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About Us

We are here to awaken from the illusion of our separateness.

Thich Nhat Hanh

Since 2007, we have been coming together to learn and heal through compassionate relationships. For this we study and practice communication, cooperation, and intimacy skills. See also “About our Name.”

Our Mission

To help people heal and grow so they can have more meaningful, satisfying lives.

Our Vision

A world in which life is cherished and celebrated.

Our Values

Unity – embracing all of creation as a whole, as one

Renewal and Transformation – the healing and progressive evolution of the individual and the species

Social Justice – transforming systems of oppression into life-serving social structures. See The REAL Center Commitment to Compassion and Social Justice.

Compassion through Empathy – feeling our oneness and building community

Intimacy through Authenticity – being true to ourselves, including honoring the wisdom of the body

Appreciation and Celebration – savoring life, including our sorrows

Openness, Aliveness and Play – seeing life as an enjoyable exploration

These ideals are expressed in the teachings of Nondualism (e.g., Eckhart Tolle) and embodied in the practice of Nonviolent Communication (NVC).

life is a garden, not a road
we enter and exit through the same gate
wandering, where we go matters less
than what we notice

Bokonon, The Lost Book