PS: Those of you who were part of this Joyshop can join the Hadayoli Yahoo! Group, if you wish:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hadayoli



So here is the feedback...back to back...

1) What were you most hoping to learn / get from this Joyshop? Were your expectations met?

Some practical ways to work with joy daily.  Absolutely, you gave us many, many ways to do this.

To reinforce what I had learnt from you. I was hoping to learn more about compassion and balance mind. I realize what we should do but how do we apply in daily life and I know it is little tricky—not asking for spoon feeding but more discussion.

I came to the Joyshop completely without expectations -- I had just heard about it the day prior to coming and thought it sounded interesting.  My expectations weren't very many but I absolutely loved what I got and did.  I work with and talk about energy work a lot with others, friends and clients, so it was delightful for me.

I came with an open mind. I enjoyed everything very much.

I hoped to gain something that would bring about a positive transformation in my day to day life. Hadayoli exceeded my expectations; I came into my own.

A more personal understanding of my own joy—the source of my joy, the expression of my joy, the nurturing of joy in myself and others.

Yes.  The workshop helped me realize that joy can be demonstrated in a very calm, serene and peaceful manner and that I really do have a joyous nature—though you will not hear me or see me being “bubbly.” 

The foremost on my learning list - being able to understand my anger and how to bring it under control. Yes, my expectations were met. I remember something or the other from the workshop almost everyday and I find that I can apply it to my everyday life.

Meditation techniques, ways to stay centered and peaceful, reinforcement of some things i already knew

Mainly, I was curious. I have been very interested in the spirituality of joy, and wanted to see what the Joyshop had to offer. It reinforced some things I already knew, and I learned a great deal more. I am already seeing changes in my life.

Few years ago, I used to think about many aspects of life such as  happiness, peace etc, and used to practice meditation. I guess I was a
lot happier those days. However, over the past few years, I have become mentally very weak and lazy and so naturally "unhappy". I wanted to become mentally stronger and more active.  I was hoping to learn these things.  I am happy that I attended the workshop. Your teachings will definitely help me on these aspects.

I  was hoping to enjoy and make the most of what looked like another interesting workshop.  I didn’t go into it with much thought and therefore had no expectations.  I went with curiosity and figured I’d get something out of it because workshops are usually transformative for me.

Overall I was expecting some guidelines for better life: Positive thinking, relaxation techniques, improving relationships, and be happy. I treasured your workshop.

2) What did you like best? Any significant memorable / breakthrough moments?

The 10 minutes of love to each of the 4 persons in my circle brought a sense of peace within that I had never felt before.  I now try to send out love to the world on a daily basis.

After your teaching-watching ‘The Secret’ every moment was wonderful—very uplifting. just need to  practice-- make it better. When first time I met you and participated in the joyshop----I can not thank you enough—How precious your teaching is! I again enjoyed the each little note and felt very blessed by your presence in our home.

What I liked best was the simplicity of it and how quickly all of the energy could be changed in the room.  When giving and recieving from the heart the world is different.

* guided meditation

* the energy transmutation exercise

* include!

* five second greeting

* qi gong exercise

* EFT demo

Personally I learned a lot. I have been working on stress management a lot the last 5-6 years and it has helped me tremendously. Obviously
there's still a lot to learn.

Oh, my, there were so many wonderful moments! 

The spectrum of consciousness—(Power vs. Force) was a very significant segment for me.  It really helped me see the importance of raising the consciousness or vibration in our world to effect healing. Every action has a positive intention.  Anger/Fear/Request/Love exercise was very useful for me in sorting out my own emotions. 

The points that that immediately come to my mind:

- "Be aware"

- "Accept it" - it is not "no action"  but it is really "accept gracefully whatever happens, and concentrate on actions that are in your control.

- Rule number 6

- Event+Response = Outcome

- Anger - fear - request -love. 

- Every action has a positive intention

- Dream team

- Story - most important person? most important time? most important thing to do?

- Emotional freedom technique

One thing i long for is the calmness which I saw in you Happy Monk - that was incredible.  I liked the guided meditations.  I am using the 5 second greeting - I give you my love, etc.

