Alisa Dale

Course Description

For millennia, mystics have encouraged us to align ourselves with a larger “Reality.” What exactly is the Reality they have pointed to? It is the realm of the Sacred. And it resides in all of us. That which naturally resides in the realm of the Sacred often becomes distorted, confused, or muddled in its expression onto this planet when run through an unhealed, human perspective. Our misunderstanding of key spiritual values such as power, humility, and service, causes unnecessary suffering for us all. When we understand and live from the higher nature of such values, we open into our potential to be powerful change agents here.

Ultimately, our quest to be Divinely Human comes from right relationship: right relationship with the “reality” of our human selves, right relationship with our “higher” selves and right relationship with spiritual values in an undistorted form. In service to this understanding, this series of six classes is devoted to assisting in our collective quest to live the Sacred in our everyday lives. And usher in real change.

Class descriptions:

Class One: Right Relationship: The Nature of “Reality”

When you hear the word “reality” what do you think of? How do you define that for yourself? Because we are in bodies on this planet, we are all familiar with the physical plane in which we find ourselves – and its apparent limitations. And that is a very “real” reality for us. For a long time, spiritual teachers have encouraged us to align ourselves with a larger “Reality.” What exactly is the Reality they have pointed to? It is the realm of the Sacred. And it resides in all of us. But sometimes that Reality seems a bit esoteric and unreal or transcendental. It is frustrating to be asked to believe in something with which we have limited or no “real” experience here and now. We long for something substantive that we can rely on for real… In this introductory class, Alisa will guide us in exploring the nature of “reality.” We will consider that which creates and the created. Are they two? Or are they one? Or both? There will ample opportunity for discussion, participation and group sharing. If it is your way to sit quietly without speaking, that will be honored.

Class Two: What is “Right Relationship”

Beliefs often framed in terms of what is “right” versus what is “wrong” and give us a long, exhaustive rule book. But there is deep understanding of right action and right relationship with Spirit that all human beings carry: this is the fundamental teaching of ancient tradition and wisdom. In other words, we are naturally wired to be in “right relationship” with the Sacred! Our world, our families and our culture tell us something different. It is only the human filters, the distortions, the illusions, and the woundedness we carry that prevent our direct, ongoing experience of our natural connection. In making an internal decision to live from it and sustain it, we allow our lives to be informed by the Sacred. What does it mean to be in “right relationship” then? Being in right relationship – in accordance with what is good, proper or just – with anything: self, others, God, purpose, family, work, life in general requires, on the human level, conscious contemplation and commitment to a holding oneself to a high standard. That is a tall order! And that is what we came to do. Grace is present there.

Class Three: Right Relationship with Self

The terms “self identity” and “self identification,” although at first glance may seem redundant, are two very different things. In this class, Alisa will illustrate the difference between self identification and self identity. Right Relationship with and between these two offers us internal stability and external confidence. Come and learn about the conscious process of integrating the “higher” and the “lower” and the transformation possible when the lower is put under the direction of the higher.

Class Four: Right Relationship with Humility

In the name of “humility” many of us were told, “You’re a little too big for your britches,” or “Who do you think you are?” often at a young age of innocence. Because of this distorted use of power, “humility” for many of us became a matter of behaving “less than” or “playing small” so that everyone around us can feel more comfortable. Good thing nobody tells the mighty oak it is making the pine trees feel bad by being so big and magnificent. What a loss that would be in our forests! Good thing nobody tells the earth worms their work is unimportant. What a loss it would be for the plants that grow in the soil! Alisa will teach to the undistorted nature of true humility and why it is a high virtue that leads us to do what is ours to do in our lives – and the invaluable gifts the world receives through our realized capacities.

Class Five: Right Relationship with Power

This world’s definition of power is often related to dominance and force. In fact, “power” in the world of form is often linked to money, position or fame. “Power” can be a scary concept. Many of us were harmed by its misuse, and when we look around the world it is not hard to find the damage wrought by misuse of power. What is the nature of undistorted power? What does power used rightly look like? Why is the power of those such as the Master Jesus, Buddha and Gandhi so seemingly different? What about Oprah? Alisa will talk about the difference between power that comes from connection to the Sacred, which heals, holds and uplifts, and distorted power that is wielded at the expense of others. We will explore how we can access the power of our own Being Nature that we already carry.

Class Six: Right Relationship with Service

Most of us, especially those of us on conscious spiritual journeys, long to serve our fellow sojourners in some way, and thank goodness for that! What is it in us that informs this yearning to serve? What is the nature of true service? How do we most effectively serve the planet? The word service seems similar to other words such as servitude and servant. How are they different from true service? Alisa will speak to the Sacred nature of service: that which arises from our deepest Selves. In this culminating class, she will explore with us how right relationship with self, right relationship with humility and right relationship with power… right relationship with the Sacred… naturally lead to transformative service in the world.