Hyun Jin Nim’s challenge workshops in Alaska are starting to become famous. He has taken both the WCARP leaders and business leaders out on trips into the mountains of Alaska, with a clear purpose in mind.

Some lessons can only be learned after the challenge is faced: Time after time, the message comes through clearly; as people begin to realize that limitations are not fixed or absolute, but can be changed. They realize that they set their own limitations, and that they can also erase those limits.

This is an important lesson about belief. It’s a lesson that can’t be learned in a classroom or lecture, but only when you are thoroughly challenged.

Most of the leaders who have participated in the workshops have heard Hyun Jin Nim’s stories about overcoming limitations in the wilderness, but there’s a big difference between hearing it and experiencing it!

The second week of October, I was out with one of the managers on the mountain. We weren’t seeing any deer where we were, and I knew we needed to go to higher ground. The only way up was an almost vertical climb to a rocky peak high above us. He agreed that the best idea was to go up there, but it looked like a big challenge.

About half way up, he got stuck in a rocky area where the loose rock began to slide under him. He’d climb up a ways, then slide back down. He started to doubt that he could ever make it to the top, and considered turning back. When he looked down, however, he could see that it was also difficult to get back down. Then, if he did go down, we already knew that there were no deer down there.

Not only that, it was difficult just to hang on and stay where he was. The only conclusion was to continue up toward the top, even though he still didn’t see how he could make it.

When we finally met at the top, he had already figured out many of the changes that needed to happen in his business responsibilities. He could see that many of his business challenges were exactly like that hillside. Even though he had not seen a clear path forward, the current situation was never going to accomplish the goals, and going backwards would lead to guaranteed failure. He had not been taking aggressive steps forward because of the uncertainty, he could now see that waiting was not an option, and if he carefully took action, it would lead him closer to where he wanted to be. The words that he had heard many times found their way to his heart in that desperate moment on the mountain.

This is what is meant by experiential learning. This is how belief and conviction are developed. Not by more thinking, or better lectures. Not by well-laid plans from the office, or new policies. Those things can often interfere with developing true belief.

The only real classroom for "belief training" and development of the inner power of conviction is on your own front line. These attributes are gained from doing things that you know are worthwhile, but you not sure if they are possible or not. The lesson is to define what is worthwhile to you, and then take action that you feel will lead you closer to those worthwhile things.

Most of the goals and objectives that we seek after are great things that have never really been accomplished before. They involve the greatest vision of all, making God’s dream our own dream. Because this vision leads through uncharted territory, there is no specific right and wrong direction. When we use our past experience to ask the right questions, and seek for new, innovative ways to answer those questions, we have a good chance of success. The reason that we say it’s all right to make mistakes, as long as we learn from them and don’t repeat them, is because it’s more important to do something than to wait around for a better plan.

Each of us must be able to clearly define where the top of our "mountain" is today, and then realize how futile it is to just cling onto the ledge where we are standing. Even though it’s much more frightening to move off that ledge, and try again for the top of the mountain, at least there is a chance for success. "Getting off your ledge" may mean leaving your computer screen to go out and witness. It may mean delegating some of your leadership responsibilities to others, so that you can visit the front line, and it may mean dealing with difficult relationships.

The higher your level of leadership, the less likely it is that someone else will tell you what you need to do. That’s the nature of leadership, to take initiative to improve yourself and the situations around you.

Today is the only day that you have to take this step. Belief is defined by what you do today. Decide what the most important things are to you, and focus on those things.

Other things that are less important have to wait. If they also have importance, you will get to them in time. It’s the most important things that lead to the mountaintop.

Four new CDs have just been released by World CARP Media and Communications Division that bring back all the memories of the incredible Alignment Workshop with True Parents and Hyun Jin Nim last August.

Each CD covers one of the main seminar topics.

• The Culture of Heart by Tony Devine

• The Completed Testament Age, by Young Jun Kim

• Service for Peace by Tom Phillips and Akiko Ikeno

• Opening Address by Hyun Jin Nim

Each disk contains good quality video (Windows Media) together with lecture notes and illustrations on Powerpoint.

There are also a wealth of bonus materials including detailed lecture notes on , photographs, newsletters, workbooks and tool kits.

Each CD is $15, or all four for $40. To order send email to greatyoo@worldcarp.org.

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