Identity and Identification:

What's Behind the Mask?

Light behind and shining through two theatre masks - one happy, one sad
(c) Can Stock Photo / stocksnapper

A TAT Foundation online spiritual retreat Saturday February 5 2022

"The personality is a mask we're looking through ... and no matter how intently we study that mask, it doesn't tell us a single iota about what we are."
- Art Ticknor, The Mask p. 150, Solid Ground of Being

"This self-identity is not your real being. This sense of self is the egocentric position that takes ownership of everything—even of awareness."
- Bob Cergol, The Still Point of the Turning World - P.3, Beyond Mind, Beyond Death

It is a mystery that we live with every day. Who are we? And maybe more importantly, what are we? TAT Founder Richard Rose said it is a question of self-definition. Our thoughts, fears and desires give us a "sense of self" but we sense that "self" is just a mask that we look through and show to the world. So, what are we behind the mask?

Join us online for a deep dive into this mystery of Being. We'll get insights from some who have found an answer and we'll hear from seekers who are trying to find their way. We'll also take part in exercises that point us towards our true nature.

Saturday, February 5, 2022 (US ET time zone; 5 hours behind GMT)

10:30 to 10:45 AM: - Welcome

10:45 to 11:45 AM: - Session #1
A Conversation with Art Ticknor and Bob Cergol with your questions.

11:45 to 12:30 PM: - Breakout Groups #1
We’ll divide into small groups to explore our own identity and the mask of personality.

12:30 to 1:00 PM: - 30 Minute Break with open chat.

1:00 to 1:45 PM: - Brief presentations and interviews where seekers draw on their own experiences.

1:45 to 2:45 PM: - Session #2
Art Ticknor and Bob Cergol continue their examination of the role that the mask and false identity play in preventing spiritual realization.

2:45 to 3:30 PM: - Breakout Groups #2
We’ll bring fresh insights into the small groups to dig deeper into our own "sense of self."

3:30 to 3:45 PM: - 15 Minute Break with open chat.

3:45 to 4:15 PM: - Panel Q & A
Seekers take questions and offer solutions as we wrap up the day.

4:15 to 4:30 PM: - Closing Thoughts followed by open chat.

Join us online for a day of insightful talks and small group discussions as we seek true self-knowledge through investigating Identity and Identification.

The virtual event is being offered for a minimal fee of $20 for TAT members and $25 for non-members. If possible, please consider donating a larger amount (the drop-down menu below has more options). Your generosity will help defray the many costs incurred in preparing the new TAT Center. We deeply appreciate your support!

The registration deadline for TAT's Online Spiritual Gathering is Friday, February 4 2022.

Presenters

Art Ticknor

Art worked with numerous psychological and philosophical systems during years of intensive research. The effort toward self-definition paid off in 2004 during an intense Realization. Art is the author of Beyond Relativity, Solid Ground of Being, and Sense of Self and Always Right Behind You, written with Anima Pundeer. He currently is involved in the Gainesville Florida-based Philosophical Self-Inquiry Discussion Group and leads online confrontation groups. More information: Self-Discovery Portal.

Bob Cergol

After years of spiritual search, which included giving up, Bob Cergol had a spiritual realization that brought an absolute, final answer. Over the past decade, Bob has delivered presentations at TAT events and has explored a wide range of spiritual topics in the TAT Forum newsletter which were published in Beyond Mind, Beyond Death, a TAT Foundation Press book. Listen to his story of seeking and finding in a podcast interview on SpiritualTeachers.org.

A group encouraging people to think rather than believe. A group determined to help people find ways and means to answer their deepest philosophical questions. A gathering of friends who are not afraid to be honest with one another. An island of hope and sanity (or at least the hope for sanity!). Last, but not least, TAT is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational organization chartered in 1973.