WEEK 2

Sunday – August 9, 2020 – Weekly Torah Portion

This week’s Parashat is called Re’eh translated – “To See.” One of my teachers wrote of this section………..”Meditation might be a tool used by ancient sages, but its practice has become more prevalent in the modern world than ever before. More so than ever in the last century, people have been searching for ways to connect to their spirit. One’s spiritual journey has become almost mainstream. We, as a collective whole, are on a quest to discover our truest inner selves, and to find ways of keeping the distractions of the outside world at bay. Inside each of us lies the wonderment and bounty of Divine Light. To not look for it, to not know it with every fiber of our being, is to never experience the beauty of its existence. This week, we receive a great gift from the universe. Our inner Light shines bright, allowing us to see it – and by proxy, to see ourselves for the Light-filled beings we truly are. We are called upon now to discover the Universe within, so our inner voice may be heard above the noise. The time has come for us to step away from the distractions of the physical world, and to go within to see more than ever. As long as there is breath in our lungs, the Light is always shining within us. It is there to nurture and to guide us. This clarity and vision of our Light can be our gift this week. The Universe bestows upon us now the ability to bear witness to our own Holiness. The Light of the Creator is inside, waiting patiently for us to just see it.”

Here is a short 10 min video on Pratyahara:

Here is the short video introducing Joel Goldsmith.

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Monday – August 10, 2020 – The Veil

Today, I have a few pearls for those of you working the edge of this work. I want to remind all of you that we have transformed our “group” into membership only. Right now, there are three levels of membership. Level 1 are those who want to support our group but, at least right now, unable to commit to attending sessions. Level 2 are those who enjoy the yoga sessions and can make some of them but are not really interested in what we are doing on Monday nights. Level three are those of you doing this work, studying the ‘maps’, meditating and committing to your yoga practice by adjusting your schedule and attending as many sessions as possible. This week will be the last week that those who are not members will receive access to the Atwater Yoga Group Page on choicetimes.

This is an exciting post. The study of human development with the Bill Harris blogs is about to enter into a description of Tier 2 Consciousness. I also am posting a short (4 min) video introducing you to Joel Goldsmith. You can do some research on Goldsmith if you wish…….(March 10, 1892 – June 17, 1964) was an American spiritual author, teacher, spiritual healer, and modern-day mystic. He founded The Infinite Way movement. …………..

“To experience God unfolding as individual consciousness is the purpose of “The Infinite Way.” It is a revelation with your own being, an experience which takes place within you. The Kingdom of God is within you. As a matter of fact, you are the individualization of all that God is: “Son, all that I have is thine,” (Luke 15:31). ,,,,,,,,, The world interprets the human scene in human terms, and therefore that which is appearing in and to the world as a human being, that is, as you or as me, through this work, will receive from within the depth of his being the revelation of his true nature. The impartation, then, in this work, is not from one intellect to another. It is divine Consciousness revealing Itself as individual being. The things of God are foolishness with men, but, “if any man have ears to hear, let him hear.” (Mark 7:16). ” Here is the next podcast from Bill Harris……..

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Tuesday – August 11, 2020 – The Strategist

If you have been listening to the podcasts from Bill Harris, here is the next one. These later podcasts are more interesting and easier to listen to, however the first four or so have some gems, especially when we finish and have a wider perspective in this line of evolution/development.

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August 12, 2020 – Human Development Continued

If you are trudging through the Bill Harris Blogs on human development, perhaps, you are beginning to see the “dividing line” so to speak, between Tier 1 and Tier 2 consciousness. Do you see how the evolution of the “Ego” transforms from a process of differentiation to one of integration? How subject becomes object? Where we are in our own developmental process is “where we live.” It is described as a stage or level or perspective. However, we can have a state experience in a different stage or level. There is both vertical and horizontal development. One of the issues with the experts and achievers in our world is that they have blinded out vertical development. Instead, there is a force at work trying to create a kind of Flatland of existence and potential development masked in the notions of equality, social justice, gender fluidity, etc. Do you see the potential pathologies associated with unresolved Trauma in specific stages of development? Can you see how this information could be of value to you as we confront an epic time of transformation in humanity’s journey? If not, let go of Bill Harris and human development for now. I will be introducing Integral Theory and Ken Wilber soon and Integral presents but another map. It fits nicely with what we are studying. Here is the next Bill Harris blog. In my next post I will embed the remaining blogs for your access. Until then…..Be well.

