There is an ancient Tibetan legend...
...that says that somewhere, high in the far away mountains, there is a lost valley, cut off from the world. There the wisdom of the ages is conserved during turbulent times of planetary change which mark the end of one age and the beginning of the next. This paradise they call Shamballa or Shangri-la is a heart-centered Sanctuary of peace and harmony whose residents live in accord with the original teachings of dwelling in balance with the Earth, one another and the Creator.

The Dalai Lama says this about Shamballa: “Nowadays, no one knows where Shambala is. Although it is said to exist, people cannot see it, or communicate with it in an ordinary way. Some people say it is located in another world, others that it is an ideal land, a place of the imagination. Some say it was a real place, which cannot now be found. Some believe there are openings into that world which may be accessed from this world. Whatever the truth of that, the search for Shamballa traditionally begins as an outer journey that becomes a journey of inner exploration and discovery.”   

The Way To Shangri-la
You will not find the true Shangri-la on a map. Why? Because it does not exist “out there.” It exists within: within the heart and soul of each of us. But few, if any, ever find it. We are seeking ‘out there’ for something that can only be found within ourselves. We have been brainwashed into believing that it can be found in material possessions, power, fame, relationships, sex, drugs or financial security. We believe that “I will be happy when….” These are all tantalizing trails that can seduce the pilgrim from the Path To True Bliss. But as one ultimately learns, they are dead ends that, in the last analysis, lead to disappointment & disillusionment. The path to Shangri-la is not easy to find but with the right maps and a good guide, it is attainable. Are you ready to embark on this adventure of a lifetime? Are you ready to trek to the edge of the known world – and beyond – in pursuit of the Grail, Shamballa, Shangri-La?

We have discovered maps to this hidden realm of Shamballa, and the time has arrived that we are ready to lead others on an extraordinary expedition to this hidden kingdom of Wisdom & Peace; the place they call Shangri-La. Those who choose to embark on this pilgrimage will undertake the adventure of a lifetime; one that will lead through deep valleys, across raging rivers, through dangerous mountain passes, encountering along the way mythical monsters & enlighten guides from the inner realms to challenge and to assist. For this is a journey of discovery into the hidden realms of human consciousness, into the vast regions of one’s own soul-self. This is not a journey for the faint hearted. It takes enormous courage to journey within and face the inevitable trials of a true pilgrim. This is not a journey for those who are satisfied with their mundane 9 to 5 lives of petty drama, living day to day and then dying. This is for those who KNOW there is more to life and are willing to do what it takes to find it. A challenge? Yes. But the destination is worth it.

Our Destination
And what is this destination? Call it joy, happiness, bliss or the return to Oneness. This is the ultimate destination. It is the release from ones self-imposed prison which has brainwashed us into believing we are powerless, and reaching that Shangri-La of personal empowerment where one consciously designs one’s life and ceases to be the victim of the situations and circumstances of life. It is becoming a Master of these situations and circumstances & learning how to become a conscious co-creator of ones future. But this is only the first step. As the journey continues and we have learned to master the situations and circumstances of life, we move beyond the personal and into the reality of Oneness; becoming channels of Divine Presence and ultimately clear reflections of that innate Divinity that is our essence. This is the destination. This is the promise to those who complete the journey.

The Pilgrimage
Life is often described as a journey and, in many ways this metaphor fits. Most people see their destination in life as the pursuit of happiness, in whatever form this takes for each individual. Some people seem to have a clear sense of destination and direction that leads them forward with ease, but many others aren’t so fortunate and their journey is often filled with challenges, detours and pitfalls.

The Journey To Shangri-La is a personal empowerment study program designed to give you the tools to gain mastery over the situations and circumstances of life. There are seven levels of attainment - described as mountains - in which you will read and work with the ideas in seven books. You will choose these seven from a large selection of books according to your personal interest and needs.

