Raphael Cushnir is a leading voice in the world of present moment awareness and emotional intelligence. He has shared his unique approach with thousands of people nationwide in schools, businesses, spiritual centers and retreats. His first book, Unconditional Bliss: Finding Happiness in the Face of Hardship, was nominated for the year 2000 Books for a Better Life Award. It introduced a simple yet profound process called Living the Questions, which helps us become fully present at even the most difficult times, and can also break through virtually any personal block.

Millions of readers were introduced to Living the Questions in the November, 2002 cover story for O, the Oprah Magazine. His latest article for the magazine will appear in the March, 2004 issue. Cushnir's most recent book is Setting Your Heart on Fire: Seven Invitations to Liberate Your Life.

In developing the tools and trainings for Inner Management, Cushnir has drawn upon his years as an executive in Hollywood and Silicon Valley. He has worked for:

          • Amazon.com
          • MTV
          • Sega
          • Edelman Worldwide Communications
          • JD Power and Associates
          • Rocket Science Games
          • O'Reilly and Associates

Cushnir's passion for filmmaking led to a decade-long stint in Hollywood. He wrote, directed, and produced a Showtime movie, Sexual Healing, starring Helen Hunt, Anthony Edwards, and Jason Alexander. The film was nominated for two Cable Ace awards and won Grand Prize at the Houston Film Festival. Designed by Cushnir as a not-for-profit venture, it raised over $30,000 for the Minority AIDS Project.

Cushnir has also written scripts for:

          • Warner Brothers
          • Columbia Pictures
          • The Geffen Company

In addition, his articles have appeared in Mother Jones and LA Weekly, and his children's book, The Secret Spinner, was published in 1985. With the advent of multimedia, Cushnir co-designed the $5 million techno-spiritual odyssey, Obsidian, which Gamezilla magazine called "the very best game in any genre."

Cushnir grew up in a San Fernando Valley suburb, the third of four children. As a teenager he taught American Literature to other teens in the short-staffed school district. He then entered college at the age of sixteen, attending the College of Creative Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara, followed by Reed College and UCLA, where he graduated at the age of nineteen. After working his way through school by continuing to teach, and becoming a professional storyteller, Cushnir redirected his energies as an activist for the environment and human rights. He devised innovative media campaigns that included such celebrities as Madonna, Pearl Jam, Demi Moore, and Michael J. Fox.

In 1996, both his career and his marriage fell apart. "It was a classic dark night of the soul," he remembers. "Many people experience something similar in their own lives. The particulars are always different but the core experience is the same - a deep, depressing, gut-wrenching pain. In my case, everything I thought I knew about life went completely out the window."

Then, luckily, one of Raphael's mentors convinced him to embrace the pain instead of turn away from it. He suggested that, in fact, this was a perfect opportunity to "wake up."

"At the time I had no idea what he meant," says Cushnir. "But after paying very close attention to every aspect of my miserable life for a very long time, suddenly I was graced with a peace and fulfillment that has never left me.'

This breakthrough drew Cushnir to his new passion Ð sharing the principles and tools necessary for others to reach the same degree of presence and flow. His business background has allowed him to develop talks and training programs that work, not just in an ideal world, but in a cubicle, a staff meeting, a boardroom, and virtually every other arena where today's workers find themselves particularly challenged.

Cushnir's creative background has led him to bring a unique and dynamic flair to his presentations. This includes, for example, using behind the scenes Hollywood lore to humorously demonstrate interpersonal skills. In addition, Cushnir's personal background allows him to address people's greatest emotional hurdles with an in-the-trenches immediacy and authenticity.