The Consciousness Raising Connections Group

Fellow Philosopher -

I invite you to join a new group I started with my friend Lori that will meet at the same location as Socrates Cafe on the Wednesdays when Socrates Cafe is not meeting. It is called The Consciousness Raising Connections Group and we will explore self-improvement topics that aren't political or philosophical enough for Socrates Cafe.

Details of our first meeting along with FAQs about the group are below my signature.

I hope you will join if this interests you. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks. Dave

Raising Consciousness: What, How, and Why? - May 21st
"Are You Ready to be Awakened?" That was the invitation recently extended by Oprah and spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle to her online class that took viewers chapter by chapter through his latest book, "A New Earth: Awakening To Your Life's Purpose". Through reading and practicing exercises from the book like "Counting the Breath" and "Letting Thoughts and Feelings Be," the reader is promised freedom from anxious thoughts, emotions, and reactions that block our true purpose in life: spiritual enlightenment.

At the first meeting of the Consciousness Raising Connections Group, we will discuss the question, "Raising Consciousness: What, How, and Why?" Is consciousness raising a path to personal, political, or spiritual change? What is spirituality and should enlightenment be our life's purpose? How could raising your consciousness change your connections at home, work, and play? To prepare for the meeting, read the Wikipedia entry on Spirituality at http://en.wikipedia.o... and the "Exercises for Your Awakening" on Oprah's site at http://www.oprah.com/...

To RSVP, visit http://self-improveme...

Consciousness Raising Connections Group FAQs

What is the purpose of our group?
To raise consciousness for life-enhancing connections.

What is raising consciousness?
In our group, raising consciousness means being more responsive to life-enhancing connections. For example, if a friend criticizes you, your unthinking reaction may be to feel hurt and to withdraw from the relationship. By raising your consciousness, you become more aware of what your friend means to you, consider whether the criticism is justified, and respond in a way that nourishes your growth. In this example, a conscious response may still be to feel hurt and to withdraw if you conclude that the friendship doesn't nourish your growth.

What are life-enhancing connections?
Life-enhancing connections are those attachments that help you achieve eudaimonia: "good spiritedness." Eudaimonia is a Greek word for the state of flourishing happiness you experience by bringing into your life the substances, attitudes, beliefs, habits, and abilities which nourish your physical, emotional, intellectual, ethical, and spiritual growth.

What are examples of life-enhancing connections?
The following are examples of life-enhancers that can nourish your growth:
- Physical Substances: Sunshine, air, food, shelter, exercise, music, pleasant aromas, beautiful sights, delightful tastes, safe stimulants, passionate embraces, relaxing touches.
- Emotional Attitudes: Hope, faith, love, gratitude, respect, pride, humility, openness, enthusiasm, encouragement, generosity, humor.
- Intellectual Beliefs: Experienced knowledge, rational explanations, accurate predictions, informed opinions, educated understanding.
- Ethical Habits: Honesty, fairness, tolerance, responsibility, kindness, courage, fortitude.
- Spiritual Abilities: Creativeness, skillfulness, expressiveness, intuitiveness, friendship, romance, parenting.

What are life-diminishing connections?
The philosopher Aristotle recommended moderation in all things. Thus, a life-diminishing connection is simply too much or too little of a life-enhancer. Using the same logic, supposedly bad things like caffeine, stress, and alcohol can be good if taken in moderation.

Who are the group moderators and why did they create this group?
Lori Lowes is a speech therapist and mother of teenagers who sometimes feels pushed by the busyness in her life. She wants to raise her consciousness to become more spiritually enlightened. David Weston is an accountant and moderator of Socrates Cafe Philosophy Discussion in Tempe who often feels ungrounded and uninspired. He wants to build life-enhancing connections that will both settle and stimulate. Lori and David are friends with little experience but much desire in raising consciousness and connections.

How will group meetings be conducted?
Meetings will be limited to 20 members to allow everyone to meaningfully participate. At 7:00pm, we will begin the meeting in silence; allowing the participants to raise their consciousness through silent meditation. Each of the participants will then introduce themselves and share what they want from the discussion. One of the moderators will then present a short summary of the material assigned for discussion. After the presentation, a free-flowing and respectful discussion of the topic will be moderated. The focus will be on learning to raise consciousness for life enhancing connections. The meeting will officially end at 8:30pm with a silent meditation, allowing us 10 minutes of unmoderated socializing before we must vacate the room.

How does one meditate to raise life-enhancing consciousness?
There are different meditation techniques based on one's purpose and point of focus. A breathing meditation focuses on the breath to quiet the mind while a loving-kindness meditation focuses on warm feelings to open the heart. Since our group's purpose is to raise life-enhancing consciousness, focus on either your breath, a word, an idea, a feeling, or an image that will empty your mind and open your heart.

Who should join our group and attend meetings?
Raising consciousness and sharing connections in a group is a delicate experience that requires a generous nature and a tolerance for learning with others. We invite you to come to a meeting to see if you and the group will benefit from your participation.

What topics will be discussed?
Below are examples of topics that the moderators believe will fulfill the group's purpose of raising consciousness for life-enhancing connections:

Practicing Mindfulness
Five Minute Meditations
When to Forgive?
Making Real Friendships
Mindful Eating
Let Go and Let God?
Overcoming Addictions
Overcoming Fears
How to be a Man?
How to be a Woman?
Mindful Dating
Learning to Love
Making Wise Choices
Learning To Belong
When to get Married?
When to get Divorced?
Mindful Parenting
Building Empathy
Life Altering Experiences

The moderators welcome suggestions and presenters for discussion. Please email us your ideas or post them on the Message Board under the topic "What Questions Should We Discuss?"