A PERSONAL NOTE FROM ED BLOCH

Over the last 10-12 years I have several times launched a support site similar to this one. In the past I have tried creating the online material and developing the online user experience with a variety of different individuals and groups as part of that development process. In each instance the process failed to materialize in a manner that pleased me. As I have reflected on the various failures I have come to a sobering conclusion. We failed because we didn't care enough about those we were trying to help. In each instance egos got involved and a grand opportunity was squashed. To the extent my ego was part of the problem I am very sorry.

The good news is that I believe the time is now to launch the site and there are many forces that have brought me to that conclusion. First and foremost is the belief that modern technology, while a trigger to many of our struggles, remains an avenue that can be helpful to individuals. I truly believe that we can create an internet experience for those who join us that will help faciliate positive movement towards healing and growth.

I have come to my notions about our daily struggles, whether those struggles manifest as bulimia, depression, anxiety, or in any other form, through a variety of experiences. I have spent 20 years with clients (mostly women struggling with eating disorders), some wonderful books, and my own personal struggles. I try through the Recovery Companion Blog and various other writings on our site to describe those experiences and how they have impacted my views. For now, in this personal note to potential members, I want to write briefly about a few of those experiences--partially to assist you in making a decision about whether you wish to continue with us and also to begin the process of creating a common language.

Much of my current view of mental and behavioral struggles is formed by my experience with Michael Brown's The Presence Process. My own experience with the process, and feedback from those clients who have worked with the process, have informed me that it truly is an effective process leading to a healing experience. I believe without doubt that it provides a deeper process than this website or any psychotherapy process can achieve (more on that in other writings). Those who join us will find a special discussion board for The Presence Process as part of our Book Club section.

Other major influences on my current view include Brain State Conditioning™ (BSC) and a wonderful series of books that can be transforming for the reader called The Ringing Cedar Series beginning with the first book Anastasia. The BSC process and The Ringing Cedar Series are means to a deeper experience. You will find discussion boards on BSC and The Ringing Cedar Series on site. I will also write extensively on my experience with these things in my blog.

All of the above books and processes have taught me how recovery is not a place to remain and may best be viewed as a very temporary place to be. This may bother some who believe that recovery is an ongoing process. I believe recovery is a safe place to land at first, however it is also the place from which unconscious thinking and unhealthy behavior began. I wanted this site to be more about launching and/or continuing a discovery process that begins by pushing through fear and anger, eventually uncovering your potential; ultimately leading to a path upon where you realize your ability to be as magical as the day you were born. I am not foolish to believe we will be able to take you anywhere. Instead we are hopeful of being beacons in the night to assist you in finding your own safe passage to discovery.

Our goal is strictly to help clear away the static caused by our thinking and behaviors, so that you may do the real healing and growing. Kind of like clearing away some of the weeds in a garden to allow the plants more room to grow. You will find our workbooks to be compilations of a variety of activities that we have found useful in developing a greater awareness of stuck emotional energy by working through physical and mental manifestations (symptoms) of that stuck energy. You will find our audio and video support programming supportive of the activities in our workbooks. Again, these are support materials our clients have found helpful over the years along with some new stuff. Hopefully additional support is found in my writings. These are my own interpretations of things that I have read, witnessed in clients, or experienced personally. By no means are they to be construed as the gospel. I truly don't believe I have original ideas. I try to offer my own words in bringing a variety of ideas together. I hope I have captured in my writings the collective wisdom of many, in particular the incredible women I have had the privilege to get to know over my years of practice.

Above all I have tried to assure that this site is not about me or those who serve as facilitators on the site. The price we have created is intended to keep us up and running and keep it extremely affordable. If we get a lot of demand we will bring the price down, not raise it, unless our costs rise measurably for some reason. We want this site to be driven by the collective brilliance of all that use it. I want you to bring to our attention those things that would improve the site, or provide even greater support, and we will then do everything we can to accomplish it.

We will be trying many different things to effectively help you stay conscious of your effort. We will use Facebook, Twitter, and other options to keep us connected. However, we want to be treated as a temporary companion on your journey. This site, nor what you might gain from it, must never be considered a destination. Your journey should always remain a destination unknown. You may want to check out our Recommended Reading List for transformational reading and processes that we refer to a great deal.

Above all we want you to experience this site as a Space of Love. We want to co-create energy with our site members that will spread to all who are struggling.

Love,

Ed