Grazing Through The Woods with The Herb Man

The Awakening of Consciousness

We stand at a most critical and exciting point in human history. For thousands of years, mystical and spiritual traditions have encouraged us to wake up to who and what we really are, to discover our essential nature. Knowing that essence, not just as an intellectual understanding, but as a direct personal acquaintance, brings a profound ease, a relief from our inner suffering, and opens the heart to unconditional love.

In the past, this awakening was held to be critical to our individual salvation. Today it is critical for our collective salvation. So many of the problems we are facing on a global level have their roots in a limited, self-centered mode of being. If we are to navigate our way safely through these turbulent times then, as well as doing everything we can to heal the planet, we need to take seriously the wisdom accumulated over the centuries on how to free the human mind from its attachments and self-centered attitudes. We need to heal ourselves; heal our souls.

What does the awakening of consciousness entail? Beneath all the various teachings and techniques lies one a common principle. Let go. Release the mind from attachments and judgments. Return to the experience of present moment. And in so doing, discover the freedom and ease that comes when we open our awareness to the truth.

Goal: Appreciate the value of the world’s wisdom traditions for contemporary times.

Learning Objectives:
• Learn the essential nature of consciousness,
• Discover the benefits of letting go, and
• Explore why global crisis is at root a crisis of consciousness.