Frequently Asked Questions -
FAQ
1) INTRODUCTION TO THE HUMAN AWARENESS INSTITUTE (HAI)
What is HAI?
What is HAI's
primary activity?
3) The Love, Intimacy and Sexuality WORKSHOP HIGHLIGHTS AND BENEFITS
What are some
overall benefits of the
workshops?
4) WHAT The Love, Intimacy and Sexuality WORKSHOPS ARE ABOUT
Is the
workshop format like a seminar or
lecture?
5) PAST PARTICIPANTS AT Love, Intimacy and Sexuality WORKSHOPS
What is a
general description of participants at an Love,
Intimacy and Sexuality
workshop?
6) ATTENDING A Love, Intimacy and Sexuality WORKSHOP
Do I have to
come with a partner to the workshop or currently
be in a relationship? 7) Love, Intimacy and Sexuality WORKSHOP LOGISITICS
How many
people typically participate in a
workshop?
What is a
Pathways to Intimacy (PTI)
workshop?
1) INTRODUCTION TO THE HUMAN AWARENESS INSTITUTE (HAI) The Human Awareness Institute (HAI) produces workshops and other activities related to improving communication, relationships and sexuality. Dr. Stan Dale originated and led his first workshop in Chicago in 1968. Since then, over 75,000 people have attended HAI's workshops. HAI has grown from a very small family business offering one workshop into a series of many workshops led by a highly trained team of facilitators (leaders). HAI produces workshops in several locations around the world.
HAI's philosophy is summarized in the
following mission statement, the basis for all
of its activities:
The Human Awareness Institute (HAI) empowers individuals to be potent, loving, contributing human beings. HAI promotes personal growth and social evolution by replacing ignorance and fear with awareness and love. HAI aims to create a world where people live together in dignity, respect, understanding, trust, kindness, compassion, honesty and love. The Human Awareness Institute is committed to "Creating a World Where Everyone Wins." Workshops and events are held regularly in California, the Midwest US, the East Coast US, Australia, Germany and England. In other areas such as Portland & Seattle participants have started and are sustaining their own support groups.
The workshop pricing
varies. Please go to the workshop page for price information.
What is HAI's primary activity? HAI conducts a series of weekend Love, Intimacy &
Sexuality workshops. The
first workshop (referred to as The Miracle of
Love, Level 1) is offered almost
every month
in California and frequently in
the other locations. The Love, Intimacy and
Sexuality workshop is discussed extensively
in several other sections on this page. The
Miracle of Love, Level 1 is required before
taking other workshops in
the series, each of which has its own
prerequisite.
 The "Couples" workshop is a weekend designed exclusively for couples in a committed relationship (however you define that). This workshop provides an opportunity to deepen and strengthen your love for yourself and for your partner. There are Couples Workshops that are residential and for which the Love, Intimacy and Sexuality, Miracle of Love, Level 1 workshop is a prerequisite. There is also a non-residential Couples Workshop in a hotel setting which does not have a prerequisite. Do you offer any workshops that don't take a whole weekend? The "Pathway to Intimacy" workshops are conducted in a single day. They are held in major cities and give a taste of what is available from the weekend Love, Intimacy and Sexuality workshops, yet they are complete within themselves. What social activities does HAI sponsor? HAI sponsors parties in the same areas where the Love, Intimacy and Sexuality workshops are offered. Come and visit with other people who have either attended a workshop or are interested in learning more about HAI. There are non-alcoholic refreshments, finger food, dancing, and a brief presentation which offers a sense of workshop experiences. Are there other opportunities to learn more about HAI? Introductory Presentations are available in many areas where the Love, Intimacy and Sexuality workshops are offered. At these presentations you will have an opportunity to find out about HAI and experience some examples of exercises similar to those in HAI workshops. Does HAI sponsor any informational talks? Periodically one or more of the workshop
leaders will offer a lecture on a topic of
interest to people who find the workshops
interesting. These evenings are open to the
public, without any prerequisites.
3) THE Love, Intimacy and Sexuality WORKSHOP HIGHLIGHTS & BENEFITS What are some overall benefits of the workshop?
In what ways might you improve your self-image?
What kind of personal blocks to intimacy are addressed?
How may your relationships with others be improved?
What kinds of boundary issues are examined?
What are some experiences of the workshop?
