Category: Uncategorized

This is a quick note to let you know what’s new at SpiritualTeachers.org and elsewhere.

Letters of Transmission: a Talk on Enlightenment
A couple of weeks ago, I was a guest speaker at the Center for Sacred Sciences in Eugene, OR and gave what some think is my best talk ever.  It’s now available on YouTube, and I highly recommended taking an hour to watch it: https://youtu.be/ZZeaE3GSqn8 . It’s as close as I’ve come to answering “what is enlightenment?” and distilling key principles for the search.

New Podcast Episode
The latest episode is a listener-inspired question and answer session.  If you’d like to hear more of these, send your questions to me using the contact form.

Upcoming TAT Foundation Meeting
 The November TAT meeting is titled Existence and will be at the Claymont Mansion near Washington DC  There will be several roundtable discussions as well as breakout sessions on the theme of Existence.  

Quote That I’m Pondering
“What’s your secret?” Joel Morewood asked Franklin Merrell-Wolff: “A tendency to drive to the root,” was Merrell-Wolff’s answer.    

In Case You Missed It…
I’ve channeled some creative energy into spiritual t-shirt designs—some with Philo Sophie King’s input. The latest one’s a personal favorite. Think of it as a wearable koan. You want one of these. You really do. Take a look.

Lastly, if you’re on the West Coast, our TAT West group meets twice a month in the San Francisco Bay Area. These meetings are like mini-retreats, focused on subtracting illusion and discovering what’s real. If you’re close enough to drive, you’re close enough to come.

Wishing you all the best,
Shawn

I switched product vendors, so check out the new Store page, with a fresh t-shirt design, hats, and coffee mugs.

Here’s a quick update on what’s new at SpiritualTeachers.org and elsewhere.

Podcast
The latest edition of the Journals of Spiritual Discovery podcast is an interview with Bob Cergol about his new book Hope! Life’s Calling.  Among many topics, we discuss developing an “inward momentum of the attention.”  As always, the podcast is free. 

Website Update
Andrew Cohen, a teacher I critiqued over many years, died this week.

Meetings and Events
Check out our TAT West meetings if you’re near the San Francisco Bay area.  We meet twice a month, once in-person and once via zoom. Our next meeting is March 30th.  Each meeting, we explore the Workbook of the Self, a guided set of 24 exercises designed to catalyze a spiritual realization by questioning our core beliefs about ourselves. This is not a casual discussion group, but a program of exploration highlighting active participation.

The April 2025 TAT Retreat, titled “The Way of Truth,” is fast approaching. April 25 to 27 at the Claymont Society (an hour away from Washington DC).  It’s an excellent lineup of spiritual finders including: Paul Rezendes, Bob Cergol, and Dave Weimer, plus meditation, rapport sittings, and other interactive sessions.

Quote That I’m Pondering
“No amount of adding will get me to where I want to be.” ~ Derek Sivers, from the book Hell Yeah or No

Wishing you all the best,
Shawn

“Where are you going?”
whispers the wind.
Wrap yourself in the cloak of the world
and heap logs upon the fire,
for night, partner of the wind, fast approaches.
Turn your head no longer,
Welcome wind and night.

Like this poem?  Find more in Images of Essence, my book from the TAT Press.

Updated the Sailor Bob Adamson page with news of his death.

Here’s a quick update on what’s new at SpiritualTeachers.org and elsewhere.

Podcast
The latest edition of the Journals of Spiritual Discovery podcast is “Your True Self,” an interview with Tyler Matthew. We discuss self inquiry, letting go, earnestness, and other topics on spiritual awakening. As always, the podcast is free. 

New Meetings
If you’re near the San Francisco Bay area, you’re welcome to check out the new TAT West meetings. We meet twice a month, once in-person and once via zoom. Each meeting, we explore the Workbook of the Self, a guided set of 24 exercises designed to catalyze a spiritual realization by questioning our core beliefs about ourselves. This is not a casual discussion group, but a program of exploration highlighting active participation. 

Upcoming Event
The November 2024 TAT Gathering, titled “Certainty,” is fast approaching. November 8 to 10 in North Carolina, USA, featuring an excellent lineup of spiritual finders including: Anima Pundeer, Art Ticknor, Bob Cergol, Dan McLaughlin, Mike Gegenheimer, Norio Kushi, Paul Constant, and Paul Rezendes. It’s the last in-person meeting of the year!  Learn more at TATfoundation.org.

Quote That I’m Pondering: Regarding Living a Spiritual Life
“How does one live such a life? It starts with commitment. The only way to live one’s life in service to some cause or purpose is to make a commitment to that cause or purpose. Commitment becomes the guiding principle that governs our actions and reactions and trumps all the other motivators of fear and desire. The only way to remember our commitment is to generate a habit of remembrance by taking action that manifests our commitment. This generates a virtuous circle toward awakening, juxtaposed to the vicious circle of our carnal and ego-based desires that ensnare our life. One must see oneself in action. It is not enough to have a wish. One must take action that manifests that wish, and in so doing makes the object of one’s attention that very commitment.”  ~ Bob Cergol, from the forthcoming book, Hope! Life’s Calling.

Wishing you all the best,
Shawn