Sean Feng and cofounders of the Bene Wellness Institute in Beijing are intent on becoming leaders in holistic education in China. But, he said, it wasn’t until he visited the Omega Institute three years ago that he fully understood the potential impact their work could have on so many people. “Omega has become our role model,” he said gesturing toward the Rhinebeck campus.
Omega’s approach fills the gap between what Feng called “the modern (Chinese) mind” and its spiritual traditions. “Our modern minds have evolved as we’ve become educated, and we’ve lost our awareness of our Eastern roots. Omega offers a clear methodology of teaching modern scientific practice with the inspiration and wisdom of our traditions. I am better able to appreciate our roots because of the expanded consciousness I now have from this work.”
Paying the Price of Modernization
China’s rapidly expanding economy has resulted in a host of familiar environmental and individual health concerns, from workplace-related stress to diseases such as diabetes, Feng explained.
“We don’t feel we are living in a holistic way anymore; we don’t experience the simple joy of life. The same psychological and societal factors that have motivated others to come to Omega also motivate us to look for better ways to live.”
During the weeklong program of workshops and excursions at Omega, delegates from Bene Wellness had the opportunity to spend time exploring Omega’s campus and take meditation classes simultaneously translated in Chinese—a first in Omega's history. They also learned about holistic wellness and interpersonal communications from teachers such as Tom Francescott, Florence Meleo-Myer, Harville Hendrix, and Helen LaKelly Hunt.
“Many people in China need more of a system for teaching mindfulness,” said participant Ming Yu. “In contrast to the stress I experience in China, I feel relaxed and comfortable in this place, experiencing the harmony in nature.”
Rebuilding Relationships
Although he was a bit skeptical when his wife signed them up for the program, Liao Jiantao admitted that he had taken his own culture for granted and ignored childhood teachings. “I felt quite proud of our Asian traditions,” he said. “But I came to realize these things I had ignored could be practical. It was amazing how the teachers used the concepts from Asian culture and helped people apply them.”
His wife, Chen Lie, agreed, recalling her first mindfulness practice workshop a few years ago. “We [mindfully] ate a raisin. It was the greatest experience to do so slowly.”
The most memorable moments for this couple came in the work they did with Omega teachers Harville Hendrix and Helen LaKelly Hunt, coaches in conscious relationship. “I learned how to talk to my wife, share my appreciation, be more specific, and check in with her and receive feedback so I can be more aware of how she feels,” Jiantao said. “More importantly, I learned to listen. And I can see that the same methods can be applied at work, too.”
Nature as a Role Model
As is the case for many Omega participants, the opportunity to be out in nature was especially “sweet” as one city-bound Bene delegate said. They also found the variety of animal life on campus entertaining, particularly the woodchucks that like to lounge in the sun near the Omega Bookstore.
Sean Feng also appreciated seeing how Omega’s facilities exist in harmony with the surrounding landscape and is interested in the sustainability practices modeled by the Omega Center for Sustainable Living. “The government of China has been moving toward strengthening our environmental standards,” Feng said. “Omega is a good role model for other centers like ours as we grow.”
As members of the global Holistic Centers Network, Feng, his cofounders, and the Omega team led by Carol Donahoe, director of Rhinebeck Programs, intend to keep the communications and education flowing by bringing more delegations to the campus and exploring ways to share Omega practices and teachers with Bene Wellness.
“Sean has an ease that allows him to be an ambassador for China in the West, and has opened a door for us to bring our practices there,” Donahoe noted.
Feng agreed. “I love being a bridge so that my people can experience North America—not as they see on TV, but as role models for what we can all do together.”
