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

Related Background

Stephen is an Ordained Buddhist Monk with the Association of American Buddhists in NYC, (which is a registered United Nations NGO of the Department of Public Information). He 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 (Deptartments of Philosophy and Biology respectively).

Diplomas & Certifications include*:

• Certified Hypnotherapist - C.Ht. - HMI / Certified by AFL-CIO Local 472 - Certification ID #: AL011860
• Diploma in Hypnotherapy
  (Nationally Accredited HMI College of Hypnotherapy, California, USA)
• Certified Qigong and Tai Chi for Wellness Instructor
  Awarded from Tao College, South Korea
• Diploma in Handwriting Analysis
  (Nationally Accredited HMI College, California, USA)
• Certified Past Life Regression Therapist (AHA)
• Certified Smoking Cessation Specialist (AHA)
• Certified Hypnosis and Weight-Loss Specialist (AHA)
• Certified in Hypnosis and Pain Management (AHA)

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

Stephen Rinaldi, D.MT. (on far left holding his young son), as participant in the 12th annual Ig Nobel Prize Award Ceremony - Sanders Theater, Harvard University - Seated on far-right, Nobel Laureates Richard Roberts, William Lipscomb, and Dudley Herschbach. Watch the full ceremony on the University of Wisconsin web site. Site opens in a new window.

Other past 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 hundreds of students and trained hundreds of teachers from more than three-dozen countries between 1997 and 2003. Additional study in this area includes time at Cambridge in the United Kingdom.

As an expert web development pioneer focusing on the area of 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 60 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 Owner / Director of BBI (Boston Business International), which was established in 1998 and provides consulting and coordination services for film, television and other media - with a focus on Japanese broadcasts. BBI has been a pioneer and strong advocate for worldwide online education for the past decade and continues to develop new programs on a regular basis.

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 program (C.LAC™) and the Meditation Instructor Certification Program (C.MI™) - both of which are offered internationally as online training programs and Certified by UHT.

The C.LAC.™ program is expanding with the introduction of several new Global C.LAC.™ franchise programs opening for students in 2010 / 2011. 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 starting around the end of the year. Visit GlobalCLAC.com for details.

Other projects include the development and expansion of the Karma Center - KarmaCenter.Org and AmericanBuddhist.US - Both sites are expected to re-launch in the Fall of 2010.

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
• Qigong Alliance International
• National Qigong Association - Supporting Member

His 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.

In his words...

On Education

My coaching focus is on real-word experiential learning and practice. 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. When it comes to Metaphysical knowledge, you certainly don't want to accept 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.

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 about what enlightenment or "the way" is until the cows come home, 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 is considered "known" and "undeniable" throughout history often quickly becomes "unknown" and "mysterious" - or simply a NEW "known" and NEW "undeniable". Our human understanding is built on theoretical knowledge - and based on very limited experience as a species. 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.

On Wealth

As an ongoing 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.

On Family

Our children are us. Most parents feel that they are somehow an entirely different species from their children, or that kids are like wild horses that must be broken down and tamed. The truth is that below all of our adverse "grown-up" programming still exists the same pure mind of a child. The child does not know about what can or can't be accomplished, they don't yet know that society wants to push them to fit into certain roles - or that they should segment people into categories based on their origin or particular physical characteristics. Out of ignorance and fear, most try to squelch the spirit of their children by telling them that "this" can't be done, or "that" is impossible. Parents tell their children what to believe, what to expect out of life and even what religion to follow, without letting them learn, experience and decide for themselves. No wonder those kids grow up to be depressed and unhappy adults in a country with so much abundance and opportunity.

Simply repeating the cycle of wandering through life without a strong sense of purpose only helps set the strong possibility that our children will meet the same end - ultimately repeating that cycle ad infinitum. The truth is that we don't KNOW today what is possible - we don't KNOW that the things we assume to be "known" today are really correct. We don't KNOW the answers to most of life's questions. Why, then, should we pretend that we do? That's only our ego trying to maintain control. Why should we limit our children by chaining them to our ignorance for another generation? Allow your children to explore life without limitations. Question what the schools are teaching them. Question your own beliefs. Question everything.., together. You will find that not only will your children stand a better chance at breaking through ignorance - but you will also begin to regain some of your child-like perceptions of limitless possibility in life. Lead by example.

On 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.