Are You Asleep at the Wheel Again???

Here is a plan that will help you to help others to live in the waking state, improve their empathy, and raise their consciousness. This is a noble goal. Here’s a framework that you might find useful, blending the spiritual forces of Mindfulness, Compassion, and Practical Action, all in a way that feels approachable and relevant:

1. Introduction: The Waking State and Empathy

• The Waking State: the state of being fully present, aware, and connected to the moment, breathing with the cosmic waves that pass through every moment.Human beings are often born into a state of walking sleep, disconnected from the greater cosmic consciousness that surrounds us. This ordinary condition is a kind of hypnosis, where we go through the motions of life without truly being aware of our deeper existence or the world around us.However, through a series of intentional exercises and practices, it is possible to begin shaking off this sleep and start waking up. This process involves becoming more present, aware, and connected to the moment, gradually rising to a higher level of consciousness. This higher consciousness is the waking state. It’s important to note that the waking state itself has levels. Reaching a full-on waking state, where one is completely awake to all aspects of reality, can be overwhelming and inadvisable for most humans. Therefore, it’s crucial to approach this journey with care, allowing yourself to wake up gradually and gently, without fear and apprehension. By doing the exercises in their proper sequence, you can enjoy the benefits of heightened awareness and a deep quantum cosmic connection, without becoming overwhelmed.
• Empathy as a Pathway: empathy, the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, is a key element of the waking state. Deliberately and skillfully deepening empathy leads to greater harmony with oneself, others, and the planetary consciousness in which you are immersed.

2. Daily Practice for Waking Awareness

• Morning Mindfulness Ritual: Suggest starting each day with a short mindfulness exercise, such as focusing on the breath or a gentle body scan, to center oneself and become present. Watch a Bardo Voyaging video or take a Gorby’s Video Tour on any of these video blog or “vlog” pages, to try to guess the emotional state or moods of various passers-by that you see walking toward you or standing still, in the videos.
• Conscious Interactions: Encourage people to engage in one mindful conversation each day—listening fully, without judgment or the urge to respond immediately.
• Gratitude Journaling: Introduce the practice of writing down three things each evening that brought joy or peace during the day, helping to reinforce positive awareness. Do this in detail, without impatience or boredom.

3. Empathy Building Activities

• Community Empathy Circles: Organize small group sessions in zoom, where participants can share their experiences and feelings in a safe, non-judgmental space. Facilitated with guided questions, these circles can help deepen understanding and connection among participants.
• Acts of Kindness Challenges: Create a monthly challenge encouraging participants to perform simple acts of kindness—whether it’s helping a neighbor, volunteering, or even just offering a kind word.
• Storytelling Workshops: Host sessions where people can share personal stories of struggle and triumph, fostering empathy through shared experiences.

4. Integration into Daily Life

• Mindful Work and Play: Encourage integrating voluntary mindfulness into everyday tasks, whether at work or during leisure activities. This could be as simple as being fully present while cooking or walking in nature. You can find many useful suggestions in “Every Day a Holy Day”, which you’ll find on our book list.
• Empathy in Action: Suggest ways to practice empathy in daily interactions, such as by genuinely asking how someone is doing and truly listening to the response without blame or judgment.

5. Tools and Resources

• Guided Meditations: Offer a selection of guided meditations either online, streaming or pre-recorded into a downloadable package that is specifically tailored to waking awareness and empathy, which can be available online or in-person.
• Workshops and Retreats: Provide opportunities for deeper immersion through weekend workshops, pop-up workshops, or day-long retreats or exercises, focusing on living gently and easily in the waking state, while developing a more effective and powerful personal empathy for the suffering of others.

6. Community Involvement and Growth

• Local Partnerships: Collaborate with local organizations, businesses, and spiritual groups to promote these practices and create a supportive network.
• Feedback and Evolution: Create a space for participants to share feedback and ideas, ensuring the plan evolves to meet the community’s needs and remains relevant.

7. Personal and Collective Goals

• Setting Intentions: Encourage participants to set personal goals related to waking awareness and empathy, with the option to share and support each other in these goals.
• Measuring Progress: Introduce simple ways to track progress, like reflecting on changes in their sense of connection, peace, and compassion over time.

8. Call to Action: Share and Grow the Community

• Spread the Word: Encourage participants to share their experiences and insights on social media. By using specific hashtags or tagging your organization, they can help spread the message and inspire others to join in on the journey toward the waking state and greater empathy.
• Invite Others: Suggest that they actively invite friends, family and colleagues to participate in the practices and activities. The more people involved, the stronger the community becomes, creating a ripple effect that can lead to broader positive change.
• Engage with the Community: Encourage ongoing engagement by liking, commenting, and sharing posts from fellow participants. This helps create a supportive online environment where people can connect, share progress, and inspire each other.

By keeping the language and practices accessible, and weaving them into the fabric of daily life, this plan can resonate with the local community while gently guiding them toward higher consciousness and empathy.