AT News – Page 9

12-14-24 Weekly Gathering, “From Intent to Consent: Praying Without Ceasing” with Rev. Anne Blanchard

December 15, 2024

Title: “From Intent to Consent: Praying Without Ceasing”

Description: In every moment, prayer is happening. When we are listening to mind, we are praying for mind’s illusions. When, however, we are listening to our true intention – our desire for Truth – we are praying for Truth. In this week’s message, Rev. Anne Blanchard will share how in her current practice she has moved to what feels like a next stage, beyond intention to consent, that is, from listening to her true desire to listening from it.

Reading: Jai Segal read from Angelo DiLullo’s “Awake”. Starting from the first full paragraph on pg. 409 to the final full paragraph on pg. 414.

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Video from Regina Dawn Akers: Maintaining Church Status

December 3, 2024

We’re excited to share a message from our Founding Minister, Regina Dawn Akers, with all our newsletter subscribers. Regina has recorded a video that outlines the requirements Awakening Together must meet to maintain its legal church status.

This information is vital for our community, as adhering to these requirements ensures we uphold our status as a recognized church. Straying from these requirements, even accidentally, could jeopardize our standing.

📽️ Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/TzVu8205RoY

Who Should Watch? While this video was initially created for Awakening Together Ministers, we encourage anyone within the Awakening Together community who is interested in learning more about our organization’s reason for becoming a church and how that serves our purpose as a community.

For our ordained ministers, don’t forget you can access any of the videos from the Ministers’ Playlist by visiting our website.

Accessing the Ministers’ Playlist: You can always access the Ministers’ Playlist on YouTube by following these steps:

Go to the Classes section on our website’s menu bar.
Click on Minister Preparation Program (MPP).
Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on Free Continuing Education for AT Ordained Ministers.

We hope you take the time to watch this teaching from Regina Dawn Akers about maintaining the church status of Awakening Together.

New Program: “Devotional Attention to Stillness” Begins Sunday, Dec. 8th at 9:30am ET / 7:30am MT

December 2, 2024

Join us for the brand new program, “Devotional Attention to Stillness” with Rev. Abigail Edwards debuting Sunday, December 8th, 2024 at 9:30am ET/7:30am MT. This program will be in the Sanctuary every other week beginning Sunday, December 8, 2024, from 9:30 -10 am/7:30-8 am MT.

Experience the restful practice of sitting in the stillness of the heart, connected in Being with Rev. Abigail Edwards. Together, we will release the mental chatter by embracing the Divine as our natural state and reconnect with the Reality of the Self.

This meditative process will draw on the Truth writings of Dr. David R. Hawkins, Inner Ramana, Nisargadatta, NTI and other teachers encountered on this spiritual path. We will come together as a supportive group to meditate, embodying the core values of Awakening Together.

Every other Sunday, 9:30-10:00am ET / 7:30-8:00am MT
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*To add this program to your own calendar click the three dots in the upper right-hand corner, and then click “copy” and “save”.

How Fundamental Suffering Can Lead To Love? An Inspirational Article By Tchiki Davis, M.A., Ph.D.

December 1, 2024

Meta Tag: What are the roots of our suffering, and what happens when we’re willing to dig them up?

For most of our lives, we believe that the causes of suffering are outside of ourselves. To us, bad circumstances = suffering. Starting from the time we are young, this is how it appears to be. A friend calls us a mean name and causes our suffering. We fail to get the job we want which causes our suffering. We recognize the toxicity of an important relationship and believe this person has caused our suffering. Indeed, this is how I experienced suffering for the majority of my life—that is, until I became aware of fundamental suffering, or the roots of our pain.

What Is Fundamental Suffering?

When we take a closer look at our suffering, we might notice something funny going on—we’re confused about what actually causes our pain. The true causes of our suffering are not within the experience itself. Rather, suffering originates within us.

This is not to discount our perspective that others have hurt us. Indeed, there are many situations where removing ourselves from the harmful behavior of others is the right action. It is only to say that our experience of suffering is coming from our own mind (or ego). But if we explore even deeper than that, we can see that fundamental suffering—or the suffering that exists in all things—is really coming from three primary, overlapping experiences.

Here is how I would describe the experiences that cause fundamental suffering:

Aversion or Unsatisfactoriness

We experience aversion constantly: I don’t want this outcome. I don’t want this experience. I don’t want this emotion. Aversion touches even the most minute actions, thoughts, or sensations. My hands are slightly too cold. I should have used this word instead of that word. I’m just so tired of thinking. All of this is aversion, and it is one of the roots of suffering. I now see that there is no circumstance that can make me happy because aversion is dissatisfied with everything.

Example: I’m in the most beautiful place watching a beautiful sunset and I get bit by a mosquito. Aversion focuses on the mosquito bite.

Attachment or Wanting

Attachment is just the opposite: I want this outcome. I want this object. I want this experience. I need a bit more money to be happy. If she would just listen to me, I’d feel like I matter. If he only understood me, we’d get along. We are attached to what we perceive to be good because we think it will produce happiness. But when we watch our experiences carefully, we see that these things don’t actually produce happiness. I now see that suffering is not in the circumstances themselves; it’s in the wanting, clinging, and attachment to particular circumstances.

