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Do you find yourself feeling anxious about the future and unclear how your life journey fits with the new world unfolding around us? Are you looking for deeper meaning and purpose beyond your day-to-day life?
As great waves of change roll across the world, many of us feel uneasy and sometimes fearful about what lies ahead.
In 7 weeks, you will emerge with a powerful blueprint for your own heroic journey and a collaborative vision for what is possible in the larger, collective story we are now co-creating.
And with the guidance of Duane Elgin, one of the foremost evolutionary leaders of our day, you’ll unveil your truest gifts and co-create an emboldened future by reconnecting with a deeper wisdom about humanity’s path. (Keep scrolling to watch a short video message from Duane.)
This course offers a profound re-visioning of the history of human evolution and the leap we are now taking.
You will be inspired. You will feel a renewed sense of hope. And you will discover powerful action steps you can take in your own heroic journey.
With more than 40 years of scholarship and inquiry, Duane is an extraordinary guide to give you the big picture of our day and your role in it.
This course synthesizes the best of Duane’s wisdom, including collaborations with pioneers such as Joseph Campbell and his work on a presidential commission on the American future. He has served inside the trenches of politics and at the legendary think tank SRI International. Few people know that in the early 1970’s, Duane was one of NASA’s top-performing psychics for nearly three years—so you can be sure the intuitive aspect will not be overlooked in this course.
In addition to the weekly calls with Duane, this course goes far beyond what you might expect in an online class.
You will have the opportunity to engage, in-depth with Duane and other participants in a highly interactive and multimedia-rich online forum that includes practical exercises, supportive coaching, videos, short readings, quick surveys, images and much more to enhance your learning experience. In short, this course gives you the opportunity to go deep.
A Special 2-Minute Video Message from Duane Elgin
During the 7 weeks, you can:
- Discover your “true gifts” for contributing to the human journey at this pivotal time
- Explore your life’s heroic journey and see how it fits into our changing world
- Discover new ways of serving humanity as we navigate the passage ahead
- Awaken new areas of personal creativity and possibility
- Increase your confidence in expressing your most creative gifts
- Become more curious about and attentive to the world unfolding around you
- Let go of limiting stories of who you are and why you are here
- Ease the natural confusion and anxiety about the state of the world
- Be prepared for the challenges—and the opportunities—that lie ahead
- Be inspired and guided by an evolutionary pioneer and deeply engage with other insightful and thoughtful participants
Dear Friends of the Future,
How does your life journey fit into these turbulent and changing times? After four decades of exploring this theme, I know that many of us feel anxious about the future and unclear how our lives fit with the new world that is unfolding. So, what’s the story here? Both the big story of the human journey and the big story of our own lives? How do they fit together?
Join me in a powerful journey where, together, we can discover freshly how our personal lives fit into a world in profound transition. We will explore the great opportunity of bringing our personal legacy and contribution to this unique time. And to do that, we will explore the deep meaning and purpose that is unique in each of our lives.
Duane’s free Introductory teleseminar
Your information will never be sold, nor shared without your permission.
During the seven weeks, we will explore four “deep narratives” that are universally understood and emotionally powerful, and that evoke our higher human potentials. With these simple but powerful stories as our guides, we will look deep into our own lives and into that of the human family—and the insights we discover together will often be surprising as well as stunning in bringing us fresh perspective and hope.
The world is changing and it’s time to discover our deepest story, our sense of personal journey and how this fits into our new world. Join me on this path of discovery and learn how you can transform anxiety into enthusiasm, chaos into creativity and transition into transformation.
This is a pivotal time for the human journey and we are each called to contribute our unique gifts so we can leave the legacy of a promising future.
I look forward to walking the path of discovery with you in the coming weeks.
