Dr. Nanci Shanderá, Ph.D.

Dr. Nanci Shanderá, Ph.D., an intuitive spiritual teacher and ordained senior minister-founder of EarthSpirit Center Church, has been deeply involved in personal transformation all of her life, and professionally since 1977. She has taught innumerable workshops on the subject of spiritual transformation, and has lectured for various churches, expos, and organizations throughout the United States. Dr. Nanci teaches through induction of higher energies and dimensions that heal and transform. She discourages students from perceiving herself or any other spiritual teacher as the prime authority for their lives and challenges them to accept their unique gifts and differences unconditionally. She uses the power of humor to move students into higher realms of spiritual memory and manifestation.

She holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in Transformational Psychology, a B.A. in Education, and an R.Sc.F. in the Religious Science ministry.

Her experience includes teaching in public school as well as in community colleges and metaphysical seminaries. She ran the United Church of Religious Science’s Ernest Holmes College School of Ministry in Los Angeles for many years, where she also taught transformational intensives and writing courses.

She is a writer of self-help and fiction books, and is currently completing The Bridge to the Soul: Spiritual Awakening Through Unconditional Self- Acceptance and has written two self-published books: The Sacred Outcast and The Quilt, a metaphysical novel. She has written four children’s books, self-published CDs, and has written for spiritual magazines, such as Shaman’s Drum and Science of Mind.

Nanci credits her teacher, Brugh Joy, with whom she studied for over twenty years, with awakening her to the higher consciousness she now employs personally and professionally. She also studied with several other teachers including Joan Halifax, Jean Houston, Paul Brenner, Michael Harner, Sandera Ingerman, James Hillman, Joseph Campbell, Lynn Andrews, Michael Newton, Venerable Shinzen Young, John Brooker, John White, Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, Bella Karish, Stephen Hoeller, and Dennis William Hauck.

Nanci moved from Los Angeles to Nevada City, California in the northern Sierra- Nevada mountains in June of 2004 to follow a lifelong and deep sense of calling. She has two grown daughters and three grandchildren. She is an avid reader-researcher and artist, and loves classical music, camping, hiking and travel.

Rev. LuAnne Myers, M.S.

LuAnne Myers has a Masters Degree in School Counseling and has 33 years experience in the public schools as a high school counselor and teacher. 

LuAnne studied many years with Dr. Nanci and was ordained as the Associate Minister of EarthShamyn Center, as it was then called. She is known at EarthSpirit Center as someone who provides comfort and understanding.

LuAnne's focus is energy healing for people and animals. She is currently enrolled in the Passmore Animal Chaplaincy Certificate Program at Emerson Institute. One of the first programs of its kind, it is designed to promote awareness and compassion and emphasize the spiritual connection we have to all beings.

LuAnne brings many gifts to the Center, especially those of compassion and humor, carrying the energy of the Trickster-Joker to help shift consciousness. She is particularly interested in Shamanism as well as developing themed gardens at EarthSpirit.

Rebecca Walsh, R.N.

From Ohio, Becky has been a healer and nurse for 30 years. She serves as an advisor to EarthSpirit Center and looks forward to sharing her spiritual journey, which she finds both exciting and challenging, with new and old friends as we create a nurturing community of support and love.

Carol Riddles

Rev. Carol Riddles was a background in Reflexology, Natural Health, Herbology, Transpersonal Psychology and Occupational Therapy where she worked in a psychiatric hospital. She attended EarthSpirit's Mystery School and Ministerial Training in Los Angeles, then moved to Nevada City in 2006. She has been married to David, a film musician, for 44 years, and is a grandmother, an artist and quiltmaker.

Our Spiritual Friends and Igniters

Rev. Dr. Michael Bernard Beckwith In 1986, Dr. Michael Bernard Beckwith founded the Agape International Spiritual Center, a transdenominational spiritual community whose doors are open to all seekers in search of authentic spirituality, personal transformation and selfless service to humankind. In his own words, “My aspiration is that every individual who is touched by the vibration of Agape is inspired to cultivate a heart of love as wide as the world.” He has written several books including Spiritual Liberation: Fulfilling Your Soul’s Potential,” and appears as a profound teacher in “The Secret.”
Rev. Nirvana Gayle Rev. Nirvana is a dynamic speaker and teacher who lives the life lessons that he teaches. He is deeply and passionately committed to global transformation and illumination, and the co-creation of a world that truly reflects the highest and best that humanity is capable of manifesting. He was previously Ecclesiastical Coordinator for the Global Operations of United Church of Religious Science as well as Founding President, former Director of Education and Dean of Holmes Institute Seminary at the Agape International Spiritual Center in Los Angeles.
Vijali Hamilton Vijali is a visionary sculptor, poet, musician, and author of several beautiful books on her art. She is the originator of the World Wheel Project, where she combines sculptures in living rock and community ritual-based theater. Her work includes education, art, spirituality, peace activism, and focuses attention on the resolution of environmental, spiritual, and social problems. World Wheel is an artistic forum for global understanding. She previously spent 10 years as a monastic member of the Vedanta convent. More than 1,000 of her art works are in private and public collections. She lectures extensively and gives retreats in the creative process.
Dennis Hauck Dennis is one of the world’s few practicing alchemists, an author, consultant, and lecturer working to facilitate personal, institutional, and global  transformation through the application of the ancient principles of alchemy. He writes and lectures on the universal principles of physical, psychological, and spiritual perfection to a wide variety of audiences that range from scientists and business leaders to religious and New Age groups. He has translated a number of important Latin and German alchemy manuscripts dating back to the fourteenth century. He has written several bestselling books on the subject, including, The Emerald Tablet: Alchemy for Personal Transformation, and Sorcerer's Stone: A Beginner's Guide to Alchemy. He has also been interviewed on nearly three hundred radio and TV programs.
Rev. Dr. Rainbow Johnson Rev. Rainbow is an ordained Religious Science minister and popular teacher, international speaker and workshop facilitator, Science of Mind contributor of Daily Guides for Richer Living since 1978, transformational counselor, and death & dying expert. Her career of service began by teaching developmentally disabled children in the urban core, music students in rural Kauai Hawaii, adult-age high school drop-outs, graduate students, and Japanese senior citizens. She also taught at Ernest Holmes College School of Ministry; and was Pastor of the New Vision Church in Austin, Texas. She is commissioned by the United Church of Religious Science to teach persons around the world (in various places such as India, Russia, and China) about the principles of Science of Mind, and currently travels the world speaking, presenting workshops, and facilitating retreats. She has authored Apples of Gold and The Year of the Rainbow. She is known for her outrageous sense of humor and unique ways of helping people become all they can be.