Awakening Together

A universal assembly for true discernment

NON-DUAL PURPOSE & PRACTICE

You are here: Home / Archives for Sidebar

Celebrating Joanne Schneider’s Re-election as Chair for the Board of Directors

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.

Let It Be: An Anthem ~ by Rev. Anne Blanchard

While much attention centers on reversing the deeply ingrained patterns of most humans to cling, to tighten, to insist on getting one’s way, the flow of the Universe waits patiently by for its invitation to complete the other half of this healing movement and that is to give. Allowing the lower vibrational impulses to be seen and be released as not wanted allows the higher prompts a clean and clear runway to land right in our hearts as right-minded prompts to allow what is to come, to come.
And while giving is certainly a cherished adventure of both generosity and abundance, there would be no joy of giving unless someone played the corresponding role of receiving. So consciously stepping into a call to receive, to be the receiver of generosity and abundance allows the Universal flow to do just that: flow.
Welcoming the natural ebb and flow of life is to be firmly established in the center, centered into our essence, our fundamental truth of being both whole and complete.
Watching for prompts allows the natural listening attention that we are to not participate in denying our wholeness, our intrinsic connection to the flow, AS that very flow.
So to “Let it be,” an anthem we can all rejoice in, is actually part and parcel to the Universal flow which sings just as joyously to the refrain: “Let it come”.  Sometimes we can even hear the ever-present background choir singing: “Not my will but Thine be done.”
And so it is. Amen.

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

Introducing this Month’s Movie ~ “The Remarkable Life of Ibelin”

Join us for our next Movie Watcher’s Group which will be facilitated by Jan Lonnquist on Sunday, January 26th, 2025, at 8 pm ET/6 pm MT.

The Remarkable Life of Ibelin is a 2024 Netflix documentary and Sundance Film Festival winner for Best Director and Audience Award.

When Norwegian gamer Mats Steen died at age 25, his parents mourned what they thought was his isolated life. It was only once they had access to his blog that they discovered the deep friendships he created virtually before passing away from a degenerative muscular disease. They were unaware that Mats had long been leading a vibrant digital life that had left a profound impact on a community of fellow gamers.

The film takes us on a journey through the breadth of Mats Steen’s adventurous online
life, introducing us to Ibelin, his charismatic World of Warcraft persona. Through reconstructed animated moments from Mats’ gameplay, narrated entries from his blog
and interviews with people who knew him as Ibelin, a picture of a remarkable young man emerges, one that underscores how community and soulful relationships can transcend the boundaries of the physical world.

Jan shares why she chose this film: This film “blew” my mind” on so many levels. It has many profound and thought provoking spiritual themes to contemplate. The film presentation itself is amazing, evoking emotional power by the bringing together of the virtual and physical worlds. The film beautifully captures the unexpected ways people can connect in the digital world.

It shines a new light on gaming for people like myself who through lack of knowledge and experience, have adopted a bias against gaming culture before they have seen the whole picture. It can be said that tech platforms set out to addict and exploit young minds and yet they can be a lifeline for some individuals who find themselves isolated “in real life.” (IRL means “in real life” and is an internet term used to distinguish something happening offline or in the physical world from something happening online or in a virtual space.)

This movie shows the power that lies in caring, being kind, showing respect and listening to others. It also illustrates beautifully the value of allowing ones self to be vulnerable with others and that fear of self exposure can be counterproductive. And, so, so much more…

Please refer to the Playlist for many spiritual themes and discussion prompts. Playlist for The Remarkable Life of Ibelin

The Remarkable Life of Ibelin can be watched on Netflix and Amazon Prime.

Movie Trailer for The Remarkable Life of Ibelin

This Sunday in the Sanctuary ~ January 12, 2025

All Times are Eastern Standard Time – See links below to join us in the Sanctuary 

 

Join us at 9:30 am ET/ 7:30 am MT for “Shiny Things” with Claire Bhavani

What is Truth? And how do we find it in a life that is pushed and pulled around by the cravings, aversions, and ignorance of the human mind and senses?

There can be no confusion about where to start, for it is all laid out within the eight limbs of Raja yoga, as described in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.

Shiny Things provides practical guidance to apply the path of Raja Yoga in daily life, relieving suffering and accessing an inner sparkle, within a supportive group environment. It includes consideration of how we conduct ourselves in the world, how we relate to our spiritual practices, appropriate care of the body and vitality, a gradual quieting of the mind and senses, throwing out what is false, and glimpsing what is True.

We will initially use the book by Bhava Ram: The Eight Limbs of Yoga, Pathway to Liberation, as an introductory guide. If you don’t have the book, you can still join us. Later in the year, we will commence a deeper immersion into a full commentary of The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.

