As the seasons shift into the warmth of Spring, the Body Electric School (BE) is entering a period of deep reflection and intentional transformation.
This month, our theme is BE History.
Body Electric is a 40-year-old institution. That four-decade journey brings with it a massive reservoir of wisdom, but we are not interested in simply being a “repackaged” version of what we used to be. To evolve into something truly new and vital, we must take stock of where we began.
Stewards of the Flame
Our history is built on the vision of pioneers. While Joseph Kramer invented the concept of the Sacred Intimate, it was leaders like Steve Schwartzberg—who recently passed away—who helped steward those inventions, refining them into the BE we see today.
This month, we are centering our gratitude on Steve’s immense contributions. At our 40th Anniversary, Steve was honored with the Rumi Award, inscribed with: “Set your life on fire and seek those who fan your flames.” Steve spent his life fanning the flames for future generations, and we are committed to keeping that fire burning through several living legacies:
- The Dr. Steve Schwartzberg Scholarship Fund: Steve believed deep work should be accessible to all. This fund, established by his generous bequest, ensures that financial constraints never stand in the way of a participant’s transformation.
- A Sacred Redwood: During Steve’s signature retreat, Touching the Heart of Stillness, a young redwood tree will be planted at his beloved Bodhi Manda Center. As it grows, it will stand as a physical manifestation of his groundedness and his towering intellect.
- The Weekly Sangha: Steve’s Weekly Meditation Sangha continues without pause. To honor the diversity of thought he loved, it is now led by four rotating leaders, ensuring the practice remains as dynamic as he was.
On-Demand Offerings: We are proud to announce the upcoming release of Steve’s Meditation Recordings and Dharma Talks. All proceeds from these archives go directly into his scholarship fund, allowing Steve’s voice to literally “pay the way” for the next generation of explorers.
A Final Vision: Creativity, Ritual, and the Erotic Impulse
In the final months of his life, Steve’s creative and spiritual fire did not dim; it distilled into a brilliant focus. He bequeathed a new visionary curriculum to the School—a workshop designed to infuse art, motion, and performance with the vitality of Eros, echoing the way Touching the Heart of Stillness so masterfully marries contemplative silence with the erotic heart.
To ensure this vision was executed with the precision and heart it required, Steve personally selected a team of facilitators to lead this work. Creativity, Ritual, and the Erotic Impulse is the culmination of his lifelong work, uniting uniquely human expression with the universal.
Looking Forward in May
As we move through May, our focus turns toward our three upcoming Sacred Intimacy Fundamentals courses. These offerings represent the core of our mission and provide the perfect opportunity to look backward at our history so that we may more effectively leap forward into our future.
We aren’t just repeating history; we are honoring our roots to ensure our future growth is as strong and enduring as the redwood.
Explore Further
