My life and work currently takes place among the secluded backdrop of an 8-acre oasis high in the hills of Western Massachusetts. Carved with meandering woodland trails, year-round mountain streams, meditation areas, towering oaks, cherry and maples and a plethora of wildlife; it's been a beautiful place to raise a family, to write, work, meditate, practice Qigong, Bagua, or just to take a break from work to take a walk, or sit in quiet contemplation. This is the place where some of my best (or at least my favorite) ideas have sprung into being.

The Berkshires are known worldwide for pastoral landscapes, botanical gardens, cultural landmarks and a wealth of holistic learning centers such as Options Institute and the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, as well as the nearby Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY.

Since relocating here from Boston, MA, my Wife and I (and our two children) have been based primarily in this beautiful location for the past 8-years. However, our work has taken us to many locations around the world - and we continue to manage many exciting global projects (in media, business, holistic health and education) in conjunction with our company, Boston Business International / BBI.

Related Background

Stephen is an Ordained Buddhist Practitioner with the Association of American Buddhists in NYC, (a registered United Nations NGO of the Department of Public Information). He holds a degree in Hypnotherpay from HMI College in California - is a Certified Hypnotherapist (C.Ht.), Certified Metaphysical Practitioner, holds a Bachelors Degree in Metaphysical Science, a Masters degree in Metaphysical Theology and a Doctorate in Eastern Philosophy. He has also studied traditional Western Metaphysics / Philosophy, and Neurobiology with Harvard University (Extension Deptartments of Philosophy and Biology respectively).

Diplomas in Hypnotherapy and related practices include*:

• Certified Hypnotherapist - C.Ht. - Level-3 Certification - Min. 500 hrs / Certified by Hypnotherapists Union - AFL-CIO Local 472
• Degree in Hypnotherapy (Nationally Accredited HMI College of Hypnotherapy, California, USA)
• Diploma in Handwriting Analysis (HMI College)

Certifications:

• Certified Qigong and Tai Chi for Wellness Instructor
• Certified in Hypnosis and Pain Management (AHA)
• Certified Hypnosis and Weight-Loss Specialist (AHA)
• Certified Hypnosis and Sports Performance Specialist (AHA)
• Emotional Freedom Technique - EFT Advanced (AHA)
• Certified NLP Practitioner

* Plus dozens of additional continuing education hours in the field of Hypnotherapy each year, including:.

• Certification in Past Life Regression Therapy (AHA)
• Certified Smoking Cessation Specialist (AHA)

Additional Certifications:

Other certifications and experience that may also be related to Steve's work includes Professional Certification as Teacher of English as a Foreign Language (CTEFL, Awarded at Harvard University Faculty Club, 1997), as well as Teacher-Trainer and Program Director for Business English Teacher-Training programs - both online and resident programs within and outside of the USA. He has taught many hundreds of students and trained hundreds of teachers from dozens of countries. Additional study in this area includes time at Cambridge in the United Kingdom.

As an expert web development pioneer focusing on business and online education, Stephen has developed a number of successful international online training programs operating under the guidelines and/or approval of various US State Boards of Education, as well as various professional organizations. He is the founder of over 100 web properties, including a wide variety of Holistic Health and Wellness resources and educational web sites. One well-known and long running site, Karma-Net.Com, was established in 1999 and continues to welcome more than 1.2 million global visitors per year.

He is the current Executive Director of BBI (Boston Business International), which was established in 1998 and provides media production, consulting and coordination services for film, television and other media, with a focus on Japanese broadcasts with networks such as NHK, Fuji TV, etc., programs focused on health and education, routinely in conjunction with top American Universites. BBI has also been a pioneer and strong advocate for worldwide online education for the past decade and continues to develop new programs on a regular basis.

Stephen Rinaldi, D.MT. (on far left), as participant in the 12th annual Ig Nobel Prize Award Ceremony - Sanders Theater, Harvard University 2002 - Seated on far-right, Nobel Laureates Richard Roberts, William Lipscomb, and Dudley Herschbach. Additional Details: NPR | AIR | Harvard Gazette (All links open in a new window)

He is Director of Online Education, Chief Technology Advisor and Teaching Faculty (Eastern Thought, Buddhism, Taoism) of the International College of Metaphysical Theology in the State of Washington, USA. He is also Board Member and Director of the Eastern Studies Department of the University of Holistic Theology in Florida, USA.

Dr. Rinaldi is author and director of the Certificate in Law of Attraction Counseling / Coaching program (C.LAC™) and the C.MI™ Meditation Instructor Certification Program - both of which are offered internationally as online training programs and are Certified by UHT.

Dr. Rinaldi serves as Education Director and Advisory Board Member of the International Association of Meditation Instructors - IAMI.

The C.LAC.™ program is expanding with the introduction of several new Global C.LAC.™ franchise programs. The first will be in Australia starting in November of 2010 - and a Spanish-Language course is expected to begin throughout Latin America and Spain soon. Visit GlobalCLAC.com for details.

Other projects include the development and expansion of the Karma Center - KarmaCenter.Org and AmericanBuddhist.US.

