I'm Awake...Now what? Consciousness practice in everyday life (ID #001)

Date: 4/17/2009 to 5/14/2009
Duration: 4 weeks
Host: Carolyn Mycue
Topic(s): 4

Overview:

Shifting from "past conditioning" to "presence awareness" can lead to a lot of internal struggle.  There are difficult choices to make regarding where and how to live.  But being "aware" doesn't mean you need to abandon everything you have worked for.  And it certainly doesn't mean you need to assume a stereotypical lifestyle of how you believe an enlightened person lives.  In fact, doing so could be just perpetuating another illusion.  Integrating this new consciousness into "everyday life" as an essential component to aid, energize, and accelerate profound global transformation. 

In my own experience of awakening, every resource I went to was telling me how to shift my awareness, but I couldn't find one to explain what I was supposed to do once the shift happened.  I had to make it up as I went along through trial and error, and I learned so much in the process about surrender, compassion, responsibility, etc.  Learning discernment was really the last major hurdle, and one that I am still in the process of ferreting out.

One thing I noticed in my journey is that many individuals approach this transformation by telling life what they want from it, or for it, without taking into consideration what life wants for them.  I've found that allowing these drives to happen organically is a key to connecting us to our source of power. In this way, we draw upon our inspirations to guide our actions and interactions in service to life and we come away from every task energized instead of exhausted.

In this conversation, let's share and explore our different experiences of putting the tools for enlightenment to use in everyday life.  Sharing what we've learned about cultivating an environment that's ripe for Life's purpose to unfold is a great way to serve life and at the same time deepen our own practice.

(Since this is a new conversation template and also my first time hosting, I'm hoping how I've broken it down into weeks will provide a good structure for our conversation.  I'm sure there will be some overlap, which is fine.)

Topic 1: Week 1: Introductions/Preliminary Discussion (week 1)

In this conversation, let's share and explore our different experiences of putting the tools for enlightenment to use in everyday life.  Sharing what we've learned about cultivating an environment that's ripe for Life's purpose to unfold is a great way to serve life and at the same time deepen our own practice.

In this first week, let's get to know one another and briefly explore basic terms and concepts of enlightenment so that we may go into the heart of the discussion with a shared understanding.

1. Introduce yourself in whatever way you like and/or share what draws you to this conversation.
2. View the associate memes (next tab over) at your leisure, before or during any of the conversation:  (In no particular order)
        ~ "Become Authentic"
        ~ "Become Present"
        ~ "Becoming Authentic: A Meditation"
        ~ "Becoming Present: A Meditation" 
3. An opening contemplation: What do the terms "awakening" or "enlightenment" mean to you?  What role does this new consciousness play in global transformation?

Topic 2: Week 2: Cues to Awaken/Acceptance (week 2)

In this second week, let's explore the concept of "Acceptance", as well as share some of the cues we use to remind us to awaken.

Concepts include: Accepting "what is"; Surrender; Presence; Observing the unobserved; The gift of suffering

Topic 3: Week 3: Enjoyment/Listening (week 3)

In this third week, let's explore the concept of "Enjoyment", and how it allows us to better listen to our inner guidance and lead us to discovering life's purpose for us.

1. View the meme:  "1/10,000 of a second"

Topic 4: Week 4: Enthusiasm/Wrap up (week 4)

In this forth week, let's explore the concept of "Enthusiasm", as well as share any final words of wisdom and farewells. 

Concepts include: Joy meets Goal; Practice makes perfect; What we learned; Final thoughts