Greetings and Namaste!
Every spiritual path and discipline recognizes the
importance of vigilance. At the start of any endeavor,
and the new year brings many fresh beginnings,
vigilance is necessary to ensure success. This is
especially true when there are risks involved. Race
car drivers examine their vehicles
and do all the preparations with the utmost care in
order to make it safely across the finish line. Before
any airplane takes off, the flight crew and pilot check
everything with great care to guarantee the safety of
the flight. A space shuttle
launch requires a team of thousands of people and
computers checking everything possible.
Dedicated seekers on all paths also carefully prepare
and maintain their vigilance in order to reach their goal
of freedom - the freedom to rest in the inexhaustible
Love
and Compassion that flows from the Heart to all
beings - and to attain this before the
life of this precious vehicle, the
human body, is exhausted. We often aren't aware of
the risks lurking in our shadows and thus we allow
ourselves to become lax
in our vigilance. We possess this enormous treasure,
the invaluable gift of the flame of life burning within the
lamp of our body. Who can say when theirs will flicker
and go out?
Your time is near - even if
you don't know what near is.
Be vigilant. In
the beginning, in
the middle and at the end - be vigilant.
Thank you all
for your notes of appreciation for our newsletter.
Many people were especially moved by the
last issue, December 2007,
The Year End Blessing, with John O'Donohue's
inspiring words quoted there. Though New Years is a
time of new beginnings, that also means it is a time of
recent endings. With great sadness, love, and
appreciation for all he did to bring Sophia's gifts of
wisdom, joy and love into our world - through his life,
his work, his writings, his poetry - we must tell you that
on January 3, 2008 John O'Donohue passed from this
world. Our prayers go out to all who miss him and
grieve his passing. We've lost a true Anam Cara. We
pray that the light of his spirit, as free as it now is, will
continue to warm and illumine lovers of Divine
Wisdom for ages to come.
You can use the
Quick Link above to visit his website and learn more
about this extraordinary man.
____________________________
Everyone has
the heart to be a true soul friend, an Anam
Cara.
If you have any
suggestions, comments or sharings, please don't
hesitate to e-mail me and I'll do my best to
respond.
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. There are free meditation
instructions and downloadable audio files of guided
meditations on our website.
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
appreciation and love,
I thank you all.
May all beings realize complete freedom from suffering and may all our actions reflect only wisdom, compassion, patience and loving kindness.
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