With love and enthusiasm for the journey,
Duane Elgin
Week 1: A Fresh Look at Our World in Transition, March 24th
In this first week, Duane will invite you to take a fascinating journey of discovery into the question of the “life stage” of the human family. With a clearer understanding of where the human community is in its development, we can see how we fit into that process. We will also look at our personal journey to discover the most important forces in our rites of passage. You will have the opportunity to:
- See how your personal path of discovery offers important insights and gifts for the larger human family
- Experience renewed hope in recognizing how humanity is in a stage of development
- Awaken forgiveness and compassion for humanity’s “failures” and realize the “gifts” of living in today’s turbulent world
- Gain an overview of our current global trends, challenges and opportunities and what they mean for your life
Week 2: Recognizing Your Heroic Journey, March 31st
One of the human family’s universal stories is that of the “hero’s journey,” which moves through three stages: from separation to initiation to return. Where are we on this journey and how does it fit within our lives? You will have the opportunity to:
- Discover how your personal heroic journey fits into the larger story of humanity
- Develop a heightened sense of peace and ease about your “initiations”
- Deepen your understanding of the freedoms and responsibilities that come with maturity
Week 3: We Are Waking Up to a New Level of Conscious Capacity, April 7th
According to scientists, our core potential as a species is contained within our name, homo sapiens sapiens. To be "sapient" is "to know." Therefore, we are the species that "knows that it knows." We have a unique ability to pay attention and be conscious of ourselves. This week we ask, both personally and collectively, how we are doing in developing our capacity for paying attention. You will have the opportunity to:
- Explore how you can bring the empowering capacity of a reflective consciousness into your personal life
- Consider what the awakening of our collective consciousness would look like and how it could make a difference in our lives
- Learn to powerfully reflect on your own life and see your “story” through a new lens
Week 4: We Are Both Biological and Cosmic Beings, April 14th 
Drawing from new insights from the frontiers of science, we will ask: Are we no more than our physical bodies in a universe comprised almost entirely of inert matter and empty space? Or, is the universe itself a living system, and how do we deeply connect with the aliveness of a living universe? In Week 4, you will have the opportunity to:
- Discover how we are already sustained within a living universe
- Recognize that we each are a unique body of light, love, music and knowing
- Understand how consciously evolving is central to human nature
- Explore how our life story changes when we feel we belong within a living universe
Week 5: Telling the Story of the Human Journey and Our Own Journey, April 21st
In this session, we will integrate the four narratives about the human journey and delve into what this means for our personal lives and overall humanity. When we put these four deep stories together, how do they make sense for each of us? In Week 5, you will have the opportunity to:
- Deepen your own life story and see how it connects with our changing world
- Awaken to your life’s journey and the new path that is possible for our species
- Discover common themes for creating a future of sustainable prosperity
Week 6: Discovering Your “Near Gifts” and “True Gifts,” April 28th
What are your greatest gifts? This week we will dig beneath our social façades and everyday challenges in order to explore our “true gifts” or the most authentic talents that we can bring to our life journey. During this important week, you will have the opportunity to:
- Identify your “near gifts” – the things you’re pretty good at doing and likely how you’ve made your living
- Discover or freshly reclaim your “true gifts” – those things that awaken your heart and enthusiasm for life
- Discover how you can express your greatest creativity and give your deepest gifts to humanity during this pivotal time
- Gain confidence in co-creating a promising future
Week 7: Envisioning the Story of Your Life, May 5th
Now, we bring it all together where we consciously, creatively – and courageously – design our own life journey. What is your “heroic journey” as you connect with your deepest self and with future generations? In this final session, you will:
- Explore the legacy that you want to leave for future generations
- Develop a unique beacon of possibility for your life and know how your “true gifts” contribute to this new world
- Identify the next steps and commitments you want to make towards transforming the world, both personally and collectively
- In collaboration with other course participants, clarify a co-creative vision for our future
Bonus Session #1
Shifting Our Identities: From National to Global Citizens, April 9th
The time has come for us to expand the boundaries of our identities, and learn to live by our deeper connections that cross borders and ethnicities.In this special call with global leadership expert Mark Gerzon, we will explore how we can raise the level of our collective leadership, increasing both our global intelligence (mind) and our planetary empathy (heart) in order to a give birth to a just and sustainable civilization.
Mark Gerzon is one of the key architects of the field of global leadership and an experienced facilitator in high-conflict zones. He has advised a wide variety of organizations including the US Congress, multinational corporations and UNDP. The author of numerous books, including Leading through Conflict, he is currently serving as UN advisor on leadership in conflict-torn countries in Africa and Asia. He is also designing an interactive, awareness-raising workshop “The Global Citizen Journey” based on his most recent book Global Citizens. Learn more at: www.markgerzon.com
Bonus Session #2
The Power of Partnership: Building Bridges across Great Divides, April 16th
Visionary and inspiring youth leader, Ocean Robbins, will share with us the power of partnership and authentic leadership, as well as forge the crucial link between personal development and social transformation. A younger leader with an old soul, Ocean will call on us to live in integrity with our values by learning how to build healing bridges across historic divides. This is one empowering session you won’t want to miss!
