About myself - Ivan

The Emin

I trace the start of any conscious personal development objectives back to 1974 and an old hall in North London.  There I meet a remarkable man called Leo, who had acquired a growing following of people.  We would sit entranced as he introduced us to an eclectic range of esoteric and occult arts and practices that have their origins in what may be called the 'unseen' worlds.  

I remember how magical it felt first seeing etherics (first densest and most easily seen light energy in the human aura) and feeling the atmospheres and energetic fields created by crystals, symbols and organic entities.  This group were known as the Emin and one of the arts we explored in depth was the Tarot.

The focus and context for our work was predominantly the 'unseen' influences at play - an early introduction to quantum mechanics! 

Over the years we continued to develop our experiences with natural Earth energies, the phenomena of the human aura - our own energy bodies and higher senses and faculties, essential to having some understanding of the human potential and, of course, to insightful interpretations of the Tarot cards. 

In 1975 the Tarot of Frownstrong was created. Each week we would work on one card from the Major Arcana, with Leo, and his son Orman, prowling around the circle of people talking about the card's core meanings, energetic connections and astrological and numerological influences.

A large chalk oblong was drawn on the wooden floor and the more artistic group members would start, under Leo's and Orman's tutelage, adding figures, symbols, pictures, hieroglyphics, sacred geometry, 'mythical' entities and energetic representations until it captured and portrayed the intrinsic essence, frequency and vibration of its source energies.

Finished artwork was created and printed based on photographs of those chalked drawings.  They became the Tarot of Frownstrong pack - one of only 500 initially printed I treasure and still use today. 

I did my first Tarot Readings on Saturdays in Camden Market, when it was just one enclosed hall and a couple of dozen or so stalls in the courtyard. With each reading my wonder and respect for the Tarot grew, as did my relationship with the enigmatic cards. 

Since those early days I have done many readings and never stop learning more about this amazing art form - it is truly an ancient art in modern times. 

Rudolf Steiner & George Gurdjieff

Later, in the eighties and nineties I was drawn to Steiner and Gurdjieff's work and philosophies, and then later to Werner Erhard's EST Training, the Forum and later, Landmark Education training programmes.

The Art of Living

In 2000 I met another teacher - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar - founder of the Art of Living. I consider myself blessed to have spent twenty four heart, mind and eye-opening years with him in India, Australia, Germany, France, Indonesia, Spain, New Zealand and of course, the UK. 

Over many visits to India I became a teacher of Sri Sri's special Vedic breathing practice called the Sudarshan Kriya, as well as Meditation and Yoga.  In 2004 I became President and National Co-ordinator of the Art of Living in Australia.

“A violence-free society, disease-free body, stress-free mind, inhibition-free intellect, trauma-free memory, and a sorrow-free soul is the birthright of every human being..” Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. 

International Association for Human Values (IAHV)

In 2010 I became a Director of IAHV Australia, an educational and humanitarian NGO founded by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the Dalai Lama and a body of spiritual leaders and teachers.   IAHV projects operate worldwide, fostering human values, human rights and a sense of connectedness and respect for all people and the natural environment.  We brought its stress reduction programmes to prisons and Juvenile Detention Centres in Australia as well Aboriginal communities and schools.    

Conflict Resolution Network

During that time in Australia I also had the privilege of knowing and working with Stella Cornelius, founder of the Conflict Resolution Network. Stella was an extraordinary and truly inspired and inspirational lady, so full of grace and much loved by Sri Sri who met her on his Australian visit in 2006.

Stella's vision was the creation of a conflict-resolving community in a culture of peace and social justice. She was a profound inspiration to me, as to so many others. Her work continues to be a beacon of hope in the vast numbers of human conflicts that exist around the world today. 

Mentoring and Coaching

While in Australia I also studied Personal and Business Coaching at the Institute of Human Technology in Sydney, Australia, worked as a Mentor with IBM Australia's Community Projects Team, and completed an Emotion Freedom Technique practitioners qualification.

Back in the UK  

Returning to the UK I studied at the UK College of Personal Development where I obtained a Diploma in Business & Life Coaching and became a Qualified NLP Practitioner.

I feel incredibly fortunate to have had such opportunities to learn from a diverse range of spiritual and humanitarian teachers and grow from the rich experiences they have all led me to. I hope my Tarot Readings and Personal Intuitive Coaching draws on the wisdom, understanding and compassion for the human condition they so lovingly conveyed.