A life-long expert at feeling depressed, hopeless, guilty, failed, ashamed and suicidal, Judy Cohen was desperate to feel better.
Years of therapy, work as a psychologist, antidepressants, seeming-success as a serial business entrepreneur, boyfriends and an eventually-ex-husband, food, wine, dancing- nothing worked more than briefly.
Since giggling eye rolling happened whenever she encountered “airy-fairy-ness” such as non-duality or enlightenment, spirituality seemed not an option.
So how out of character it was that Judy found herself sitting at The School for The Work of Byron Katie, certain she was a time-and-money-wasting fool.
That experience was considerably airy-fairy and yet somehow she could feel the shell begin to crack and light begin to come in.
No longer needing the anti-depressants, she threw them out, lost weight, and enjoyed her now-sweeter long-term relationship.
She dove into The Work, so much that she left corporate work and became a full-time Certified Facilitator of The Work of Byron Katie (*she’s not anymore), facilitating people around the world and leading numerous workshops.
And yet somehow it wasn’t quite… enough.
The search expanded- to Rupert Spira, Adyashanti, Gary Tzu, Raphael Cushnir, Jeff Foster, UG Krishnamurti, Alan Watts.
Judy became a full-time Certified Senior Facilitator of Scott Kiloby’s Living Inquiries for a couple years. (*again, she’s not anymore).
Some awakening experiences happened. Because enlightenment was never her interest, she made no big deal of them; she always wanted only to feel better.
She discovered that these awakenings did not put an end to ‘unpleasant’ feelings; contrary to myth they did not bring constant drooling bliss.
So then, all the seeking, all the inquiry, the desperation to improve and feel better and shift … for… what, exactly?
Eventually Judy realized: What if every experience was an awakening? What if she could GIVE UP seeking because… this. is. it?
And if so, then… what could any teacher or technique give her that wasn’t already here, that she didn’t already have?
That giving-up brought relief, contentment and easier everyday-life (not to mention more free time). Fewer things rattled, and when reactivity happened it was surrendered to, it passed, not a big deal.
Life was more fun. Talk about miracles.
Judy now facilitates an unusual, practical approach to life’s struggles and difficult situations. When nothing clients have tried has worked, Judy’s real life nondual approach helps people notice the already-here experience.
Clients discover for themselves how problem-making in any form perpetuates itself and the Self.
And amazingly, they often start to feel better.
All of which means Judy has become as full-on woo-woo, airy-fairy out-there spiritual as anyone could be.
