– Marc Gafni’s friends, collaborators, and supporters speak out for the sake of restoring integrity. This comment by Barbara Alexander on the Character Assassination of Marc Gafni was first posted to the Center for Integral Wisdom statement on centerforintegralwisdom.org. You can read the statement below or listen to the audio. –
Marc Gafni and I became friends and subsequently colleagues six years ago. Marc’s Unique Self Teaching resonated with my own psychospiritual framework and ultimately illuminated it much more deeply. Over the years I have learned from and taught with Marc, always marveling at his capacity to connect with and inspire people. From a small living room gathering to a large group at the Summer Festival at the Venwoude Retreat Center, Marc never fails to open minds and hearts with his passion and commitment to change the world. It is his own open heart, not his charisma that touches others deeply and invites them to a larger version of themselves.
In recent years it has been my delight to develop the Unique Self Coaching Process with Claire Molinard based on one of Marc’s core teachings, the Unique Self. The process offers a practical methodology that facilitates the realization of one’s unique self. Marc’s vision for the project and for us as a team has resulted in what Claire and I both consider our life’s work.
While I abhor the circumstances that have caused the CIW Board’s statement to be written, I add my voice in support of my friend Dr. Marc Gafni with pleasure. The past weeks have been excruciatingly difficult for Marc especially and for the community he has constituted. Any attempt to shine a light on the hidden agendas of those in the integral community who orchestrated the attack on Marc have been shouted down as they claim “moral responsibility” as the only reason to completely shred Marc’s reputation through blatant character assassination. Their refusal to look at the motivation/shadow behind this attack is stunning. From those who believe themselves to be integral, there is no excuse. Ironically these are the same people who say that Marc’s colleagues, including myself, are deluded!
However in the end those of us who comprise the Center for Integral Wisdom community emerge from the heartbreaking chaos with more strength and clarity about our purpose in the world. Trial by social media without due process or accountability will not carry the day. Rather the integrity and love that Marc offers through his teachings and collaborative work of the Center show the world that this is not a man filled with the darkness being portrayed, but a man filled with great light.
Barbara Alexander M.A., M.Div., PCC
Co-Founder Unique Self Coaching ™ Collective
Integral Master Coach ™