“Learning is my life; growth is my passion!”

As a young girl of 11, I received a call. I was sitting at my play school desk in the basement of my parents' home in Grand Rapids, Michigan when it came. A voice, loud and prophetically clear, told me I was to become a teacher. I believed in the depth of my being, and still do, that teaching is indeed, what I was born to do.

My teaching has taken many forms over the years. It has shifted and changed as I have been :

• a classroom teacher for 10 years who was privileged to teach Comparative Religions, Philosophy and Mysticism to high school students
• an entrepreneur (company called “Our Kids”) who educated parents and teachers on self-esteem issues for children
• a professional speaker who “taught” through presentations (primarily to women) about self-care, life balance and intentional (conscious) living
• a writer of personal/spiritual growth books, staff writer for numerous publications, sharing my passion for life and learning through the written word
• a co-publisher (with husband, Brad Lundy) and editor of Healing Garden Journal, working with 25 different writers a month, helping them share their wisdom with 125,000 other people throughout Michigan who are dedicated to holistic lifestyle
• a Spiritual Director in private practice, walking with and guiding others on their journey to self-realization and God awareness

My facilitation style:
My facilitation and writing style is most often described as "real." I have been called “open and honest,” willing to share my life journey from a depth of understanding that other women can relate to. In doing so, participants in workshops feel welcomed into our group presence, eager to share and be part of a wonderful healing and nurturing dynamic which is characteristic of any program I offer. I have also been described as "professional, yet warm"; "adaptable to the needs of the audience"; "passionate"; "honest." The attribute that means the most to me, however, is when participants or readers of my books say that they feel a peaceful presence from me, enabling them to get in touch with their own inner peace and a greater sense of Spirit or God.

Personal Philosophy:
I believe that the purpose of life is to connect with our spirit (our true self) and anchor this self in our divine purpose. As a woman who strives daily to walk this journey "home to myself and God," I am buoyed by the journeys of other women doing the same. I believe that as we share our journeys "heart to heart" (which is the name of my company), we can grow by leaps and bounds, serving as wonderful companions and guides to one another along the way. This philosophy is at the core of all the work I do with women, whether it is as a writer, workshop facilitator, or a Spiritual Director.

My story and significant life events:
I would describe my journey as "EveryWoman's Journey." My friends used to laughingly say, "Jan, if a woman can experience it, you have!" That is why I believe it is easy for me to compassionately understand and companion women on their life journeys. Life experience has been my greatest teacher, as it has for many of us and in that my journey is not unique. What makes it unique, I believe, is what I have learned from it, where it has taken me, and how I have intentionally chosen to live as a result of it.

One of the most significant events of my life was being exposed at a young age (through a Lutheran minister and also a high school anthropology teacher) to the vastness of religious experience by visiting other churches or temples and studying other faiths. In discovering how others related to God, I found my ecumenical focus beginning to gel into the world view/spirituality and teaching focus I hold today.

In my early twenties, I also discovered yoga and Eastern thought (Buddhism and Hinduism). Being raised a Protestant Christian, it fueled my passion for direct experience of the divine and satisfied a longing to live deeply connected to nature and all that is holy. Today my spiritual life is a unique blend of Western and Eastern wisdom and spiritual practices. This bent enables me to serve as a non-denominational, interfaith spiritual director who walks the spiritual life journey with individuals of all faiths.

Women heroes, mentors & influencers:
My two grandmothers and my own mother have probably provided the greatest influence on me throughout my life. They were and are women of great honesty, integrity and unconditional love. They were deeply connected to Mother Earth and to their faith.

Modern day mentors include Sue Patton Thoele, Daphne Rose Kingma, and Kenny and Julia Loggins who have personally helped me "find my way" to my best self and to my divine connection.

The works of Buddhist teachers Pema Chodron and Thich Nhat Hanh have provided great wisdom for my life as well, and helped me form the spiritual views I hold today.

I also resonate with the women mystics of old: Hildegard of Bingen, Mechtild of Magdeburg, Teresa of Avila, Catherine of Sienna and Julian of Norwich. Their dedication to Spirit and the risks it took to do so sustain me today.

Favorite inspirational message:

"Just to be is a blessing, just to live is holy."
—Abraham Joshua Heschel

"Be the change you wish to see in the world."
—Mahatma Gandhi

Educational Background:

• B.A. (with honors, Cum Laude) in Education, Western Michigan University: The Academic Study of Religion; Anthropology
• Thousands of hours in course work, seminars and training in the area of professional, personal and spiritual growth
• Training and certification in Spiritual Direction through the Institute of Spirituality, Dominican Center at Marywood in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Publishing History:

How Does Your Garden Grow? (A journal and audio cassette for women on self-nurturing) Heart to Heart Press, 1996.

Coming Home to Ourselves: A Woman’s Journey to Wholeness. Heart to Heart Press, 1998 (1st printing) and 1999 (revised edition, 2nd printing).

Awakening the Spirit Within. Heart to Heart Press, 2000.

Perfect Love: How to Find Yours and Make It Last Forever, co-authored with Brad Lundy. Heart to Heart Press, 2006.

Your Truest Self: Embracing the Woman You Are Meant to Be. Sorin Books, 2008.

Contributing Writer:

Women's Voices, Women's Visions: A Book of Days for the Third Millennium, edited by Pamela Harman Daugavietis; Innernet Affirmations, 1999.

Healing Garden Journal; Women's LifeStyle, Natural Awakenings; The Grand Rapids Press; The Grand Haven Tribune; Inspiration Journal; PhenomeNEWS; Quality Lifestyle; The Grande Life.

Company Name:
Heart to Heart Productions and Press
A resource and training company dedicated to the growth journeys of women. This includes books and tapes of my own creation and programming that I offer in the areas of personal and spiritual growth. It also includes private Spiritual Direction.