Stephanie Marian’s Travelling Roadshow -

Masala is the Spice of Life

An idea waiting to be birthed. When I was a child, I would spend long minutes lying on my stomach at the beach, staring at a handful of sand. I didn’t have the microscopic vision illustrated in this image, still, I could see the incredible variety of what was in my hand. At this point in my life, the variety of form conceals a deeper truth. It’s very much the analogy of an infinite number of doors leading to a single room. No matter how many people I meet and speak to, I find we are one in the same.

I have never yet tired of that superficial yet beautiful variety of form, experience, vision…expression. I am very much opening to the idea of a semi nomadic lifestyle that would enable me to connect to people with what I do, wherever they are. I see myself spending time in other countries, experiencing profound connections, offering what I can.

Sense Beyond Sense - Connecting to Your Intuition

“In an increasingly nuanced world where roles and expectations of all aspects of life have shifted, we need different tools to interact with our environment. It's not only technology that's advancing at a phenomenal rate but also human awareness. People are connecting and making connections in ways they never have before.”

The above words are the introduction to a talk I wrote recently about intuition. I’ve always been interested in patterns; in behaviour, emotion, thought and especially, in what underlies and informs all expression, energy. A lot of the work I do in counselling and in the Avanti groups centers around connecting to our deepest self - the wisdom beyond the chatter.

The benefit of a clear connection on an individual level is serenity, greater inner strength and resilience and a boundless sense of freedom. People have been asking me about my intuition and how I came to develop it. I have now written a short, introductory talk to highlight my journey, discuss my evolution. Significantly, I’ve identified things that helped open me, cleared the fog from my inner perceptions.

From there, it became apparent that there was a need to communicate some of this in a clear way that could be applied consistently. I’m now ready to launch the Sense Beyond Sense workshop for interested groups. I’ve done a partial trial run with one of the Avanti groups and this was some of the feedback:

“I feel like I was run over by a truck (in a good way), like I’m buzzing.”

“During the working day I felt tired on the inside and energetic on the outside. After this, I feel energised on the inside instead.”

I’m very excited to be able to share this with people.

Avanti Groups

In Italian Avanti means ‘forward,’ in Sanskrit it refers to the people of a 6th century realm who were known for being powerful. Those that defined this place expressed all aspects of what they were with profound awareness. This was their power. This is Avanti; moving forward into what we are with awareness.

Lately the pace of change has accelerated. It feels like the landscape has changed. Roles and expectations have shifted and people are finding old coping skills no longer apply.

Avanti was created for those who wish to discover what lies under their thoughts and emotions - to illuminate the path to their own wisdom. Discover new ways of communicating, of meaningful engagement that lifts you and informs your steps through life.

Join an Avanti Group​ - learn through sharing with others, guided by an experienced counsellor.

Avanti was created by me several years ago as an online group. The purpose was to offer a place where people could learn, share experiences, ideas and philosophies around the concept of personal growth. It included those of all nationalities and belief systems. The conversations were meaningful, people connected deeply and challenged their preconceptions.

From this online gathering it became apparent that Avanti matched the pulse of our time. It was also clear that many would benefit from taking the idea offline, whereby they could meet face to face. Recently I’ve been gifted release from other time consuming obligations. I’m more than excited to now be able to offer my time and space for Avanti Groups to grow.

There is currently one Avanti group that meets weekly and another one soon to launch. It astonishes me to witness the wisdom, humour, the no bullshit expressions of raw experience and emotion, profound courage and most of all, the transformations that I have seen.

A long term plan includes mentoring others to be able to facilitate their own groups.

The Human Library Organisation

Human Library is a much loved event that invites people to borrow a human book. Think of it as the word made flesh: readers become listeners, engaging with real-life stories shared by fellow human beings.

The range of topics is wide, and readers of this living literature will get a taste of other lives, other perspectives and other possibilities. Calling on the courage of its human books and the curiosity of its readers, this project works to foster intimacy and the spirit of adventure.

Inspiration for the event comes from Copenhagen, Denmark, where the first Human Library was launched in 2000 as a way to fight stereotypes and promote dialogue in the community. Human books typically represent stigmatized or marginalized groups of people – religious minorities, sexual minorities and others exposed to misconceptions and prejudice.

The idea is that readers will get to know these people on an individual level and learn more about their beliefs.  So far, human libraries have connected thousands of readers with human books in 70 countries.

In February (2019) I had the privilege of joining the Human Library as a book. It was the realisation of a dream born nine years ago when I read about this inspirational project. For two days, behind the Colosseum-like facade of our library I entered, not like one to the slaughter but as an open hearted book.

My title was ‘The Human Prostitute,’ a play on words that was explained within the story. It was a fascinating weekend. I did meet many who also shared their stories and connected profoundly to a life told in 20 minutes. It underpinned that we are so much more than the story we tell ourselves.

A Celebration of Women™

is elated to Celebrate the Life of this Canadian woman leader, one that is being celebrated for rising above her own challenges as an international lecturer, counsellor & writer, living by her own words “I am passionate about helping people move beyond fear, to be free to live the lives they want.”

WOMAN of ACTION™

I don’t remember how I came to be nominated to join a group of women around the world, striving to make a difference in the lives of others. I do know that I felt very proud. So much has changed since then, now ten years later.
I have been doing what I’m doing quietly, not advertising anywhere and somehow, the people that need to find their way to me, do. I have learned much in the intervening years, have been transformed myself by holding space for many on their journeys. I am very grateful for this.