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Week 1 Study Guide “The consciousness that says ‘I am’ is not the consciousness that thinks.”? –? Jean-Paul Sartre Affirmation: Through the guidance and wisdom of Spirit, I am being transformed by the renewing of my mind. All obstacles and emotions are stepping stones to the realization and appreciation of my sacred humanness. Study Questions – A New Earth? (Review?chapters 1 2, pp 1-58) Chapter 1: The Flowering of Human Consciousness REFLECT: Eckhart Tolle uses the image of the first flower to begin his discussion of the transformation of consciousness. In your transformation, is this symbolism important to you? Describe. The two core insights of early religion are: 1) the normal state of human consciousness is dysfunctional (the Hindu call it maya – the veil of delusion) and 2) the opportunity for transformation is also in human consciousness (the Hindu call this enlightenment) (p. 8-9).? What in your recent experience points to each of these insights?? “To recognize one’s own insanity is, of course, the arising of sanity, the beginning of healing and transcendence” (p. 14). To what extent and in what circumstances (that you’re willing to discuss) does this statement apply to you? Religion is derived from the Latin word religare, meaning “to bind.” What, in your religious experience, have you been bound to?? Stretching your imagination a bit, what could the word have pointed to in its original context? Spirit is derived from the Latin word spiritus, breath, and spirare, to blow. Aside from the allusion to hot air, how does this word pertain to your transformation? Do you consider yourself to be “spiritual” or “religious”? What examples of practices or beliefs can you give to illustrate? How does this passage from Revelation 21:1-4 relate to your transformation?? Tease out as much of the symbolism as you can. “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the