Saturday, January 06, 2007
Greetings from Anam Cara
Here are greetings for the new year from Lawrence Edwards (Kalidas) who founded the organization Anam Cara (which means soul friend.)
Greetings and Namaste
Throughout the month of December the Divine Presence has been celebrated in many ways through various traditions -'Christ's birthday, Buddha's enlightenment, the solar return, and Hanukah, just to name a few! Now it is time to look towards a fresh beginning as we head into the New Year with all the blessings of the Friend! The start of anything is a critical time for mindfulness and clarity of purpose. Of course this is true for the New Year with everyone's resolutions and good intentions polished and ready to go! It is said that gratitude, generosity and contentment are luminous rays emanating from the heart of wisdom within us. It is the perfect time to contemplate these three virtues, allowing them to infuse our actions with their kindly and openhearted natures.
Gratitude, Generosity and Contentment
We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. (Thornton Wilder)
I had to seek the Physician
because of the pain this world
caused me.
I could not believe what happened
when I got there--I found my Teacher.
Before I left, he said,
"Up for a little homework, yet?"
"Okay," I replied.
"Well then, try thanking all the people
who have caused you pain.
They helped you
come to me." (Kabir)
"Freely ye have received, freely give."(Saint Matthew)
"The wise man does not lay up treasure.
The more he gives to others,
the more he has for his own." (Lao- Tze)
"Master Ryokan made his way home one moonlit night and found a thief rummaging through his empty hermit's hut for something to rob. "Poor fellow," Ryokan said, "you have come so far for nothing. Please don't leave empty-handed. Take my clothes." Ryokan stripped and gave them to the departing thief."Poor fellow," Ryokan said stepping outside and looking at the sky, "how I wish I could have given him this beautiful moon." (Traditional Zen Story)
"The Lord's greatest gift is the state in which one doesn't want anything." (Swami Muktananda)
The greatest practice is Compassion.
The greatest discipline is Patience.
The greatest path is Love.
Resolve to faithfully and enthusiastically follow these,
And you will know yourself to be Free. (Kalidas)
January & February Programs January 14, 2007 - Meditation for Health and Wellbeing - learn to meditate or deepen your meditation practice by spending a day focused on the principles and practices that make meditation effective and enjoyable. This popular program includes a powerpoint presentation on the amazing scientific research on the many health benefits of meditation. Makes a special holiday gift for someone you truly care about! Who doesn't want greater peace, health and contentment! Great for new meditators and experienced ones. 9am-4pm. Fee: $120, includes lunch.Thursdays: January 18- Feb. 15, 2007 7-9pm - CULTIVATING WELL BEING: Living Better with Chronic Illness or Pain A dynamic 5 session course led by Michael Finkelstein, MD, Susan Rubin, DMD, CHH, and Lawrence Edwards, PhD, LMHC, BCIAC EEGThe ourse includes written materials, meditation CD, delicious meals, recipes and 10 hours of interactive learning with these three doctors to support and guide you to greater wellness. Registration Fee: $295 Advanced Registration Required; please call: 914-234- 6646. Click here for more course information.February 23-25, 2007 - Mysteries of the Divine Feminine and Kundalini Empowerment. Friday 7pm through Sun. afternoon, Anam Cara, Bedford, NY. Includes lectures, guided meditations, chanting and most importantly, the sacred and ancient Kundalini empowerment. In this retreat we will also explore the mysteries of Kali and the wisdom She imparts for living in this age.This is the last time it will be offered until the fall of 2007. This retreat was specially created to invoke the sublime power Kundalini and to open the portals to the sacred knowledge of our true nature at the heart of our being. The retreat gives you the opportunity to remain immersed in this sacred space of awakening so you can explore and discover for yourself what lies within. For thousands of years the yogic sages have written about the great serpent power as the key to treasury of wisdom within us. By the grace of Kundalini the depth of meditation that allows you to directly experience this becomes accessible. The link to find out more below will also take you to sharings from others who have taken this life-transforming retreat, some of whom have taken it repeatedly, as it continues to support and deepen the process of Kundalini unfolding in their lives.Pre-registration is necessary for courses and retreats.Meditation Group every Tuesday evening starting promptly at 7:30pm at our center at SunRaven in Bedford, NY. All are welcome! Directions are on the Anam Cara website. It you ever question 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.