4) WHAT The Love, Intimacy and Sexuality WORKSHOPS ARE ABOUT? Is the workshop format like a seminar or lecture? The workshops are more experiential than
instructional in a traditional sense. There is a
series of guided exercises which are designed to
allow you to experience and identify for
yourself which of your behaviors help or hinder
you in having more love in your life. This kind
of experience is less abstract than simply
listening to a lecture. As you focus on elements
of how you are with people in your life, there
is an opportunity to expand your awareness and
take new actions. The focus is much more on who
you are rather than what you do. The workshop is
led by two or more Facilitators.
A facilitator introduces a topic and then
moderates a discussion about it. Since most of
the workshop is experiential, discussions are
based on a current or past experience. The
facilitators help you see how the experience
impacts you.
Are the workshops about sexual technique? Sexual technique is not taught, but
communication is, which can lead to greater
sexual enjoyment. The workshop is much more
about how to be intimate and loving than it is
about how to "do" sex. By considering your
notions about love, intimacy, and sexuality, you
may see how they may get in the way of what you
really want in some of your relationships. [More
discussion below.]
How do the workshops relate to HAI's Mission Statement? You are treated with the dignity,
understanding, kindness, and compassion you
deserve. Part of this means that you and your
choices will be totally honored and respected.
Imagine what you need to feel completely safe --
you will have that and more at the workshop. The
workshop will help to replace ignorance and fear
with awareness and love. You will have the
opportunity to experience what it means to be a
potent, loving, contributing human being. This
in turn may help you to uncover your passion for
living and your desire to live joyously.
So what ARE the workshops really about? The workshops are about how to create
healthy relationships. This includes more
effective communication with romantic partners,
family members, friends, co-workers, and others
who you meet on a casual basis. You learn to
share and experience what it is to be human from
the inside, not just what we see in the facades.
The workshops touch every part of your life,
because every part of your life consists of
relationships. Even when you are alone, you
either deal with your relationship with
yourself, or you are thinking about your
relationships with others. The workshop is as
much about choice as it is about love, intimacy
or sexuality. Many of us don't recognize when we
have abdicated our right to make choices in our
life.
How does "choice" relate to love, intimacy and sexuality? Closely examining how love, intimacy and
sexuality are part of our lives triggers us to
look at how we often don't make our own choices.
There is often some "charge" in these areas that
finds us making habitual responses that don't
work, rather than choices that will result in
what we truly want. The workshop helps us
develop skills to be more self-assured in
exercising our freedom of choice.
How do you learn to get what you really want? Sometimes we ask for what we *think* we
can get rather than what we really want. Then we
are not satisfied and we can't figure out *why*
we are not satisfied. Or we just don't know
where to go or how to ask. At the workshops
there is the opportunity for you to ask for 100%
of what you want 100% of the time, be willing to
hear no, and negotiate a win-win.
How does saying "Yes" or "No" figure into all that? When you are able to truthfully say "no"
as well as "yes," others can trust that when you
say "yes" you mean it. If you cannot say "no,"
it is difficult for others to believe your
"yes." At the workshop, you have many
opportunities to practice saying "no" and "yes." You will gain clarity into knowing what you
really want and be able to make appropriate
choices.
Your boundaries will be fully respected
and your choices honored. The workshop provides
coaching for you to constantly review your
position and shift your boundaries further out
or closer in as you see fit. You may redefine
those boundaries as you become more confident in
your ability to be true to yourself.
5) PAST PARTICIPANTS AT Love, Intimacy and Sexuality WORKSHOPS What is a general description of participants at an Love, Intimacy and Sexuality workshop?
What kind of relationship background or interests do they have?
In what ways have people wanted to connect?
What is their outlook on life?
6) ATTENDING A Love, Intimacy and Sexuality WORKSHOP Do I have to come with a partner to the workshop or currently be in a relationship? No. You may come with or without a
partner. In a typical workshop, about one third
of the participants are there with a partner and
about two thirds are not. Many participants are
not in a committed relationship. The workshops
are "gender-balanced." This simply means that
there are approximately an equal number of men
and women participating in each workshop. This
requirement is independent of sexual
orientation.
What about my relationship status? Relationships cycles have a before, a
beginning, a middle, and an end. There are
long-term relationships and short-term
relationships. When a relationship ends, there
is often dating again in search of a new
partner. All of us have been in one stage or
another of the cycle -- sometimes a different
stage at different times. The workshop
accommodates everyone, regardless of where you
are in the relationship cycle, independent of
sexual orientation.
