“Guthrie sees me,” I thought, the first time we made eye contact. He was guest-teaching a coaching skills class and I was sitting across the room from him, in circle with my classmates and teachers.

As we each checked in, I noticed him engage each person mindfully, respectfully, deeply. He sat with remarkable poise and spoke with both eloquence and grace when it was his turn to introduce himself and check into our container. When it was my turn to speak, I shared how raw and unsettled I was because of something happening in my life outside of our coaching certification program. My classmates, kin to me and fellows on my journey, sat shoulder to shoulder with me as I shared expression of my feeling – something deep, raw and potent. I bucketed out what begged to emerge, and I was able to ground into the moment and check into our container for the day of learning.

I looked up, as I exhaled relief and I saw Guthrie looking at me from across the room. He was a stranger to me, but I felt comfortable in the light of his gaze. I felt loved, respected, honored and seen. My heart, my truth – exposed, embodied – felt safe with Guthrie. I could feel his blessing as he smiled at me with his eyes.

Later, during a break in class, Guthrie and I embraced and introduced ourselves to each other more privately. I’ll admit to feeling fear. His aura was big and his gaze was deep. His heart was open and his curiosity felt genuine and without judgment. I noticed my fearful self fixing to hide, in the mirror that he was embodying for me in that moment. Feeling my edge, I took a seat and let my mind settle. I noted the impact of his inner work on me, a being in his orbit. Class moved on. In the flow of it all, Guthrie demonstrated expert coaching and the power of a coach to heal another with love, non-judgment and the courage to stand with a client in whatever place they are in. A moving, inspiring day for all of us.

Life moved on. So did my coaching certification program. Guthrie would visit our class and check in on our weekly conference calls. I admired his depth and his presence. His contributions were massive and his coaching was as inspiring as it was inspired.

I moved out to California and was initiated into The ManKind Project, a global community of men aligned in support of the integration of the Mature Masculine in all men. I shared news of this with my former classmates on our anniversary check-in call. One of my teachers said, “Guthrie’s a member of ManKind Project too. He uses some of those principals with some of his clients. You might want to talk with him about it.”

I rang him, one day in Summer 2009, to say hello and to get to know him a little better. We discovered that we actually shared three communities: Coaching for Transformation (our certification program); The ManKind Project; and Heroes Journey Programs, a week-long retreat in West Virginia’s mountains that connects men and women with their aliveness and authenticity. Snap!

During our conversation, I felt totally seen and totally safe. I still feel like I received a healing and a coaching session from Guthrie. He shared with me about his practice and his intentions, his path and his beliefs. I was grateful for all of it and for our connection.

Months have gone by since that day and I have been busy creating and living Alive & Direct. I reached out to Guthrie recently and invited him to join me in conversation on BlogTalkRadio. I wondered what it might be like to be in conversation with him in this context, knew it would be fun to connect with and check in with him. I was right.

Guthrie is an amazing man and an amazing coach. Yet again, I feel like I received a blessing, a healing, coaching and the gift of being seen in his light and in his reflection of mine. I felt a lot of Guthrie’s power, wisdom and gold emerge in conversation with me. I think he saw and felt a lot of mine. An amazing, exposing conversation.

I’m grateful to know Guthrie Sayen on my journey. I give you opportunity to invite him onto yours. Here is our recorded conversation:

… on BlogTalkRadio – www.blogtalkradio.com/alivedirect

…and here! [COMING SOON]

Find out more about Guthrie on his website: www.guthriesayen.com

Blessings,

Dan