Landmark Education comes to URI, offers new learning experience

11/22/05 - Two University of Rhode Island students learned about the Landmark Education programs in the Hardge Forum at the Multicultural Center Sunday afternoon.Landmark Education, based in San Francisco, Calif., is a three day program devoted to helping the participants better themselves in life by uncovering their problems in the past, including topics like money, relationships and general well-being.

The forum was three hours long and consisted of an introduction to the programs that Landmark Education offers while trying to recruit new members to their practice. The students were given brochures and catalogues, as well as a sheet to sign up for more information.

"The program offers educational courses on life and transformation," said Ashakranthi Nandigam, a URI alumnus and former participant in the Landmark Program.

"It's all about self-knowledge," sophomore Jonathan Pitt-Coombs said.

Junior Miriam Caetano added, "I know what to do to better myself but I didn't know how to do it. I felt like I was here for 45 minutes, not three hours."

There were two representatives of the company to explain the concepts of Landmark: Nandigam and David Von Jess, an introduction leader. A friend recommended the two to the program.

"It has made a difference. Every time I see [someone benefit], I can see a difference in their life," Nandigam said.

Landmark is offered in over 20 countries worldwide, including Australia, Canada and Kenya.

"I introduce the program. My commitment to you is I hope you see something new in your life," Von Jess said.

The seminar included a two-part conversation in which the students worked out aspects of their life they were unhappy with and strove to overcome these obstacles. The students were given a workbook to fill out, as well as verbal guidance from Von Jess.

"Things happen and then you make it mean something," Von Jess said. "What do you make it mean?"

He later said, "Almost everything in life you can replace. But the one thing you cannot replace is time."

Students listed topics that they wished to fix in their life, including family, love friendship, education and time management. After the listing was complete, students were asked to select one area that they wished to "breakthrough," or fix.

"We all have different areas that don't work, but they all connect in some way," Von Jess said.

Von Jess discussed the influence that our past has on our future and explained that every past event has had some impact on our present or future.

"The past dictates your future," he said. "This forum is about taking your past and keeping it out of your future. Once you do that, you have an empty space. You can do anything with that empty space."

The program costs $425 and it is $100 to reserve a seat. The program is being offered Dec. 2 to 4, Jan. 13 to 15, and the night of Jan. 17. Interested students can find more information at www.landmarkeducation.com.