“The body is like luminous stardust, one million atoms, 22 atoms used every time we breathe; when we breathe we are taking in bits and pieces of organs ours and others. Our bodies are entangled on an atomic level with everyone. The soul is our core consciousness where life is orchestrated. It is a place between thoughts called discontinuity, the centre of awareness is what you really are, a drop in the ocean of consciousness, a field that correlates everything going on in the universe of your body’s cells, that is the wisdom of your soul, it mirrors wisdom of the universe”.

Eighty five hundred people sit quietly listening to renowned author, speaker, and spiritualist Deepak Chopra.

We are in Toronto to witness Oprah Winfrey’s life class series streamed live on OWN and on the web. But before it begins we are treated to a three hour show of inspirational speakers that include Tony Robbins, Bishop T.D. Jakes, Iyanla Vanzant and Deepak Chopra. Canadian comedian Jessica Holmes from the Royal Canadian Air Farce provides comic relief as MC.

Making entry into Metro Toronto Convention Centre is an event in itself. Doors open at four states the ticket. My son Peter and his girlfriend Jen navigate busy streets to get us there only to find a lineup over twenty blocks long. As we cruise past thousands of people we think this must be for another event. After finally finding the entrance we realized Julie, my daughter, will not be able to stand for hours as she is recovering from chemo and is still weak. It has always been a long-time dream to see Oprah so Jen bounds up a large flight of steps to inquire from security as to whether Julie qualifies for special needs.

Mary and daughter Jen

We are lucky to have seats close enough to see Oprah looking like a tiny person but the many huge screens on either side of the auditorium give a perfect view.

Deepak continues, “Forgiveness is ability to let go of anger, resentment, unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. Be better, not to have more, not to do more, it is survival of the wisest.”
Iyanla Vanzant comes bounding from the far back, dancing down the aisle. She surprises everyone who is expecting her on stage. She sings and dances and is very exuberant. People are on their feet dancing along with her. She is funny with a serious message. “God saved me, in my deepest darkest moment, I got quiet and still, I could see my life unfolding, a vision will pull you forward, yes, you will adjust to a level of deficiency, be willing to do the thing that scares you, never judge your clarity on how other people react to it, like doubting yourself. Walk through your fears, eyes haven’t seen, ears haven’t heard, don’t even know what to ask and pray for, but listen for instruction in daily stillness, don’t have to beg and plea just breathe and listen”.

Six foot seven tall Tony Robbins is next. Muscled and lean he is constantly on the move from one end of the stage to another. “I heard all about you in line, you need a hug”, he says to the roar of the appreciating crowd. “Women control 82%, if you succeed and are not happy you’re technically screwed, all deathly afraid were not enough. Love is the answer to fear. Fear and anger tie us up”.

His energy seems contagious. He has the audience on their feet cheering, introducing themselves and hugging strangers. “If someone doesn’t like you in 3-5 seconds, they won’t like you. Feel better? Yes or No? Gift is movement, emotion is created by motion. Moving makes you feel alive.” As Tony speaks paramedics pull out a stretcher with a woman on it. It is obvious the emotion got the best of this person.

Bishop Jakes enters the stage next and says “Work with your core, close distance between who you seem to be and who you are. We are all pregnant with potential ideas and intelligence. We are all busier than a one armed wallpaper hanger. But are you effective in your busyness? Learn to maximize your life, think of yourself as a commodity, reserve yourself to best and highest use, missing your passion? Every moment is a gift of opportunities, maximize what you do. Hardest thing to do is to acknowledge what you do, cant climb the ladder of someone else’s thoughts, giving your power to other people, entrusting them to validate who you are, CAO or janitor, the only difference is in the thoughts they think.”

Sherry Salada and Eric, another producer come on stage and talk about the Power of Forgiveness and how it blocks the energy flow of life. They comment on the number of people who have come to the show. 8,500 at the morning taping and another same amount for this evening live performance. They introduce Oprah to a huge cheer.

She looks exactly like she does on TV, wearing a green sheath dress and four inch heels she takes off to show the audience.

She greets the crowd saying how happy she is to be in Canada,“ I am humbled by your desire to be here, I love Canada even more. It takes a lot of energy to hold a grudge, it holds you, forgiveness is a gift you give yourself” she says.
This life class is all about forgiveness. Deepak Chopra comes back on and they have a conversation. “Holding on to resentment is like holding onto your breath, surrender, detach, detach, how they react is not your business, do something of service atonement”.

We watch as Oprah brings back Robbins, Chopra, Vanzant and Jakes to have conversations with them on the topic of forgiveness. It is especially interesting to see what transpires during commercials. There is a woman who comes out and straightens Oprah’s skirt as she sits on the white leather chair. Someone else fixes her hair and makeup. Another brings a script to talk over, during it all she seems relaxed and jokes with the audience. She states that this is the largest life class she has ever had and something she aspired to, she thanks Canada for making this happen. It is now nearly ten fifteen in the evening.

We came into the building over five hours ago and the time flew. As hundreds of people stream out of the room to get to the escalators I grab onto my daughters arm realizing in this huge throng of strangers it would be really easy to lose each other. She is sad that the event is over, Julie has soaked all of the information and advice and this has been a truly unique experience for both of us. “I am so glad you were here to share this with me” she says. I find it difficult to keep my composure at her words. I was glad to have this first opportunity to go on a trip with my oldest child. As the oldest child in our family Julie was the one that we all depended on for a myriad of help and she never disappointed. Watching her go through the pain of surgery and chemo is heartbreaking to any parent especially when you live two hundred miles away and can’t be with her on a daily basis to provide comfort. This was a trip of a life time for her to see her idol and one for me to be in her presence night and day for several days. I got to reacquaint with my daughter and learn a few inspirational thoughts as well.