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Greetings and Namaste!
Throughout the month of December the Divine
Presence has been celebrated in many ways
through various traditions - Christ's birthday,
Buddha's enlightenment,
the solar return, and Hanukah, just to name a few!
Now it is time to look towards a fresh beginning as
we head into the New Year with all the blessings of
the Friend!
The start of anything is a critical time
for mindfulness and clarity of purpose. Of course this
is true for the New Year with everyone's resolutions
and good intentions polished and ready to go!
It is said that
gratitude, generosity and contentment are luminous
rays emanating from the heart of wisdom within us.
It is the perfect time to contemplate these
three virtues, allowing them to infuse our actions
with their kindly and openhearted natures.
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Gratitude, Generosity and Contentment
We can only be said to be alive in those
moments when our hearts are conscious of our
treasures. Thornton Wilder
I
had to seek the Physician because of the pain
this world
caused me.
I could not believe what happened when I got there--
I found my Teacher.
Before I left, he said,
"Up for a little homework, yet?"
"Okay," I replied.
Well then, try thanking all the people
who have caused you pain.
They helped you
come
to me. Kabir
Freely ye
have received, freely give. Saint
Matthew
The wise man does not lay up
treasure. The more he gives to others, the
more he has for his own. Lao-
Tze
Master Ryokan made his way home
one moonlit night and found a thief rummaging
through his empty hermit's hut for something to rob.
"Poor fellow," Ryokan said, "you have come so
far for nothing. Please don't leave empty-handed.
Take my clothes." Ryokan stripped and gave
them to the departing thief. "Poor fellow," Ryokan
said stepping outside and looking at the sky, "how I
wish I could have given him this beautiful
moon." Traditional Zen Story
The
Lord's greatest gift is the state in which one
doesn't want anything. Swami
Muktananda
The greatest practice is
Compassion. The greatest discipline
is Patience.
The greatest path is Love.
Resolve to faithfully and enthusiastically
follow these,
And you will know yourself to be Free.
Kalidas
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January & February Programs
January 14, 2007 - Meditation for
Health and Wellbeing -
learn to meditate or deepen your meditation practice
by spending a day focused on the principles and
practices that make meditation effective and
enjoyable. This popular program includes a
powerpoint presentation on the amazing scientific
research on the many health benefits of
meditation. Makes a special holiday gift for
someone you truly care about! Who
doesn't want greater peace, health and contentment!
Great for new meditators and experienced
ones. 9am-4pm. Fee: $120, includes
lunch.
Thursdays: January 18- Feb. 15,
2007
7-9pm - CULTIVATING WELL BEING:
Living Better with Chronic Illness or Pain
A dynamic 5 session course led by
Michael Finkelstein, MD, Susan Rubin, DMD, CHH, and
Lawrence Edwards, PhD, LMHC, BCIAC EEG The
ourse includes written
materials, meditation CD, delicious meals, recipes and
10 hours of interactive learning with these three
doctors to support and guide you to greater wellness.
Registration Fee: $295
Advanced Registration Required; please call: 914-234-
6646. Click
here for more course information.
February 23-25, 2007 - Mysteries of
the
Divine
Feminine and Kundalini Empowerment.
Friday
7pm
through Sun. afternoon, Anam Cara, Bedford, NY.
Includes lectures, guided
meditations, chanting and most importantly, the
sacred and ancient Kundalini empowerment. In
this retreat we will also explore the mysteries of Kali
and the wisdom She imparts for living in this
age.This is the last time it will be offered until the fall
of 2007. This retreat was specially created to
invoke the sublime power
Kundalini and to open the portals to the sacred
knowledge of our true nature at the heart of our
being. The retreat gives you the opportunity to
remain immersed in this sacred space of awakening
so you can explore and discover for yourself what
lies within. For thousands of years the yogic
sages have written about the great serpent power as
the key to treasury of wisdom within us. By the
grace of Kundalini the depth of meditation that allows
you to directly experience this becomes accessible.
The link to find out more below will also
take you to sharings from others who have taken this
life-transforming retreat, some of whom have taken
it repeatedly, as it continues to support and deepen
the process of Kundalini unfolding in their
lives.
Pre-registration is
necessary for courses and
retreats.
Meditation Group
every Tuesday
evening
starting promptly at 7:30pm at our center at
SunRaven in Bedford, NY. All are welcome! Directions
are on the Anam Cara website. It you ever question
whether the group is being held on a particular
Tuesday evening there will always be a
message stating if it is cancelled on that
night on 914-234-4800.
Find out more....
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Anam Cara, Inc. is a 501 (C) 3, non-profit
educational organization dedicated to teaching
meditative practices. Our non-denominational
programs are open to all.
Thank you for
the many ways you have shown
support for Anam Cara, Inc. Your tax deductible
donations enable Anam Cara to put on free programs
and expand its work in sharing the practices of
meditation.
I look forward to welcoming you
in person to our programs.
With great
respect and love, I thank you all.
May all beings attain complete freedom from suffering and enjoy the steady wisdom from which compassion, patience and loving kindness perpetually flower!
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