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August 13 – Re’eh……”to see” and next podcast from Bill Harris

My teacher Karen Berg wrote this in 2017 about the Torah portion of the week. How does it ‘mesh’ with our inquiry of yoga and how appropriate is it for the time we are living in NOW?

“Have you ever been in a situation where you and another person witness the same event, and yet you see it totally differently? Or maybe you’ve watched two people interacting in a foreign language and you think they look upset, but really they are just very excited?

Whenever I experience those scenarios, it reminds me of the fact that as human beings, we don’t always see things so clearly. Each one of us has preconceived notions and ideas, held in our conscious or subconscious mind, that form the lens through which we “view” this world. As the saying goes, “We don’t see things as they are, we see things as we are.”

It is a fitting discussion because this week’s portion is Re’eh which means “to see.” Through it, we receive the energy to build and maintain our spiritual vision. This is also the week in which Rav Berg was born so it holds extra power and significance for all of us in this Global Spiritual family.

When Moshe says to the Israelites, “Re’eh,” he is essentially saying, “See me, who I am, how I live, how I am sustained.” But he wasn’t referring to external things. Yes, Moshe was tall, distinctive and youthful – as if he had not aged a day since leaving Egypt. He was also wealthy and intelligent. But what he wanted the Israelites “to see” was how he clung closely to the Creator. He knew that without the Light, he was nothing. And he never lost “sight” of that consciousness, no matter what.

In our lives, when things start going our way, or we have no immediate needs, it is easy to lose sight of Who allows for our blessings. It is also easy to see someone else, maybe a rich, beautiful, or famous person, and think, “Wow, haven’t they got it made,” and build up this subtle jealousy or sadness about our current station in life. Or, to start to idolize them in a way that negates the precious Light of our own being! But the Creator doesn’t just want us to live with Him in our moments of desperation. And He didn’t put us here so we could just wish we were someone else. He created us to receive the ultimate fulfillment that comes through being who we are, climbing our own spiritual ladder, and sharing what it is that we came here to share.

This week we receive a powerful gift, which is the spiritual vision to “see” that our circumstance is no accident. It is our test. Up or down, high or low. Let’s make our connection to our Source our first priority. When that is our consciousness, then no matter what happens, we cannot fail.”

The highest development level described by Susan Cook-Greuter. The Unitive Stage…….If our destination in our yoga journey is Samadhi then, perhaps, exploring the Unitive Level may be of value.

I have a special gift for you. I found on youtube Genpo Roshi’s Big Mind Process. This is a 2 and 1/2 hour presentation that is one of the most powerful awareness building processes I have ever experienced. It can be done alone but I suggest doing it with another or others.

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August 15 – The End of Week 2 Update

Have you been following these posts? I know some of you are. If you haven’t been reading, listening, watching, inquiring please consider doing so. I have set it up so each week is separated by page breaks. This is the end of week 2. Tomorrow, Sunday, begins week three. For those of you who have been studying then today I am posting the last two podcasts of Bill Harris’s work on Human Development. Do you see the process of cognitive development? Do you see the difference between state experiences and stage ‘level?’ Well, these last two podcasts are kinda like the whipped cream on top of your favorite ice cream sundae or piece of pie.

I am super excited about next week; week 3 of our current 13 week journey leading us up to November 2, 2020. Notice the timing? The 19th is the new moon and I plan to have our Atwater Yoga Page “concealed” to only those of us in the group. Next week I will introduce you to the 5 steps of growth while, at the same time, invite you to look at the concept of “The Four Phases” of Kabbalah.

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For Week 1’s Posts, Go to Next Page…..