Evolving Consciously:
The gift of asking ourselves soulful questions and
gleaning the wisdom of others.

On Saturday, July 21, forty individuals of many backgrounds, beliefs, and ages attended a day-long workshop sponsored by the Center for Purposeful Living. The workshop, titled "Consciously Evolving: Removing the Barriers to Our Soul," was led by Thomas White and Sanford Danziger, CPL board members.

The program began with the question: "What is the soul?" Thoughtful comments from the participants began to flow spontaneously and naturally: "who you are..."; "innate goodness"; "our essence"; "harmony"; "unity”; "service."

Participants at the workshop shared personal examples of thoughts, attitudes, and actions that can detract from the full expression of their positive or soulful qualities. One man who had written a book on spiritual development admitted, "We all have our blindspots. When my teenage daughter recently gave me the silent treatment, I wanted to go ballistic. Instead, I took a shower!"

Henrietta shared that she's been struggling with the habit of thinking she doesn't "do enough" for others. By the end of the day she realized: "I might actually be able to do more by being detached. No one did more than Gandhi, who exemplified detachment."

Many of the participants found value in the idea that we can release "victim mentality," the mindset of viewing ourselves as being at the mercy of circumstances. Its antidote is TRP--becoming a "Totally Responsible Person"--and choosing to view all challenging circumstances as opportunities for learning and growth. As Danziger put it, "It's not about the mother-in-law, the computer, the boyfriend; it's about realizing we always have a choice; thanks to the attitude we choose, we have the ability to deal effectively with any problem!" To illustrate this, White told the story of his aunt whose 45-year-old handicapped daughter had died. Feeling sad and worn down as the guests arrived at her home, she suddenly pulled herself up, and with a light in her eyes, decided to be strong for her guests.

At the end of the day participants were offered a challenge: "So what does this mean you're going to do in the next six months? What Soul qualities will be chosen to put into practice?" Some of the participants responses were to be on time, not talk so loud, show more respect, be more harmless, practice patience. On this day of thought-provoking and inspiring conversation, forty people explored some of life's most challenging questions--questions that go to the very heart of why we are really here. What emerged was intimacy between strangers; delight in discovery; the unexpected uncovering of a personal truth; and the revelation of their own inner wisdom.