In tonight’s talk, Michael suggests that cutting through the veils that hang between ourselves and Awakening involves getting beyond the inertia of habitual mind patterns. “Hal”, as is said in Sufiism, is the gift of Awakening. But “maquam” is what is earned on the way to the embodiment of this Awakening. Questions and comments deal with what the heavy lifting of embodiment looks like and how getting clever in relationship to practice can inhibit our growth; the difference of being fully present and totally indulgent; and how Awakening deprives us of our attachments to our dreams.