A universal assembly for true discernment
Title: “Releasing the Manacles of ‘self'”
Description: Fetters are manacles or chains of identity that cause suffering. As these
fetters are broken, the sense of “me” falls away. As the me falls away there is an
acceptance of what is. The struggle ceases and a deeper exploration of what “truly is” expands.
Reading: Carine Dorce read snippets taken from Kevin Schanilec’s website, SimplyTheSeen.com
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Rev. Susan Telford guides us in learning the contemplative practice of Lectio Divina using poetry.
In each session, Rev. Susan reads a poem, drawing from a wide range of poets, including Rumi, Hafiz, David Whyte, Mary Oliver, John O’Donohue, and many others (including her own work), then guides participants through the four steps of Lectio Divina.
Susan shares that this direct practice is a beautiful way to connect with Inner Wisdom and obtain clarity.
*This was a special edition program in honor of our dear Rev. Glenn Ganaway. Glen was a regular attendee for the Lectio sessions and his spouse, Rev. Yolanda Mapes shared three of Glen’s favorite Rumi poems which were contemplated during this program.
Susan’s Teaching Schedule:
Bi-weekly on Sundays, 9:30-10 am ET
Are you ready to share your insights and let your light shine? Have you ever experienced a moment of clarity about a challenge in your life and felt the urge to share it with your spiritual community, but weren’t quite prepared to commit to a weekly program?
Join us for “Member Spotlight” hosted by Rona Marren, where you share. This is an opportunity to teach yourself what you most need to learn by committing to sharing in the sanctuary for 10-15 minutes, without making a commitment to share weekly.
This program is on weekly on Thursdays, 2:00pm-2:30 pm ET/12:00-12:30 pm MT in the Awakening Together Zoom Sanctuary.
“Member Spotlight” is inspired by the principle of teaching what we seek to learn for our own awakening. It provides a platform for members to share whatever is on their heart in brief segments of 10-15 minutes, live in the sanctuary. No need to commit to a weekly sharing. You sign up to share as you are called by Inner Wisdom.
Examples of what to consider sharing:
Interested participants can start signing up now for available time slots.
Please use this link to sign up for your time to share: AT Member Spotlight
Use this link for information on how to enter our Zoom sanctuary.
Join us Sunday, October 13th, 2024, from 5-6 pm ET/3-4 pm MT for the next installment of Awakening Together’s musical program, Sounds of Awakening hosted by Rev. Yolanda Mapes where she will interview Rosemary Loar.
Rosemary’s influences are eclectic. She spent her first five years in New York City performing a critically acclaimed jazz cabaret act, for which she wrote groundbreaking arrangements. Her talents then took her to Broadway, where she honed her theatrical expertise in original casts of shows like Sunset Boulevard (starring Glenn Close) and Chess, as well as other productions, too numerous to mention. She headlined the PBS special New Year’s Eve with Guy Lombardo, stepping in when Rosemary Clooney was unexpectedly hospitalized.
As a commercial recording artist, Rosemary’s voice can be heard on Sting’s soundtrack for the movie The Emperor’s New Groove, and she has recorded nine albums of her own original music. Additionally, she has composed music and lyrics for two original musicals: Spoolie Girl (a rock fantasy) and Water From The Moon, an autobiographical work.
Beyond her professional achievements, Rosemary has been a cherished friend and dedicated member of the weekly ACIM study group that Glen and I founded around 2012.
Rev. Yolanda is a trans femme gender queer singer/songwriter/performance artist & interfaith minister, originally from Muscle Shoals, Alabama- The Hit Recording Capital of the World. Rev. Yolanda has been making music/theater/TV/film/performance art for well over 40 years, winning the NYC MAC Award twice and inducted into both the NY Blues Hall of Fame and The GLBT Hall of Fame. Rev. Yolanda is so very happy to be a part of and be of service to the Awakening-Together Community on The Member Board of Trustees, as well as with her weekly program The Mighty Companions-The Voice that Likes You.
For more information on Rosemary, please visit her website at: rosemaryloar.com
You can find Rev. Yolanda’s music here: www.Yolanda.net/audio
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.
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 next Movie Watcher’s Group which will be facilitated by Laura Joy Bedford on Sunday, October 27th, 2024, at 8 pm ET/6 pm MT.
Walter Mitty, (played by Ben Stiller) develops photos for a magazine in a dimly lit basement. To escape his mundane life, he imagines himself as a hero in exciting stories. When an unexpected opportunity arises during a moment of uncertainty and confusion, Walter decides to take a leap of faith, discovering his own worth and embracing a fearless life. The film also stars Kristen Wiig and Shirley MacLaine.
This delightful film was chosen for its rich array of awakening topics. These include saying “yes” to life and “no” to ego, finding connection with others, and drawing closer together. The film also explores feeling life in all its energetic qualities, seeing beyond the walls of the mind, following light and guidance, and facing fear and the unknown. Additionally, it emphasizes experiencing a sense of flowing ease—seemingly miraculous synchronicities—rather than trying to force outcomes and missing what is already present: Divine Love and a Self that knows us better than we know ourselves!
Please note, this is the 2013 version of the film with Ben Stiller, not the 1947 version.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty can be watched on YouTube, Amazon, Apple TV, Microsoft Store, Pluto TV, Fandango at Home & Roku.
Trailer for The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
*Playsheet Coming Soon!
Please join us as we continue to contemplate Out of the Stillness & The Seven Steps to Awakening. This program is on Wednesdays, 3pm ET / 1pm MT (except for the first Wednesday of the month).
“Awakening Together was designed by inner guidance to be a sangha rather than a guru-centered collective.”
As we step into the vision of “The Sangha is the New Guru” we are learning how the sangha is its own teacher, and honing the skills that are important for each member of a highly effective sangha. We are teaching ourselves how to genuinely support awakening, for each of us and for the community.
The primary qualities of a sangha are:
During this program we are currently contemplating Out of the Stillness and The Seven Steps to Awakening as Regina had been contemplating during this time.
A new facilitator will also be assigned each week. The facilitator will be the one to facilitate the program during the following week. The facilitator will lead by reading the quotes, calling on participants who wish to share their contemplations and may also be the one to share contemplations. To be a facilitator you will need both books.
Any questions posed will be posed to the group and inner wisdom will be brought forth from the sangha in response. We invite anyone who feels called to join us as we step into the vision of a highly effective sangha.
Live in the Sanctuary
Wednesdays at 3 pm ET/1 pm MT,
except for the first Wednesday of the month
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*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”.
Rev. Anne Blanchard shares her experience of purification and awakening, unfiltered and as it happens. Raw, reflective, brave, and infused with clarity, Anne’s open honesty inspires us all to dive deep into the spiritual journey instead of simply skimming the surface. She continues to share deeply from various non-dual teachings and teachers.
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Weekly on Wednesdays 1-2 pm ET
*To add this program to your calendar click the three dots in the upper right-hand corner, then Copy, and then click Save.
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”.
In this program, Rev. Cyndi will explore how we can use the Conditioning Loop (What I think, I see, what I see, I experience, what I experience I think) to shine a light on how the little self works to keep us in the dark. She will be using personal stories, contemplations, and wisdom teachings. Join Cyndi in using the world that we see and the thoughts that we think to Awaken Together.
Wednesdays 12:00-12:30 p.m. ET