Example: I’m joyfully singing along to a song, and my husband asks me to quiet down so he can hear the TV. I burst into tears. I witness the joy disintegrate into nothing, and I want it back.

Self-Concept or Identity

The self-concept overlaps with the other two kinds of suffering, but it’s helpful to notice it in its own right: I am this. I am that. If I tell myself that I am a nice person, I’d feel valid. If I believe that I am a soul, I’d feel less lonely. If I do what everyone wants me to do, I’d feel approved of. But no matter how we conceive of ourselves, we can never find the love or wholeness we’re seeking because love doesn’t live in concepts. We suffer as we try to mold the self into something that would get the love it seeks.

Example: My editor tells me my article is really good. My self-concept immediately claims it: “I’m a good writer”. I don’t realize I’ve identified with it until later when my editor tells me my article needs improvement. I suffer because this threatens the self-concept I have of being a “good writer.”

When Everything Appears As Suffering

When we begin to perceive the fundamental suffering inherent in our entire reality, we might feel depressed, lonely, empty, or unmotivated. So much of our lives were motivated by the desire to alleviate suffering. When we are no longer trying to avoid aversion, seek attachment, and create a self-concept, we can have a hard time figuring out what to do with our time.

For about a year now, I’ve been mulling about in a world that appears to be made entirely of fundamental suffering. Sometimes, it’s all I see. But every time I notice myself getting hooked on suffering, I apply concentrated awareness to gently release myself from its grasp. And over time, the pain has lessened. My ego no longer throws massive tantrums and bursts into tears. Now, it just broods quietly in the corner.

The Antidote To Suffering

Each moment of concentrated awareness placed on suffering is painful for the separate self (or ego), but luckily, the separate self becomes less and less of who we are. If we keep at it, the truth of suffering becomes more apparent, and eventually, it starts to become transparent.

It’s almost like suffering is a monster under our bed. If we just turn the lights on and look, we see that it was all in our heads—just a figment of our imagination. And now instead of seeing the monster, we see what was in the monster’s shadow: love. Life—when experienced without aversion, without attachment, and without self-inflation—is love.

I’m just beginning to see the love that exists beyond suffering. Behind aversion is acceptance. Behind attachment is openness. Behind the separate self is unity. I have known these polarities intellectually, but by experiencing suffering in all sense objects, it is becoming increasingly clear that, for me at least, love is the answer. By embracing suffering fully I now see that love is the only worthwhile way to spend my time. Everything else seems meaningless.

So if you’re still trapped in suffering—whether at the experience level or the fundamental level—try to remember that suffering presents an opportunity to finally understand the roots of your pain. And if you’re willing to dig up the roots, something amazing can grow: Love.

Join us in the Forum for further discussion of this article.

New Program: “Resting in Our Immaculate Nature” Begins Sunday, Nov. 17 at 7:00 p.m. ET

November 10, 2024

Jill and Joy invite us to gently rest and welcome our immaculate nature into full awareness. As we rest into our natural state, we relax beyond fear—letting go of the energy, beliefs, and egoic desires that contribute to suffering. Together, as a sangha, we cultivate a deepened recognition of our True nature, allowing the energy tied to false beliefs about ourselves to return to its natural state of Pure Divine Light.

Gathering as a sangha heightens our ability to detect obstacles–blocks to our immaculate nature…dense, lower frequency Light–so that these aspects of our being that we made up are welcomed into awareness, hastening their return to the original state as Pure Divine Light. As a sangha, we will use practical examples from our lives. Notably, resting in our True, immaculate nature supports noticing how the false identity that isn’t really what we are, enjoys, even wants!… to believe limiting beliefs (the false/unreal) until we realize what we actually are, immaculate, unaffected Divine Spirit. Join us as we put obstacles on the altar of Truth and free light that has been blocking our palpable awareness of Divine Love. Pointings from The Way of Mastery, ACIM, NTI and more will be used.

Weekly on Sundays, 7:00pm-8:00pm ET / 6:00-5:00pm MT
*except for the 3rd Sunday of the Month

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*To add this program to your own calendar click the three dots in the upper right-hand corner, and then click “copy” and “save”.

Heartfelt Thanks to Jane Marie Sobel and Pieter van Prooijen

November 3, 2024

As we close out our in-person retreat season, we want to extend our deepest gratitude to our wonderful retreat house caretakers, Jane Marie Sobel and Pieter van Prooijen. Since joining us in 2022, Jane Marie and Pieter have graced our retreat house with their boundless love, joy, and dedication, creating a warm and supportive environment for everyone who has visited with the desire to take their next steps with God.

Their impact has been immeasurable, from organizing in-person and online retreats to sharing their open-hearted service with all retreatants. Their kindness and devotion have truly embodied the spirit of Awakening Together.

