James Tomarelli

James Tomarelli, BS Physics (St. Joseph’s University, Philadelphia) & Psychology (University of Delaware) has 35 years experience in body-mind re-patterning.

A student of JG Bennett — Bennett, author and scientist, wrote over thirty books, including: "Making a Soul", "Spiritual Psychology", "Creative Thinking", and "Transformation.” — James has for thirty-five years “put into practice” the philosophical and psychological ideas of JG Bennett and Bennett’s teacher, GI Gurdjieff. (Gurdjieff author of Beelzebub’s Tales to His Grandson; Meetings with Remarkable Men; and Life is Real Only Then, When “I Am.” See also: www.gurdjieff.org.)

In 1974-75, at the Bennett’s “International Academy for Continuous Education” (England) James began intensive work with Gurdjieff Movements, Dances and Inner Exercises for human “harmonious development.” From 1975-82, after Bennett’s death, he continued his practice at The Claymont Society for Continuous Education (USA) under the direction of Pierre Elliot, Bennett’s assistant. At Claymont he participated in the Movements Performance Group.

Since 1984 James has taught Gurdjieff Dance and Inner Exercises publicly. Interested in cognitive sciences and the body-mind paradigm, he is currently researching the role of attention in the work of transformation and the re-patterning of human conditioning — and guides others in the right use of exercises for this aim.

Since 1992, James has worked with communities and groups around the world interested in the physiological work of human transformation. JG Bennett and other students of GI Gurdjieff, along with Buddhist and Sufi teachers, have deeply influenced his skills, methods, understanding, and practice.

Since 1993, James has organized and directed Intensive Dance and Energy Work Seminars in the USA, Germany, Austria and Italy.

A Buddhist Vipassana practitioner in the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin and student of the late M.R. Bawa Muhaiyaddeen of Philadelphia and Jaffna, Sri Lanka (Bawa is author of many works, including, "Islam and World Peace -- Explanations of a Sufi"),

James lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and manages Bennett Books Publishing. Four times a year he travels to Italy where he directs the work of “Gruppo If” and leads Meditative Dance (MD) seminars.

The University of Vermont's Living/Learning Center Speaker Series - with support from the Dean's Office, UVM College of Nursing and Health Sciences - presents:

Relaxation in Action: An experiential-interactive-meditative evening of standing, moving, sitting, sensing, seeing and being.
Facilitated by James Tomarelli of Santa Fe, New Mexico

Wednesday, February 23, 2005
7:00 - 9:00 p.m., 216 Commons, Living/Learning Center
Participants should bring a meditation pillow/stool and a sense of humor. Wear loose, casual clothing that allows for movement.