Cultural Travels and Spiritual Awakening
Presenter: Michael Betz
Description:
"You’re not only a human with a temporary body having a limiting state of consciousness but also an eternal soul with a much more expanded state of consciousness. Consciousness is primary and causes life experience." (From The Awakened Way by Suzanne Giesemann, p. 14)
If spiritual awakening is a shift in consciousness—moving from an ego-centric, limited view to a deeper awareness of interconnectedness and purpose—travel is one way to expand those horizons. Traveling outside one's own culture can be a journey of "waking up" from habitual patterns to experience reality with greater presence and meaning.
Why hire a guide in a strange land? Because you acknowledge those who know the way better than you. When you realize you are a visitor in your current reality and that there is an Intelligence greater than your own, continuing to take control is simply the ego wanting to be in charge. There is no weakness in surrender; it is the wise who surrender to a greater Intelligence and ask for guidance. (Adapted from The Awakened Way, Jan. 14th, 2026, at www.SuzanneGiesemann.com (https://www.SuzanneGiesemann.com))
Join me as I share travel experiences and discuss the spiritual awakenings I gained through "cultural travels," including recent journeys to Vietnam and Cambodia/Angkor Wat.
Bio:
Michael Betz taught Sociology for nearly 40 years at the University of Tennessee, with the exception of three one-year appointments at the University of Missouri, University of Yarmouk in Jordan, and Naresuan University in Thailand. Since retiring in 2005, he has authored a book and maintains a blog titled "ENRICHING HEALTH: Pathways to Complementary Therapies." His UT website is available at: https://sociology.utk.edu/people/michael-betz/ (https://sociology.utk.edu/people/michael-betz/)
Title:
“Cultural Travels and Spiritual Awakening” by Michael Betz
Drumming
Time: 5:15 – 5:45 pm
Location: Oasis big room
Drums or rattles: please bring “Hand-held” Native American style drums
Song sheets: These will be provided for all. They will be collected afterward so they can be reused next month.
If you do not wish to participate in the drumming, please enter quietly, seat yourself in the adjoining room. We do ask all to please silence cell phones upon entering Oasis.
Thank you for your cooperation.
For more info on this program, call Lisa Mixon at 865-659-8234, or Linda Sammataro at 865-368-2534
Open group format; small donation for meeting space is requested.
Men are always welcome.
We look forward to you being part of the Smoky Mountain Women of Wisdom.
See you there.
Namaste!
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