Freedom From the Judge
April 11-13
with Jacquelyn Eckert

An Online Retreat

There is nothing more important to true growth than realizing that you are not the voice of the mind – you are the one who hears it.’ ~ Michael Singer.

Whether we realize it or not, our lives are structured around pleasing what might be called our internal “judge” (aka, the ego or internal critic). In this retreat, we will learn to identify the judge, which is nothing more than a cluster of ideas, standards and beliefs. We will look at how this cluster of thought directs our actions, attention and aspirations.

You will learn to recognize that the voice of the judge is not your voice and learn how hearing this voice as “other” is helpful in discovering you are not your thoughts. We will also examine the ways in which we engage the judge even though we are attempting to disengage and, we will practice disengaging from the judge as a prerequisite to abiding in no-self.

Retreat Schedule

The retreat will begin at 10am ET (8am MT) and end at 5pm ET (3pm MT) each day.  A 2-hour lunch period will be provided beginning about 1pm ET (11am MT).

Retreat Fee is $180

$50 non-refundable deposit is required

REGISTRATION CLOSED

Registration Closes on April 7th at 5pm ET

Scholarship Information

You may have noticed some changes to the menu bar recently. As we work to simplify our website we have made changes that impact where you find the Sanctuary Schedule and the Forum.

To find the Sanctuary Schedule go to the main menu bar and click the menu item called “Events.” Scroll down on the page and you will find the schedule there.

To find the Forum go to the main menu bar a roll your mouse over the menu item called “Resources” then click on the sub-menu item called “Forum.”

We thank you for your patient and support as we work to make the website as easy as possible for all to access what they are searching for.

We invite you to participate in our Monthly Spotlight, happening every 2nd Sunday of the month from 8:00–8:30 pm ET / 6:00–6:30 pm MT. This special 30-minute program offers an opportunity for our community to come together, share, and celebrate the unique journeys of each individual.

Whether it’s your spiritual path, your professional experiences, or the ways you’re living your purpose, Monthly Spotlight is a space to connect, reflect, and learn from each other. It’s a chance to share not only what shapes your inner life but also the work you do in the world.

We look forward to hearing your stories and building a deeper bond as we celebrate the diverse experiences that make our community so vibrant.

This program is available every 2nd Sunday of the month, 8:00pm-8:30 pm ET/6:00-6:30 pm MT in the Awakening Together Zoom Sanctuary.

If you are interested in sharing during the monthly spotlight please contact us here.

Join us for our next Movie Watcher’s Group which will be facilitated by Joy Bedford on Sunday, March 23rd, 2025, at 8 pm ET/6 pm MT.

Father Stu is a 2022, biographical drama starring Mark Wahlberg. This film is based on the true story of Stuart Long, a Montana boxer turned Catholic priest, Stu has a troubled relationship with himself, his parents and with life. When he moves to California to pursue an acting career, his choice to follow his heart leads in more than one unexpected direction.

This film was chosen for its powerful spiritual topics, including living in the anger-frequency (and other frequencies) as a separate self then opening to the One Self/Divine Radiance (transformation); following an unexpected calling and being utilized by the Divine; becoming aware of two inner voices, and growing discernment regarding which of these voices is wiser; making the conscious choice for What Is over the magnetic pull to believe ego/the hidden desire to believe and experience distortion (fear-pain in all its forms/suffering); becoming aware of the power of being honest with and true to one’s self and where we’re not being true to our self; inspired sharing; meeting beings where they are; subconscious doubts about ourselves being reflected by characters around us and choosing to say no to those doubts; forgiveness of God and others; absorbing the fact that we are the script writer (i.e., God is not letting things happen “to” us, or causing our suffering); retranslation of life choices.

Satsang Reflections is a monthly dialogue held after the Satsang. This installment will be on Monday, March 17, 2025, from 11 am – 12 pm ET. Joseph Schmitz will facilitate this installment.

The purpose of this program is to share what was most impactful. Hear from others about what they took away, and deepen into the teaching from the Satsang interview with John Mark Stroud where he was interviewed by Joseph Schmitz.

We hope you will join us live to discuss and dive deeper into the inspiration that was shared during the Satsang with John Mark. Or, just listen in and hear all the biggest highlights and see if this particular Satsang might inspire you in some way.

Use this link for information on how to enter our Zoom sanctuary.

Please join John Mark Stroud who will be joining us for our March Satsang. This special event will take place on Sunday, March 16th, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. MT in our Zoom sanctuary. John Mark will be interviewed by Joe Schmitz.

Here is some information about John Mark Stroud:
A single unexpected moment in John Mark’s mid 20’s left him with a vast sense of emptiness.

He would spend the next 15 years immersed in worldly activity, trying in vain to fill this emptiness. His “normal” life of businessman, husband, and father had all the hallmarks of great success. But that vast emptiness keep haunting him.

Finally, in 2007, he was compelled by some greater force to sell his business and begin the inward search for the true peace and happiness that had always eluded him. Almost immediately he was swept up in a tidal wave of Grace.  For a man used to control and responsibility, it was particularly unsettling that these miracles began to move and direct his life into uncharted waters.

In 2009, he was guided to “A Course in Miracles.” Instinctively, he knew this was what he had been searching for. It was as though it had been written just for him. The Course in Miracles led him to the direct experience of God’s limitless Love and Perfect Peace.