What is a learning opportunity? Read below.
Toward the Real: This is an ongoing more formal and focused offering of real teachings and practices for the individual seriously seeking experience, knowing, and spiritual realization.
This is not some kind of "course" with a beginning and end. It is part of the ongoing transmission of Real Teachings - from the Only Teacher. Freedom is its own reward. Living is the process.
There will be approaches toward Remembrance, Understanding, and Function. This may include talks, meditations, concentrations, and so forth. More than that, a way is open for persons to get involved in daily living of The Way and The Work. This is offered from the Universal Perspective.
Each offering is an opportunity to gather and to experience teaching and conversation within the framework of the theme(s) presented, as well as other subjects. Included will likely be a short practice of a circle of remembering and possibly other practices.
Over the next several weeks in meetings and practices we will concentrate in 3 areas: Breath, Heart, and Sound. We will do practices in each and give assignments to carry on, if desired by you to continue.
The focus of each meeting will also be to convey these 3 elements: breath, heart, and sound through a remembrance circle practice. These will be the overall themes, or framework. Within that will also be a particular focus for the meeting. These are described below. Beyond that, we will see what takes place, who is here, and what is needed to go further.
The next meeting will be on Saturday, July 11, 1:30 - 4:pm (central time) at my home in Mentone, AL. It will include THE FIVE ELEMENTS. It is a meeting of Heart and Breath in which Love, wisdom, peace, and joy can be conveyed and experienced.
Our Friend and the great teacher, Inayat Khan spoke and wrote of some of his experiences with his teacher and guide (Murshid). This was over 100 years ago. These apply today as well. Toward this end, we commence our appreciation of The Way and Transmission. This is some of the attitude we take toward these classes and then the more focused and work of the Real. It explains much. It helps show or point toward the position to take in learning and the way toward more real living. While he was discussing discipleship, he also was speaking about life. We can learn much from this. I have titled this, "On Learning, The Way, and Your Inheritance". If you are considering attending, please read this also.
These ongoing meetings will be focused upon experience and will, delve deeply into several topics and approaches. They include practices, meditation, and approaches toward Spiritual Realization, Remembrance, Understanding, and Function; clarity of mind, breath, and being. Everything will be tailored to the needs of those attending. If there is no experience, then it is superficial. We come into the world to live, know, experience, and do. There is a purpose. These can help you in that process.
There is the opportunity and possibility that over time (or in a flash) to experience That Which is Real and True and learn more of how to function in this and other worlds. It is possible - as byproducts - for you to develop greater clarity of mind, breath, and being, have a much greater understanding and knowing for what is needed to go further on the path and in life. If it is real, then you should grow in a wider and higher consciousness and increased abilities in actually living what you truly are, but only have forgotten for a time. There will time for conversation and discussion. All of this is presented from the Universal Perspective. That includes the paths and ways. This work is part of an initiatic transmission.
The classes are reminders of the way. They are drawn from the infinite, yet also have the taste of that which is shown through the paths, or approaces to realization. There are many aspects of some sufi inner teachings. They carry the sensibility of zen. They teach as the Buddha that all sentient beings can experience their true nature now. They touch on the mystic as shown through the Christian and Jewish paths. They are of the Real and True.
Although you have just read a little about possibilities and approaches, they are not of the prime importance. They serve their purposes, but - like the song goes - "All you need is Love". Love is the key and the means. The goal is the unity of being - becoming again. The Infinite Heart is the conveyer of this Infinite Love. It focuses this experience of that first movement of Being - which continues now. It is love that leads you back and it is this that carries through to all the worlds and ends with function. Through love and The Infinite Heart we realize; and through this realization of being and learning the tools to function is how we accomplish right action, thought, approach, work, and relationship with the world(s) and all who dwell within. The rest is getting oneself toward that simplicity and forgetting all that is intermeditate. It is the unlearning, and goes beyond. The question is: how far do you really want to go? It is possible for someone to find some answers through these meetings.
An appropriate contribution is requested. This may be money or something else. You will need to intuitively discern what you should offer. This continues the continuity of giving and receiving, and lessens a little of the aspect of greed.
Realize, dear one
for you are of the heart
One you seek.
Toward this put all
and to all the worlds
place yourself in service.
You have only yourself
to blame
if you do not reach again
what you already are.
One portion is instruction in becoming an active worker in healing. The other is requesting healing. More information is on the Healing Page.
What is a learning opportunity?
It is a way in which The Teaching can be conveyed. It is an opportunity to feel your way through some of the maze which inhabits what is called the spiritual path. And it is a way to gain both information and some experience toward the goal of realization and the means and processes of which this formation exists and uses.
A learning opportunity may come in as many forms and means as there are people and approaches. These may be hidden or blatant - in plain sight. One may come for one purpose and find a myriad of other reasons why he or she is taking part. There may be times of discussion or times of quiet. There may be only one approach or attitude stressed or quality expressed. They will vary with the people, the time, the conditions, and the effort. The intention will come from the Guide rather than the seeker. It is open, fluid, quiet, noisy, closed, constricted, free, and none of the above. It could be through books, readings, meditations, practices, seem very spiritual, or be otherwise, with seemingly nothing to do with spirituality. It may test you or reinforce what you already know. It could be nothing like just described.
What may you expect? Who knows? It will be what it will be. But, you can pretty much feel that there will be some opportunities for some people to speak privately with a person guiding the process. If there are several people there will also likely be some time of group activity. There may be practices. There may be a short talk; but it is much more likely there will be informal discussion at various times for you to join in or not. There may be some physical work; so come dressed in clothes which will accommodate that. Bring a change of clothing if you wish. You may come at any time and leave at any time you choose. There is no obligation to stay if you do not feel to.
Nothing is promised and nothing is eliminated if needed. There is no charge of money, but you are requested to give of yourself and also make a monetary contribution if appropriate. It is necessary to keep a continuity of giving and receiving, so you will be called on to determine what to do and how to do it.
You will find much more information of value on this web site to get a better sense of approach, attitude, and process. You can also get a perspective of classes and teachings by reading the material pointed toward through the pages on classes and learning.