Long Before Brian Weiss wrote about reincarnation in 1988, or Barbara Brennan wrote about energy healing in 1988, a group of like-minded individuals on Long Island had already been meeting for several years sharing seemingly fantastical experiences they could not explain and to ponder many metaphysical phenomenon that seem almost commonplace today.
It all began simply enough, in 1983, when Co-Founder Elaine Resnik did a lecture on ESP, Dreams and Edgar Cayce. To her surprise, it seemed that many other people thirsted for such knowledge. In the early days, the small group gathered in a private home in Northport to discuss one members experience with extra sensory perception or to listen to another reveal encounters with the angelic realm. Astrology and tarot were among other early subjects discussed as the small group grew. After two years, a move to a larger home in Plainview was tried to meet the need for a larger meeting space and then onto the Plainview Library where as many as 85 people attended meetings. By word of mouth, the news spread about this informal group of new and old friends who gathered regularly to learn and explore.
Finally in 1986 the group moved into its current location at Levittown Hall in Hicksville and many more learned about a special place, with a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere, where people could come to share their ideas and share their apprehensions...to explore the future and develop themselves. Out of this need for community, this longing for connectedness, an organization and a Long Island institution evolved.
On July 23, 2003 the Eyes of Learning, Inc. will celebrates its 20th birthday as the most highly respected metaphysical, holistic and spiritual teaching and learning center on Long Island. The Eyes of Learning is dedicated to providing members, and the public at large, a broad-based exposure to a variety of philosophies. It does this by offering quality instruction in a diverse base of subjects being very careful not to endorse any one belief over another. This is demonstrated by the kinds of lecture topics that have been offered over the years. Some of the most popular topics have included such favorites as Feng Shui, ESP, UFO's, reincarnation, and angels. Other great subjects have included astral travel, tarot, aromatherapy, astrology, channeling, reiki, crystals, alternative healing, mediumship, spirit guides, numerology, mental telepathy, meditation, primordial sound, tai chi, and much more! Most speakers are tape recorded, so if you missed an event for any reason, you can purchase audiocassettes at a later time. While the schedule each month may vary slightly due to space availability, the organization typically offers four lecture/workshops every month, that are open to the general public, at the Levittown Hall location.
No longer just an informal group of friends, (but a friendly group nonetheless) this 501(3) c non-profit corporation is now run by a Board of Directors and Executive Council comprised entirely of volunteers. Volunteers hold positions such as Treasurer, Recording Secretary and are also formed into committees such as Programming (who find and schedule the speakers), Hospitality and Set up (who set up and put away tables, chairs and refreshments for each event) and Membership (who ensure members are current in their dues and send reminder messages). A Newsletter committee is responsible for creating and distributing the organizations robust calendar of lectures, workshops and special events. The Executive Council holds public meetings 10 times a year. Volunteers are the mainstay of the organization and are always in demand. If you think you can help and would like to volunteer your time, you will be welcomed with opened arms.
Though the general public is welcome to attend the many programs offered, paid memberships (annual dues $15 for individuals and $25 for joint membership) help to fund the ongoing operations of the organization and enable it to secure top name lecturers from outside the local geographic area to supplement local speakers. In addition to receiving discounts on all the programs offered, members are also able to borrow books from the organizations vast library of metaphysical, holistic and spiritual books, many of which are no longer widely available. Members also receive the calendar of events mailed to their homes six times a year.
Two annual festivals, one in the spring and one in the fall, are the center's primary fund raising events. Vendors rent tables at the festival to sell such items as crystals, jewelry, Native American items, T-shirts, books and more. Food and Aura Photography services are also usually along with a host of other fine products and services. In addition, local area psychics freely give of their time as readers with their donated fees going towards the organization which helps to maintain the low cost of monthly classes and lectures. In return, the readers gain a great deal of satisfaction from knowing they have given back to the universe by helping to support this valuable Long Island metaphysical resource.
Over the last few years, the Eyes of Learning has also organized several Long Island UFO Conferences, which they would like to resume in the near future. For more information about meetings, membership or to receive schedule of current lectures call the EOL hotline number at (516) 731-0909. The calendar of events can also be found at the groups website a wwww.eyesoflearning.com where visitors can also subscribe to a distribution list for the events as well.