst for personal growth always searching for greater understanding and access to the deeper parts of myself. In this lifetime, I want to evolve and open up as much as possible. The Diamond Approach continues to meet these needs.
What aspect of the teaching is most alive in you right now?
Giving up attachment to the belief that inner and outer possessions belong to me. Surrendering to the non-duality of True Nature.
What has been the most surprising discovery for you in the past months?
Realizing on a deep experiential level that I truly have no choice, or say in how things go, how they unfold. The approach to life that I have lived and believed to be my own, is not mine. I did not create it, I did not live it as a separate entity, I have no choice if or how it continues.
What advice/encouragement would you offer to someone ‘on the fence’ about attending an Intro event?
When I was in my twenties, I had finished a degree in nursing and was drawn to go on with my education. I was concerned at how long it would take. As I pondered this, I heard a radio show discussing this very dilemma in the life of a man who had a family with children to support which meant he would have to go part time. He worried about how old he would be when he finished the degree. The person conducting the interview asked him: “how old will you be in 8 years if you don’t get the degree?” That was my answer. I registered at the college and later finished the degree.
Something is calling you or you would not be on the fence. Take a chance, step in and try it on, like you would try on a coat. If it fits in any way, continue to explore until you find your answer. If you don’t look, you will never know. What do you have to lose?
If you could have one wish for humankind, what would it be?
That all sentient beings would have the desire and opportunity to explore and understand their inner nature. That our outer world would then be one of peace and love influenced by the inner work of all sentient beings.
Upcoming events with Annette
A retreat on True Power and Peace that is open to the public the weekend of October 25-27, 2019 in Richardson Texas, near Dallas. To learn more, click here.
An Inquiry Group, offered through Diamond Approach Online, is open to the public and starts August 18. To learn more, click here.