Clare Bronfman

Me

Responsibility does not only lie with the leaders of our countries or with those who have been appointed or elected to do a particular job. It lies with each of us individually. Peace, for example, starts within each one of us. When we have inner peace, we can be at peace with those around us.

– His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama

For almost nine years I lived like a Gypsy, traveling the world with a small community of people. As a professional show-jumper (equestrian), I had the good fortune to represent the United States many times with my teammates. Together we would travel from country to country to compete, sharing wonderful experiences along the way. We came to rely on each other for success, advice and the sharing of resources. During the course of competition, we succeeded together and failed together; however, the sense of “together” always ended there. At the end of the day, we would go our separate ways—often I wouldn’t even recognize riders if they weren’t wearing their riding attire.

Just over four years ago, I made a decision that drastically changed the course of my life: I retired from the sport of show jumping. I distinctly remember the choice: after the first EM Tech Training™ I was doing drills and practicing my newly learned skills; I had worked with four people and was on my way to the fifth. As I was driving in my car that day, I felt more fulfilled than I had after the most successful victory of my riding career—I realized I had earned the privilege of connecting deeply with other humans, and was able to help change their lives profoundly. In that moment I decided it was time to join a new community.

As I write this, VWeek 2009 is coming to an end. What has been so remarkable to me over the past ten days is our community: we are a group of people from all different walks of life—different cultures, careers, ages—who have come together not because of a common profession or a common activity, but because of a common ideology. We’ve created our community because of a common way we want to be in the world, with each other and with ourselves.

For me, the beauty of our community is how we support one another. We come together based on a mutual value of evolving into a more noble humanity, and through our willingness to show up for ourselves and one another, and utilizing the remarkable tools of Rational Inquiry™, we’re able to help each other blossom.

As I walked out of my room this morning, I encountered a person I have only known for a few days and I experienced a feeling of love. Never in my life did I think I would be able to look at people I barely know and feel a deep sense of love.

This week I’ve pushed through fears to uphold myself, and as I watched others push through their fears, I felt profoundly moved by the beauty of the human spirit; I was in awe of the human struggle. I never thought I would be able to experience such compassion.

I believe the greatest gift one human can give to another is the gift of humanity—the opportunity to see oneself and others as human. What Keith Raniere brings to the world is such a gift.

Nelson Mandela

These are the heros of our age; people who are willing to hold their vision of a better world above the opposition of the norm.

- Keith Raniere

I remember watching the “Free Mandela” concert when I lived in England. I did not understand who Nelson Mandela was at the time, but I was amazed at the amount of people that came together in a cry for his freedom. It was a cry for humanity. Throughout his life, Nelson Mandela has exemplified courage and nobility in his endless pursuit for us to treat one another as humans regardless of the color of our skin: To put the fact that we are all human - first.

The transformation of a nation from fear and violence - lead by one man with tremendous courage - is an example to all of us. It changes what is possible for each and every one of us.

Happy Birthday Nelson Mandela!

Eleven years ago two people conceptualized a curriculum that would have an immense impact on the world, and change the course of my life. I am forever grateful.

I remember my first intensive: My goal was to like myself – to develop a relationship with myself, and feel proud of myself.

I remember when I won the Grand Prix of Rome – I had dreamed of winning a major competition since I was a child – it was remarkable…….. for the first hour. As the adrenaline wore off I became fearful – how had I done it? How could I do it again? The weight of expectation set in.

Two years ago I competed in my second ever triathlon, I had been up for the best part of three days working on a video project – yet I was excited for the day ahead! I had trained for the bike and run, yet my swimming abilities were rather weak! Nonetheless, I jumped in the water as the horn blew! The biking was wonderful – always my favorite, I love the intensity of going uphill and the feeling of freedom coming down. When I dropped my bike and set off for the run, my legs felt like jelly; I had three more miles of hills to run!! As we neared the end I allowed my stride to open to give the race everything I had – alas as I rounded the bend I realized there was one hill left!! I pushed up the hill and fought the pain all the way through the finish – I had not won, but I had given it all I could.