I think the most powerful moment was the group Brahmavihara exercise on Sunday. It felt very good to bless the others, but when it came my turn to receive, I felt some resistance. I had a few moments of thinking "I don't deserve this." Then I decided to let go of that, and just let myself receive the love, whether I deserved it or not.  It was quite amazing. Another breakthrough, was learning on a deep level, that I really have to love myself unconditionally before I can be very effective in blessing others. I have tended to be much harder on myself than on other people.

I really enjoyed your guided meditations. The one in which you guided us through, where you told us to first "feel" every part of the  body, and
the let go of /dissolve each part of the body. I thoroughly enjoyed the guided meditation that you did on the morning of the second day---Practice of "Brahmavihara" and using "breath" as a vehicle. After a long long time, I experienced the "joy" of meditation.

What I liked most was the first night where I sat in front of our teacher and had a blissful experience.  I was charged all night from those few hours.  It amazed me to close my eyes before the Joyshop began and to peek out and see myself holding the same mudra as our teacher; a mudra I’d never recalled holding before.  Then, in that initial meditation, I felt the energies “stack up” in the room and sensed that all was in place for the Joyshop to begin.  I took a breath and opened my eyes and so did our teacher at the exact same moment.  That evening I predicted almost every thing spoken to us.  I could hear it before it was said.  I had also had the thoughts that comprised the essence of the teacher’s messages earlier that day; new thoughts to me.  It was significant to have these understandings mirrored back to me from a wise teacher the very same day that I had received them from the cosmos.  Through the course of the weekend I had a breakthrough understanding about how to more effectively live as a peaceful being.

3) What concepts have you applied in your life so far? Any specific examples?

I do these daily - 5 min miracle, EFT morning & night, set intention for 3 activities, use my gratitude stone, log my gratitudes, greet myself in the mirror with joy and gratitude, start each morning saying "This is the happiest day of my life & so it is series", meditate.  My two dogs get greeted each morning with "May this be the happiest day of your life..."

Working on compassion—empathy. Enjoying the process and watching and catching myself-where I could improve-feels good.

I took out my workbook that I wrote in a week after the Joyshop and spent the entire weekend sharing the concepts with a dear friend that was unable to join me at the Joyshop.  I am planning on  typing all of the information up and using it to present  short evenings at home with various friends that are interested in changing their lives.  I have worked on the 5 minute miracle and the 17 second process and am planning today to make some signs to put up in my home to remind me to take the 17 seconds. I have been a visualizer for myself for many years and most of my friends are amazed at how I have a marvelous marriage and home that I visualized and talked about.  I am 66 years old and love sharing with others how to make their minds create their desires. It is amazing to me how well this works -- I belong to a religious group that has had some growing pains this past year but one night the board of trustees had a meeting at my home and I led them on a visualization of how our church could be and am sure we held that together all 6 of us present, for at least 17 seconds.  I have also used it with others in the church and the changes are coming - I just wasn't aware of the 17 second process and will always make sure we hold the images as long as possible.  I thank you for this.

Positive thinking. I say to myself yes I can do it. Thinking good about other people. Trying to be happy all the time.

I've included the following in my life:

* daily meditation

* the 'may I be happy, may we all be happy' exercise (I love doing this while walking)

* segment intending

* five-minute miracle

* energy transmutation exercise

 

I've witnessed an energy shift in various settings via the energy transmutation exercise (e.g., in a full staff meeting, with a few people and in empty rooms) and I've been having fun with conscious intending. Two other exciting changes: 1) I can simply observe my thoughts as they present themselves, and they are like little splashes rather than tidal waves; 2) it's so much easier to love everyone! 

Overall, I feel cheerfully peaceful.  

The one unique thing I learned was EFT. I'm trying to use that for two different things I have trouble with, one is stomach pain and the
other is urinary incontinence. If it helps me at all, I'll be totally amazed. The other thing I felt good about was the just being happy.
Learning to focus on the positive or possibility outcomes vs what I don't want. It's interesting how difficult it is to know what you
want. I know what I don't want. But what do I want... I'm working on it.

