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GREG MOOERS
FROM MONK TO MOTIVATOR
COMPILED BY JANICE BURNS
How does it feel when someone really listens to you without an
ulterior motive? It feels wonderful, and when people listen to us
we can gain great insights and clarity about our lives. Greg
Mooers was a monk for eight years and spent more than
15,000 hours in silent meditation. He has dedicated his life to
Listening because “everything in life improves when you
become a better listener.” This simple but rare act requires
that we withhold our conclusions and expectations and believe
in others enough to be curious and ask questions about their
intentions for their future. Greg has worked with hundreds of
clients to improve their relationships with themselves, their
partners, and their children. His tools are the simple
techniques of proactive listening.
Greg asks people questions about their life, probing into their
favorite experiences and what they most want for their future
and then shares back what he hears others saying about
themselves. “By sharing back the spirit of what they tell me
without coloring their words with my own interpretations,
judgments, or the desires I have for them, my clients get to see
with crystal clarity and self- confidence exactly who they are
and where they stand. It is such a delight to see their behaviors
automatically align with their ambitions. We all admire people
who are making a passionate contribution in life -- sometimes
we admire them so much we almost resent them. That’s why
the gossipy tabloids target famous and successful people, “If
you can join them, beat them!” Best of all is when you don’t
have to beat them or join them, because you know who you
are, so you can really listen to others without feeling
threatened or compelled.
Mooers, 40, grew up in New Jersey and, after graduating from
the Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, he went to
work for Intel. Eventually, he started his own company,
designing custom database management software in Dallas,
TX. The business was successful, but one day as he peered out
his office window Greg realized that the pinnacle of success on
the road he was traveling was not what he really wanted. “What
do I want?” he asked him- self. The answer was “I want to know
my soul.” ‘This answer was so overpowering,” says Greg, “that
two months later I found myself living in a monastery”. Greg
took the four monastic vows of chastity, simplicity, obedience
and loyalty and he was very committed to the process. After
seven years there, Greg began to experience a longing to make
a greater contribution. “I was forcing a lifestyle
that wasn’t best for my temperament, and I guess
it was pretty obvious because one day a sweet old
monk said to me, “You know, a bird should not
say, “I will be a dog.” I didn’t feel I could leave
because the day I entered the monastery (I
remember driving in through the big iron gates), I
heard a voice say, “Welcome home.” The day I left
the monastery to start a new life, I was quite
surprised, as I drove out those big iron gates, to
hear the same voice say the same words.
After leaving the monastery Greg spend time in
China, Japan and India where he got clarity about
his life’s purpose. A few months later at a seminar
in Hawaii he met interior designer Bobi Leonard
and proposed on the second date. In the
monastery he had learned about what makes
marriages work and fail and, says Greg, “I knew
what to listen for, and when I met Bobi I knew we
could spend the rest of our lives together,
because our relationship is not based on
compatibility or likes and dislikes. We share a
common goal -- we both want to please God. Any
relationship can work if the foundation of that
relationship is a common goal that is supremely
important to each person.” The two now live by the
coast in Pacific Palisades.
Have you ever tried to change someone else? How
did it work out for you? Most of us are well aware
of how painfully ineffective it is to try to change in
others, but we keep trying and trying. The reason
for this is that we are actually supposed to help
local profile – cont’d
GREG MOOERS
FROM MONK TO MOTIVATOR
each other change and deep down we know this, but the methods we use often have the opposite effect. People do
things for their own reasons, and so the way to change others is to listen to them with deep attention so that they can
get clarity about their own reasons. When we listen to others with curiosity and courage we open up a vacuum that
invites the other person to blossom into that space. Our desire to help others is really a desire to assist them in helping themselves. Whenever we give someone an answer instead of helping them to find their own answer, we
disempowered them. But if we can withhold our conclusions and expectations and know-it-all attitudes in our
conversations with others, delightful and strange things happen: The first thing that happens is that instead of our
repeating something we already know, we learn new things from others. We also get to be part of an amazing process
of seeing others discover a place of wisdom within themselves. The third and most profound benefit of listening to
others is that they will give us credit for the wisdom they discovered even though we are not the source of that wisdom.
It makes for amazing and beautiful relationships.
