A brief history in CIJ …..
CIJ is a unique transformational self-discovery and empowerment course that is based on the Stanford University’s Master’s Degree course “Personal Creativity in Business”. Created by Dr. Michael Ray, Ray helped business students find a way to tap into their own creative process and innovation; and over the years, Dr. Michael Ray has become known as the “Innovation Guru” of Silicon Valley and the course is considered one of the most life transformative course ever taught at Stanford. He wanted to find a way to inspire his students to think deeply and more creatively about their own life and personal fulfillment. He teamed up with Rochelle Meyers, who studied The Diamond Approach and together; they created a course filled with spiritual wisdom and practical tools and also Co-Authored the book “Creativity in Business”.
In 2001, Julia Romaine, a professional coach and “Creativity in Business” teacher, spearheaded an initiative to bring the course to hundreds of families of the victims of the World Trade Center attack. Julia and her partner Athena teamed up with Tuesday’s Children and taught “Creative Insight: Taking the First Steps”. Although the participants were also in grief counseling – the course was a catalyst for them to reinvent themselves after the tragedy and find more clarity, direction, and possibility.
With the results of the course being so profound, Romaine decided to train other trainers and teachers. Jennifer Grace, a Master Trainer for CIJ has taught the class to over thousands of people all over the world. I was in Jennifer’s first class in 2010 and not a day goes by that I don’t use these tools. I was looking for a new creative way to blend my spiritual practice with my music. Omtronica was born during this course. In 2014 I decided to pursue the path of becoming a Life Coach. It was only natural that CIJ would be one of the courses I wanted to share with the world. I was trained and certified and now I am now one of the 65 global CIJ trainers. Our vision is expanding and we are in the pilot program of creating the course for Teens and Tweens and Julia is teaming up once again with Tuesday’s Children to bring this powerful work to our Veterans. We have come a long way and I’m grateful to be a part of this amazing team of coaches and therapists.