Tribute to Debbie Ford by Elizabeth Lesser of Omega
by
Alan Steinfeld | Oct 10, 2016
I met Debbie Ford back in the day, when self-help books and spiritual workshops were just hitting their stride in American culture. Back then, most of the authors and teachers who came to Omega wer
I met Debbie Ford back in the day, when self-help books and spiritual workshops were just hitting their stride in American culture. Back then, most of the authors and teachers who came to Omega were teaching spiritual techniques for rising above the problems of the world, transcending the messiness, embracing silence, and inner peace.
Then there was Debbie! She marched to the beat of a different drummer, and I knew the minute I read her work that hers was the beat to follow. She believed, as did Carl Jung, that the first order of business on the spiritual path is to turn around and face your shadow—your darker impulses, your secrets, your insecurities and imperfections.
Yes, Debbie was all about joy and success and love, but she was also all about the nitty-gritty of being human. Here was this beautiful, original, brave young woman, talking honestly about her less-than-perfect qualities, and encouraging others to face their own shadow.
She assured her students that inner peace and transformation were waiting for us, when we used that same psychic energy to look within, take responsibility for our lives, heal our wounded places, and celebrate our gifts. She called this the shadow process.
So many of Omega's students thank us for the time they spent with Debbie in workshops and professional trainings. Ultimately, I believe that a world full of people who have turned around and faced their shadow will be a better world, a compassionate world. As Debbie said, "For when I can love all of me, I will love all of you."
Rest in peace and joy, Debbie. We love you.