We hope you can join us on Sunday, February 2, 2025, at 1:30 pm ET/11:30 am MT for Reflections from Sangha Is the New Guru online retreat.

It has been said that more than 50% of the members of an effective sangha are likely to awaken. The Sanskrit word, “sangha,” literally means community. Specifically, it refers to a community that is dedicated to spiritual awakening.

Retreat participants will have the opportunity to share how this retreat helped them learn how the Sangha is its own teacher. They will also share on how they learned to genuinely support awakening for themselves and each other.

We invite everyone to join us!

Enter the Sanctuary

We are excited to announce Monthly Spotlight now happening on Sundays from 8-8:30pm ET / 6-6:30 MT! Starting in March, join us in the Sanctuary every 2nd Sunday of the month for a special 30-minute program celebrating the unique journeys of our community.

This is a wonderful opportunity to deepen our connection as we share and illuminate the sacred paths of our spiritual journeys.

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.

REGISTRATION CLOSES IN ONE WEEK

We are excited to share with you the newly developed course for the Ministerial Preparation Program which utilizes Regina Dawn Akers’ translation and interpretation of the Tao Te Ching. All who are called to this spiritual classic are in invited to join.

Here’s an excerpt from Regina’s book description:

“…What is the Way?

The only way to know the Way is to live as one with the Way.

[This] translation of the Tao Te Ching is an interpretive translation designed to help the reader comprehend, contemplate, and live from the Tao Te Ching’s teaching.

According to tradition, the Tao Te Ching was written by Lao Tzu when the Chinese Zhou dynasty was in decline. Although a city gatekeeper asked Lao Tzu to write the Tao Te Ching, Its spiritual wisdom is directed at the emperor’s officers and officials. Therefore, it speaks to the reader as a leader.

It’s important to realize we are all leaders, even if you do not find yourself in an official leadership position. We are all leaders because we are all connected through the Way. How we each live affects everyone and everything. Chapter Eight of the Tao Te Ching teaches that those who dwell in the Way are good for the earth. Through their way of being, they benefit everyone and everything. Therefore, regardless of your position or role in the world, the best way to be helpful to everyone and everything is to live centered in the Way. This clear and easy-to-understand translation was designed to help you do just that.”

In this class you will:

1. Become familiar with the classic Chinese work, Tao Te Ching.

2. Contemplate chapters from Tao Te Ching and realize effective leadership.

Course Duration: 6 weeks

First Class: February 14, 2023 from 3-5 pm ET

Homework Begins: February 7, 2025

Last Day of Course: March 21, 2025

Facilitators: Revs. Cyndi Krupp OR Michele Hojnacki

Individual Homework Time Commitment: 6-7 days per week, 30-60 minutes per day.

Structure of Course: Zoom class with 6 weekly 2-hour sessions.

Textbook needed:  Tao Te Ching:An Interpretive Translation to Live By with Regina Dawn Akers. Purchase Here.

Holiday Breaks: No breaks are scheduled

Cost: $180

Registration closes: February 3, 2025 @ 5 p.m. ET

Register Here

Personal Retreat Opportunities at the Awakening Together Retreat House in La Veta, CO

Group retreats not your thing? Would some time in silence and stillness serve you? Feel the desire for more intimate one on one time to support your journey?

When the Retreat House reopens for the season in April and during times when an organized retreat is not scheduled (see Retreat House Calendar), the Awakening Together Retreat House is open to support you in taking your next step with God. Whether you would like to support your journey with some time in silence, share the joy of being around friends on the path, request one on one support, deepen in your contemplation practice and perhaps hike or explore in the afternoons, the Retreat House is here to serve you.

With John Mark and Cindy Stroud serving as the Awakening Together Retreat House caretakers for the 2025 season, we all have a wonderful opportunity to spend time with them as they live a life of wakefulness. From the joy and responsibilities of daily life to the blessings and opportunities of relationship, Love enfolds and expresses through all aspects of life. There can be great joy and peace found in living a life of wakefulness.