In this second story the focus was different; I learned so much about myself through the triathlon, my love for striving, my determination and strength of my will – the result was extraneous from my experience. I felt proud of me.

As my journey continues and I strive to experience and get to know more of myself, I would like to thank Keith Raniere and Nancy Salzman for being in my life. What they bring to the world is truly remarkable. Their creation of Executive Success Programs, and now NXIVM, is a wonderful gift for humankind.

And there comes the most profound recognition, which is the principle of interdependence: Each of our victories and achievements, no matter how small, raises every person up. This essential fact, the profound essential relationship between all of us brings with it a pure joy, honor and respect for the oneness of humankind, our team.

- Keith Raniere

My mother has always referred to my sister and I as “half and half” – you will have to imagine the British and American accents!! Born in NYC, and raised in the UK. Most of my life I considered myself English – today I feel more American. In some ways I feel very proud of this country – if I look to the foundation upon which this country was built; starting with the Declaration of Independence, I am left in awe of the principles upon which the United States of America was founded! However in the same breath I reflect upon where we stand today as a nation – sadly, far from the intention of said Declaration.

“All men are created equal” is one of the most profound statements in the declaration. To truly honor this statement would be to put our prejudices aside and honor our brothers and sister regardless of gender, race, nationality, religion, wealth, and age, and to recognize we are all on the same team: The human team.

Every time I have moved to, or even visited a different country I have initially felt afraid. I initially found all of the many ways in which I was dissimilar to the new people around me. If we are to transform this one declaration we must all search for and embrace the similarities we share with all humans.

One of my fondest childhood memories is driving around the plains of Africa in one of those old jeeps where you could sit on the roof! My sister Sara and I spent endless trips on the roof singing – from the Beatles to hymns we learnt in Catholic school – it was wonderful. It wasn’t until my dear friend Keith founded Simply Human, an a cappella group – the singers all being friends of mine – I re-discovered my love for music, this time with a very different understanding and experience of it.

Having produced two A Cappella Innovations festivals and and meeting and getting to know musicians like Denise Reis - a remarkable musician with immense talent and capacity for taking people on a joyful emotional journey – I feel as though music holds an important role in evolving humanity.

Great musicians open up their hearts and share themselves with us through their instruments. Working with Keith, who is always looking for unique individuals who have the capacity to lift all of humanity, I have been introduced to many wonderful musicians, most recently Jen Chapin. Jen’s lyrics have a depth in their meaning and she sings them with tremendous passion.

Music brings a dimension to life words cannot describe, I just know I experience more of me through it!!

Music, once admitted to the soul, becomes a sort of spirit, and never dies.

~Edward George Bulwer-Lytton

Yesterday’s post brought about a question I have pondered a lot over the last year: If I had remained a competitive rider and had qualified for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, would I have gone? I remember watching the Olympics on TV as a child – it was mesmerizing for me – like so many young children, I dreamed of being an Olympic athlete. As a professional athlete the Olympic Games signified the highest standard of human excellence, human achievement. Before the Olympic Trials in 2004, I trained diligently for hours everyday in hopes the dream I conceived as a child would become a reality.

I retired from the sport without ever achieving Olympic status; other pursuits became more important to me, however the controversy of the Beijing Olympics did bring about the question. What does it mean to allow a nation known for their disregard of human rights, a nation that believes in slave labor, in torture, and other forms of violence for their own gain to play host to such a remarkable and noble endeavor – The Olympic Games? I feel tremendous pride in the accomplishments at the Beijing Games by the many remarkable athletes, however will the atrocities of the Chinese leaders remain un-questioned masked by hosting one of humanities most remarkable displays of excellence?

What would have been the effects on the world if all of the athletes had boycotted the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in the name of upholding what is right for humanity?

If, in the next moment, your behavior would affect all of humanity forever more,
how would you behave?

Every moment is just such a moment.
- Keith Raniere