Heroes of Healing: Ron Wilkins
Emotional Healing, tribute September 24th, 2008
Just like Ari Koinuma, from Our Best Version, this wasn’t a post I planned to write next. But my friend Jenny Mannion of Heal Pain Naturally asked me to participate with her group writing project about Heroes of Healing and I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity. If you’ve been around here very long then you’ve probably heard me talk about my friend and mentor, Ron Wilkins who passed away earlier this year. I’ve even dedicated this site to him and much of what I write about I learned from Ron. So it only seems natural for me to write about him for this writing project.
Ron had a very rough life from the beginning. His father rejected him the first time he ever saw him at the age of two and he was raised by an alcoholic mother who drank to try to escape her emotional pain. Ron began drinking at the age of four to also try to escape his emotional pain, attempted suicide at the age of 16, and later spent several years in prison. It was in prison that he was taught some information that would change his life forever. Ron saw the potential in this information, internalized and mastered it and used it to remove all the emotional pain that he had been carrying around. He began teaching it to others even in prison. Realizing that the attitudes and skills that he learned were what the master teacher Jesus had used and taught, he adapted it Biblically. Once he got out of prison he taught this information publicly for the first time in 1995 to an assembly of over 500 people. The response was overwhelming. This marked the beginning of SFT Awareness and the program has only exploded since. Thousands have been impacted by it. In fact, SFT Awareness is now in the process of becoming an international program well on its way of impacting millions and even billions of people.
Resources:
For more information about removing emotional pain and/or to purchase a book written by Ron Wilkins visit: www.removingemotionalpain.com
For more information about the program, SFT Awareness, visit: www.sftawareness.org
And of course you may choose to browse through my archives here and/or subscribe for further learning.
What I, Jennifer Abbott, have learned from Ron Wilkins:
Pages could not hold what I have learned from Ron.
I learned what emotional pain is, how it does what it does very specifically, and how to remove emotional pain. I learned that you don’t just have to “grin and bear it.” I learned from Ron how to become aware of pain, how to stop ruminating (the negative thinking cycle), how and when to process pain and with what attitudes and skills to process the pain with. I learned that 98% of people are emotional pain carriers. I learned that in order to treat depression and addictions you have to deal with the root cause of them and not the symptoms. I learned that there are over 100 addictions that people can choose from and that anger is the number one addiction. I learned that most people don’t realize they have an addiction. I learned that children begin carrying emotional pain by the age of four and by the age of eight many have already chosen an escape behavior that leads to an addiction. I learned what a positive attitude is and how to have one. I learned from Ron to understand people and why they do what they do.
I could write pages, but that is a start anyway.
I am who I am today because of Ron Wilkins. To learn from Ron personally and to be at his bedside only a few hours before he died are two of the greatest honors I have ever had. When I think of the person that I want to become I always think of Ron and the life he lived. He was the greatest example of Jesus that I have ever known.
Who are your heroes of healing? I would love to hear about those people who have had a huge impact on your life.
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September 24th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Hi Jennifer-This post has left me with goosebumps on my arms and tears in my eyes. I am so glad that you had the opportunity to learn about this kind of healing and share it with others. I am working on this group writing project as well and will be blogging about my favorite teacher soon.
I have never heard of a child starting drinking as early as age four and that just absolutely terrifies me! So many of us as adults blame our parents for this and that, but after reading such a heart breaking story of childhood, I think that most “bad parents” look like super stars. I am always impressed when people can rise above their circumstances and this is a beautiful tale of using life as our teacher.
September 24th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
Hi Jennifer, Thank you so much for writing about Ron Wilkins. What an amazing man and Hero! I, like Dr. Nicole had tears in my eyes and am so happy you got to know this amazing man to share his work with others. Thank you for contributing to The Heroes Writing Project. I am sure many others will find the life and work of Ron Wilkens inspirational — and will benefit from you sharing his story and important work with them. Love, Jenny
Jenny Mannions last blog post..Heroes of Healing
September 24th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
I have not heard much about Ron Wilkins except through your site. He sure sounded amazing! From the things you’ve shared about him, it is easy to see how wise he has been. I am glad to learn that what he has taught has impacted you and many others in a profound manner.
September 24th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Hi Jennifer. This was a beautiful tribute to your friend Ron. There have been a lot of people who have had an impact on my “healing”.
The person I’d like to mention here though is Shirley MacLaine. I was lost until I read “Out On A Limb” about 20 years ago.
She is responsible for getting me started on my own path of healing. I admire her for not hiding in the closet about her beliefs. Not to mention, she is a fabulous actress. I met her once in Toronto and was lucky to get close enough to give her a hug.