I have repeatedly used the phrase “I’m perfect and improving” since the joyshop.  It has really helped to curb my tendency to make self-deprecating remarks when making a mistake on the computer, taking wrong turn, dropping something, etc.  I encourage others to reframe how they view themselves, as well.

I find myself thinking about the above points whenever negative emotions start creeping into my mind. Also, I am not reacting but I am being aware and acting. I have not had any major outbreak of anger since the workshop.

Energy goes where attention flows - my husband was on a trip to NYC and originally i was quite worried about that but after the workshop i changed my thoughts to other things and it was a great experience

There were a few things I was already doing - Deep Listening (through Re-evaluation Counseling), and gratitude and appreciation practices (at least semi-regularly). I've also made a daily practice of prayers of blessings for others and for the world. Since the Joyshop I have incorporated the 5 Minute Miracle of Love into that.  I tend to be far more critical of myself than I am of others, so I've started using the Critic to Coach process. I also put a post-it note on my mirror that says "Smile, I love You." I taught the Emotional Freedom process to my boyfriend who is trying to make some major changes in his life, and we are both using that regularly. It seems to be helpful for insomnia. In addition, I'm using the P.O.W.E.R. of Mind to envision myself as a successful writer. I'm doing some of the other practices occasionally as well, but not on a regular basis.

So far I tried to apply the following:
1. 5 sec greeting
2. Waking up with a smile, and telling my wife "I love you".
3. Meditating on Brahmaviharas.

I have applied the concept that I can say, “I am angry”, and then I can bounce back to my happy abiding state.  I have been stuck getting angry and staying there, but now I understand that the point is to get out of it quickly and to learn from it.  It has utterly changed my relationship with my boyfriend.  Before I realized this, we’d fight every time something didn’t go my way.  Now I get over it and laugh.  It is the most powerful and quick shift that I think I have ever made.

I have started using the techniques covered in joy shop.  Daily awareness and ‘let go’ has helped me in improving the relationships. 

I have used 5min miracle, cancel (I like this a lot), first to make up, let go, inclusion, and appreciation etc. concepts.

We were on a trip and wanted to see a natural bridge. The path was though thick trees and there were lots of mosquitoes.
We visualized that we would come back with no mosquito bites and we did.

4) What are the challenges have you faced applying what you learnt?

None, all resonate with me.

Every moment  is very interesting—I don’t think it is difficult-if I apply Brahma vihara.

I have post traumatic stress disorder and lately have had trouble staying focused as I work through past issues.  My challenge is to stay in the moment and concentrate on the Happiest Day of My Life.

Sometimes it is hard to think positively when things/circumstances are difficult.

Occasionally, my internal critic will pipe up; I just try to listen lovingly and let it pass. Also, sometimes I struggle with empathizing--specifically when people are sad--but now there is greater awareness. The energy transmutation exercise helps with that, too. As a side note, I've noticed that it's very helpful to do a few rounds of 'may I be happy, may I be happy' and then 'may I be happy, may we all be happy' before the energy transmutation exercise . I compare it to priming a lawn mower engine before pulling on the starter.

Hope I can  make some changes in my life. I've been doing something everyday to at least focus on being grateful and happy. Hopefully i
can turn into a habit.

Being in the present and “doing nothing” when there is nothing to do. Deep Love/Deep listening/Deep Silence will take more practice.  I will have to UNlearn some attentive listening skills I learned as a social worker!
To be honest, I’ve not consciously looked for ways to apply concepts—thinking I will get my notes transcribed –which is my way of assimilating and reinforcing concepts learned in a workshop setting. 

Being disciplined - effective application requires discipline.

My mother is an unhappy person and has been hard for me to deal with for years but i am trying to share with her some of the techniques and it is a definite challenge because she is an energy drainer at times.

My biggest challenges are probably shared by almost everyone: 1. My life is very busy and sometimes I think I'm too tired or don't have time;  2. Often, I get caught up in anger or frustration or self-doubt or some other negative emotion and forget I have other choices.