What specific requirements are there for attending a Love, Intimacy and Sexuality workshop? The Love,
Intimacy and Sexuality workshop is open
to anyone over the age of 18, regardless of
relationship status, sexual orientation,
personal background, gender or race.
In what kind of facility is the workshop held? The workshops are usually held in a
retreat-type setting with natural
surroundings, and with opportunities to relax
and unwind. There are usually spa facilities
available. 7) Love, Intimacy and Sexuality WORKSHOP LOGISTICS How many people typically participate in a workshop? At most Level 1 Miracle of
Love workshops, there are between 45 and 60
participants. There are also approximately 15
people present who have already taken the
workshops. They are there to support the
participants and help the workshop run smoothly.
What is the mix of men and women at a workshop? It is about the same, given the
gender-balance requirement mentioned above.
Because of what is sometimes a delicate
balancing act, waiting lists may develop for one
gender or the other. It is a good idea to
register for the weekend of your choice several
weeks in advance. However, places may be
available up until the last minute, so call if
you are interested.
If I come with a partner, do I have to spend the whole time with that person? How you participate is your choice. There
are a variety of opportunities where you may
choose to do an exercise with your partner, or
opt for doing an exercise with someone else.
There is value in each option and throughout the
workshop you and your partner can decide what is
best.
What is the time frame of a workshop? On-site check-in begins on Friday at 5 pm
and continues until 7 pm. At many sites it is
okay to arrive as early as noon to enjoy the
retreat facilities. Friday night dinner is
served at 7 pm and the workshop starts promptly
at 8 pm. The workshop concludes between 6 and
6:30 pm on Sunday and is immediately followed by
dinner. Your confirmation letter provides more
detailed information specific to your weekend.
There are breaks approximately every two hours
while the workshop is in session, varying from
15 minutes to 2 hours.
What is the format of the weekend workshop? During the course of the workshop, most
of the directed time is in one of three formats:
in exercises, in large group, and in small
group. In workshop exercises, with partners of
your own choosing, you are guided by the
facilitators in a variety of ways that allow you
to take a look at the issues being presented. In
large group time the facilitators discuss issues
with the entire group and individual
participants may also share with the group. In
small group time you are a member of a group of
4 to 6 people. The facilitators present a topic
and everyone in your group has the opportunity
to hear others' experience about the topic. You
learn not only from your own experience, but
from hearing others experiences as well.
What does it mean to "share" at a workshop? Sharing refers to expressing to others
your feelings, thoughts, knowledge, and personal
opinions. Both participants and facilitators
share with each other their personal experiences
in a way that allows them to be more present and
helps others get to know them better. Sharing
may also facilitate your ability to formulate
actions you want to take to make changes in your
life.
Is there any workshop follow-up? Yes. On the Thursday evening
after some workshops, there is a follow-up
meeting. (In some regions, the follow-up may be
scheduled on another day of the week.) You have
the opportunity to reconnect with other
participants from your workshop to share how
life has transpired since the weekend. There are
also regularly scheduled parties as well as
monthly support groups in many areas.
Who facilitates the workshops? HAI has a team
of highly trained workshop facilitators.
Any combination of one male and one female
facilitator may be present at any workshop.
What is a Pathways to Intimacy workshop? The Pathways
to Intimacy is a single-day workshop on
healthy relationships.
The Love,
Intimacy and Sexuality workshop is a
full weekend. As a weekend workshop held at a
relaxing retreat, there is time to cover a range
of topics, to get to know the other
participants, and to experience a series of
guided exercises. Workshop participants
must be 18 or older; teenagers are welcome at
Pathways to Intimacy workshops.
A Pathways to
Intimacy workshop requires less of
an outlay in terms of time, money, and
intensity. A Pathways
to Intimacy is a single day event,
typically 10 am to 6 pm, in a hotel setting. The
cost varies by location, but it is a fraction of
the cost of a Love,
Intimacy and Sexuality workshop
(usually under US $100). Additionally, there are
fewer exercises.
Why go to a Pathways to Intimacy? Since participants as young as 13 are
allowed, some people take advantage of the
opportunity to review core relationships with
parents, children and siblings in a caring,
supportive environment. It is a good place to
bring teens or go as a family. A Pathways
to Intimacy offers a confidential
environment where you get to practice making
choices, as well as the opportunity to create
new friendships, discover and let go of what
takes you out of love, and reach a new depth of
honesty and intimacy. Some people use a Pathways
to Intimacy as a jumping off point for
other work on themselves.
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