 

Join us at 10:15 am ET/ 8:15 am MT
for Our Weekly Gathering with Rev. Beverly Toporowski

Topic: “Beyond Duality Is the Thunder of Silence“

Description: Explore the nuances of how we come to live in a separation and how we have come to believe we can be separate from God while simultaneously understanding that this could never be. How can we understand and that there is no journey back to the Self? The illusion of having left begins with the belief in 2 powers. The Kingdom of Heaven is immediately revealed when thought ceases and Silence speaks.

Reading: Mary Dugan will read from The Thunder of Silence by Joel Goldsmith, Chapter 4: “Who Told You?” pp. 41-50.

Enter Sanctuary Here

*Weekly gathering is held every Sunday morning at 10:15 am ET/8:15 am MT in the Awakening Together Sanctuary. Join us after the Gathering for our Fellowship Time, hosted by Laura “Joy” Bedford.

 

Join us at 12:00 pm ET/ 10:00 am MT for “Just Being Here Now” with Anja Janssen 

Everything is already here now, so all we have to ‘do’ is be. In this program, Anja will look deeply into the now, the present moment, to explore how truth presents itself. She will be using everyday experiences and events to practice being present with what is. She will also share a variety of teachings about the now, the illusion of time, and resting in beingness. Some of the teachers and texts she will draw from are Eckhart Tolle, Lao Tzu, Angelo Dilullo, A Course in Miracles & NTI. Join Anja in using our everyday experiences to embrace the present moment and be.

 

Join us at 12:30 pm ET/ 10:30 am MT for the New Program “Transcending the Addiction to Mind” with Rev. David Hemphill 

David invites us to explore the belief in separation through the lens of addiction to the mind! On this journey we will explore many topics such as:

  1. What does it really mean to have spiritual awakening as part of my path?
  2. What is my unique path?
  3. Why do parts of my path feel uncomfortable?
  4. How do I navigate the uncomfortable parts?
  5. Where is the inherent bliss and joy on my path that spiritual awakening says is there? How do I access it now?
  6. Why does my bliss come and go? Why do the bad parts always come back?
  7. How do I get “unstuck” if I’ve been on this path many years and yet still have the same issues I’ve always had?
  8. What is “Self-will” and why do I need to pay attention to it in order to get unstuck?
  9. What is the nature of “desire” and “aversion,” and how are they related to stuckness?
  10.  Once I understand everything, or if I already understand everything, how do I actually make the realization happen?
  11.  What are paradoxes and how should I react when I find one?
  12.  What specifically is it that will permanently lead to spiritual awakening? How do I cultivate this?
If any of these questions resonate with you or spark your curiosity, David would love to see you there!

Weekly on Sundays, 12:30-1:00pm ET / 10:30-11:00am MT
Add Program to Your Calendar

 

Join us at 1:30 pm ET/ 11:30 am MT for “Freedom Practice Sangha” with Joseph Schmitz

This will be a time of sharing our inquiries, insights, and challenges, listening to others, or just knowing that we are in community as we find that undefended place within ourselves that longs to be free.

 

Join us at 5:00 pm ET/ 3:00 pm MT for “The Mighty Companions Hour – The Voice That likes You” with Rev. Yolanda Mapes

Join Rev. Yolanda as she continues to share her beautiful voice and heart during The Mighty Companions Hour. This is a program she and her late, beloved husband, Rev. Glen Ganaway began in 2020.

Rev. Yolanda Mapes, who is an interfaith minister, shares a delightful, funny, and inspiring hour of A Course in Miracles. Come join in on the fun, the laughs, and the music while unlearning the ego through the lessons and chapters of ACIM.

You can discover more about the Mighty Companions on this website: www.themightycompanions.com. Also, Rev. Yolanda has a site where you can purchase her beautiful, spiritually uplifting music: www.Yolanda.net/audio If you feel to contribute to her ministry, you can do so here: www.patreon.com/RevYolanda

 

Join us at 6:00 pm ET/ 4:00 pm MT for “Deepening Into Clarifying the Teachings Together” with Rev. Jacquelyn Eckert

During this program, we will listen to a portion of each previously recorded “Clarifying the Teachings” program. Afterward, we will spend time contemplating and teaching ourselves what is most alive for us at the moment. We may also spend time practicing what Regina is teaching. And…we will start at the very beginning.

Bring your journals, openness, and curiosity as we explore what is most alive in us and ready to be seen. We hope you feel inspired to join.

 

Join us at 7:00 pm ET/ 5:00 pm MT for “Resting in Our Immaculate Nature” with Jill Grace & Joy Bedford

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

 

Join us at 8:00 pm ET/ 6:00 pm MT for Our Quarterly Member Meeting 

In this Quarterly Member Meeting, President Minister, Rhoda Makled will share about:

3rd Quarter 2024 Financials
Upcoming Events for 2025

We hope you can join us for our Quarterly Member Meeting. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect, share, and learn about all the exciting things happening within Awakening Together. We look forward to seeing you there!

