Anam Cara Log TM
January 28, 2011
 
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Dear Friend

This moment, right now, right here, this is it.

Our mind loves the illusions of past and future, clinging to them fervently, ready to defend their reality and fend off ego death. The great symbols of Kali's impenetrable black mouth swallowing each moment, as it's irretrievably lost, along with the mystery of Her black bindu, symbol of Her womb giving birth, each moment emerging out of the darkness of the unknown, granting each form its brief transit through the present, before dissolving back into Her mouth, tomb of darkness, these great symbols for ages have been guides to seekers wanting to know the true nature of our suffering and our freedom.

As we meditate we're watching these processes moment by moment. The birth of a thought, feeling or memory, the holding it, the clinging or repulsion, the letting go, the dissolution, the birth of some new form dancing in the light of awareness only to disappear like all else into the darkness. Cycle after cycle, forms of thought, feeling and action dancing and dissolving.

Watch carefully, mindfully, and cultivate what issues from the womb of your creative impulses.

May they all reflect the truth of your boundless love, patience, kindness, compassion and generosity.

We worship with our attention. What do we give our attention to? What do we choose to give our precious, loving attention to? What we give our attention to is what flourishes. We must choose wisely.

Meister Eckhart , the 14th century Catholic priest and mystic, speaks to this.

 Meister Eckhart
 An Insidious Idol

Women in Prais of the Sacred












Commerce is supported by keeping the individual
at odds with himself and others,
by making us want more than we need,
and offering credit to buy
what refined senses do not want.

The masses become shackled;
I see how their eyes weep
and are desperate - of course they feel desperate -
for something,
for some remedy

that some poor soul feels needs
to be bought.

I find nothing more offensive than a god
who would condemn human instincts within us
that time in all its wonder
have made perfect.

I find nothing more destructive to the
well being of life
than to support a god that makes you feel unworthy
and in debt to it.
I imagine that erecting churches to such a strange god
will assure endless wars that commerce loves.

A god that could frighten is not a god - but
an insidious idol
and weapon in the hands
of the insane.

A god who talks of sin is worshipped
by the infirm;

I was once spiritually ill - we all pass through that -
but one day the intelligence
in my soul
cured
me.


From Love Poems from God, pp. 116-7
Daniel Ladinsky, trans.


 



 Program Announcement
 Anam Cara Foundation, Bedford, NY

Meditation Program Suspended until after the holidays The meditation groups led by Tom O'Keefe and Carmela Deluca are temporarily suspended. An informal gathering for meditation will continue. Please e-mail me at [email protected] for details.
Check the Anam Cara Foundation website for new program additions.


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


 Important News
 

Lawrence Edwards, Ph.D., the founder and director of The Anam Cara Foundation, has moved to Cincinnati. A new location for Anam Cara programs will be opening in Cincinnati, adding to the programs offered in the Westchester, New York area.
Lawrence will be returning to the New York area regularly in 2011 to continue supporting the work of the Anam Cara Foundation community there as well.


 


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 endeavor 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 the meditation page of 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 or go to our website where you can make a secure online donation. Click HERE. That link will also bring you to our links with Sounds True and purchasing gifts and products from them will help support The Anam Cara Foundation.

I look forward to welcoming you in person to our programs once the back injury I've sustained allows me to travel and offer programs once again. I have been able to return to offering phone consultations and people have been making appointments to speak with me or use Skype for video calls. It's great seeing folks again!

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 love.

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

Lawrence on the Isle of Iona, Scotland
All newsletter contents copyrighted 2010


phone: 845-304-4965