All times listed are Eastern Standard Time – – – See helpful links below
7:00 to 7:30 am – Centering Prayer – with Rev. Anne Blanchard
Centering Prayer is a method designed to seek the true Self by deepening into the intention to recognize and promptly empty ourselves of what is not true and, in turn, abide more and more fully in the heart as a symbol of the Truth of What We Are.
During the 20-minute silent practice period, we relax and allow everything to be as it is. When we notice attention has gone to a thought/image/feeling/perception, we ever-so-gently return to a sacred word of our choosing. We do not resist thought but we also do not follow it either. We let thoughts go by without thinking ABOUT them. We let them be by softly saying our sacred word inwardly as a symbol of our intention to consent to the Presence of God within and God’s action within.
Devotional music or words will be offered prior to the start of the 20-minute silent practice period and for a couple minutes directly following the practice period to allow a transition time back to our ordinary awareness.
7:30 to 8:30 am – Being Aware of Awareness Meditation – Led by Rev. Anne Blanchard
One of the core practices of the Awakening Together community is Awareness watching Awareness meditation. Those words can inspire as much confusion for some as they do clarity of purpose for others. This program provides an opportunity to be in community with others who will to find that place of no-place, that attention to our natural attentiveness, that innate humanness that can often be overlooked. Anne Blanchard facilitates this program by leading participants through gently guided Being Aware of Awareness meditation.
The Thoughts of Awakening were given to Regina Dawn Akers in response to her prayer for help. In her book, Thoughts of Awakening, Regina wrote, “I found the contrast between profound spiritual devotion and her typical day-to-day state of mind unbearable”. The Thoughts of Awakening were given to help her from “falling back into the old state of mind after my morning devotional practice”. She says of the Thoughts of Awakening, “They are the thoughts that led from suffering with a split mind to the experience of a highly consistent, happy way of being.”
Each of the 365 thoughts is intended for a full day’s contemplation. They are to be read and contemplated repeatedly throughout the day. If you read and contemplate each thought deeply for a full day, you’ll experience shifts towards true perception this year.
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.
We will contemplate a single Thought of Awakening daily with our inner teacher.
Following Regina’s recommendation, we’ll write it down and carry it with us for reflection throughout the day, as well as reflecting on and putting into practice the guidance received from our own inner teacher.
The book ‘Thoughts of Awakening’ by Regina Dawn Akers is available to purchase on Amazon: https://a.co/d/2ag15vy
Our invitation to join extends to all, even if attending the daily sessions is not possible.
5:00 to 6:00 pm – Consistent, Gentle Healing Year 3 – Facilitated by Rev. Michele Hojnacki
Rev. Michele Hojnacki guides a group of committed students who would like to make consistent, gentle progress toward genuine peace, joy, and love. This group meets weekly and all members are committed to specific assignments and practices between group meetings.
Please be aware that Gentle Healing Years 1 and 2 are prerequisites for participation in this program. We don’t recommend Year 3 for anyone who has not completed Year 2. This is because the contemplations build a clear understanding of the spiritual teachings that are taught in Year 1 and Year 2. This course is based on The Seven Steps to Awakening.
Cancelled today: 7:00 to 8:00 pm – Self-Guided Awakening: An Epilogue of Gentle Healing – Facilitated by Revs. Sharon Hepburn & Shawna Summers
This group meets to share our experiences and insights on working with Fetters. We are guided by the website www.simplythe seen and other teachers.
Remember to be able to share in the group during our discussions, it is asked that you:
1. Have completed GH 3 in its entirety, as this just expands on contemplations.
2. Have read the reading and/or done the homework and contemplated the assignment with an open heart.
If the above criteria does not describe where you are currently at, you are more than welcome to join us in the sanctuary as an OBSERVER. Thank you for moderating yourself and if you are called to join us, we look forward to seeing you.
