WOW!

We had an amazing turnout for our first A New Earth Meetup gathering with 27 Conscious Creators in attendance!

Thank you all that joined us and many thanks for your participation in our fun conversation. It?s great hearing other people?s perspectives, as that is what expands consciousness. When we ?listen? while suspending judgment, we ARE present and honor the God/Source/Energy/Life/Love in another. That is how we create A New Earth!

Since we seemed to spend a good bit of time discussing the ego, and asking if it is ?good? or ?bad,? or are we to get rid of it, etc., I am going to share with you my simplified explanation of the ego and trust this will bring more clarity to the subject. The ego is a part of my ?human personality? and can only operate with the ?information? in my mind. If my mind is filled with information that empowers me, such as I feel good, I am pleased with myself, I believe I look good, I?m a great cook, I respect others opinions, I?m focused and present with what I?m doing, I know my job and I do it well, then I?m perfectly at peace with my ego. There is no need to get rid of it.

If, on the other hand, my mind is full of dis-empowering information, such as judgments of myself or others, a need to be right, or thoughts of being inferior or superior, a need to let others know what I do, what I have, or what I believe in an attempt to stand out, I can become aware of what I am doing, and I simply switch the information my ego is using. Here again, there is no need to get rid of it. With awareness, we simply re-direct it.

Awareness is becoming like a parent that encourages a young child (the ego) to play with crayons instead of sharp scissors. We don?t discard the child because we left out the scissors. We simply redirect the child (the ego) toward an option that is healthier for them. Eckhart says that ?ego is a conglomeration of recurring thoughts.? If you are going to have recurring thoughts, why not pick the ones that are empowering you?

I trust this makes sense and provides a simplified explanation of what the ego does. Please keep in mind that this is a very basic explanation, and the further our consciousness expands, so too will the understanding of the ego expand. Remember, we?ve only covered two chapters! If you have questions or comments, please post them and let?s chat about this.

Based on a vote we took last night, we will move forward with weekly meetings, same place same time. Next week we?ll explore Chapter 3, The Core of Ego. To deepen and expand our understanding of the ego, between now and our next gathering, let?s practice ?being aware.? This means to become the one that is witnessing your thoughts. At our next gathering, we will share examples of what ?being aware? was like for us. What you wish to become aware of are the thoughts you have - are they of crayons or sharp scissors? Are these thoughts empowering or dis-empowering you? Awareness if the first step on the journey to awakening.

Have a fabulous weekend. I?ll see you on Thursday!

The gatherings will be facilitated by Laina Maxwell, the owner of The Center for Awareness, LLC. Laina is an Awareness Coach. To learn more about Laina and The Center for Awareness, LLC., please visit
ThePower of Awareness

WOW!

We had an amazing turnout for our first A New Earth Meetup gathering with 27 Conscious Creators in attendance!

Thank you all that joined us and many thanks for your participation in our fun conversation. It?s great hearing other people?s perspectives, as that is what expands consciousness. When we ?listen? while suspending judgment, we ARE present and honor the God/Source/Energy/Life/Love in another. That is how we create A New Earth!

Since we seemed to spend a good bit of time discussing the ego, and asking if it is ?good? or ?bad,? or are we to get rid of it, etc., I am going to share with you my simplified explanation of the ego and trust this will bring more clarity to the subject. The ego is a part of my ?human personality? and can only operate with the ?information? in my mind. If my mind is filled with information that empowers me, such as I feel good, I am pleased with myself, I believe I look good, I?m a great cook, I respect others opinions, I?m focused and present with what I?m doing, I know my job and I do it well, then I?m perfectly at peace with my ego. There is no need to get rid of it.

If, on the other hand, my mind is full of dis-empowering information, such as judgments of myself or others, a need to be right, or thoughts of being inferior or superior, a need to let others know what I do, what I have, or what I believe in an attempt to stand out, I can become aware of what I am doing, and I simply switch the information my ego is using. Here again, there is no need to get rid of it. With awareness, we simply re-direct it.

Awareness is becoming like a parent that encourages a young child (the ego) to play with crayons instead of sharp scissors. We don?t discard the child because we left out the scissors. We simply redirect the child (the ego) toward an option that is healthier for them. Eckhart says that ?ego is a conglomeration of recurring thoughts.? If you are going to have recurring thoughts, why not pick the ones that are empowering you?

