The Lotus Path: Workshops Connect Participants To Their “higher Self”

Great teachings are no longer hidden from view. You don’t have to travel to India or to a remote location anymore.

The Lotus Path Workshops are the brainchild of Betty Malicoat, who gained renown for her creative and innovative methods while teaching English at Fresno State University before going on to creating the Lotus Path Workshops.

The daughter of a vaudeville dancing mother, and a mystical father, Betty has combined artistic creativity and deep spirituality in a series of workshops that are designed to “connect to the higher self and work with divine energy.”

Betty’s childhood was steeped in spirituality and mysticism thanks to her father, Joe Miller. Miller was a Theosophist and was famous for his spiritual walks in Golden Gate Park which sometimes attracted several hundred participants.

The current Lotus Path workshops combine the teachings of Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism and Hawaiian Shamanism along with Betty’s creative teaching methods. The idea of the workshops is to help a person reach his or her higher self by purifying chakras (the psycho-spiritual centers of energy situated on the spinal column), by activating the senses, and by using creativity.

The workshops are of several kinds. For those people who do not have much time there are the one session “Traveler” workshops. This workshop helps the participant to “turn the mind on the Self” and to understand how past events shape the present.

A more elaborate workshop is “The Journey: Spiritual Autobiography” This is a six session workshop that can be done on consecutive days, weekend or even during the course of one year. The aim of this workshop is to help participants remember their path, to meet themselves and to define their purpose in life.

Another popular workshop is “The Tribal: Playing with Chi”, designed for couples and small groups who want a true sensory experience that shifts consciousness and frees wisdom.

The most advanced workshop is “The Quest: Shaman’s Cave”: A three session workshop for students who want to know their higher self. The three sessions have to be completed within one week, and are open to those who have participated in the Journey or The Tribal workshops.

Many people combine sessions at the Lotus Path along with visits to Yosemite and report that the workshops add a special dimension to their vacations.