ABOUT

AWAKENING

OUR MISSION

To offer spiritual practices, inspirational retreats and empowering workshops to people who are seeking a higher way of living and being. Also, to provide resources, counseling and support to people in need of assistance and a guiding light.

Awakening is a 501c3 nonprofit educational and service organization that was founded in 1990 by Mary Mohs, M.A., and Ron Valle, Ph.D., for the purpose of offering encouragement and support to those seeking the direct personal experience of the sacred within.

“As a community, we see every aspect of living and dying as an opportunity to deepen one’s compassion, self-understanding, and spiritual awareness” Mary Mohs

The Awakening Retreat Center, previously located in Brentwood, California, is an interfaith community designed to provide a supportive environment for individuals and groups exploring ways to integrate their work in the world with their spiritual lives. With their new prospective location just outside of Sedona, the center will provide a beautiful and peaceful setting for spiritual retreats and personal development workshops.

THE ORIGINAL FOUNDERS

Now Retired

Mary Mohs, M.A.

Mary Mohs. M.A., has her Master’s Degree in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology. Her life’s work includes her expereince as a nurse, mother, substance abuse counselor, workshop facilitator, yoga teacher, published author, and spiritual director. Mary has served as a director and co-founder of Awakening: A Center for Exploring Living and Dying, as well as the Awakening Retreat Center in Brentwood, California. She has written and published many articles and chapters addressing living, dying and grieving, and has taught courses on these, including co-authoring, with Ron Valle, the book, Opening to Dying and Grieving: A Sacred Journey. She also contributed to Ron Valle’s book, “The Changing Faces of Therapy: Evolving Perspectives in Clinical Practice and Assessment” Her background in Christian Mysticism, and her extensive study of both Eastern and Western spiritual philosophies, and approaches to life, has deepened her understanding of her own spirituality, and reflects her interest in the commonalities of all of the world’s religions.

Ron Valle, Ph.D.

Ron Valle, Ph.D., has served a psychologist for over twenty years. He specializes in helping clients with chronic pain and stress-related disorders and with individuals and families who face a life-threatening diagnosis. A long-time practitioner and teacher of meditation, Ron developed the Integrated Therapy Program for Transforming Stress and Pain. Professor, supervisor, counselor, minister, and author of a wide variety of professional publications, he served as a director of Awakening: A Center for Exploring Living and Dying as well as the Awakening Retreat Center in Brentwood, California. He is the editor of “Phenomenological Inquiry: Existential and Transpersonal Dimensions” and the author of “The Changing Faces of Therapy: Evolving Perspectives in Clinical Practice and Assessment” He is also the co-author with Mary Mohs of “Opening to Dying and Grieving: A Sacred Journey.”

Our Experience of the Awakening Center Over the Years

By Mary Mohs & Ron Valle

“Since 1990, we have been fulfilling the mission statement of Awakening through our writings, teaching workshops, giving presentations, facilitating retreats, leading awareness groups, working with families, sponsoring talks by spiritual teachers, coordinating volunteers, practicing and teaching meditation, and counseling individuals seeking guidance on their spiritual journey. All of these have been ways of deepening self-understanding, as well as practicing the principles of ancient wisdom. Suzanne Ross, through her attraction to the work of Awakening, clearly emerged as the person meant to continue the mission of the organization as the new President. We are pleased to turn over the Awakening Center to Suzanne’s vision and inspiration.”

INTRODUCING

THE AWAKENING BOARD

President & CEO

Suzanne Ross

Suzanne is an Inspirational Author, Motivational Speaker and TV Host of Lighten Up! She has been in the health and wellness industry for over 20 yrs as an Integrative Wellness Expert offering programs, books and services for those seeking total well-being. Suzanne has spent many years researching spiritual belief systems, religions, philosophy and quantum physics in an effort to identify paralleling concepts and reveal fundamental truths. Her ultimate goal is to unify the diverse spiritual and religious organizations in a collaborative effort to bring more peace, harmony and unity forth in the world. As President of Awakening, and leader of a growing spiritual community of like-minded followers (S.P.I.N.), Suzanne is building the foundation for Spirit Ranch – a large acreage dedicated to serving women in recovery and women in need of eldercare as well as women seeking a higher way of living and being. Spirit Ranch will also be the home of The Awakening Center where spiritual practices, empowerment workshops and spiritual enlightenment retreats will be held.

Vice President

Angela Rosenau

Angela is a dedicated Buddhist practitioner with several years of experience as a board member and president of a religious non-profit. For three years, she also served as the organization’s managing director. Angela is a licensed attorney in California and has practiced for over 20 years in the areas of criminal law and consumer protection. Prior to her legal career, Angela served 16 years in the military, where she received numerous awards.  She is passionate about combining her years of public service, religious faith, and spiritual awakening to serve all those seeking a higher way of living and being.

AWAKENING

BOARD MEMBERS

TREASURER

Maria Allen

SECRETARY

Katrina Vizinau

SUPPORTIVE BOARD MEMBERS

Dr. Cynthia Grace

Cyndhi Lee Smith

Dr. Morgaine Hamouris

Liz Caine

Shirlene Reeves

VOLUNTEER CONSULTANT

Cynthia Stott