Dear Common Awakening Companions,

For the next series of weekly meditations, we invite you to hear real stories from real members of our community. May you find your own story woven into their powerful experiences.

With love,

Annie & Annmarie

You may come from a traditional faith tradition. You have questions but aren’t ready to throw it all away for anything too “spiritual.” It has to be real, well-grounded, researched, and true.  

I came from a religious background, and I was cautious about embracing a more mystical spirituality. I knew from my studies that Christian mysticism and spiritual formation were solid and trustworthy, but I still wanted to check it out for myself. Plus, I wanted to figure out what Common Awakening was all about and if I could trust Annie & Annmarie. I knew they went to seminary and were psychotherapists. Still, I was cautiously curious.  

What compelled me to show up was that there was an inner weariness I was carrying that was ready to shift. I was just plain tired. What happened surprised me. The tiredness lessened as my perspective and feelings about my circumstances shifted. I felt movement around money, time, words, thoughts that I didn’t expect to change. My grip loosened. I felt the baggage I was carrying fall away to allow a new sense of lightness and freedom to emerge. I felt less inhibited. 

I left the retreat feeling a new sense of power emerging within me. I realized that when I am recounting or remembering the past, I am not in the present where my power lies. I learned to embrace my power to influence myself and others for good, and I now walk more purposefully and lightly in the world. 

-Bethany