If private one on one time with John Mark and/or Cindy is desired, it can look like sitting in a one on one session at the Retreat House, taking a walk around the nearby lake or a hike in the local area. There is a $100 donation for these private sessions. Whether you are lodging at the Retreat House for a personal stay or live in the local area, if you are interested in a one on one session with John Mark and/or Cindy please contact the Retreat House here for more information and availability.

John Mark and Cindy Stroud
from One Who Wakes

To apply to stay at the Awakening Together Retreat House for a personal stay, please visit our Lodging Options page.

Join Joseph Schmitz for his new program, Devotional Nonduality. It debuts Wednesday, January 22nd, 2025 at 2:00pm ET/12:00pm MT. This program will be in the Sanctuary weekly on Wednesdays, from 2:00 pm -2:30 pm ET/12:00 pm-12:30 pm MT.

Joseph invites us to delve deeper into the unknown, embracing the journey with curiosity, love, and trust.

Dr. Hawkins wrote that “…the essential required qualities needed for following the pathway of nonduality are humility, surrender, and devotional dedication to the pathway.” 

Awakening Together is an assembly of equals joined in a common purpose: awakening to one true Self. While many teachings remind us that we already are that Self—unchanging, whole, and complete—why does it often feel so difficult to live from that as our direct experience? 

One suggestion is that it is due to the fear of the unknown. No matter how challenging the circumstances of life might be, it’s still mostly familiar territory in that it’s “my” life, these are “my” circumstances, and this is “my” territory. 

Exploring unknown territories can be both dangerous and adventurous. We will journey ever deeper into the unknown guided by the wisdom of spiritual teachers such as Dr. David Hawkins, Angelo Dilullo, Regina Dawn Akers, Adyashanti, as well as the insights found in music, poetry, and the intuitive wisdom within us all.

Weekly on Wednesdays, 2:00-2:30pm ET / 12:00-12:30pm MT
Add Program to Your Calendar
*To add this program to your own calendar click the three dots in the upper right-hand corner, and then click “copy” and “save”.

The talented Rev. Yolanda Mapes shares a brand-new song, inspired by her contemplation of Thoughts of Awakening #12  from Regina Dawn Akers’ book, Thoughts of Awakening: 365 Thoughts for Contemplation.

She made it into a fun sing-along so we can all join in and affirm the Truth together!

Watch the Video

This sweet and heartfelt song was first shared during the program, Contemplating the Thoughts of Awakening – A Daily Devotional Practice. This program airs daily in the sanctuary from 8:30am – 9:00am ET / 6:30am – 7:00am MT.

To download and hear more of Rev. Yolanda’s music, please visit www.Yolanda.net/audio

We are delighted to announce that Joanne Schneider has been re-elected as Chair for the Board of Directors during the October 2024 Board of Director meeting. Joanne’s willingness to serve another six years in this role reflects her deep dedication to our community and mission. Her continued leadership is an incredible gift, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude for her generosity, commitment, and spirit of service.

Joanne has been on a personal spiritual journey for many years. In 2009, she was ordained through Pathways of Light, and in 2016, she was ordained through Awakening Together. Her involvement in Gentle Healing began in January 2017, and she has remained a steadfast presence in our community ever since.

Beyond her service to our organization, Joanne works as university faculty, where she chairs a board of researchers tasked with reviewing research for the protection of human subjects, ensuring both safety and ethical standards. Her professional expertise and dedication to integrity are invaluable assets to her role as Chair-Minister of our Board of Directors.

Additionally, Joanne shares her insights and guidance in the Awakening Together sanctuary twice a month on Tuesday evenings at 8 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. MT in the program, Living Emptiness Out Loud. These sessions offer a profound opportunity to connect and reflect on the spiritual path.

Please join us in celebrating Joanne’s re-election and expressing our sincere gratitude for her willingness to continue leading and inspiring us. Her presence and contributions enrich our community in countless ways.

For more information on those that serve on our Board of Directors click here.