I trust this makes sense and provides a simplified explanation of what the ego does. Please keep in mind that this is a very basic explanation, and the further our consciousness expands, so too will the understanding of the ego expand. Remember, we?ve only covered two chapters! If you have questions or comments, please post them and let?s chat about this.

Based on a vote we took last night, we will move forward with weekly meetings, same place same time. Next week we?ll explore Chapter 3, The Core of Ego. To deepen and expand our understanding of the ego, between now and our next gathering, let?s practice ?being aware.? This means to become the one that is witnessing your thoughts. At our next gathering, we will share examples of what ?being aware? was like for us. What you wish to become aware of are the thoughts you have - are they of crayons or sharp scissors? Are these thoughts empowering or dis-empowering you? Awareness if the first step on the journey to awakening.

Have a fabulous weekend. I?ll see you on Thursday!

The gatherings will be facilitated by Laina Maxwell, the owner of The Center for Awareness, LLC. Laina is an Awareness Coach. To learn more about Laina and The Center for Awareness, LLC., please visit
ThePower of Awareness

You guys ROCK?literally!

Last night was a fabulous culmination to our time exploring A New Earth. By all accounts, we will turn this into a tradition, by gathering to socialize between books. Many thanks to all of you; I counted 33, for bringing delicious munchies, delectable sweets, and fabulous entertainment!

Next week, we resume our book club gatherings as we delve into chapter 1 of The Translucent Revolution, by Arjuna Ardagh.

Big Give

I completely forgot to put out a basket for the Big Give donation. Please bring your cash or checks to Thursday?s gathering.

We will meet on Thursdays from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm at The Center for Awareness.

Please be sure to RSVP for Thursday?s book club gatherings.

Last evening, several of you expressed an interest in learning more about the Power of Awareness workshop that I teach. So I invite you to join us next week, on Wednesday, June 4th from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm as I introduce the Power of Awareness workshop to you. I will go over what is covered in the workshop, as well as provide a list of results you can experience from attending the weekend. Also, I will take you through one exercise that will give you a taste for what the POA weekend is about. The best part is that many who have taken the workshop will be on hand to share their person experience and life changing stories with those interested in The Power of Awareness. Because space is limited, please be sure to RSVP to laina@ThePowerofAwareness.com

With love and gratitude for each and every one of you,

Laina

Have a fabulous weekend. I'll see you on Thursday!

The gatherings will be facilitated by Laina Maxwell, the owner of The Center for Awareness, LLC. Laina is an Awareness Coach. To learn more about Laina and The Center for Awareness, LLC., please visit
ThePower of Awareness

WOW!

We had an amazing turnout for our first A New Earth Meetup gathering with 27 Conscious Creators in attendance!

Thank you all that joined us and many thanks for your participation in our fun conversation. It?s great hearing other people?s perspectives, as that is what expands consciousness. When we ?listen? while suspending judgment, we ARE present and honor the God/Source/Energy/Life/Love in another. That is how we create A New Earth!

Since we seemed to spend a good bit of time discussing the ego, and asking if it is ?good? or ?bad,? or are we to get rid of it, etc., I am going to share with you my simplified explanation of the ego and trust this will bring more clarity to the subject. The ego is a part of my ?human personality? and can only operate with the ?information? in my mind. If my mind is filled with information that empowers me, such as I feel good, I am pleased with myself, I believe I look good, I?m a great cook, I respect others opinions, I?m focused and present with what I?m doing, I know my job and I do it well, then I?m perfectly at peace with my ego. There is no need to get rid of it.

If, on the other hand, my mind is full of dis-empowering information, such as judgments of myself or others, a need to be right, or thoughts of being inferior or superior, a need to let others know what I do, what I have, or what I believe in an attempt to stand out, I can become aware of what I am doing, and I simply switch the information my ego is using. Here again, there is no need to get rid of it. With awareness, we simply re-direct it.

Awareness is becoming like a parent that encourages a young child (the ego) to play with crayons instead of sharp scissors. We don?t discard the child because we left out the scissors. We simply redirect the child (the ego) toward an option that is healthier for them. Eckhart says that ?ego is a conglomeration of recurring thoughts.? If you are going to have recurring thoughts, why not pick the ones that are empowering you?

