ShivaShaktiMEdwards05
December 1, 2008
 
 Anam Cara Foundation
 Perennial Wisdom For The Soul's Journey
Sophia's Gifts
Events
Quick Links


Join our mailing list!

Greetings and Namaste!

The season of celebrating holy days for so many traditions is upon us. At the same time we are confronted with the horrors of people driven by fear and desire into states of such blind delusion that they trampled a pregnant woman here in New York, stomping to death her protector, a valiant Walmart employee, and stepped over them, running to buy a big screen TV! As if this nightmare scenario weren't an awful enough reflection of the darkness of consumerism and materialism that has gripped the world, at the same time, on the opposite side of the globe, other poor, ignorant, alienated individuals, took the violent route of terrorism, killing and torturing innocent people in Mumbai, India, piercing the hearts of millions of people around the world who haven't succumbed to the numbness our violent cultures are producing.

The crushing darkness of greed, violence and hatred must not be allowed to prevail.

In these Holy Days, (and which day isn't Holy), we can and we must choose Love moment by moment.

We must choose to illumine each second, each breath, each step with the unquenchable Light of Love, Compassion and Peace.

At a time when we might feel powerless and hopeless, we should know with absolute certainty that we are fully empowered to breathe with Love, to speak with Love, to act with Love, to drive with Love, to wait on line with Love, to give to others with Love, to practice generosity with Love, to reach out to others with Love. This is what makes our holidays Holy.

It was the capacity of those whom we revere to love in the face of anything and everything, to be unswerving in their surrender and embrace of Love, the Divine Presence, that made them Holy, made them representatives of the Divine on earth. This is true whether one thinks of oneself as Christian, Jew, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, etc.

Now it's your time to choose the same. It's our time to be that Love and Compassion and Peace incarnate.

Right now, with this very breath.
Right now vow to yourself and all those you love to strive to be more loving, kind and patient.
You can do this.
We all must do this if we want the world to be the place where all our children and grandchildren and future generations can flourish.

What better way is there to celebrate the Holy Days than with unbounded love! It can't be bought, it can't be sold and the more you give, the more you have! No credit required!

Love & Blessings To All,
Lawrence


 Fall - Winter Programs
 Anam Cara, Bedford, NY





Sunday Dec. 7th One Day Mini- Retreat
Taking Refuge in Stillness
9:00am- 3:30pm
Give yourself a day to relax, let go and enter the true spirit of the Holy Days. Stories, chants, guided meditations, profound relaxation, and good company will ease you into your heart with joy and love. Bring a favorite story or food to share if you like or simply come and enjoy. Pre-registration is required. A vegetarian lunch is included. Fee: $75

Saturday Dec. 20th 7:30pm
Kirtan Night!
With Satya, Ma and Kalidas. Join us in this ancient and ecstatic practice of chanting the names of the Divine. Everyone is welcome!

Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2009, 7:15pm
Four Week Science and Art of Meditation Course
Perfect for new meditators and people wanting to gain the tremendous health benefits meditation offers. Makes a great gift! Meets once a week for 4 weeks. Details on the Anam Cara website.

Sunday January 25th
Meditation For Health & Wellbeing. 9am-3:30pm.
Great for people new to meditation or for those wanting to deepen their practice and learn about the science of meditation as well. Pre-registration is required. Details are on the website.

February 27-March 1, 2009, Friday Evening-Sunday Afternoon
Mysteries of the Divine Feminine and
Kundalini Empowerment Retreat

Led by Lawrence Edwards, Ph.D.


The extraordinary power of Consciousness that allows us to directly know the Infinite is called Kundalini in the yogic tradition. In this retreat you will be guided through ancient practices that awaken and unfold the inner power of meditation and yoga, Kundalini.

Through this innate power of Consciousness we will explore the archetypal realms of transcendence, wisdom and grace. Through the power of mantra, chanting, breath work, and the profound tales of mystical traditions, including the Black Madonna, Inanna, Kali and Kundalini, we will further access the inner source of true knowledge and ultimate freedom. That source is the Divine within. Through this process you will be empowered to deepen and sustain your meditation practice at home. Many people take this retreat repeatedly in order to delve more and more deeply into the mysteries of true meditation and further unfold the power of Kundalini. Sharings from others who have taken the retreat can be found through the program link below. Pre-registration is required. Fee: $270, includes meals but not accommodations.

Meditation Group Every Tuesday Evening: starts promptly at 7:30pm at our center at SunRaven in Bedford, NY. All are welcome! Directions are on the Anam Cara website. If you wonder 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.


Click here to find out more about the programs.... 


Thank you all for your notes of appreciation for our newsletter.

Everyone has the heart to be a true friend of the soul, an Anam Cara. By embodying that ideal ourselves we may help another to find it in themselves.

Our highest nature is always manifest in relationship - to all other beings, to the environment, in relation to our own body and mind. Becoming mindful of the quality of our relationships allows us to learn where the light shines and where it needs to shine more. The ideal of Anam Cara is to continuously endeaver to expand the depth and the inclusiveness of the loving kindness we bring into every relationship.

If you have any suggestions, comments or sharings, for our newsletter 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. We've added to that page a translation, transliteration and free MP3 audio file of an ancient Sanskrit Universal Prayer. May it be an inspiration to all.

Thank you for the many ways you have shown support for Anam Cara, Inc. Because of your gifts we can offer free programs and instruction to hundreds of people.

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.

Lawrence signature
Lawrence Edwards, Ph.D.
Founder and Director
Anam Cara, Inc.

Lawrence on the Isle of Iona, Scotland
All newsletter contents copyrighted 2007


phone: 914-234-4800
Email Marketing by