The Peace Center
A New Earth Questions for discussion meetings
Chapter 1:The Flowering of Human Consciousness
(from Oprah & Eckhart's webcast 2008)
1) Why did you decide to read this book?
2) What specific areas in your life do you think will benefit from the lessons of A New Earth? How can you incorporate the book's teachings in your life today?
3) Think about the question on page 5: "Can human beings lose the density of their conditioned mind structures and become like crystals or precious stones... transparent to the light of consciousness?"
a. What makes you feel more alive and open, less dense, less bogged down by heavy thoughts and feelings?
b. How does this effect you and your family?
c. How does you reading this book effect others outside of your family?
4) Spend some time in the presence of something you consider beautiful—a flower, a gem, a piece of artwork, etc. As you look at the object, try to see it without naming it mentally. When we appreciate beauty in this manner, a window opens into the formless, and into a state of gratitude. See if you can experience that.
a. What beauty did you experience this week? What are some descriptions of it with using its label or name?
b. How many times this week can you catch yourself limiting someone or something by labeling it? How did it change the situation? Bring specific examples.
5) Do you consider yourself a religious person? What about a spiritual person? Is there a difference between the two?
6) "Humanity is now faced with a stark choice: Evolve or die. … If the structures of the human mind remain unchanged, we will always end up re-creating the same world, the same evils, the same dysfunction" (p. 21–22).
a. Are you aware of this dysfunction? How does it manifest itself?
b. Where is it most apparent in your own life and in the world?
c. Do you think humanity is ready for a transformation of consciousness?
d. How is it going to happen?
7) What are your two favorite quotes (Flowers) from Chapter 1? Why?
8) What are the one or two activities you worked at bringing into your awareness this week? Use the following meditation exercise from website if needed.
Awakening Exercise for Chapter 1:
Free Yourself from Your Mind
Adapted from Practicing the Power of Now: Essential Teachings, Meditations, and Exercises from The Power of Now (p. 21–22)
The best way of assimilating the teachings of A New Earth is through reading, contemplating and slowly digesting the concepts in the book. You can also take any routine activity that normally is only a means to an end and give it your fullest attention.
Choose one or two activities you do routinely and bring your attention to them. Here are three examples.
· Every time you walk up and down the stairs in your house or place of work, pay close attention to every step, every movement…even your breathing. Be totally present.
· When you wash your hands, pay attention to all the sensory perceptions associated with the activity: the sound and feel of the water, the movement of your hands, the scent of the soap and so on.
· When you get into your car, after you close the door, pause for a few seconds and observe the flow of your breath. Become aware of a silent but powerful sense of presence.
The Peace Center.com LLC
Space to engage with others and yourself around peace and spirituality
Space to engage with others and yourself around peace and spirituality
Location: 190 E. 5th Avenue, Naperville, IL 60563
Phone: 630-730-4500 - Tracee Keyes
Phone: 630-730-4500 - Tracee Keyes
The Peace Center began as an idea over coffee by a few ladies enjoying each others dreams and how they could be expressed. One dream was to have a place where souls could come together searching for peace through whatever means are presented to them, what they are interested in or a combination of the two. This was in 2007 and since then many have enjoyed coming together along their journey at The Peace Center.
Please come and enjoy the space along your journey. You can share in this space bringing either your offerings and/or you willingness to openly receive others.
Tracee Keyes