We begin with basics. You are a prisoner of your beliefs about yourself. You cannot see, feel, experience, have or be anything beyond your beliefs about who you are. These beliefs create your personal myth; the story you tell yourself and others. These beliefs determine your experience. They determine whether you are driving a Chevy or a Rolls Royce, living in a studio apartment or a mansion, living alone or in a fulfilling partnership. Your beliefs also determine all of your relationships in life; your relationship with friends, family members, coworkers and colleagues, significant others as well as your relationship with money, your body, sex, God, and all of the other ‘biggies’ in life.

This is a practical program of mastery. We deal with the most basic challenges of day-to-day living as well as the ultimate questions of life, such as ‘what is our purpose in life’ and ‘what lies beyond our brief 3D experience here on Earth.’

Essentially this journey is designed for anyone who seeks greater control or a deeper understanding of life. Whether you feel you are living a rootless, aimless existence, battered by the circumstances of life or have gained mastery over many of life's challenges but still have important areas such as relationships or finances that need attention, this pilgrimage will we transformative.

People travel and grow at different speeds. This is a self-directed program in terms of timing. In general, however, you should think of each level of study taking approximately one year. That’s seven books in 12 months. Some will choose to move faster and a few may be slower, but 12 months is the average.

Shangri-La Week At Mountain Light Sanctuary
In early August each summer, you will have an opportunity to spend a week with fellow pilgrims at Mountain Light Sanctuary (mtnlightsanctuary.com), a secluded retreat in the mountains near Asheville, North Carolina. Together we will create a week-long learning community where we will share what we have learned over the past year and our experience in working with these ideas in our daily lives. This will be an exceptional opportunity to spend quality time with fellow pilgrims and Michael, your guide, sharing stories of your journey, learning from one another and simply have some rest and relaxation. The week at Mountain Light is included as a part of your enrollment fee.

Your Guide:
Your guide is Michael Lightweaver. Michael has led a life of adventure, both inwardly and outwardly. Currently he is Guest Master at Mountain Light Sanctuary, a small spiritual retreat center in the mountains of North Carolina, near Asheville. From here, he also directs the International Institute For Global Leadership, (global-leadership.com)  which he founded in 2002. In 1980 Michael founded the Human Potential Institute, a personal growth center and clinical hypnosis practice in Nashville, Tennessee. Soon thereafter he began organizing holistic events called “Festival’s of Light” throughout the southeast USA. In the late 80’s he created an international tour company called Creative Tours & Travel which sponsored Sacred Earth Journey’s to ancient sacred sites around the world, including the pyramids of Egypt, Machu Pichu in Peru, Stonehenge in England, the pyramids of Mexico and Guatemala and many sacred sites in Ireland and Bali. But his greatest adventure of all has been the adventure within – where he has encountered multi-dimensional realities beyond his wildest dreams. There have been a dozen other endeavors but none so exciting as this new adventure of guiding courageous souls to the Hidden Kingdom of Shangri-la.

Seven Sacred Mountains
To reach our destination, we must cross Seven Sacred Mountains and traverse Seven Sacred Valleys. Each mountain will have it’s challenges and it’s rewards. There will be treacherous treks over steep and dangerous cliffs as well as contemplative times alone in the forest to consider our journey. Life has given each of us four major gurus or teachers. These are relationships, money, our bodies and our egos. These provide us with the challenges of life that provide us with all of the curriculum necessary for our growth. In one sense, all of these could be reduced to one, and that is relationships, in the larger sense of the word. We have a relationship with everything in our lives. We have a relationship with other people; family, friends, co-workers, significant others, enemies and adversaries. We also have a relationship with money, our homes, our bodies, our jobs, government, etc. Everything ultimately is about relationships in one form or another. It is our beliefs that determine our relationship with each of these.

1st Sacred Mountain
The 1st Sacred Mountain is all about preparing for the rest of our journey. It is a test that will separate those who are truly ready from those who are not. Many will try, a few will succeed. As we ascend this mountain we begin to explore the intimate connection between our beliefs and our experience and how, by changing our beliefs, we can change our experience and create a very different future than our present reality.