“The power of listening has been so profound in my own life, it has given me clarity about who I am and my greatest gift
to others claims Greg. “There is one thing about you that is the source of all your fulfillment, happiness and prosperity,
and I will prove it to you.” “My gift, the source of fulfillment, happiness and prosperity, is helping people identify their
vocation.” Greg says that every- one has a vocation, a career and a business. Your vocation is what you are called to do
in life, your career is how you choose to offer it to others, and your business is what it looks like to them. Most people
know what their career and their business is but they do not know what their vocation is, and surprisingly, one’s
vocation is not that hard to identify. What kind of situations gives you goose- bumps and that rush of love that goes
through your body? And what is it that causes you to become intolerant of some form of human injustice? For each
person these two questions have the same answer. For Mother Teresa the answer was “Compassion” for Martin Luther
King the answer was “Brotherhood,” and for Gandhi the answer was “Peaceful Liberation.” What is it for you? Is it
“Loyalty” or “Honesty” or “Freedom”. Greg has worked with hundreds of clients, and he has been able to prove to each
one of them that there is one thing, like spiritual DNA built into their molecules, that is defining their values,
determining their beliefs, and dictating their behaviors. He claims that this one thing is always a beautiful commitment
to make a contribution.
Q: So tell me Greg what’s it like living in a monastery?
A: Well, it’s a very safe place, and a very simple place. No TV, one movie a month (heavily edited) and a lot of peace
and quiet. I remember one of the senior monks telling me early on, “You can be just as spiritual as you want here.”
Since the environment is so pure and you live in close quarters with other monks for so many years, your faults
standout like a red beacon. You learn to have patience with your self intolerance of others. One monk was once asked,
do you practice any austerities? He answered, “Yes, community living.”
Q: Do you have any secrets you can share from this mysterious cloistered world?
A: Oh sure: perhaps the biggest is the misconception that because monks renounce material wealth, they live in poor
conditions. For example, during religious holidays, members of the church thought that we poor monks had nothing, so
many of them made special arrangements for little sweets and gifts to be given to us during these periods. The most
common of which was desserts. So, if you’re going to be a monk you’re going to have to learn to eat a lot of chocolate.
Q: What is the most common question people ask you when they find out you were a monk?
A: Almost everyone is very respectful. It is kind of fun to see people review the conversation up to the point they found
out I was a monk to make sure they didn’t say anything “wrong”. It is unfortunate that religious organizations do tend to
be very judgmental and have a reputation for having rigid opinions. You see it in people’s faces sometimes. They look
at you like, “You were a monk! Are you crazy! What made you do that!?” I guess the answer is that I wanted to know my
soul.
Occasionally, someone musters up the question, “You mean like a monk that has, like, no sex? At all!?” Chastity was
one of my vows, but it’s like anything else; if you make up your mind 100 percent about it, it’s easy, going 95 percent of
the way is really difficult. There are some great benefits to chastity, I did the work of three men. And think about much
of the most amazing fine art: sculptures and paintings and illuminated manuscripts are religious in nature. It’s another
way to channel creative energy
Greg offers audio products, classes and private sessions for those who want to get clarity about their true vocation and
improve relationships.
For more information call 310-230-9949 or check out his website www.LifeCamp.com, for Coaching and Tapes:
“Listening For Prosperity and Peace” 90 minutes $20, “Spiritual Communication” 90 minutes $20. His next class is
“Listening for Better Relationships” in Pacific Palisades. Private Sessions: Call for a free consultation 310-428-0400
Malibu Monthly page - 41
Greg Mooers is a certified professional speaker and contributing
author for NSA – National Speakers Assoc.
Glowing Testimonials – Greg Mooers’ Private Clients
SS Academy winning movie producer
"I recently had a life changing experience with Greg Mooers; as a result of one session something shifted inside of me and
I knew in that instant that I had changed the energy of the problem. Within 30 minutes I was able to generate significant
funds to address the challenges that had instigated my call Greg in the first place. He is a gifted coach and teacher and I am
living proof of his extraordinary abilities!"
TJ Branding Artist & Web Developer
"Greg Mooers cuts through the clutter of life’s fear, doubt and confusion and with razor precision, puts you in the spotlight
of your core being."
LS Psychologist
Wow! Talk about the universe cooperating (the title of my speech in Toastmaster's this week, by the way). You were
absolutely right, I had a most uplifting experience last night. Thank you, thank you, and thanks again. Fundamentally, it
made me realize what my life has been missing since the scramble to finish my doctorate--my prized possession--curiosity!
