A. Justin Sterling
The Weekends and The Sterling Institute of Relationship
A. Justin Sterling
09.08.1942 - 03.21.2025
A. Justin Sterling dedicated his life to transforming the way men and women relate to themselves and to one another. As the visionary founder of the Sterling Institute of Relationship, he created a body of work that continues to inspire deep self-examination, accountability, and authentic connection.
Through his groundbreaking weekends, since the 70's, and community programs, Justin challenged individuals to confront their self-imposed barriers, embrace integrity, and live powerfully in all areas of life. His teachings have shaped thousands of lives around the world, leaving an enduring legacy of truth, responsibility, and the courage to love without compromise.
In the beginning…
A. Justin Sterling had a professional relationship with a director of a women’s organization that counseled women about how to be successful in their careers. As they worked together, they noticed a correlation between women’s abilities to be successful in their careers and their inability to be successful in their personal relationships. The women’s organization began referring clients to Justin for counseling, where he experienced a great deal of success. Then they decided it might be productive to address these shared challenges in a seminar style format. The initial seminars were highly successful and the women who completed them recommended the experience to other women, and it grew from there.
A. Justin Sterling’s philosophy about men and women, relationships and marriage:
Justin’s essential core of his philosophy is that men and women are different on many different levels - biological, psychological, intellectual, and emotional. The model of relationship Justin encourages both men and women to adopt is one which is predicated upon defining the differences between men and women; and identifying, embracing, and projecting those differences into the relationship. As men and women begin to understand and accept their differences, they can begin to respect and accept each other in a successful long-term relationship that is based on celebrating those differences rather than trying to become more like each other.
Basic philosophy of the Sterling Women’s Weekend:
The basic philosophy of the Sterling Women’s Weekend helps women accept and embrace all their female characteristics, so that they make wise life choices. These choices are very personal, ones that will affect the direction and outcome of the rest of her life. A woman’s freedom lies in the acceptance of her feminine nature, not in trying to adopt what are fundamentally male characteristics.
Basic philosophy of the Sterling Men’s Weekend:
The basic philosophy of the Sterling Men’s Weekend is that men must be encouraged to rediscover their essential masculinity and, through that, redefine what it means to be male in this culture. The Sterling Men’s Weekend philosophy helps men understand the conflicts they face and find their own power, success and personal freedom through becoming “the man they always wanted to be”.
A. Justin Sterling on the Sterling Men’s and Women’s Weekends:
The Sterling Men’s and Women’s Weekends are deeply personal experiences, inviting each participant to discover the unique challenges and desires that matter most to them, while seeking growth and transformation in areas of life that hold deep significance. The Sterling Men’s and Women’s Weekends offer a pathway to profound insight and self-discovery, welcoming individuals from all walks of life, including those in positions of influence and power. We recognize the importance of privacy and discretion and are deeply committed to safeguarding the confidentiality of every participant. Our weekends provide a trusted space for personal growth, ensuring that everyone embarks on their journey with confidence and peace of mind.
A. Justin Sterling on what he hopes to achieve through his work:
Justin’s hope was to have some kind of affect on decreasing the divorce rate, and reducing the devastating effects divorce has on children, as well as the way these children of divorce affect future generations. Divorce hurts children. With over 50% of marriages ending in divorce, we are raising a generation of people who are unable to form deep and lasting emotional bonds with other people, the key factor in keeping a marriage together. As men and women become more connected to their essential natures and learn what it takes to create and maintain a successful long-term relationship, the ills of society will diminish. Justin hope was that the work the Sterling Institute will continue to do will bring lasting benefits to our society.
A. Justin Sterling on: A “true global community”
People are beginning to realize how alike we are when reduced to our basic elements. It does not matter where we are from or what our backgrounds are, there are some basic desires and needs that bring us together. As the world becomes smaller, the things we have in common become more obvious. As we begin to witness a global economic community, we are poised for a more emotional, personal, and value-oriented global community.