In 1990, at age 16, Ocean Robbins was founder of Youth for Environmental Sanity (YES!), which he directed for 20 years. He has spoken to numerous groups and facilitated hundreds of gatherings for leaders from 65+ nations. Author of The Power of Partnership and Choices for Our Future, Ocean has served as board member for many organizations including Friends of the Earth and EarthSave. He is a 2008 recipient of the Freedom’s Flame Award and of the national Jefferson Award for Outstanding Public Service by an Individual 35 Years or Younger. Ocean and his wife Michele are the parents of River and Bodhi Robbins, identical twin boys born in 2001. Learn more at www.oceanrobbins.com
Bonus Session #3
Humanity’s Journey of Transformation and Your Exceptional Role, April 23rd
Join us for a special call with renowned scholar, author and philosopher Jean Houston as we explore humanity’s journey of transformation and how it relates to you. Jean will share how we have now come to the stage where we must partner with Creation in the deepest expression of ourselves and in the restoration of the biosphere – and build a whole new type of culture. The real work of humanity begins now. Delve into a new knowledge of the cosmos, cross-cultural understanding, and the potential for new evolutionary direction on this exciting call!
Dr. Jean Houston is a pioneer, scholar and researcher in human capacities. She is the author of numerous books and the founder of a cross-cultural mythic and spiritual studies program—dedicated to empowering change agents and people around the world by teaching history, philosophy, the new physics, psychology, anthropology, myth, and the many dimensions of our human potential. She is also the founder of training programs in social artistry which enables leaders to extend their own development so as to more adequately deal with the social challenges of today’s world. Her specialty is in the development and application of multiple methods of increasing physical and mental skills, learning and creativity. Learn more at Jean’s website: www.jeanhouston.com
Duane Elgin is an internationally recognized speaker, author and social visionary who looks beneath the surface turbulence of our times to explore the deeper trends that are transforming our world. In 2006, Duane received the Japanese “Goi International Peace Award” in recognition of his contribution to a global “vision, consciousness and lifestyle” that fosters a “more sustainable and spiritual culture.”
Duane’s books include: The Living Universe (2009), Voluntary Simplicity (latest edition, 2010), Promise Ahead (2000) and Awakening Earth (1993). With Joseph Campbell and other scholars he co-authored the book Changing Images of Man (1982). In addition, Duane has contributed chapters to 16 books, and has published more than 70 articles.
In the early 1970s, Duane worked as a senior staff member of a joint Presidential-Congressional Commission on Population Growth and the American Future. He then worked as a senior social scientist with the think tank SRI International where he coauthored numerous long-range, futures studies, such as: Anticipating Future National and Global Problems (for the President’s Science Advisor), Alternative Futures for Environmental Policy (for the Environmental Protection Agency), The Future of the Automobile (for the Ford Motor Co.) and Limits to the Management of Large, Complex Systems (for the President’s Science Advisor).
Over the past 30 years, Duane has co-founded three non-partisan and non-profit organizations concerned with media accountability and citizen empowerment. As a speaker, Duane has given more than 300 keynotes and workshops with audiences ranging from business executives and civic groups to churches and college students.
He has an MBA from the Wharton Business School, an MA in economic history from the University of Pennsylvania and an honorary Doctor of Philosophy for work in “ecological and spiritual transformation” from the California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco, CA.
“Duane gave an absolutely captivating presentation to a very bright and savvy group of business leaders in our Executives Leading Sustainable Change program. He provoked our deepest thinking and inspired urgent action!”
– Rayona Sharpnack, President of the Institute for Women Leadership, Redwood City, California
“Duane Elgin totally engaged more than 2,000 green building professionals in a spirited dialog about the future, and in the process began conversations between individuals that spilled over into the conference halls. Duane’s strength is ‘speaking with,’ instead of ‘talking to.’”
–Jerry Yudelson, MBA, Chair, 2005 US Greenbuild Conference
“What inspired me the most in Duane’s course were all the creative and thoughtful responses in the forum. I was very engaged and appreciative of each person’s input. On the calls, too. This meant a lot and I’m grateful. I enjoyed the resources: videos, writings, voting, links, and suggestions. For me this has been a rewarding course and I’ll miss the connections we’ve shared.”
