My life and work currently takes place among the secluded backdrop of an 8-acre oasis high in the hills of Western New England. Carved with meandering woodland trails, year-round mountain streams, meditation areas, towering oaks, cherry and maples and a plethora of wildlife; it's been a beautiful place to raise a family, to write, work, meditate, practice Qigong, Bagua, or just to take a break from work to take a walk, or sit in quiet contemplation.This is the place where some of my best (or at least, my favorite) ideas have sprung into being.

This area is known worldwide for pastoral landscapes, botanical gardens, cultural landmarks and a wealth of holistic learning centers such as Options Institute and the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, as well as the nearby Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY.

This is truly a peaceful and very effective place to work - and I hope to share that sense of peacefulness in nature, at least in some small part, through my writing, coaching, teaching, and any other communications we may have together.

Since relocating here from Boston, MA, my Wife and I (and our two children) have been based primarily in this beautiful location for the past 18+ years.

Related Hypnotherapy Credentials:

Stephen holds diploma qualifications in Hypnotherapy from HMI College in California - is a Certified Hypnotherapist (C.Ht.) (Certified by AFL-CIO Local 472) - and a Professional Member of the American Hypnosis Association (AHA).

Diplomas in Hypnotherapy and related practices include*:

• Certified Hypnotherapist - C.Ht. - Level-3 Certification - Min. 500 hrs / Certified by Hypnotherapists Union - AFL-CIO Local 472
• Diploma in Hypnotherapy (Nationally Accredited by DETC - HMI College of Hypnotherapy, California, USA)
• Diploma in Handwriting Analysis (HMI College)

Certifications*:

• Certified Qigong and Tai Chi for Wellness Instructor
• Certified Hypnosis and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Specialist (AHA)
  
• Certified Pre & Post Surgery Hypnotherapy Specialist (AHA)
• Certified in Hypnosis and Pain Management (AHA)
• Certified in Hypnosis for Immune Disorders (AHA)
• Certified in Hypnosis and ADD (AHA)
• Certified in Healing the Inner Child with Hypnosis (AHA)
• Certified Hypnosis and Weight-Loss Specialist (AHA)
• Certified Hypnosis and Sports Performance Specialist (AHA)
• Emotional Freedom Technique - EFT Advanced (AHA)
• Certification in Past Life Regression Therapy (AHA)
• Certified Smoking Cessation Specialist (AHA)
• Certified Specialist - Hypnosis and Tinnitus (AHA)

* With substantial continuing post-graduate education hours in the field of Hypnotherapy each year.

Spiritual / Philosophical Studies

Stephen is an Ordained Minister with the International Metaphysical Ministry, a Buddhist Practitioner with the Association of American Buddhists in NYC, (a registered United Nations NGO of the Department of Public Information). He is a Certified Metaphysical Practitioner, holds a Bachelors Degree in Metaphysical Science, a Masters degree in Metaphysical Theology and a Doctorate in Eastern Philosophy (D.MT.) from ICMT (Religious-Exempt, Washington State). He has also studied traditional Western Metaphysics / Philosophy, Buddhist Studies, and Neurobiology with Harvard University (Extension Departments of Philosophy and Biology respectively).

Additional Certifications and background:

Other certifications and experience related to Stephen's work include the Music For Wellness Program (and Vocal Production) with Berklee College of Music. Professional Certification as Teacher of English as a Foreign Language (CTEFL, Awarded at Harvard University Faculty Club, 1997), followed by teaching faculty positions at language schools and colleges in Boston and abroad, including private instruction for key employees of some of the largest corporations in the world. He later became Teacher-Trainer and Program Director for Business English Teacher-Training programs - including both online and resident programs within and outside of the USA. He has taught many hundreds of students and trained hundreds of teachers from dozens of countries. Additional study in this area (Business English Training) includes time at Cambridge in the United Kingdom.

Work and Ongoing Projects

As a web developer, focusing on business, wellness, and online education management, Stephen has helped developed and managed a number of sites for outside clients over the years, including several international online training programs operating under the guidelines and/or approval of various US State Boards of Education, as well as other professional organizations.

He is the founder of BBI - a media company established in 1998 which provides production, consulting and coordination services for film, television and other new media, with a focus on Japanese broadcasts with networks such as NHK, Fuji TV, etc.

