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Here’s a quick update on what’s new at SpiritualTeachers.org and elsewhere.

Podcast
The latest edition of the Journals of Spiritual Discovery podcast is “Your True Self,” an interview with Tyler Matthew. We discuss self inquiry, letting go, earnestness, and other topics on spiritual awakening. As always, the podcast is free. 

New Meetings
If you’re near the San Francisco Bay area, you’re welcome to check out the new TAT West meetings. We meet twice a month, once in-person and once via zoom. Each meeting, we explore the Workbook of the Self, a guided set of 24 exercises designed to catalyze a spiritual realization by questioning our core beliefs about ourselves. This is not a casual discussion group, but a program of exploration highlighting active participation. 

Upcoming Event
The November 2024 TAT Gathering, titled “Certainty,” is fast approaching. November 8 to 10 in North Carolina, USA, featuring an excellent lineup of spiritual finders including: Anima Pundeer, Art Ticknor, Bob Cergol, Dan McLaughlin, Mike Gegenheimer, Norio Kushi, Paul Constant, and Paul Rezendes. It’s the last in-person meeting of the year!  Learn more at TATfoundation.org.

Quote That I’m Pondering: Regarding Living a Spiritual Life
“How does one live such a life? It starts with commitment. The only way to live one’s life in service to some cause or purpose is to make a commitment to that cause or purpose. Commitment becomes the guiding principle that governs our actions and reactions and trumps all the other motivators of fear and desire. The only way to remember our commitment is to generate a habit of remembrance by taking action that manifests our commitment. This generates a virtuous circle toward awakening, juxtaposed to the vicious circle of our carnal and ego-based desires that ensnare our life. One must see oneself in action. It is not enough to have a wish. One must take action that manifests that wish, and in so doing makes the object of one’s attention that very commitment.”  ~ Bob Cergol, from the forthcoming book, Hope! Life’s Calling.

Wishing you all the best,
Shawn

After a long hiatus, I restarted group meetings. The TAT West meetings alternate between an in-person and virtual format, occur twice a month, and are open to anyone within driving distance of the Bay Area. Each meeting, we explore the Workbook of the Self, a guided set of 24 exercises designed to catalyze a spiritual realization by questioning our core beliefs about ourselves. Please note that this is not a casual discussion group, but a program of exploration requiring active participation. That said, anyone is welcome to check it out and see if it’s of interest. Contact me for details.

I created the Workbook of the Self based on years of my own self inquiry and that of others, as well as leading events/retreats. Here’s a short excerpt of the methodology:

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This workbook presents a subtractive methodology rather than an additive one—what Richard Rose called “backing away from untruth.” Since the end result of our search is unknown, or at best unclear, the surest path is to turn away from that which is obviously untrue in favor of whatever is more likely true. This practice extends from our outer, everyday interactions with the world all the way to our most deeply held assumptions about our individuality.

Lest you feel overwhelmed by the task at hand—essentially deconstructing the self—this workbook breaks the practice into four sections based on what Franklin Merrell-Wolff considered the four progressive pieces of his final realization:

The belief in the individual
The belief in the body
The belief in the feeler
The belief in the thinker

Here’s a quick update on what’s new at SpiritualTeachers.org and elsewhere.

Podcast
Prepare for an exhilarating journey on the latest edition of the Journals of Spiritual Discovery podcast, where Filo Sophie King delves deep into Awakening to the Unspeakable! Filo, a remarkable soul, joins a chorus of humble yet extraordinary individuals guiding us on this transformative path. And best of all, the podcast is yours to enjoy completely free of charge.  

Upcoming Event
The TAT August 2024 Gathering is fast approaching, August 16 to 18.  The theme is “Running Between the Raindrops,” and if you’re wondering what the heck that’s supposed to mean see the “Quote That I’m Pondering” section below.  TAT Foundation events are fantastic opportunities to both speak face-to-face with awakened individuals and develop valuable friendships on the spiritual path.  I’ll be there, leading a workshop session.  Hope to see you all!  For more information and to register, visit TATFoundation.org.  

T-Shirt Sale
Through Friday July 26, get 20% off unique t-shirts, notebooks, and pedants at the spiritualteachers.org store.  Use the code HEATWAVE20 at checkout.

Quote That I’m Pondering
“But there is another method, another way of life. Its description is also paradoxical. Perhaps the only solution to a paradox is another paradox. The human spiritual quest must become a vector, with all of that human’s energy behind that vector. And the shortest distance between aim and objective is supposed to be a straight line. But success in a spiritual venture requires the ability to run between the raindrops, which may appear to be a zig-zag course, which may include dynamic feints and matched states of high indifference.” ~ Richard Rose. 

Wishing you all the best,
Shawn

Here’s a quick update on what’s new at SpiritualTeachers.org and elsewhere.

Podcast
The latest edition of the Journals of Spiritual Discovery podcast features “The Physics of Consciousness,” an interview with Federico Faggin.  Dr. Faggin is one of the top minds working to develop a new science of consciousness, a recipient of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, and a highly successful Silicon Valley entrepreneur.  He’s also a lot of fun to interview.  As always, the podcast is free. 

Upcoming Event
The June 2024 TAT Gathering, titled “Unseeing What’s Not,” is fast approaching.  June 14 to 16 in North Carolina, USA. There will be several speakers, including Norio Kushi, Eshwar Segobind, and Tyler Matthews, as well as Group Inquiry sessions and Meditation Sittings.  It’s a great opportunity to meeting authentic people in an informal and welcoming setting.  For more information, visit TATfoundation.org.

Book I’m Reading and Quote That I’m Pondering
The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin has been by my bedside for a couple of months.  Its bite-sized chapters remind me of the tremendous value to exploring the act of creation as a spiritual practice.  While not written for spiritual seekers, there are plenty of quotes to ponder that address themes in the spiritual search:      

“There is no telling where that next great story, painting, recipe, or business idea is going to come from.  Just as a surfer can’t control the waves, artists are at the mercy of the creative rhythms of nature.  This is why it’s of such great importance to remain aware and present at all times.  Watching and waiting.” ~ Rick Rubin. 

Wishing you all the best,
Shawn

Here’s a quick update on what’s new at SpiritualTeachers.org and elsewhere.

Podcast
The latest edition of the Journals of Spiritual Discovery podcast features a dive into the new book Message in a Bottle: Reflections on the Spiritual Path with one of the author/contributors.  We touch on dreamwork, Tony Robbins, Richard Rose, self inquiry, and more.  As always, the podcast is free. 

Events
The April 2024 Gathering, titled Look Closer, is fast approaching.  April 12 to 14 in North Carolina, USA. There will be several speakers, as well as Group Inquiry sessions, Rapport, and Meditation Sittings.  It’s a great opportunity to meeting authentic people in an informal and welcoming setting.  For more information, visit TATFoundation.org.

Quote That I’m Pondering
JW: “The weird thing about this [Alzheimer’s disease] is, like you say ‘We lose our minds, and our very selves.’  Who are we?  Like, who are you?  Who am I?  What make me ‘me?’  And if I behave a certain way, when am I not ‘me’ anymore? 
PA: “It’s an interesting question.  Again, it’s a very human question….  A meditator would say ‘We are not our thoughts,’ but on some level we are….” ~Jocko Willink in conversation with Dr. Peter Attia