During their time with us they have served as staff and volunteers, bringing their whole hearts to the show. Providing support in so many ways including sharing in the sanctuary; managing all of the administration of retreats; caring for and repairing the retreat house; and being the heart of the retreat house.

Now as their journey as caretakers is coming to a close on November 20, 2024 we are delighted to announce that Jane Marie will remain with us in a new role as our Sanctuary Community Admin. Beginning December 1, 2024, she will continue to support retreats, the new retreat house caretakers, and various other Awakening Together programs, serving the community with the same love and dedication she has shown in her time as a caretaker.

Please join me in thanking both Pieter and Jane Marie for their beautiful service and in welcoming Jane Marie as she transitions into her new position. They have made this decision from a deep calling within, led by their Inner Wisdom.

As we bid them farewell from their caretaker roles, we share from their heartfelt message when joining Awakening Together. In the spirit of A Course in Miracles, which Jane Marie and Pieter hold dear, we are reminded: “Your worth is not established by your teaching or your learning. Your worth was established by God.”

Thank you, Jane Marie and Pieter, for your grace, love, and service.

Welcoming Our New Retreat House Caretakers for the 2025 Season!

November 3, 2024

We are thrilled to announce that John Mark and Cindy Stroud, from “One Who Wakes,“ will join us as our new caretakers and teachers for the retreat house during the 2025 in-person retreat season. With a heart for service and deep spiritual insight, John Mark and Cindy will oversee the daily maintenance of our retreat house, host and facilitate monthly retreats, and provide one-on-one support for private retreatants upon request.

The in-person retreat season at the retreat house in La Veta, Colorado will officially begin in May, with John Mark and Cindy arriving mid-April to transition into their roles. John Mark will lead some in-person retreats and both John Mark and Cindy will host retreatants for all in-person retreats.

To spend one-on-one time with John Mark, there is a fee of $100 per session. It is helpful to have a sense of what you expect to get out of this time together before requesting to join.

Please join us in warmly welcoming John Mark and Cindy. We look forward to the retreat season with them.

2025 Retreats
Details on Personal Stays at the Retreat House

Clarifying How to Recognize an Ego Attack, by Regina Dawn Akers

October 1, 2024

On Sunday, I led the Awakening Together Weekly Gathering, “When the Mind Goes Crazy.” In that gathering, I talked about how to recognize an ego attack. After listening to a few people since then, I thought it might be helpful to clarify one point.

An ego attack always has the purpose of trying to stop you from moving forward on the spiritual path. Maybe you are about to follow significant guidance, and it comes to try to stop you. Maybe you are about to make a significant shift, and it comes to try to stop you. An ego attack is the reaction of homeostasis in the thought system. It is an attempt to prevent change.

Ego attack isn’t the only time you are challenged by thoughts that are louder and more persistent than usual. For us to let go of anything, it needs to rise out of the subconscious and be seen. So, for example, if it is time for you to let go of a specific false belief, you may see and feel a lot more of that than usual. This is different than an ego attack, because the purpose is different. This is grace. Grace is pushing something up from the subconscious to be seen in awareness.

In some ways, it doesn’t matter if it is an ego attack or grace pushing something up to be seen and healed. What you do is the same: Rest, accept and allow, trust, watch, and do not believe or engage with it. However, the reason I wanted to help you recognize an ego attack is because an ego attack is trying to get you to STOP! RUN! GO the OTHER WAY! If you don’t recognize an ego attack for what it is, you might stop, run, go the other way. If you see it for what it is, you will be able to stay, rest through the attack, and continue forward in the direction of truth realization.

I hope this is helpful.

Here is a link to my Weekly Gathering for those who did not hear it:

https://youtu.be/fgcB6Jdt620

Join us in the Forum for further discussion of this article.

09-29-24 Weekly Gathering, “When the Mind Goes Crazy” with Rev. Regina Dawn Akers

September 29, 2024

Title: “When the Mind Goes Crazy”

Description: It’s wonderful to talk about oneness, joy, love, and bliss. However, the spiritual path isn’t all oneness, joy, love, and bliss. As we journey towards awakening, we also face a lot of darkness. In this Weekly Gathering, Rev Regina will talk about how dark it can get, how we can recognize darkness as nothing more than the mind trying to regain command and control, and how to pass through the darkness to the light.

Reading: Tina Brown read excerpts from Chapter 4 of The Experience of No-Self by Bernadette Roberts.

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Prayer Requests Welcome

September 24, 2024

Did you know you can submit a prayer request and ministers in Awakening Together’s Prayer Ministry will commune in prayer with your request in their hearts?

What does it mean to pray?

In prayer, there is no duality between my life & God’s life in me. I am held in being by my creator. Prayer in essence, is openness to, awareness of God’s love at the root of all that is. Our role in response to a prayer request is to be silent in love, not denying the experience of form and not seeing it as reality.

Our response to prayer is in harmony with Awakening Together’s fifth core value:

We accept all forms as temporary appearances permitted through enduring awareness of Self. We live this value by honoring all appearances and all experiences while continually reflecting on changeless truth.

If you would like to submit a prayer request, please click here.