I’m interested in:
- EXPERIENCING life;
- inviting YOU into the experience of life;
- and facilitating authentic connection between people – to grow relationships, family, community, and workplace camaraderie.
There are words and ideas here on this site that I hope inspire ACTION to experience, to FEEL the richness of this gift of being alive.
We all deserve to BE HERE / present, to express ourselves, and to connect authentically with others.
I hope my life journey through challenges of
- growing to love my body through being overweight and feeling untouchable
- growing to speak up and express myself after feeling like no one would listen
- growing to facilitate connection and community after feeling like i just didn’t belong.
will help others on their journey.
Namaste.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I am dedicated to fostering space where we can experience LIFE in this moment, whatever may be present around us, in us, and for us. It’s taken me many years to develop a sense of connection to compassion and joy around me – a sense of an unconditional divine presence…A presence that calls each and every one of us to be our natural, full, authentic selves.
As a child and teenager, I was overweight and disliked my body. I generally felt unwelcome and like I didn’t deserve to be seen or heard. I judged and criticized myself constantly – “doing” more and more to try to prove that I deserved to be alive, to be loved. And I wanted to be touched more than I was (hugs, etc.) – because this is the primary way that I experience love.
So naturally, I am now passionate about:
- Creating space where we are all fully welcome to be ourselves – space where we can begin to feel divine, unconditionally compassionate presence.
- Getting in touch with feelings and desisres.
- Encouraging full-self expression.
- Helping people enjoy being in their bodies through energy & bodywork.
- Helping people learn to touch one another intentionally & compassionately.
- Facilitating authentic connection between people.
- And organizing places, information and systems so that there’s more “space” for individuals, families and organizations to focus on what’s really important to them.
I do my best to “walk my talk,”
maintaining daily spiritual practices of silent meditation, yoga, chanting, and connecting with nature. I try to recognize and let go of the voice of criticism as it arises, and to choose to hear another, compassionate voice. I strive for patience and gratitude – with myself and others. I see my every communication with other people as an opportunity to learn more about how I do and do not love myself. I try to be present to each moment, because I believe it is through this practice that I will find more peace in my life, and bring more peace to the world.
Some of my spiritual inspirations include: The Science of Mind, A Course in Miracles, Buddhism (particularly Pema Chodron’s writing), my nephew Joshua, and the 12-step program ACOA.
Some “fun facts” about me:
3 life-changing experiences:
Sky-diving. Interfaith Seminary. Facilitating my nephew’s birth celebration one day, and a few days later, the memorial service for a good friend’s mother.
3 life-changing decisions:
Choosing to work for a civil rights community organization, rather than going to medical school. Letting go of most of my belongings in order to live in a 10×10 room in an intentional community. Leaving my home and community to explore the world a bit more deeply – to connect with how more of humanity lives.
3 Inspirational Relationships in my life:
My nephew. A friend and mentor who saw a spark in me and led me to Interfaith ministry. My grandmother and aunt, who both taught me about unconditional love, generosity, and spunkiness of spirit!
3 “Non-spiritual” Movies/Books I loved Growing Up:
E.T., The Clan of the Cave Bear series (stories of love overcoming prejudice), pretty much anything about Merlin the Magician and sci-fi.
In my “free time,” I like to: Bike, exercise, walk along rivers and in forests, explore other cultures, photograhpy, read, drum, play the Native American flute…
Biography
Bob Pileggi is an Interfaith minister, spiritual practice coach and counselor, facilitator, yoga instructor, reiki and therapeutic touch practitioner, bodyworker and photographer. Bob has trained and practiced for more than a decade to be present to (and appreciate) life experiences, to connect to the source of inspiration within, and to facilitate that connection within and between others. Bob has facilitated numerous workshops, rituals and retreats. Bob brings to his work 17 years of work and volunteer experience with LGBT, HIV/AIDS and women’s civil rights organizing and public education at local and national organizations (Philadelphia’s LGBT community center, Lambda Legal, Miami’s Save Dade campaign, and California’s No On Knight/Prop 22 campaign, among others). Bob’s photography, which has focused on the LGBT civil rights movement, has been published in The New York Times, the Washington Post, the Advocate and many other periodicals and websites. Bob’s passion is to seek within a compassionate, loving presence that he can offer to others in ceremony, ritual, workshop and counseling situations, and his photography. He hopes to inspire others to seek within their own truth, passion and joy. His primary spiritual paths are gratitude, yoga, mindfulness meditation, daily exercise, The Science of Mind, and A Course In Miracles.
Credentials
- The most important one? Many clients who’ve experienced meaningful change and self-loving moments.
- Second most important? I keep practicing self-exploration and challenging myself to learn and grow and to SHARE love.
- Yoga teacher certification 200-hour level through Soul of Yoga.
- Affiliate Member: International Breathwork Training Alliance. Currently completing a 400 hour international certification training for Transformational Breathwork facilitation through The Power of Breath Institute.
- Ordained June 26, 2005 as an Interfaith Minister from One Spirit Interfaith Seminary’s two-year professional training program.
- Registered as a Marriage Officiant in the City of New York, NY (traditionally honored in other states)
- MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction) Foundations Course (Jefferson University) and 10 years of mindfulness practices.
- Previously: Director of Programs for Easton Mountain Retreat Center, Communications Coordinator for One Spirit Learning Alliance, Lambda Legal’s first Outreach Assistant for community organizing, William Way Community Center’s Assistant Director and second full-time employee.
- 14 years of dedication to service and social justice, employed and volunteering for civil rights and community-oriented non-profits
- Reiki Level I training, Therapeutic Touch Level I training
- B.A.S.I.C. (Body and Spirit Integrated Consciously) Massage certification from the Center for Human Integration
- Member of ABMP: Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals
- 8 years of experience leading guided meditations for individuals and groups
- 18 years of photographing sacred and unique moments; theater company promotional shots and performance running photos; fundraisers; civil rights demonstrations; and press conferences.
- Bachelor of Science, summa cum laude, Muhlenberg College (Allentown, PA). Majors: Psychology, Biology
Photos: “Breathe” by Scott Turner.