Week 1 -- A New Earth

“The consciousness that says ‘I am’ is not the consciousness that thinks.”  –  Jean-Paul Sartre

Affirmation:

"Through the guidance and wisdom of Spirit, I am being transformed by the renewing of my mind. All obstacles and emotions are stepping stones to the realization and appreciation of my sacred humanness."

Study Questions – A New Earth  (Review chapters 1 & 2, pp 1-58)

Chapter 1

Eckhart Tolle uses the image of the first flower to begin his discussion of the transformation of consciousness. In your transformation, is this symbolism important to you? Describe.

The two core insights of early religion are: 1) the normal state of human consciousness is dysfunctional (the Hindu call it maya – the veil of delusion) and 2) the opportunity for transformation is also in human consciousness (the Hindu call this enlightenment) (p. 8-9).  What in your recent experience points to each of these insights? 

“To recognize one’s own insanity is, of course, the arising of sanity, the beginning of healing and transcendence” (p. 14). To what extent and in what circumstances (that you’re willing to discuss) does this statement apply to you?

Religion is derived from the Latin word religare, meaning “to bind.” What, in your religious experience, have you been bound to?  Stretching your imagination a bit, what could the word have pointed to in its original context?

Spirit is derived from the Latin word spiritus, breath, and spirare, to blow. Aside from the allusion to hot air, how does this word pertain to your transformation? Do you consider yourself to be “spiritual” or “religious”? What examples of practices or beliefs can you give to illustrate?

How does this passage from Revelation 21:1-4 relate to your tranformation?  Tease out as much of the symbolism as you can.

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.”

Chapter 2

In his discussion of the ego, Tolle refers to the use of words and labels as a means of disguising the miracles with which we are continually blessed (p. 26). What experiences have you had that illustrate this idea?

Tolle asserts that the ego’s conditioning is completely in the past and is composed of content and structure (p. 34). Why is this distinction relevant?

The egoic mind arises in its identification with form. Thought is considered essential to the ego’s continuance. If we are to let go of the ego, is it essential to let go of thought as well? Is there anything to take the place of thought?

Toole declares, “Life will give you whatever experience is most helpful for the evolution of your consciousness” (p. 41). Are you inclined to agree with that statement? Can you illustrate with a personal example where that seemed to be the case? Where it did not seem to be the case?

Several tools of the ego ensures its continuance:

·        making yourself right and others wrong

·        stimulating your appetite for “more”

·        idenitfying with the body

What behaviors/activities can you practice/perform to reduce or eliminate the effect of the ego’s use of these tools?

“Descartes’ error” refers to his oft-quoted dictum, “I think, therefore I am.”  Why is this an error? How does the acceptance or belief of this statement keep us in the state of maya?

How does tragic loss lead us to the realization of “the peace that passes all understanding” (p. 56)?