I find that it is not easy to do 5-sec greeting. Still, I am giving a "cold" hi to many people. Even when I remember it, it is not easy it
look into eyes and say "hi". Not able to practice mediation regularly. That is mainly because I am getting up late in the morning and rushing to work:-)

The only challenges I could foresee is if I forget and what I’ve learned wears off.  But I find that as I meditate each day, I renew and cleanse and remember deeply.

The challenges: It’s hard to relax, difficulty in rhythmic breathing, lack of complete motivation and discipline, and difficulty in creating the day.

5) What core elements should definitely be included in future Hadayoli Joyshops?

Liked all of it, liked the variety.

The 5 Minutes Miracle and the 17 second items were delightful for me.  Please always include this for others.

I enjoyed everything.

I think the various exercises were a great supplement to the foundation created by the Brahma Viharas. I would definitely keep the five second greeting, converting our inner critic, qi gong, five minute miracle, AGKG, segment intending, the dream team, EFT and, of course, the energy transmutation exercise .

I found all of them relevant.

Principles are easy to state, but it is very hard to articualte how to apply them in practice. You articualte it very well through your words and actions and you are effective because you avoid ego. Your words and actions show that you are very thoughtful and genuine. These are the important elements.

Meditation - the analogy stories are great keep them - the acronyms is another great idea to remember certain elements

Brahmaviharas, 5 Minute Miracle of Love, POWER of Mind, Emotional Freedom

Almost everything. Especially, 5-Sec greeting, Brahmaviharas. And so many thought provoking "quotations" that you said.
"LIVE"--Laugh Inspite of Various Events.

Meditation, breathing, written exercises, deep listening in pairs, visualizing, chanting.

Useful techniques/concepts: critic to couch, E  + R = O, cleaning your window, 80% good bricks and visualizing the outcome are very valuable and have helped a lot.

6) Should there have been more / less time spent on any of the concepts / activities? Anything entirely redundant?

May be little detail on 4 viharas. May be I was not able to participate in all meditations-so felt I could have done more.

I got extremely tired each of the long days but can't imagine not doing any of the parts/concepts/activities that you did.

I thought the cassette was too long. It can be little short.

No, everything flowed well.

Nothing struck me as too redundant.  NOTE:  Redundancy is not always a bad thing.

The film was pretty bad.

I enjoyed it all even though i wasn't there sunday i saw nothing redundant

On the whole pacing was good. I don't have any suggestions.

I still have a lot of problem understanding "5-Minute Miracle of Love". It seems quite contradictory to whatever I have read so far, and I am
not able to resolve the conflict within me about it. I wish there was more explanation about the "5-minute miracle of Love" and as how it is different from "attachment".

Each time we reviewed I felt a slight resistance, but was always so edified after each revision.  I would have like to do more chanting.

It seemed that an appropriate time was spend on most of the concepts.

7) On a scale of 0 to 10 (10=outstanding) how would you rate the Hadayoli Joyshop? If less than 10, what might make it a 10 next time?

This is the very best workshop I have ever been to.  You kept it moving, reinforced concepts over and over to help us learn them.  You gave us practical exercises, not just theory.  I have studied Buddhism over the years, so it was so nice hearing you share with us.  Your attire and presentation reminded me of Thailand and what a beautiful country it is.

I don’t feel I am yet, eligible to comment on this.

I would definitely rate it a 10 and I've done lots of workshops.

8. I am not sure what might make it 10.

10

10

9. I do not know if it is possible to get 10 from everyone. For example, I did not like the film and thought that it was waste of my time but it is possible that some one else liked it a lot. Actually, it was quite easy for me to deal with it because after some time I went out and did something else.

10

I would rate the Joyshop as a 9+. The only thing I might get rid of was the video The Secret. The information in it was good, but I found the movie's way of presenting it annoying at times, especially in the beginning.

I would say 8. Would have been 10 if it were not for showing the documentary "Secret". I felt that the documentary is completely misleading. It is just asking people to "day dream" without doing anything. May be I am counting the one bad brick here:-)

10

The film was good but very repetitive. In the circle activity with thread 10 minutes seemed long time to stay in focus. However the workshop was excellent for me.

8) Are there any other topics / themes / activities that you suggest can be included in future Hadayolis?

Learning to Clone -- happy monk only!!! Sorry!

May be more group activities....