I trust this makes sense and provides a simplified explanation of what the ego does. Please keep in mind that this is a very basic explanation, and the further our consciousness expands, so too will the understanding of the ego expand. Remember, we?ve only covered two chapters! If you have questions or comments, please post them and let?s chat about this.

Based on a vote we took last night, we will move forward with weekly meetings, same place same time. Next week we?ll explore Chapter 3, The Core of Ego. To deepen and expand our understanding of the ego, between now and our next gathering, let?s practice ?being aware.? This means to become the one that is witnessing your thoughts. At our next gathering, we will share examples of what ?being aware? was like for us. What you wish to become aware of are the thoughts you have - are they of crayons or sharp scissors? Are these thoughts empowering or dis-empowering you? Awareness if the first step on the journey to awakening.

Have a fabulous weekend. I?ll see you on Thursday!

The gatherings will be facilitated by Laina Maxwell, the owner of The Center for Awareness, LLC. Laina is an Awareness Coach. To learn more about Laina and The Center for Awareness, LLC., please visit
ThePower of Awareness

Dear Conscious Creators,

I am blown away by your commitment and courage to persevere in the process necessary to expanding consciousness. It is only through expanding our consciousness that we will ever come close to understanding what awakening is all about. Awakening will only be experienced by those who are fully aware of role of the mind and have mastered understanding the role of the ego.

During our last meeting, we discussed chapter 8 - The Discovery of Inner Space. Here are a few key points to summarize our meeting.

Those who are wise know that the simplest of things have the deepest meaning. Here are a few of Eckhart's examples:
* This, too, shall pass
* Is that so?

Eckhart Tolle writes on pg. 225 "Non-resistance, non-judgment, and non-attachment are the three aspects of true freedom and enlightened living."

This non-judgment and non-attachment can only happen when we let go of the "object consciousnes" which is the world of form. This includes material things, as well as identities and roles we play. When we are aware of the object consciousness, we begin to move into the space consciousness, where we can learn to connect with nothingness. This is our inner space. Eckhart refers to this space, in pgs 234 and 235 as; "....a sense of contentment, peace, and aliveness....it has no form. It is space; it is stillness, the sweetness of Being.....I call it joy of Being." This is one of my favorite parts of this book, as he uses such simple language to describe this truth.

To practice getting in touch with this "nothingness" try focusing on an object for extended periods of time and suspend your thoughts. Be with that object. Be that object. The more you practice becoming aware of your "nothingness" the more you will "be" the "Being" that is the experiencer of life. In object consciousness, we focus on the experience itself, in space consciousness, we are the experiencer"..the creator of our life. The best way to practice being the experiencer, is to connect to your breath, as detailed in pages 243 - 246.

Our ultimate goal is for stillness to become our unconscious way of being, so we don't need to think or do stillness. We will then just be stillness. Eckhart writes on pgs 255 & 256 "Stillness is the language God speaks, end everything else is a bad translation.....Becoming conscious of stillness whenever we encounter it in our lives will connect us with the formless and timeless dimension within ourselves, that which is beyond thought, beyond ego." "You are never more essentially, more deeply, yourself than when you are still."

So my fellow journey-friends, practice stillness, and you will experience enlightenment.

"Big Give" Attached is a document that describes the charitable contributions we can make as a group. Many thanks to Mindy and Mary for all of the time and effort they put into bringing us these options. I know there are many worthy causes, but these are the only ones we have to vote on, at this time. I personally feel we can assist all of them, as the needs are different for each. Some just require financial donations and one requires we give of our time. PLEASE read through the information, and I have condensed it for your benefit, and be prepared to make a commitment or time or resources by next meeting.

Next Book to read. Attached is a document where I summarized the suggestions I received. Please take a few minutes to research these books so we can make a decision during our next meeting, on May 8th. I believe our group will be together for a long while, so if you like all of these books, we can read them all, just not at once?

Have a fabulous weekend. I'll see you next Thursday to discuss chapter 9 - Your Inner Purpose

The gatherings will be facilitated by Laina Maxwell, the owner of The Center for Awareness, LLC. Laina is an Awareness Coach. To learn more about Laina and The Center for Awareness, LLC., please visit
ThePower of Awareness