Module 1 – Waking Up

Recognizing How Patterns Frame Your Life

Waking Up invites a reorientation toward what is right in front of you. In this module, you’ll explore how you relate to your inner world—your thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations—and how you meet your outer world, especially the people in your life.

As your awareness grows in one of these areas, the other naturally begins to shift as well, creating a supportive environment for lasting change that lines up with your intentions.

Module Outline

Week 1: “Becoming Mindful I”

  • Establishing A Daily Mindfulness Practice

  • Seeing Others As Loving Beings

  • Noticing Your Thoughts And Patterns

  • Meeting The Challenges Of Meditation

Week 2: “Becoming Mindful II”

  • Listening With Care And Presence

  • Observing Judgment And Relaxing It

  • Turning Toward Difficulty

  • Opening To Kindness

Week 3: “Exploring Habits I”

  • Identifying Habits and Patterns

  • Investigating Triggers, Behaviors, & Rewards

  • Checking Our Understanding Of Others

  • Investigating The Roots Of Reaction

Week 4: “Exploring Habits II”

  • Investigating Habit Loops

  • Recognizing Body-Mind-Emotion Interplay

  • Checking Perceptions

  • Choosing Presence Over Reactivity

Week 5: “Managing Pain And Strong Emotions”

  • Examining Patterns Around Pain

  • Disrupting Stress-Based Habits

  • Building Resilience And Emotional Steadiness

  • Sending And Receiving Kindness

Week 6: “Examining Unknown Horizons”

  • Asking Beautiful Questions Of Yourself

  • Using Poetry To Say The Inexpressible

  • Considering Awareness As Source Of Peace

  • Reflecting On Your Learning

Next Mod 1 Calendar

Saturday Zoom Sessions

Jan 24, 2026, 10am – 12pm ET (Orientation)

Jan 31, 2026, 10am – 12pm ET

Feb 7, 2026, 10am – 12pm ET

Feb 14, 2026, 10am – 12pm ET

Feb 21, 2026, 10am – 12pm ET

Feb 28, 2026, 10am – 12pm ET

Mar 7, 2026, 10am – 12pm ET

Sign Up for Mod 1

Commitment to Self-Inquiry

The course is a practice-based, immersive program, not a casual workshop. It's an invitation to a personal internal journey. With the help of a study guide, participants are expected to engage in daily self-inquiry, guided reflection, and mindful practices. This consistent rhythm—30-60 minutes a day for six weeks—is essential. It allows for deep integration of ideas, insights, and inner shifts that stick.

Each week, here is how you'll turn inward to explore sacred engagement:

  • Daily guided meditations and reflection practices

  • Selections from:

    • Curated readings and short videos

    • Journaling prompts to bring awarenesses into your personal life

    • Insights from poets, scientists, philosophers, and spiritual teachers.

Your consistent, honest attention is what makes the experience meaningful. These activities are designed to give you the opportunity for real change—practical and lasting.

Weekly Zoom Sessions

Each week we gather for a live 2-hour Zoom session. These are small, intimate groups designed for connection using your new skills extending outward to people around you.

  • The time distribution:

    • ~75% of the time is spent in a breakout room with two other people

    • ~25% of time is for group learning, Q&A, and shared reflections

  • You'll practice skills and share your experiences with others

  • Your regular participation is vital to your own growth and that of others.

Group Size

We intentionally keep the Zoom groups small to ensure a personal, supportive environment. And each breakout room is composed of only three people and needs the reliable participation of each person so each one can practice supportive skills in three different ways. Your growth in the skills of kind and responsive interactions in just six sessions is our goal.

Meet Alumni

Cost & Contributions

Module 1 is offered on a by-donation basis. There is no required fee to participate, and cost is not meant to be a barrier. If you feel drawn to the work, you are welcome to register regardless of your financial situation.

If, at registration or after you’ve experienced the course, you would like to support this work, you’re welcome—but never expected—to make an optional contribution via PayPal.

Alumni Network

After you complete Module 1, we invite you to join the alumni gatherings as it suits you. These monthly Zoom calls and biannual weekend retreats offer the alumni a chance to stay connected, reflect together, and continue learning as a community.

“Since taking the Sacred Engagement course, I have connected more deeply with myself, my thoughts, and my feelings.

The Zoom sessions, especially the breakout room interactions, opened my eyes to the experiences of others and taught me that I wasn’t alone.”

–Jen, Regina, SK

Who this is for

Sacred Engagement is a space for learning, reflection, and inner exploration. It’s not psychotherapy or medical treatment and is not a substitute for professional care. If you are in the middle of an acute crisis, recent major loss, or ongoing trauma, it may be wise to have additional support in place — such as a therapist, counselor, or other trusted professional — and to consider whether this is the right timing for participation in this program.