Sangha Led Contemplation: 7 Steps & Out of the Stillness

Regina Dawn Akers has shared a retreat called “The Sangha is the New Guru.” The retreat is described this way:

“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. The primary qualities of sangha are:

  • Members genuinely live the spiritual teachings they study.
  • They speak and teach from their own authentic experience.
  • They support one another on the spiritual path.

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 you and for the community.

During this program we will continue to contemplate Out of the Stillness and The Seven Steps to Awakening as Regina had been contemplating in this time slot.

Each week, we will share from Regina Dawn Akers’ published journal, Out of the Stillness. It was written as a personal journal over 8½ years as she contemplated quotes from spiritual masters and practiced the insight she realized through contemplation. The quotes Regina contemplated were collected by Michael Langford and published in The Seven Steps to Awakening. Both books are used in this program.

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.

Program Schedule:
Wednesdays at 3 pm ET/1 pm MT,
except for the first Wednesday of the month

List of Step 3 Quotes