Davinas last blog post..I’m Over The Moon As NBOTW
September 24th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Hi Jennifer,
I appreciate the link love! And I’m glad to learn about Ron’s contributions. I definitely want to look into SFT more — I’m curious to see how it deals with our psychic pain from the perspective of Christian spirituality. Any books I may be able to find in a library?
ari
Ari Koinumas last blog post..How to Climb Up the Ladder of Healing and Growth (Digest)
September 24th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Dr. Nicole (and Jenny), I had no idea this post would have such an impact on someone that they actually cried and got goose bumps. I remember being astounded that someone could start drinking at the age of four.
Even though he tells the story of his mother being an alcoholic, he never did so in a blaming way. He understood the pain she had in her life and knew that she felt the need for an escape. He told the story of her childhood which was - if you could imagine - actually probably worse than his. He loved his mother and knew that she did the best she could.
I too love to hear the stories of people who rise above their circumstances. Truly Ron was one of them. I wish you could have seen the peace that was embedded so deeply in him even after such horrific circumstances. I haven’t even told you half of what he went through. I don’t even know half of it.
I can’t wait to read your hero story Dr. Nicole.
Jenny, “amazing” doesn’t even come close to describing Ron. It is my honor to know Ron and to participate in this project where I can tell about him and share his life and work with others. I was deeply humbled again just writing this. I hope many more will be inspired by this story.
Evelyn, I am glad that I could share Ron’s story with you. Yes, he was the wisest man I have ever known - more wise than I ever knew was possible. His impact has certainly been great!
Davina, I’m glad you enjoyed the tribute.
Thank you for sharing about how Shirley MacLaine impacted you. People from all walks can impact us in so many ways. She was an amazing actress, wasn’t she! That is so neat that you got to meet her and hug her. I bet that was amazing!
September 24th, 2008 at 10:24 pm
Hi Ari. I would be glad to share more about SFT with you. You probably won’t be able to find the book in a library, but you can learn more about his book and purchase it at http://www.removingemotionalpain.com Google books has part of the book here: http://tinyurl.com/3ku956
September 25th, 2008 at 5:42 am
What a wonderful tribute to someone who meant very much to you Jennifer. Thanks for sharing his story, and how it impacted your life.
Maybe this sounds trite - but a real hero for me has been my wife. She has had a rock-solid faith since I met her. And she “cares” so much. About me, our kids - but more than that - a genuine caring for all those who hurt in the world.
Lances last blog post..Spread Your Wings and Fly
September 25th, 2008 at 8:12 am
[...] by Jennifer Abbott of Principles for Peace [...]
September 25th, 2008 at 9:58 am
Lance, that is so wonderful that you view your wife as a hero. She truly does sound like a wonderful woman. She sounds like a woman that I would love to meet. With a caring heart like that, I bet she is loved by many.
September 25th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Jennifer - This article echoes your respect and gratitude for the man who meant so much in your life. I’m proud of you Jennifer.
September 25th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Thank you Shilpan for your kind words.
September 28th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
What a beautifully inspirational article, Jennifer! Please notice that it is featured on the home page of http://www.GLCzone.com. Congrats!
All my best,
Doc KC
September 29th, 2008 at 2:20 am
Hi Jennifer - I remember reading earlier posts of yours when you spoke of Ron. His inspiration lives on through you, and with your blog, you’re passing it on to others. I’m sure Ron is looking down on you and smiling.
Barbara Swaffords last blog post..Strike While The Iron Is Hot
September 29th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Doc KC. Thanks so much for your comment and thanks SO MUCH for featuring me! GLC Zone is so great!!! I can’t wait to see all the ways it grows.
Barbara, Ron’s inspiration does live on through me, but not through me only - through so many people that he has touched. Carrying on his work is a huge privilege and motivator for me every day.
October 4th, 2008 at 10:09 am
[...] Ron Wilkens by Jennifer Abbott of Principles for Peace [...]
October 4th, 2008 at 10:11 am
[...] Ron Wilkens by Jennifer Abbott of Principles for Peace [...]
October 5th, 2008 at 9:15 am
[...] Ron Wilkens by Jennifer Abbott of Principles for Peace [...]
October 7th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
[...] remove emotional pain and how to change my thinking. He was one amazing man! I recently wrote a post about him as part of a group writing project if anyone wants to learn [...]
October 13th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
[...] Ron Wilkens by Jennifer Abbott of Principles for Peace [...]
October 23rd, 2008 at 9:50 am
[...] Ron Wilkens by Jennifer Abbott of Principles for Peace [...]
November 5th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Ron was my teacher as well. Four years ago I came to him unable to sleep and stop my addictions. I had never heard anything like that in my life. After restructering my thinking I can now sleep and live life content. I am very thankful that I met Ron. I am also thankful to God for His attitudes and skills. My life will never be the same again.
SFT Awareness
Program Director,
Gary Washer
Gary Washers last blog post..SFT is going International!
November 5th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Thanks Gary for stopping by and for leaving this comment. You’re a hero of healing too. You are an EXCELLENT teacher! I could hear you teach this material over and over again. I’m so thankful I was able to learn from both of you. My life will never be that same either - thanks so both of you.