email: http://us.f833.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=le@anamcara-ny.org
phone: 914-234-4800
web: http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=kuvdc8bab.0.sj8e4ubab.fm6ujubab.909&ts=S0222&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anamcara-ny.org
Greetings and Namaste
Throughout the month of December the Divine Presence has been celebrated in many ways through various traditions -'Christ's birthday, Buddha's enlightenment, the solar return, and Hanukah, just to name a few! Now it is time to look towards a fresh beginning as we head into the New Year with all the blessings of the Friend! The start of anything is a critical time for mindfulness and clarity of purpose. Of course this is true for the New Year with everyone's resolutions and good intentions polished and ready to go! It is said that gratitude, generosity and contentment are luminous rays emanating from the heart of wisdom within us. It is the perfect time to contemplate these three virtues, allowing them to infuse our actions with their kindly and openhearted natures.
Gratitude, Generosity and Contentment
We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. (Thornton Wilder)
I had to seek the Physician
because of the pain this world
caused me.
I could not believe what happened
when I got there--I found my Teacher.
Before I left, he said,
"Up for a little homework, yet?"
"Okay," I replied.
"Well then, try thanking all the people
who have caused you pain.
They helped you
come to me." (Kabir)
"Freely ye have received, freely give."(Saint Matthew)
"The wise man does not lay up treasure.
The more he gives to others,
the more he has for his own." (Lao- Tze)
"Master Ryokan made his way home one moonlit night and found a thief rummaging through his empty hermit's hut for something to rob. "Poor fellow," Ryokan said, "you have come so far for nothing. Please don't leave empty-handed. Take my clothes." Ryokan stripped and gave them to the departing thief."Poor fellow," Ryokan said stepping outside and looking at the sky, "how I wish I could have given him this beautiful moon." (Traditional Zen Story)
"The Lord's greatest gift is the state in which one doesn't want anything." (Swami Muktananda)
The greatest practice is Compassion.
The greatest discipline is Patience.
The greatest path is Love.
Resolve to faithfully and enthusiastically follow these,
And you will know yourself to be Free. (Kalidas)
January & February Programs January 14, 2007 - Meditation for Health and Wellbeing - learn to meditate or deepen your meditation practice by spending a day focused on the principles and practices that make meditation effective and enjoyable. This popular program includes a powerpoint presentation on the amazing scientific research on the many health benefits of meditation. Makes a special holiday gift for someone you truly care about! Who doesn't want greater peace, health and contentment! Great for new meditators and experienced ones. 9am-4pm. Fee: $120, includes lunch.Thursdays: January 18- Feb. 15, 2007 7-9pm - CULTIVATING WELL BEING: Living Better with Chronic Illness or Pain A dynamic 5 session course led by Michael Finkelstein, MD, Susan Rubin, DMD, CHH, and Lawrence Edwards, PhD, LMHC, BCIAC EEGThe ourse includes written materials, meditation CD, delicious meals, recipes and 10 hours of interactive learning with these three doctors to support and guide you to greater wellness. Registration Fee: $295 Advanced Registration Required; please call: 914-234- 6646. Click here for more course information.February 23-25, 2007 - Mysteries of the Divine Feminine and Kundalini Empowerment. Friday 7pm through Sun. afternoon, Anam Cara, Bedford, NY. Includes lectures, guided meditations, chanting and most importantly, the sacred and ancient Kundalini empowerment. In this retreat we will also explore the mysteries of Kali and the wisdom She imparts for living in this age.This is the last time it will be offered until the fall of 2007. This retreat was specially created to invoke the sublime power Kundalini and to open the portals to the sacred knowledge of our true nature at the heart of our being. The retreat gives you the opportunity to remain immersed in this sacred space of awakening so you can explore and discover for yourself what lies within. For thousands of years the yogic sages have written about the great serpent power as the key to treasury of wisdom within us. By the grace of Kundalini the depth of meditation that allows you to directly experience this becomes accessible. The link to find out more below will also take you to sharings from others who have taken this life-transforming retreat, some of whom have taken it repeatedly, as it continues to support and deepen the process of Kundalini unfolding in their lives.Pre-registration is necessary for courses and retreats.Meditation Group every Tuesday evening starting promptly at 7:30pm at our center at SunRaven in Bedford, NY. All are welcome! Directions are on the Anam Cara website. It you ever question 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.
email: http://us.f833.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=le@anamcara-ny.org
phone: 914-234-4800
web: http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=kuvdc8bab.0.sj8e4ubab.fm6ujubab.909&ts=S0222&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anamcara-ny.org
