The Awareness Wheel: The Written Slice

The Written Wheel is the foundational practice of the Without a Net awareness work, designed to free us from entrenched, limiting ways of seeing ourselves and our lives. Developed over decades of personal inquiry and teaching, it was shaped by a single guiding question: what do we most need to understand in order to access the root of our suffering? The Written Wheel focuses on what creates the greatest clarity and growth for the greatest number of people. It intentionally avoids philosophical detours, spiritual sidestepping, and excessive analysis, aiming instead for a direct and practical route to insight.

Although the Written Wheel appears structured, it is not a rigid or mechanical system. The inner life does not operate like a mathematical formula, and the Wheel functions more like a living, shifting map—its elements overlap, migrate, and sometimes dissolve. Still, its structure offers a stabilizing reference point to keep the ego from hijacking inquiry. Through a series of guided prompts, we write brief, focused responses about situations that activate or provoke us, gradually completing several interconnected “slices” of inquiry. The practice may seem complex at first, but with familiarity it becomes more intuitive and efficient.

The work is meant to be done with care, support, and moderation. Participants are encouraged to work with a helper, attend group gatherings when possible, and limit sessions to short periods to avoid re-traumatization. Emotional responses are treated with respect, and pacing ourselves is considered a skill, not a failure. Complementary practices, such as the more creative Visual Wheel and physical focus of the Felt Wheel, help balance the mental focus of the Written Wheel. Ultimately, the practice opens the door to change by bringing unconscious patterns into awareness with clarity and compassion. Like tenderizing or detangling something tightly bound, the Written Wheel softens inner resistance, making real change possible in its own time.