KS Sales Manager
"Just a quick note to say thanks... The time you and I had at lunch some two months ago opened a door for me and now in
this room of light I'm somewhat blinded by the opportunities that are before me... Quite honestly after all that's happened
since our coaching I was a little afraid of how much else could happen if we met again. How cool is that!"
Jay Brakenseik - Dept of Health and Safety
I used Greg's techniques today and was successful... They work!
CB Executive Coach
You are an extraordinary coach. Not only have I found you to be knowledgeable and skilled, but you are intensely focused.
You gave me 100% or your attention and supported me with your unconditional love. You did not offer crutches or "easy
fixes." You demanded that I accept total responsibility for ever y aspect of my life and helped me understand that within me
was a deep beauty, enormous worth and power beyond my wildest imaginings. You got me in touch with my magnificence
and helped me make it shine. Thank you. I will never be the same, and I am deeply grateful for your guidance and support
in this evolution of Clyde.
JB Chiropractor
Thank you for the relationship coaching... very effective! We're now having clear and direct conversations.
JJ - Actress
"What a relief...what clarity! More people need to experience your gift."
Ric Middleton - Networking Consultant
I wanted to compliment you on an excellent, excellent job on your tape! I was listening to it while I was driving and I
actually pulled over on the side of the road to practice on of the exercises. It helped me realize that it is not about me and to
focus on the other person.
Diane Mazzocio - Real Estate Agent.
"Before I saw Greg I did not realize how little I understood myself. Now I can see with clarity and confidence who I am in
every situation. I now have a great frame of reference in all my primary relationships."
MB Monk
"The experience I had in our first session was the most moving experience of my life."
DS Music Producer
"Your work is fantastic!!"
Glowing Testimonials – Greg Mooers’ Presentations
Luna - USC
"...A well-thought out and inspiring presentation, and the audience seemed to glean a great deal of meaning from it. I am
still getting feedback -- people loved it!!!... I would recommend Greg Mooers highly for any speaking position."
Jory Rosen -- Learning Annex
"This letter is to serve as a recommendation for the Speaking Services of Greg Mooers. Greg has been lecturing for the
Learning Annex for quite some time, and we have had consistently positive feedback from our students. He is also
personally quite enjoyable, and I know that anyone who avails themselves of his services will be pleased with the results.
"Greg has lectured for the Learning Annex for quite some time, and we have had consistently positive feedback from our
students. I feel strongly that anyone who avails themselves of his services will be pleased with the results!" The Learning
Annex
JR Executive Director LK - Los Angeles Home Economics Teachers Association
"Can't thank you enough... you can see from the evaluations that you provided valuable 'meat' for our members. We strive
to make our presentations powerful and professional. You gave it to us."
Maida Bessler - LA College - Business Dept. "Informative, insightful and very inspirational. Greg Mooers leaves a lasting
impression. Anyone who attends his lectures is sure to find the stepping stone to the path of their dreams." Business
Instructor Informative, insightful and very inspirational. Greg Mooers leaves a lasting impression. Anyone who attends his
lectures is sure to find the stepping stone to the path of their dreams."
Toastmasters - Founders Conference 2001
"Wow! Greg Mooers gave the most interesting presentation of the conference!... I feel fantastic!"
Pauline Bennett-- Roxbury Discussion
"Greg Mooers spoke for us recently , and we are pleased to say everyone got a lot from his lecture. We would feel
confident in recommending him to any other group that wants a dynamic and thoughtful presentation."
Greg Mooers – Client list
Broadcom
E! Entertainment
USC
Epicuren
Speakers Corner
National Speakers Association
Larry Payne – Kauai Yoga Symposium
American Medical Aesthetics
Brinderson Construction
“The Canyon” - Malibu rehabilitation ctr.
Harbor-UCLA
Department of Rehabilitation
Learning Annex
Arcara Health Centers
State Department of Corrections
International Coaching Federation
Brain Garden
Unforgettable Marketing
“Yoga-Expo” at Los Angeles Convention Center
Business Think Tank
St. Joseph’s Hospital
Greg Mooers has taught
3 different classes for
the Learning Annex.
The most popular class
entitled “Spiritual
Communication” ran
for 2 years.