In 2009 Universal Medicine inaugurated the Esoteric Practitioners Association (EPA)*. The EPA* represents the members association, the practitioners association and acts as the accrediting vehicle for the Complementary Medicine modalities as taught by Universal Medicine.
Each year the Esoteric Practitioners Association* holds its annual conference, which is run by and for its members. The 4th annual EPA* conference was held recently on 20th July 2013 with over 150 members in attendance and many more participating by way of live webcasts in many regions and states of Australia.
I have attended numerous conferences over the course of my career, mostly because it is an obligation to keep my membership current or it is a compulsory part of my continuing professional education. Many a time I have felt as if I must attend a conference rather than truly wanting to.
At some like-intended events held by other associations I have come away feeling duped or disappointed with the conference content as I didn’t learn anything new or take away anything practical that I could apply to my work. Sometimes it feels like the speakers are just there to fill in the blanks between the trade show and the meals/drink breaks.
However, this is not the case with the EPA* conference, it is a day I look forward to knowing that this is an event that allows its members to come together, to share their experiences and support one another in their daily practice. I also appreciate that the conference is free to members, as the EPA funds it.
Funnily enough on that point, the theme of this year’s conference was appreciation…
At this year’s EPA* conference what struck me was how each presenter generously shared their knowledge, experience and expertise without the need to impress us with their credentials, Power Point presentation or their level of intelligence. This really opened the conference up to all, from student member to experienced practitioner, and allowed for great discussion, questions, feedback and humour.
This open format brought enormous input from the members and gave me many an insight into the great work that people are doing, as well as a few a-ha moments and ‘oh that’s a good point, I could apply that to my work and my life’.
The topics covered were vast and varied from the simplicity of how to keep and take good notes, mental health, wellness days for businesses, the Our Cycles App developed by Natalie Benhayon, to the difficult and often taboo topic of aging and death. Plus there was a bonus and impromptu A cappella performance by one of the presenters that was incredibly inspiring and unexpected.
I appreciate attending a conference that is about its members and not just the person up on stage or what’s for lunch. (Although I must admit that I did appreciate all the beautiful and healthy food that the attendees brought to share as way of a community get together.)
It was very refreshing and entertaining to be at a conference that incorporates and caters to all in attendance and actually gives back to its members. Bravo Esoteric Practitioners Association*!
Thank you to the EPA* members who make this event what it is, it is immensely appreciated.
by Dr Rachel Hall, Holistic Dentist and Esoteric Practitioner, Kenmore, Brisbane
* The EPA (Esoteric Practitioners Association) is the internal accreditation arm of Universal Medicine. It was instigated by Universal Medicine to monitor and accredit the modalities that were founded by Universal Medicine.
The Truth about Universal Medicine 
The EPA is in a league to anything else out there, its standards and integrity are second to none.
It is always great to be reminded of the value of regular appreciation.
Because we often find a big gap between what people say and what they actually live, I have always had a suspicion that all those conferences where professionals come together were just a part of the play-act. EPA is the complete opposite. It is all about what we live. What we live is what we bring to our each profession. It is our expression.
The Esoteric Practitioners Association is a world leader is establishing quality and standards of professionalism and conduct, and this is something that is not switched on and off, but lived in every part of life, not just the clinic room. It’s a great organisation and I enjoy the EPA conferences.
I agree, the EPA’s standards are way above any that are currently out in the world, the level of integrity and quality lead the way for other such organisations.
Absolutely Rachel, the EPA. events are one of many stand out events that are supported by The Students of The Livingness and the sharing’s by the practitioners are always informative with the usual “entertainment and humour”.
The EPA does not only stand out for its conference but the whole ethos of the company is second to none. How often, if ever, do we consider how our home life affects our practice (be that as a practitioner or as a businessman/ woman)? How many of us think they have the answers for everybody else to solve their lives, but we don’t actually have tht same integrity in our own lives?
This does sound like a fantastic conference for the development and support of its members.
Appreciation is really important, I have found that through appreciation I understand and know the value and the quality of what is offered.
There is an equal-ness that is felt in these conferences where each member and presenter have an equal voice in being able to contribute, ask questions and share their own experiences, it is a conference like no other.
The Esoteric Practitioners Association in my opinion takes the business of accreditation to a whole new level.
I agree Rachel, what the EPA conference offers their members is a day to appreciate. I have always been very inspired and impressed by the level of integrity, professional and true care for humanity that the EPA stands for. The EPA is setting standards that are way above and beyond any other association in the world.
Here, here, Anna, ‘The EPA is setting standards that are way above and beyond any other association in the world.’
By and large, conferences are activities aimed at impressing others, getting recognized by others and the desire to influence how we should go about something. It is about me, me, me but never about us. That is why the EPA is an unusual conference.
