How did you find the Diamond Approach?
In my early thirties, I was living and working at Esalen Institute in Big Sur. My close friend, Jessica Britt, was living with our family during that time, and she would bring home Hameed’s early transcripts, which are now his published books: Elixir of Enlightenment and Essence. I was studying Gestalt Awareness Practice, and Movement Continuum at Esalen, and had two small children.
Hameed’s writings awakened something new in me; an unrecognizable and unusual felt sense that deepened my experience. I could not categorize these experiences into the Gestalt framework as thoughts, feelings, emotions, or sensations. I remembered being a child and having the feeling I was much more than I knew, and I began to be curious about these new experiences, both inside and outside my body. Looking back, I now recognize them as different qualities of Presence.
In those early years when Hameed began to speak about the soul, I recognized what he was referring to from my years of Continuum practice. I had experienced this directly, this dynamic flow, the morphing, changing, amoebic quality.
I recognized that Gestalt and Continuum were what the Tibetan Buddhists speak of as ‘preliminary practices,’ before one begins the more advanced teachings. I felt passionate about the work; I loved it, and became a very dedicated student.
When you first started, what was your biggest challenge?
The most difficult part of my journey, in the beginning, was the 3 1/2-hour travel time from Esalen to Berkeley many weekends a year. And leaving our young children was hard, even though my husband stayed home to care for them. My heart pulled in two directions, toward the D.A. work, and my deep love and commitment to our children, Karina and Brendan, who were only seven and two at the time.
What has kept you engaged with the Diamond Approach teachings?
Being a teacher of this work and my dedication to the students and the teaching is what keeps me engaged. I find in teaching the Diamond Approach, my soul grows and develops in ways that could not happen if I was not teaching the work and learning from the students. I have been a D.A. teacher for 30 years, and a lead teacher for ten outlying D.A. groups.
What is closest to my heart these days is helping parents be able to do the D.A. work.
In the eighties, we created a supportive situation for parents in the work by starting a program called ‘Kidhwan’. The kids came with their parents to group, and the children had their own program. Currently in the UK we have many new mothers, and we provide a place for them to bring their children. This deepens our UK Ridhwan community as we see the children grow as we grow, and develop our own souls.
What aspect of the teaching is most alive in you right now?
I am currently very passionate about integrating aspects of the Diamond Approach into the challenge and practice of parenting/grandparenting. The practice of being present and recognizing presence within our children is deeply important. It is not an easy job being a parent. The D.A. can provide a place for parents to do their own personal work, to inquire into the feelings that get triggered as parents. Often what was done to us when we were children gets re-stimulated by being a parent. Doing our own work, integrating and metabolizing our past history, makes us better parents today. I think it is possible to spiritually awaken through our parenting, and our children benefit from our dedicated work on ourselves.
As parents and grandparents, we can have great influence and impact on our children, and on our future generations. We can make a difference in their lives, bringing more kindness, compassion, and love to our children. The more parents realize the sacredness of raising children, the more they will be able to be present in themselves each moment they are with them. Children are present in the moment: they don’t require practice as we do. They remind us to be present.
What has been the most surprising discovery for you recently?
I am surprised to discover the power of returning to the basic beginning practices of the D.A., i.e., meditation, sensing, looking, listening, being present, and simply being with what is, to support me in a difficult family crisis situation. My two grandchildren’s mother has terminal breast cancer. The boys are quite young and it is not easy to lose your mommy that early in life. I see how extended family and community makes a big difference in childrens’ lives. The daily Ridhwan practices, simply being with what is, and the deep knowing the soul never dies has been a true support to find the way through this challenging time. When I remember myself in this way, presence deepens, my heart opens, and compassion flows.
What advice/encouragement would you offer to someone ‘on the fence’ about attending an Intro event?
Discovering who we are is our birthright. It is what life is all about. At first you may not recognize what is happening for you. Be patient. It can take some time to open to the work. Stay with the practices long enough until something shifts in your experience of presence.
If you could have one wish for humankind, what would it be?
My prayer is that we humans find a way to navigate the environmental crisis we are in, so our future generations have the fulfilling and beneficial life they deserve on this Earth.
Joyce Lyke is a lead and presenting teacher of the Diamond Approach. She has taught on-going Diamond Approach groups for 27 years in the U.S., British Columbia, the United Kingdom, and Germany.
Prior to her 35 years as a Ridhwan student, she lived and worked at Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California. During those 15 years, she trained in Gestalt Awareness Practice, deep tissue bodywork, somatic psychology, early childhood development, and various cutting - edge body movement practices.
She is currently integrating aspects of the Diamond Approach into the challenge and practice of parenting. She teaches how it is possible to spiritually awaken through caring for our children, and works with parents and parent educators helping them to recognize essential developmental stages in children. For more information see the ‘Parenting to Awakening’ section of her website: www.Joycelyke.com or www.Parentingtoawakening.org