Elected as member of ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers).

Stephen Rinaldi (on far left), as participant in the 12th annual Ig Nobel Prize Award Ceremony - Sanders Theater, Harvard University 2002 - Seated on far-right, Nobel Laureates Richard Roberts, William Lipscomb, and Dudley Herschbach. Additional Details: NPR | AIR | Harvard Gazette (All links open in a new window)

Other Affiliations

Online Education Director, Technology Advisor, and Teaching Faculty (Eastern Thought, Buddhism, Taoism) of the International College of Metaphysical Theology in the State of Washington, USA. Online Education Director for the University of Holistic Theology in Florida, USA.

Stephen is author, Instructor, and Director of the C.MI Meditation Instructor Course -- and the C.MI Advanced Program -- both certified by UHT and Course Provider of the IAMI (International Association of Meditation Instructors). .

Memberships / Associations Include:

• American Hypnosis Association - AHA - Professional Member
  (Active member since 2008)
• Hypnotherapists Union, AFL/CIO - Local 472 - Certified Professional Member
• International Metaphysical Ministry (active since 2002)
• USDLA - United States Distance Learning Association
• American Holistic Health Association / AHHA
• Qigong Alliance International
• National Qigong Association - Supporting Member

My primary focus in the personal development and wellness field today is on meditative practices, hypnotherapy, science of mind, and their application toward the betterment of each individual and society.

Stephen & Ura Rinaldi on a visit to the Gangyoji Buddhist Temple in Shizouka, Japan 1999. To listen to a recording provided by Rinzai Master Kakushin (featured on the Karma-Net website), go here.

My Approach...

My coaching and teaching focus is on real-word experiential learning and practice. When it comes to Metaphysical knowledge, you certainly don't want to base your understanding of those subjects solely on books, films and college professors. You need to experience these things for yourself -- yes, it's still very helpful to have a guide -- but it is still YOU who has to have these experiences. My most basic goal with my work is to get you to drop the books and intellectual side of the study - and venture out to discover the nature of the world both within you - and all around you.

As in the words of Lao Tzu, "The Tao that can be spoken of is not the real Tao". Stated in another way, your teacher/guide can tell you over and over about what enlightenment, or "the way" "is", but those words (no mater how eloquent) cannot replace the actual personal experience.

I want to encourage you to approach life with the attitude of a seeker / observer - with the understanding that you are on an incredible journey with a destination that is yet unknown. It is not for others to tell you, it is for you to experience.

Even with the "right" attitude, life won't always be easy -- we all make mistakes -- things happen - things change. But with awareness and acceptance of the challenges, changes, and beauty of life - we can better navigate the rough patches when they occur.

Personal Development...

Experience, improve and learn each day! The time we have here is painfully short. If you choose to spend that brief time working ceaselessly in an unfulfilling job, just so that you can have and maintain a collection of things, you will likely perish without really knowing yourself or reaching your higher potential.

I'm not saying that we all need to give away all our possessions and live a monastic life in the mountains. Far from it actually. The key just may be with harmony. In music, harmony is when the notes come together in a way that is pleasing to the ear. In life, harmony is the congruity of parts with one another and with the whole. You can experience harmony in your life by carefully selecting those life "notes", or situations, that bring a pleasing , peaceful experience of your existence.

On its own, a particular situation may not be fulfilling for you - but when combined with other situations in the right amount, can create a harmonious blend of existence. In this way, your job can be fulfilling, provided that other "notes" or situations are added to your life in the appropriate amount. Possessions can be fulfilling, provided that you do not overwhelm yourself with a strong desire for possessions, or eliminate other "notes" in your life in order to simply support and maintain those possessions and so on.

Most of the troubles we have in life come from making discordant music with our lives and the whole of our existence. We make mistakes and misjudgments, and rather than learning from them, adapting and changing our path - we instead perpetuate the discordance by first beating ourselves up over it -- and then continuing on down the same path and repeating the same mistakes over and over - only because they are familiar to us. Often, this happens entirely sub-consciously -- which is why practices such as Mindfulness Meditation, Qigong, and Hypnotherapy are often so helpful in this regard.

One of several meditation areas on our property in Western Massachusetts. This is one was built in late summer, 2007, with just some old lumber sitting around the yard - and is a very peaceful spot to sit throughout the Fall season.