Memberships / Associations Include:

• American Hypnosis Association - AHA - (Active member since 2008)
• Hypnotherapists Union, AFL/CIO - Local 472 - Member
• International Metaphysical Ministry (active since 2002)
• Hamilton Institute / International High IQ Society - NYC - 2002 to Present
• Association of American Buddhists
• USDLA - United States Distance Learning Association
• American Holistic Health Association / AHHA
• Qigong Alliance International
• National Qigong Association - Supporting Member
• International Association of Meditation Instructors - Board Member / Advisor
• Kokorono Sato - School of Rinzai Zen Buddhism - Izu, Japan

My primary focus today is on meditative practice and the application of Eastern Thought (i.e., Taoism and Buddhism) and practices toward the betterment of each individual and society.

Stephen & Ura Rinaldi on a visit to the Gangyoji Buddhist Temple in Shizouka, Japan. To listen to a recording provided by Rinzai Master Kakushin (featured on the Karma-Net website), go here.

My Approach...

My coaching and teaching focus is on real-word experiential learning and practice. While it sounds simple enough, you should not take advice from those who have not done - You should not readily accept teaching from those who have not experienced that in which they teach.

--- and when it comes to Metaphysical knowledge, you certainly don't want to follow the teachings of those whose only understanding of the subject comes from books, films and college professors. You need to experience these things for yourself, preferrably under the guidance of someone qualified by experience to guide you toward that which you seek -- but it is still YOU who has to have these experiences. My most basic goal with my work is to get you to drop the books and academic study - and venture out to discover the nature of the world both within you - and all around you.

As in the words of Lao Tzu, "The Tao that can be spoken of is not the real Tao". Stated in another way, your teacher/guide can tell you over and over about what enlightenment, or "the way" "is", but those words (no mater how eloquent) cannot replace the actual personal experience.

With that said, most people today need some assurance through outside certifications, associations, degrees, etc., that the teacher / counselor / hypnotherapist does have qualifications that have been attested to by others. That is only natural - and that is the sole purpose of the educational background information provided on this page.

Keep in mind, however, that education does not automatically equate to truth. What has been considered as "known" and "undeniable" throughout history often quickly becomes "unknown" and "mysterious" - or simply a NEW "known" and NEW "undeniable". Our human understanding is built primarily on theoretical knowledge - and based on very limited experience. Put another way -- very few of us do the real learning -- most (at best) are lucky to get it second-hand. Furthermore, we each assemble our own individual world, colored by individual experience programmed into our brains and further filtered by culture, upbringing, etc. In other words, on the surface, we each experience the world in a uniquely different way.

While all this filtering and programming helps us to function in the world without becoming overwhelmed by the vastness of our existence, the issue remains that our growth is severely limited by the wall some build around themselves. Many live their entire lives within the confines of this wall. Deep down, however, below all that programmed chatter of your brain, lies the Tao, The Universal Consciousness - whatever you want to call it - that connects us with the energy and knowledge of the cosmos. You have this within you now, you only have to allow yourself to tap into it. In this way you become responsible for your own learning.

Go through life with the attitude of a seeker / observer - with the understanding that you are on an incredible journey with a destination that is yet unknown. It is not for others to tell you, it is for you to experience.

Is Wealth a Bad Thing?

As an life-long entrepreneur and business owner, I find no conflict with financial wealth and Buddhist, or Spiritual practice, provided one uses one's resources in a productive manner and not solely to live in greater personal comfort. There are a variety of ways to help others and our world as a whole - and I feel that a focus on giving is not only a productive way to live, but also a great way to help one realize both a life of fulfillment and one of service to others. So, if you have it..., find a way to make good use of it.

Personal Development...

One who does not strive to experience, improve and learn each day is casting insult upon their own life. The time we have here is painfully short. If you choose to spend that brief time working ceaselessly in an unfulfilling job, just so that you can have and maintain a collection of things, you will likely perish without really knowing yourself or reaching your higher potential.

I'm not saying that we all need to give away all our posessions and live a monastic life in the mountains. Far from it actually. The key is to strive for harmony in life. In music, harmony is when the notes come together in a way that is pleasing to the ear. In life, harmony is the congruity of parts with one another and with the whole. You can experience harmony in your life by carefully selecting those life "notes", or situations, that bring a pleasing , peaceful experience of your existence.

On its own, a particular situation may not be fulfilling for you - but when combined with other situations in the right amount, can create a harmonious blend of existence. In this way, your job can be fulfilling, provided that other "notes" or situations are added to your life in the appropriate amount. Posessions can be fulfilling, provided that you do not overwhelm yourself with a strong desire for posessions, or eliminate other "notes" in your life in order to simply support and maintain those posessions and so on.

Most of the troubles we have in life come from making discordant music with our lives and the whole of our existence. We make mistakes and misjudgements, and rather than learning from them, adapting and changing our path - we instead perpetuate the discordance by continuing on down the same path and repeating the same mistakes over and over - only because they are familiar to us. Often, this happens entirely sub-consciously.

One of several meditation areas on our property in Western Massachusetts. This is one was built in late summer, 2007 - and is a very peaceful spot to sit throughout the Fall season.