This really makes me realise how most things in our world operate back to front. Like, a conference where its attendees don’t really want to attend but feel obliged to – why is there a conference in the first place? What comes first? It feels rather messy with the complexity, the bureaucracy, the self all mixed and wanting to claim its place. EPA presents an amazing model of how a group of people who share the same purpose can come together, which is actually very simple really.
The Code of Ethics of the EPA is the highest standard of any in the World and this is reflected in by its membership.
Its been a few years since I have been to an EPA conference and I’m definitely going to attend this year. I love what the association represents and that it is not just for ‘practitioners’ of a modality, but acknowledges that we are all practitioners yes with much to learn, but also much to offer all because of what we live in life.
Very very true — it is an Association that is true in its purpose. And truly is what the words represents. I have never experienced an association actually giving back truth and love to humanity that stems from the quality of living by each practitioner, a way of living that its core is integrity.
EPA is an amazing organisation that serves to support and inspire its members to work and conduct themselves with the utmost integrity, by leading by example. The EPA conference is a great reflection of this as it is all about coming together to share and learn from each other, how we can bring a greater level of integrity, presence and care into the lives we live as such to our workplaces.
A community working for the community. Sometimes we are so busy looking for the next fix that we forget about the foundation and the normal that need to be consistent and attended to. These conferences cover all of that and then offer what can come from that foundation.
This is an association of and for the future. With those who are practitioners of the Esoteric Modalities and those who are practitioners in everyday life, All are welcome and all are welcome to share their insights into what they are learning in their particular area of practice. Meaning that everyone has something to share which we can all learn from. An association supporting us to be in life, making it more than our work.
I have watched 2 Esoteric Practitioners Association (EPA) conferences by webcast thus far and I have enjoyed both of them. The presenters are real and practical, not selling anything and free to attend. A complete contrast to work related conferences which are expensive, with company representatives and some where there is usually food or alcohol being offered.
I have fully read EPA’s code of ethics and are actually understandable, very practical and readable.
I recently joined the Esoteric Practitioners Association for I am inspired and have based my life on the code of ethics that they represent and live. I am in joy with how much benefit this way of integrity in my living has increased awareness, connection, truth and love in my body and the love in my interactions… There is now such sharing of who I am – instead of sharing the rigidness of who I thought I was (in emotions and behaviours, but they were never truly mine). And so I discover, by this way of living, more and more about myself; my qualities and imperfections and also those things where I can learn myself to trust and allow to grow further by letting in and letting go… A beautiful, every day, more surrendered way of being that has been beneficial for my environment (work, family, relationships, etc.)
This brought a huge joy and commitment (purposeful approach to my living) basically to all aspects of my life – inspiring now equally others if they like to live the same. I know who I am now more and more and know my integrity… And that is what I am here to bring: equallness in the way I am with myself, with people, how I look at people including myself, how I speak with people – all making sure I come from the connection to myself – to the equallness we are all born with.
We have recently come together for the EPA Conference UK/EU for 2017 and the question we were asked was not what can you take away from the conference but ‘What can you bring to the conference?’
So often you hear of and see an event like this becomes a bit of focus on what it’s about. Like say a group of health professionals having a conference that supports them to do things that they would deem as unhealthy to their clients. In other words a conference that is incongruent with what they teach or do in their normal day. The Esoteric Practitioners Association has been clearly set up and operates in a different way, supporting forward and more deeply what is the members day to day. This is a simple model you could say but it’s a model that isn’t the norm currently for these events. I say bravo to any Association like this that is truly giving back to it’s membership, not a board of people acting as if they know better but an supportive Association that truly brings it membership together.
I agree Rachel, the Esoteric Practitioners Association Conferences are an incredible day for the members to come together and feel the true purpose and quality service we are offering the community and our clients by aligning to the principles and ethics of this amazing association.
The last EPA conference I attended in 2017 was remarkable and whole-heartedly held by Natalie Benhayon. What was remarkable that I hadn’t seen or felt before by members of an association was the full participation of all its members. We grouped up to work many times in small and also split the room into 4 large groups at the end. It goes to show with there is full commitment by everyone what can be achieved is astronomical. A recommended association to become a living member of.
This is the first time I have been a member of an association of any sort so I don’t have a lot of experience to relate this to. But I do know that attending my first Esoteric Practitioners Association conference this year was a huge awakening, personally and professionally, and I walked away with a renewed sense of purpose in my workplace and life.
That is life changing isn’t it Rachael? I have found this is the first association that holds us all as practitioners. Not just of modalities but of life.
Having attended the Esoteric Practitioners’ Association meetings here in the UK, it is easy to see why they are a popular event and not just something you have to do in order to keep your membership up to date. The day is not about individuals out to impress anyone or pass on knowledge, it’s a day of appreciation for all of humanity.
I attended one of the EPA’s in Australia some years back, and I found it incredibly supportive.