All times listed are Eastern Standard Time – See links below to join us in the Sanctuary.

9:30 am – Shiny Things – Rev. 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.

10:15 am – Weekly Gathering – Rev. Billy Sintiris
Topic: “Material, Emotional, and Spiritual Traps“

Description: Rev. Billy will explore the traps that keep us bound—materialism, emotional entanglements, and the illusion of spiritual achievement—revealing how they preoccupy and divert us from awakening to our true Identity.

Reading: Stephanie will read from A Course in Miracles, Lesson 189, guiding us toward the mind’s final resting place and the choice to reclaim our true self.

11:30 am – Weekly Fellowship Time – hosted by Joy Bedford
This is the time when Awakening Together joins together in fellowship as a community. We share what is on our hearts and minds from the recent homily or anything else that truly inspires us.

12:00 pm –  Just Being Here Now – 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.

12:30 pm – God Through Audz – Audrey Whitehead
Join Audsie for her program ‘God through Audz’ as she reads and contemplates from Guiding Ollie Through “A Course in Miracles” Book One. It is directed and compiled by Rev. Devan Jesse Byrne. Experience the teachings of the first 60 Workbook Lessons of A Course in Miracles in a crisp, new, and child-like way.

1:00 pm – Sacred Inquiry – Rev. Shawna Summers
Rev. Shawna demonstrates the art of Sacred Inquiry in real-time. Join her as she asks to see with Clarity, questioning each layer of the thinking mind, to see what beliefs are hidden in the sub-conscious. She opens deeper into beginners’ mind with humble curiosity. This is an evolving process, as she discerns for the vibrational level of each thought, exposing the source. She invites all listening to join her in their own Inquiry to experience the strength of this powerful and often surprising spiritual practice.

1:30 pm – Freedom Practice Sangha – Facilitated by Joseph Schmitz
Joseph will lead the Sangha as his heart guides him. All are invited to join us and participate as you are guided. 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 re-discover that undefended place within ourselves that longs to be free.

2:30 pm – Qigong The Movement of Now – with Ian McArthur
In this one-hour program, which airs on the first Sunday of each month, we will explore the traditional practice of Qigong (Chi Kung), focusing on the integration of Mind, Body, and Spirit.

Qi meaning life energy, referring to the energy circulating through the body and Gong meaning cultivation or work. The two words are combined to describe a practice to cultivate and balance life energy. By following movements (forms) and a simple breathing technique, we encourage more Qi to flow, which in turn allows us to feel more peaceful and at One with ourselves.

This practice has been followed for thousands of years in order to promote balance and wellbeing as well as a means of encouraging Spiritual Awakening. Ian’s meditative approach to Qigong allows us to experience the many benefits of Qigong. One of the beauties of Qigong is its simplicity, which makes it easier for the forms to be learned. You can start your practice at any age and begin a journey of discovery into Qigong.

You can contact Ian at peacefulexperience@gmail.com.

3:30 pm to 5:00 pm – The Sanctuary is Closed for a break

All times listed are Eastern Standard Time. Look below for helpful links.

7:30 – 8:30 am – *Cancelled today: Being Aware of Awareness Meditation – with 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 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7:30 – 8:30 am ET by leading participants through gently guided Being Aware of Awareness meditation.

 3:00 – 4:00 pm – *Cancelled today: Nisargadatta Maharaj: Contemplating “I Am That” – Facilitated Rev. Anne Blanchard
Anne will not be available to do this program today. She will be back on December 6th.

 Our Sanctuary is Closed today. Both programs are cancelled.
All times listed are Eastern Standard Time –  See helpful links below.
Enter the Sanctuary or see the complete listing of speakers.
How to Enter the Sanctuary

12:00 – 12:30 pm – A Space For Silence – Hosted by Lisa Bakke
“Silence was here before anything else, and it envelops everything else. It is the most primary phenomenon of existence, both palpably something and seemingly nothing. Silence is prior to sound, not the cessation of sound. It is already present. If we drop into quietness for just a moment, we feel the presence of Silence as an invitation.” (from “Silence: The Mystery of Wholeness” by Robert Sardello) All are welcome to this time of silence. Nothing to do, nothing to say, nothing to be. Our time together will begin with a brief intention for centering followed by 3 sounds of the bell. We will conclude with 3 sounds of the bell and leave in silence.

12:30 pm – Our Sanctuary is closed today for the rest of the day.
Enjoy Thanksgiving!
All times are Eastern Standard Time 
Direct links to join us:
Enter the Sanctuary or see the complete listing of speakers.
How to Enter the Sanctuary

All times listed are Eastern Standard Time. Look below for helpful links.

 7:30 – 8:30 am – Being Aware of Awareness Meditation – Led by Rev. Rhoda Makled
Rev. Rhoda Makled will lead participants in meditation as guided by her Heart.