2nd Sacred Mountain
As you journey to the 2nd Sacred Mountain you enter the mythic realms of relationships and the forbidden land of sexuality. To reach this mountain, you must pass through the Enchanted forest. Here you may encounter dragons, monsters, ogres and other mythic creatures from the deeper inner realms of the past and present. But there will also be guides, guardians and the seven maps, and once you safely make the passage through this land, the rewards will be great.

If you are alone, you may prefer to concentrate on creating a relationship in your life. If you are in a tumultuous relationship, you may wish to focus on creating a harmonious relationship with your significant other. Or perhaps your real relationship challenge involves your children, parents or co-workers. There are ‘map’s which will help you in each and all of these areas and more as you trek over the 2nd Sacred Mountain.

3rd Sacred Mountain
For many, the 3rd Sacred Mountain is the most rugged, if not the tallest, of all. It is the Magical World Of Money. This radiant mountain is made of solid gold, but is fraught with danger & intrigue. There are many side trails that lead to danger and dead ends. To pass, the pilgrim must negotiate narrow passages that cling to the side of sheer cliffs above raging rivers. To safely journey one must become fully conscious and aware. This is the hero’s journey. But Beware! The Sacred Valley, on the other side of the mountain - though a land of delight and ease where all things are possible in the material realm - holds the greatest danger of all: The Mists Of Amnesia. Those who have successfully made it this far are often lost in the Mists Of Amnesia and totally forget about the journey and their ultimate destination. But, as with your journey over the 3rd Sacred Mountain, you will have guides, guardians and your seven maps to remind you where you are and where you are going.

4th Sacred Mountain
You have successfully passed over the 3rd Sacred Mountain and through the Valley of Amnesia without losing your way. As you approach the 4th Sacred Mountain, your attention is drawn to the physical vehicle you are traveling in during this incarnation. Your body, like your circumstances in life, is a reflection of your beliefs. The density of the material realm, coupled with the habits that we have saddled our bodies with, do not make it easy to mold and change, and it is governed by certain physical laws of the universe. However, those laws are much more malleable than most people believe. This 4th Sacred Mountain is a journey of exploration in learning how to redesign & fine tune your body from the inside out to create and maintain a balanced, harmonious and healthy vehicle that will serve you well throughout your journey.

5th Sacred Mountain
As you approach the 5th Sacred Mountain, you are entering the magical realm of the alchemist. Here you will encounter wise Guardians who will challenge and test you before you are able to proceed. This is the doorway to Mastership. You have successfully passed many trials and challenges that have brought you to this point. You are now ready to learn the art and science of manifestation and begin designing your life step by step with the new tools and techniques that you are learning.
 

6th Sacred
Having mastered the alchemical art of manifestation and having learned how to successfully manage the situations and circumstances of life, you are now ready to begin your ascent of 6th Sacred Mountain. Here you will begin to discover the unique landscape of the inner realms and the secret passages of the soul. You have earned the golden compass and the pilgrims staff which, along with the seven maps will guide you beyond the edge of the known world. It is here that you will begin to see your life from the macrocosm, the big picture; not as a birth to death moment-in-time, but as an eternal essence that designed your present life-journey as a small segment of curriculum in your larger journey outside of time and space. It is here that you will begin to learn the true nature of personal reality.

7th Sacred Mountain
You have now arrived at the 7th Sacred Mountain. It has been a long and arduous journey. Many of those who started with you have fallen by the wayside. But you are here. You are at the point of arrival. You are not the same person who started the journey. You have not only become a master of the situations & circumstances in your life, but you have attained a level of wisdom and experience which qualify you to serve the world in a way that is uniquely your own. However, from this point forward, it won’t be about what you do, say or teach. It will be about who you are, who you have become. Your life will be your message, Your frequency will be your gift to the world. You have arrived at Shangri-La. You have stepped beyond the 3D and into the eternal realm of authentic reality where the true temple of Shangri-La exists. You understand and experience the reality of Oneness – the joy of coming home.