– Steven Ruddell
“I was completely surprised and inspired by the high level of ideas. [Duane’s course]... gave clear evidence that beneath what seems to be dysfunctional in governmental, economic and social systems at every level, there are very intelligent, reasonable and compassionate minds yearning for new ways for human beings to get along with each other and with our good Earth.”
– Richard Talbott
“We emerged from (Duane’s) workshop with better understandings of our individual and collective places in the world, clearer visions of purpose, renewed commitments, and restored hope…This powerful experience changed lives.”
– Carol Goland, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Environmental Studies, Denison University, Ohio
“Duane’s presentation was enlivening and generative. He helped us to examine our work in light of the world that is becoming, engaged us in a dialogue that challenged the way we see higher education, and led us to find innovative and liberating possibilities.”
– Dean Elias, Dean of the School of Education, Saint Mary’s College of California
“Among the nationally distinguished presenters in our Technology and Society Series at Santa Clara University, Duane Elgin was one of the finest. His talk and ensuing discussion on alternative futures and ecological lifestyles was rated by students and community participants as one of the most engaging and entertaining presentations of the series. I give Duane Elgin my highest recommendation.”
– Mitch Saunders, Director of Programs, California Leadership
- Seven 90-minute class sessions with Duane, including live, interactive calls plus Q&A time. Classes on Thursday evenings
- Seven 30-minute small group practice sessions
- Weekly exercises and practices for action-learning
- Robust online learning community throughout each week with Duane and other course participants. Includes supportive coaching, practical exercises, videos, short readings, quick surveys, images and much more to enhance your learning experience
- Study Guide for The Heroic Journey of Humanity and You (15 pages, download)
- Unlimited access to recordings of all class sessions (listen online or download the mp3 file to your iPod or audio player)
- PDF transcripts for each class session
Price: only $157/month for 2 months
$287 if paid in full ($27 savings)
Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed!
See below for our refund policy.
Q: What is a virtual course?
A: It’s a great way to engage live teachings and each other from the comfort of your home. All the classes are available by dialing a phone conference line or you can watch the video portion via your computer. We use MaestroConference to make it just like an in-person event where you can ask questions, participate in groups, and deepen your exploration of the course themes. We also have transcripts and recordings that you can download and keep.
Q: Do I need any special equipment to watch the video portion?
A: No, if you can watch videos on YouTube, you can watch the video portion of the class. However, if you do not have broadband access to the Internet, you will experience interruptions and slow down, in which case we recommend you just listen on the phone to that portion. If you do not watch the video, you can still get the full value of the Training.
Q: Are there scholarships available for this Training?
A: Yes, we always make a certain percentage of spaces available for partial and full scholarships, giving preference to those in developing countries or doing important but underpaid work to which they can apply the training material immediately. If you would like to apply for a scholarship, contact scholarships@theshiftnetwork.com.
Q: Can I get benefit from the course if I miss the live classes?
A: Absolutely! They are all recorded and archived, as well as transcribed, so you don’t need to worry about missing live calls or teaching session. You can get all the teachings and engage the full community and leaders via our private community website.
Q: Can you tell me about the Community Site?
A: We will have a private community for all the participants in this Course, which will support you in making connections between each other, sharing insights, engaging discussions, and exchanging information about events and other activities. You’ll have the ability to blog about your experiences, projects, and growth throughout the Course.
Q: What is your refund policy?
A: Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed! If you feel that the Course does not meet your expectations, you may request that your payment be refunded in full. This would need to happen before the fourth class on April 14th. Send refund requests to orders@theshiftnetwork.com.
Q: How can I reach Customer Support?
support@theshiftnetwork.com or (415) 439-0003.
Q: What are the benefits of telling my friends to join the program?
A: You can sign up as an Affiliate of The Shift Network and receive 20% for anyone that you introduce who registers for the Course. If you bring five friends into the Course, you can cover your own! Register at www.theshiftnetwork.com/affiliate and you’ll receive a promotional link to use.
Q: Can I use Skype to dial in to the sessions?
A: Yes, you can use SkypeOut from anywhere in the world to dial in to the MaestroConference line we will use. You’ll need to use the Skype keypad to enter your PIN and to respond to questions posed that require raising your hand. Just go to www.skype.com . We’ll provide more detailed instructions for those in the course. We will also have a webcast for the course.
