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Greetings and Namaste!
On the eve of our Thanksgiving holiday it is
an especially powerful
time for everyone joining together in the
contemplation of Giving Thanks. Every land,
every tradition has their ways of bringing
this to mind and celebrating the gifts we've
received.
In practicing mindfulness, colored and
flavored by gratitude, the spotlight of our
attention goes to both the immediate comforts
and pleasures for which we are grateful, and
then continues going deeper and deeper to
feelings of
gratitude for what lies in those quiet,
hidden places -
of vulnerability, of interdependence, of the
mysterious web of life and events that has
brought us to this moment, with the blessings
of a human birth, and the capacity to give
beyond measure.
Giving thanks has been a part of human
culture for thousands of years and this time
in our northern hemisphere marks the harvest
season, with its long tradition of
celebrating the bounty that Mother Earth and
Father Sun have provided us with. It's also
a time of preparation for going into the dark
cycle of the year. A reminder that not only
does the body need its stores of food
for times when these are scarce, but that the
fullness of spirit also requires its stores of
wisdom and love to deal with times of
challenge, lack and dissolution.
We are so totally interdependent and fortunate
to live in an era
when we can fully see that interdependence
concretely in our
global environment, economics, agriculture, and
health care. No longer is there any excuse
for not knowing that for any of us to truly
prosper we must all prosper.
May this be a blessed time for generously
giving and
giving thanks to all.
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Wisdom's Gifts
The Runaway
The Place you
are right now
God circled on a map for
you. - Hafiz
The poet tells
you
god has put a circle around you on a
map
to locate you in sacred space.
Then
why do you keep
tunneling
underground,
carving
labyrinths for your escape?
Dorothy
Walters
Marrow of Flame, Hohm
Press 2000; p. 9
Tears can feed
a pool of bitterness
or water the tree of love.
Cultivate the garden
that has been entrusted to you.
Martin Lowenthal
Writing in the Dark,
Dedicated Life Publications 2009, p. 93
The supreme good is like water,
which nourishes all things without trying to.
It is content with the low places that people
disdain.
Thus is it like the Tao.
In dwelling, live close to the ground.
In thinking, keep to the simple.
In conflict, be fair and generous.
In governing, don't try to control.
In work, do what you enjoy.
In family life, be completely present.
When you are content to be simply yourself
and don't compare or compete,
everybody will respect you.
Tao Te Ching, 8
by Lao-tzu
Stephen Mitchell, Trans.
Harper Collins 1988
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Upcoming Programs
Anam Cara Foundation, Bedford, NY
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.
Tues. Jan. 12, 2010; 7:30-8:45
The Science & Art of Meditation
Start the New Year right with this
informative and great introduction to the
practice of meditation. Dr. Edwards will
review some of the amazing brain research on
meditation and how it supports optimal health
and wellbeing. This is a wonderful program
for people new to meditation and those who
are interested in the scientific research on
meditation. Suggested donation: $20.
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.
Dec. 19th
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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