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Greetings and Namaste!
As human beings we are capable of boundless love
and compassion. Great souls are recognized not by
magical displays of power, not by fitting some artificial
notion of perfection, but by their unwavering
compassion and love, the greatness of their hearts.
What moves us to feel compassion for
another
person or another living being? What moves you
to feel deep compassion, to be truly present with the
suffering, the plight, the struggles, and the challenges
of others? What opens the door to your
heart, allowing you to be so lovingly, compassionately
present? What closes the door? How do you
open it again and keep it open? How do we
cultivate compassion?
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Compassion
Blessed are the man and the woman
who have grown beyond their greed
and have put an end to their hatred and no longer
nourish illusions. But they delight in the way
things are and keep their hearts open day and
night. They are like trees planted near flowing
rivers, which bear fruit when ready. Their
leaves will not fall or wither. Everything they do will
succeed.
Psalm 1, The Book of
Psalms From The Enlightened Heart,
Stephen Mitchell, ed.
"At the heart of Buddhist philosophy is the notion of
compassion for others. It should be noted that the
compassion encouraged by Mahayana Buddhism is
not the usual love one has for friends or family. The
love being advocated here is the kind one can have
even for another who has done one harm. Developing
a kind heart does not always involve any of the
sentimental religiosity normally associated with it. It is
not just for people who believe in religions; it is for
everyone who considers himself or herself to be a
member of the human family, and thus sees things in
accordingly large terms." His
Holiness, The Dalai
Lama click for more from H.H. The Dalai
Lama
Unsung Heroes of
Compassion click for information on the
Unsung
Heroes of Compassion 2009
Awards
Raising Our
Hearts How do
we elevate our
loving heart above the limitations of our ordinary
mind?
Do the simple act of lowering your head below your
heart, thus elevating your heart above your head.
Watch what happens to your gaze. Bowing our head
is really elevating our heart, the posture for
approaching the Divine, the boundless Presence of
Love and Compassion already there in our heart.
With that inward-turned gaze we
rediscover
the greatness of the heart we have been given. Rest
there in your heart for a while. Raising your head
again, you can do so with your vision transformed by
your heart, as though your mind had been dipped in
the ocean of compassion present in your heart and
came out cleared once again of the obstructions and
afflictions that deluded it into seeing anything
separate from itself. Dive into your heart, into the
ocean of love and compassion, over and over until
heart and mind no longer know the difference.
Lawrence
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Upcoming Programs
Anam Cara Foundation, Bedford, NY
Nov. 6-8, 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.
Wed. Nov. 11, 18, Dec. 2, 9; 7:15-
8:45pm Buddhist Wisdom Treasures
I for Non-Buddhists This popular 4 week
course gives you access to the compassionate
teachings and meditative practices of the Buddha that
have inspired people and clergy of all faiths and
traditions. Pre-registration is required. Fee:
$125
Sunday Dec. 13, 9am-
3:30pm
Abiding in Stillness - Gateway to the Sacred
This one day program will include meditation
instruction, contemplations, chanting and a delicious
vegetarian lunch. In this Holy season, give yourself
time to step back from all the activities and come to
rest in the Divine Presence, the source of lasting
peace and good will toward all. Pre-registration
required. Fee: $60, including lunch.
Wed. Jan. 13, 20, 27, Feb. 3, 2010; 7-15-
8:45pm Buddhist Wisdom Treasures
II Many people have been asking for a
continuation of the Buddhst Wisdom Treasures for
Non-Buddhists initial course and here it is! Start the
New Year off with your highest good at heart. You
don't have to have taken the first course, though it will
be helpful, and of course you don't have to become a
Buddhist to enjoy and benefit from the insights and
wisdom of this great tradition. Pre-registration
required. Fee: $125
Sat.
Oct. 31st- Nov. & Dec. dates to be announced
7:00pm
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!
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.
For more information please visit our Events page (click here)
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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.
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