ShivaShaktiMEdwards05
August 11, 2009
 
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Greetings and Namaste!

If one seeks the Truth one must go to the mystics. Not the leaders, whether robed as clerics or government ministers, but the saints, poets and pure lovers of the Infinite One. St. Thomas Aquinas was one such mystic and his poetic writings from the 13th century are beacons of grace that continue to illumine the way of Love.

The following selections are from Daniel Ladinsky's exquisite book of translations he has done from the works of 12 mystics spanning Eastern and Western traditions titled Love Poems From God. This compilation is a real treasure.

 On Behalf Of Love
 by St. Thomas Aquinas


Every truth without exception - no matter
who makes it - is from God.

If a bird got accused of singing too early
in the morning,
if a lute began to magically play on its own
in the square,
and the enchanting sounds it made drove a pair of young lovers
into a wild, public display of
passion,

if this lute and bird then got called before the inquisition
and their lives were literally at stake,

could not God walk up and say before the court,


"All acts of beauty are mine, all happen on the behalf of love"?

And while God was there, testifying for our heart's desires,
hopefully the judge would be astute enough to brave a question,
that could go,

"Dear God, you say all acts of beauty are yours,
surely we can believe that. But what of all actions
we see in this world,
for is there any force in existence greater than the power of your omnipotent hand?"

And God might have responded, "I like that question,"
adding, "May I ask you one as well?"

And then God would say,


"Have you ever been in a conversation when children entered
the room, and you then ceased speaking because your
wisdom knew they were not old enough
to benefit - to understand?

As exquisite is your world, most everyone in it
is spiritually young.

Spirituality is love, and love never wars with the minute, the day,
one's self and others. Love would rather die
than maim a limb,
a wing.

Dear, anything that divides man from man,
earth from sky, light from dark, one religion from another...
O, I best keep silent, I see a child
just entered the room."


 


 Close To God
 St. Thomas Aquinas

One may never have heard the sacred word, "Christ"
but be closer to God
than a priest or
nun


 


 Upcoming Programs
 Anam Cara Foundation, Bedford, NY



Friday, August 21st-
SHYAMDAS
Afternoon workshop (4:00-6:00) and evening kirtan program (7:30-9) with Shyamdas

For decades Shyamdas, originally from Connecticut, has been living the practices and teachings of the devotional path of Bhakti yoga under the direction of his guru in India and bringing these ancient Vedic and yogic teachings back to the West through his offerings of kirtans and workshops on the sublime bhava - the infinite creative awareness of the One - that arises like the sweet fragrance of a flower when our practices blossom into fullness. Cultivation of that bhava, through practices, devotional chants, contemplations and meditations is the gift he offers to those attending his enlivening experiential workshops. Give yourself the sublime gift of immersion in these practices for just a couple of hours and you will be ever thankful!

Sat. Aug. 29th and Sept. 26th- 7:30pm
Monthly 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!

Nov. 6-9, 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 the Anam Cara Foundation 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.

Fall Courses will soon be posted to the website!


For more information please visit our Events page (click here) 


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 serve to help another to find love and compassion within 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, every moment, every breath.

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.

The Anam Cara Foundation 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 The Anam Cara Foundation. Because of your gifts we can offer free programs and instruction to thousands of people. If you would like to make a tax deductible donation please send it to address listed below.

I look forward to welcoming you in person to our programs.

With all my 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
The Anam Cara Foundation

Lawrence on the Isle of Iona, Scotland
All newsletter contents copyrighted 2009


phone: 914-234-4800
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