Depending on the audience, I think discussing the significance of written goals would be beneficial.

Not at this time. 

How to develop courage, determination, and discipline? These are often very helpful in pursuit of happiness.

Not that i can think of.

One thing I think keeps many Americans from being happy is that we feel we have to be working and serious and responsible all the time; that being playful is somehow not OK. It seems like we need to give ourselves permission to relax, to laugh, to play, to enjoy the creative, passionate, whimsical, and  even silly parts of our minds and spirits.

I can not think of any.

9) Any appreciation (abundant), criticism (constructive) & feedback (focused) for Ven. Nyanasanti / Happy Monk?

Thank You!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am looking forward to the global campaign you are building with your tours and website.  Hope to join in on another of your workshops in the future.

You are great! Please cont. to bless us all by your hard work. I started loving each aspect of my life. Thank you.

My appreciation is true heartfelt gladness that you came to Ames and shared your stories with us.  I felt so honored to be able to be present.

He is very energetic and enthusiastic. Creates positive energy around ever one attending workshop.

Thank you for being such an articulate orator and a loving teacher. Your guidance and attention cultivated an amazing space for meditation. I am so grateful for the ease with which you expressed ideas. I admire the courage with which you shared wisdom from both Buddhist and non-Buddhist traditions. Your energy is so enabling! The entire experience was incredibly empowering. I sense great freedom and the silent radiance of the monastic life emanating from within you. There is immense beauty on that path. Thank you for showing me that. Thank you for being a true teacher.
 

I also enjoyed your use of 'backronyms'.

Laugh

In spite of

Various

Events

 

Loving

Intentions

For

Everyone

 

:D

I really had a great time and experience with you and the workshop.You're a natural. You're articulate, have an excellent command on your
language, your understanding of cultures, versatility, and you're charismatic--a great mix for a lecturer/teacher.
As for constructive criticism, i already told you, but I'll say it again. I've given many lectures and I learned that staying on schedule
is very much appreciated by the audience. Because I think so much of you and know that you're going to be doing this a lot, I want you to
be the best you can be. Of course you're already perfect.

I very much appreciated Ven. Nyanasanti’s nature throughout the weekend.  The lightness of spirit, the depth of love and joy for all, the absence of judgment, and a passion for teaching were all evident in Ven. Nyanasanti’s being. I had to duck out at noon on Sunday during the Iowa Joyshop and never got a chance to express personally to you how much I enjoyed your presence and teachings over the course of the weekend.  You are truly a gift to us all!

It was excellent !! It has been a worthwhile experience to attend your workshop and talk to you personally. Thank you. I give you my love. 

I loved the Happy Monk's peaceful nature.

I appreciate the  love and enthusiasm you put into creating and presenting the Joyshop. It's clear that you practice what you teach. Your teaching is for the most part very clear and easy to understand, but once in a while you spoke so fast I missed a word or two.

It was a wonderful experience.

Happy Monk is gifted.  The ability to weave wisdom and  truth and metaphor and story and ancient teachings with the modern mindsets is profound and vital and talented.  Thank you!

I have deep gratitude and deep appreciation for Happy Monk.

I receive your love

I receive your heart

I give you my love

I give you my heart 

10) People who have never heard of Hadayoli or Ven. Nyanasanti are bound to be somewhat uncertain about whether it is worthwhile for them to invest their time and energy in such an activity. Having experienced the Hadayoli Joyshop, what would you say to such people?

I more fully own where I am now.  And that has freed me up to be more in the flow and out of my way.  It truly has enhanced my level of happiness, I can feel it each and every day.  I feel better equipped to deal with the subconscious stuff that bubbles up too.

Very interesting ,energetic –worth meeting and must-in your dream team. I don’t have huge dictionary to praise your teaching---just feels blessed. Thank you for blessing our home and our lives.
 
I came to the Joyshop totally unaware and with the idea that I could leave after the first night, or for that matter any time I chose.  I came early and stayed late so I would say "try it for yourself" if you aren't comfortable it isn't for you.  Had I known earlier I would have had more people with me for part or all of the event.

They need to attend the workshop with open mind and without any doubts.