This Sunday in the Sanctuary ~ February 11, 2024

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- facilitated by 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. Jacquelyn Eckert

Topic: “Thy Will, Not Mine”

Description: Moving beyond the comforting, yet limiting view of God as a kind of cosmic Santa Claus — dispensing blessings for prayers and good behavior — Rev. Jacquelyn Eckert will explore the deeper, more transformative understanding of aligning our desires with the universal will. This shift challenges us to look past our personal gains and embrace a path of spiritual growth, interconnectedness, and collective well-being. Recognizing the influence of the ego and learning to surrender our individual wills lead us toward the grace of embracing “Thy Will, Not Mine,” inviting us into alignment with a higher purpose. This alignment transcends our immediate desires and guides us toward true fulfillment and spiritual enlightenment.

Reading: Connie Poole will read from Inner Ramana, “The Purpose of Surrender” parts 1 & 2, and “The Importance of Practice” parts 1 & 2.

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 Joy Bedford

Join us at 1:00 pm ET/ 11:00 am MT for Sacred Inquiry

Rev. Shawna demonstrates the art of Sacred Inquiry in real time. Join her as she follows the guidance, questioning each layer that the thinking mind throws at her in an attempt to hide the wisdom that is inherent in us all. She is learning to go deeper into beginners’ mind with humble and honest curiosity. This is an evolving process, as she learns to feel 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 spiritual practice. The original inspiration for this half-hour came from Adyashanti’s book ‘Sacred Inquiry’.

Join us at 1:30 pm ET/ 11:30 am MT for Reflections on The Four Principles of God Retreat – Facilitated by Rev. Anne Blanchard

Retreat participants will share how they learned how to utilize the map of the Four Principles of God and how it helped give them direction on the spiritual path. They will also share how this retreat enabled them to streamline their spiritual practices into a more clear and effective path.

We welcome everyone to join us!

Join us at 5:00 pm ET/ 3:00 pm MT for The Mighty Companions

Revs. Glen Ganaway and Yolanda Mapes, who are interfaith ministers, share 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.

Join us at 6:00 pm ET/ 4:00 pm MT for Enlightened Leadership: Building the Foundation – Revs. Rhoda Makled & David Hemphill

The Tao Te Ching (The Way), written by Lao-Tzu (Old Teacher), is a guide to enlightened leadership. While most people believe effective leadership lies in knowledge and power, the Tao teaches it lies in emptiness, stillness, and presence.

Awakening Together’s Vice President-Minister, Rev. Rhoda Makled, and Rev. David Hemphill share from the Tao as they contemplate its principles in order to fully embody them. In addition to the 2 versions already being read from the Tao, the pair will also read Regina Dawn Aker’s translation of the Tao Te Ching.

Join us at 7:00 pm ET/ 5:00 pm MT for Deepening Into Clarifying the Teachings Together – Facilitated by 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 8:00 pm ET/ 6:00 pm MT for Sounds of Awakening – Facilitated by Rev. Yolanda Mapes 

Rev. Yolanda Mapes will interview Carla Lynne Hall and Jim Keyes.

Carla Lynne Hall and Jim Keyes began performing and writing music together in 2016. Soon after they found themselves providing music for Sunday services, wedding ceremonies, and memorial services.

Over time, their musical partnership developed into a romance, and in late 2019 were married. When the pandemic hit, they were approached by churches and spiritual centers that needed music for their online remote services. It was then that they realized the need for music of hope, healing, and inspiration. Known as “Carla & Keyes”, Carla Lynne Hall and Jim Keyes are a performing duo based in Ossining, New York.

To invite them to perform any of these programs for your church or spiritual center, please email hello@carlaandkeyes.com, or call 914 659 7468.

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.

Yolanda went to One Spirit Interfaith Seminary in NYC (2009-2011) and graduated as Rev. Yolanda. After graduation, Rev. Yolanda and her husband Rev. Glen founded the “spiritual happening” called Church With A 2 Drink Minimum in NYC. Rev. Yolanda is also a founding member of NYC-based organization, Drag Story Hour NYC. Her most recent projects during the Pandemic years are Sounds of Awakening-an inspirational music program hosted by Awakening-Together.org,  “YolandaNanda” a cd, based on her love for mantras, and “YolandaNanda 2” in development as of 2024.

You can find Rev. Yolanda’s music here: www.Yolanda.net/audio

Enter the Sanctuary or see the complete listing of speakers.