11:30 am – Willingness – with Sami Ross
During this half hour we will listen together, either in meditation or contemplation, with eyes opened or closed, as a beautiful prayer of willingness is spoken. We will notice without judgement what is present, the “yesses” and the “noes”, with open curiosity.

12:00 pm – I Think, Therefore…  – Rev. Cyndi Krupp
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.

12:30 pm – Living The Undefended Surrender Experiment – Rev. Rhoda Makled
With humor, love, and open-hearted awareness, Rev. Rhoda Makled explores her own take on the Surrender Experiment as coined by Michael Singer. Raw, authentic, and faithfully she is uncovering the path to living in the undefended Heart.

Rev. Rhoda digs 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 shares 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 shares 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 explores the teachings of Michael Singer, Regina Dawn Akers, Paul Hedderman, Roger Castillo, Helen Hamilton, and many more.

1:00 pm – Unfiltered – Rev. Anne Blanchard has created a recording for us while she travels.
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.

2:00 pm – CSI: Back to Basics – Rev. Doreen Bonnet [An Hour Today]
Join Rev. Doreen Bonnet as she uses the tools of CSI….contemplation, silence (meditation), and inquiry. Using her spiritual aspiration as a pointer, Doreen calls upon Inner Wisdom to navigate life and share her discoveries.

3:00 pm – Sangha Led Contemplation – Facilitated by Jo-Ann Crane-Rodrigues
Please join us as we continue to contemplate  The Seven Steps to Awakening and 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 each of us and for the community.

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.

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 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. Please email Jo-Ann Crane- Rodrigues if you feel to volunteer to facilitate at j_crane_rodrigues@yahoo.com.

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.

4:00 pm – *Our Sanctuary Is Closed for the Rest of the Day
All Times listed are Eastern Standard Time –  See helpful links below.
Enter the Sanctuary or see the complete listing of speakers.
How to Enter the Sanctuary

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

9:30 am – *The LAST: Contemplating Poetry Using Lectio Divina – Rev. Susan Telford
This morning will be the last time Rev. Susan Telford will be guiding us in learning the contemplative practice of Lectio Divina using poetry.  She has been guided to let go of this program. In this last session, Susan will read a poem, drawing from a wide range of poets,  (including her own work), then guide 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.

10:15 am – Weekly Gathering – Rev. Erica Joy West
Topic: Practicing Mindful Activism

Description: In a time of increased suffering from growing economic inequality, social injustices, and polarization, what is our spiritual responsibility to activism? By looking at social justice through a dharmic lens we can use the spiritual wisdom of the Four Noble Truths to actively participate in the transformation of our society.

Reading: Rona Marren will read’ The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching’ by Thich Nhat Hanh, Chapter 28 ‘Touching the Buddha Within’, Pages 418-419.

11:30 am – Weekly Fellowship Time – Hosted by Rev. George Maddox
This is the time when Awakening Together joins together in fellowship as a community. We share what is on our hearts and minds from the recent homily or anything else that is truly inspiring us.

12:00 pm – Just Being Here Now – 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.

12:30 pm – God Through Audz – Audrey Whitehead
Join Audsie for her program ‘God through Audz’ as she reads and contemplates from Guiding Ollie Through “A Course in Miracles” Book One. It is directed and compiled by Rev. Devan Jesse Byrne. Experience the teachings of the first 60 Workbook Lessons of A Course in Miracles in a crisp, new, and child-like way.

1:00 pm – Sacred Inquiry – Rev. Shawna Summers
Rev. Shawna demonstrates the art of Sacred Inquiry in real-time. Join her as she asks to see with Clarity, questioning each layer of the thinking mind, to see what beliefs are hidden in the sub-conscious. She opens deeper into beginners’ mind with humble curiosity. This is an evolving process, as she discerns for the vibrational level of each thought, exposing the source. She invites all listening to join her in their own Inquiry to experience the strength of this powerful and often surprising spiritual practice.

1:30 pm – Freedom Practice Sangha – Hosted by Joseph Schmitz
All are warmly invited to join us as Joseph leads us in contemplation of what his Heart is guided to share with us. He encourages participation from the Sangha. This is an opportunity to speak our insights out loud through sharing and teach our selves what is here to acknowledge.

2:30 – 5:00 pm – Sanctuary Closed

All times listed are Eastern Standard Time. Look below for helpful links.

7:30 – 8:30 am – Being Aware of Awareness Meditation – with 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 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7:30 – 8:30 am ET by leading participants through gently guided Being Aware of Awareness meditation.

 3:00 – 4:00 pm – *Cancelled today: Nisargadatta Maharaj: Contemplating “I Am That” – Facilitated Rev. Anne Blanchard
Anne will not be available to do this program today or Next Friday, November 29. She will be back on December 6th.

 8:30 am ET The Sanctuary is Closed
All times listed are Eastern Standard Time –  See helpful links below.
Enter the Sanctuary or see the complete listing of speakers.
How to Enter the Sanctuary