The Sanctuary will close at 9:00 pm ET

Enter the Sanctuary or see the complete listing of speakers.
All Times are Eastern Standard Time –  See helpful links below.
How to Enter the Sanctuary

Tao Te Ching Video Series with Regina Dawn Akers ~ Chapter 32

In 2023, Awakening Together’s founder, Regina Dawn Akers, translated the Tao Te Ching from ancient Chinese into modern English. In this video series, Regina shares:

~ What she found in the Chinese characters used by Lao Tzu
~ Why she translated each chapter the way she did
~ The important messages found in the Tao Te Ching

“Contemplating the Thoughts of Awakening ~ A Daily Devotional Practice”, #8 Contemplation

Listen to Recording

Join Rev. Michele Hojnacki, Sami Ross and Jai Segal for their program, Contemplating the Thoughts of Awakening – A Daily Devotional Practice. This year-long daily devotional program began on January 1, 2025, and is held seven days a week from 8:30am – 9:00am ET / 6:30am – 7:00am MT.

The group’s aim is to support one another in a daily practice of inner listening using the Thoughts of Awakening. This group could benefit those new to inner contemplation or anyone wishing to enhance their practice. Daily, we will contemplate a single Thought of Awakening with our inner teacher. Following Regina’s recommendation, we’ll write it down and carrying it with us for reflection throughout the day, as well as reflecting on and putting into practice guidance received from our own inner teacher.

The invitation to join extends to all, even if attending the daily sessions is not possible.

Thoughts of Awakening by Regina Dawn Akers is available for purchase on Amazon. Click here to purchase the book.
Every Morning, 8:30am-9:00am ET / 6:30-7:00am 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”.

Gentle Healing Year 3 with Rev. Sharon Hepburn ~ Week 48, 49 & 50

This Gentle Healing Group Year 3 is being led by Rev. Sharon Hepburn. The Gentle Healing Curriculum guides committed students to make consistent, gentle progress toward genuine peace, joy, and love. This group began year 3 on January 24, 2024.

Listen to the Recording

 

Here’s a direct link to the helpful facilitator guide for Gentle Healing Year 3 that helps you to know what week you are on: Click Here

 

Join Us for Our Quarterly Member Meeting on Sunday, January 12th at 8 pm ET / 6 pm MT

In this Quarterly Member Meeting, President Minister, Rhoda Makled will share about:

  • 3rd Quarter 2024 Financials
  • Upcoming Events for 2025

The Quarterly Member Meeting will be held right here in the sanctuary at 8 pm ET/6 pm MT on Sunday, January 12th, 2025. We hope you can join us!

Add to Your Calendar

In the Company of Truth with Helen Hamilton ~ 01-08-25

This program is Awakening Together’s In the Company of Truth with Helen Hamilton which airs on the first Wednesday monthly from 3-4 pm ET.  Helen’s core message is that the Realization of the True Self is possible for everyone, no matter what background you may have as long as you want it more than anything else. After all, we are only returning to our natural state, to what we already are. We are only coming to live as that Truth consciously.

Having reached a place of total peace, love, and joy, Helen has dedicated her life to helping others wake up too. The Truth is here and now and accessible to all. Helen will offer her teachings in this monthly Satsang to help you realize and BE the Self you already are.

For more information about Helen and to access her teachings, visit her website: www.HelenHamilton.org.

Listen to the Audio

or

YouTube Video

 

Rhoda ~ Living the Undefended Surrender Experiment, “Unraveling the Condition to Be Needed ” 01-08-2025

Listen to the Recording

With humor, love, and open-hearted awareness Rev. Rhoda Makled is exploring her own take on the Surrender Experiment as coined by Michael Singer. Raw, authentic, and faithful she is uncovering the path to living in the undefended Heart.

Rev. Rhoda will dig into topics she is exploring in her life such as what it means to live the experiment of being surrendered. Feeling every feeling and seeing every thought she can, Rhoda will share the journey of studying, journaling, contemplating, being inspired by, and surrendering to Truth. Inspired by so many teachers including those here at Awakening Together, Rhoda will share her contemplations and invites you to come and discuss your experience with your own surrender experiment. This undefended dialogue with Inner Wisdom is just one more way to observe as the self is undone–the intention being to leave space only for awareness of Awareness and release everything that covers Truth.

In this program, Rev. Rhoda will explore the teachings of Michael Singer, Regina Dawn Akers, Paul Hedderman, Roger Castillo, Helen Hamilton, and many more.

Live in the Sanctuary
Wednesdays 12:30-1 pm ET
Add to Calendar

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

Awakening-Together.org: Sanctuary Schedule (A-T logo)
Awakening-Together.org: Radio Broadcast
Awakening-Together.org: Join & Subscribe
Awakening-Together.org: Bookstore