Sangha of Auspicious Companions

July 23, 2017

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Marie Howe: The Power of Words to Save Us

In this edition of On Being, poet Marie Howe shares how poetry allows us to connect with others, through the words we find and the spaces between them. A former Poet Laureate of New York, Howe did not begin writing poetry until she was a young adult, as she transitioned from her career as a teacher. Influenced by her Catholic upbringing in a large family of 9, Howe reflects on the meaning of ordinary and real time, and what it means to find stillness in the present moment in a world that constantly encourages us to move faster. Read on to learn more about Howe’s belief that our suffering can lead to greater openness, and that truth can be found in what we fail to understand. { read more }

Be The Change

Which of the ways that written word can “save us” do you most identify with?

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July 22, 2017

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Gardens & the Art of Delayed Gratification

Alanda Greene grew up having spent time nurturing a deep connection with nature through gardening — planting seeds and watching them grow. She remarks that even now, “no matter how many times I plant seeds, these small, hard beads of potential, I am thrilled when the signs of growth emerge. It is as if I never really believed it would happen this time. Seems just too improbable that those tiny pieces would transform as they do…Without an understanding of delayed gratification, the connection between the green leaves emerging to the seeds that went into the ground might never happen.” Here, she shares the valuable lessons of surrender, patience, and faith that gardening and the practice of delaying gratification impart. { read more }

Be The Change

Practice observing delaying gratification – perhaps try nurturing seeds in a pot, uncertain what will emerge daily, or hold your urge to react to a situation for just a little bit longer than you usually would.

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July 21, 2017

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Joserra Gonzalez: A Re-Love-Ution Blooms in Spain

“We are at the verge of many changes, and if we stay together in this journey, we can really face this big current which is taking us in a direction we don’t know” Joserra’s first question was “How can I serve?” He soon found the answers to why humans suffer and how to lessen our own suffering and that of those around us. From spending two years working in the slums of Ahmedabad, India to becoming a pilgrim, Joserra shares his inspiring journey towards living a free life, one which brings peace and harmony to earth. With conviction he strives to lead a life in alignment with his values. A life which involves experiments living on gift and organizing a community through Karma Kitchen and Awakin Circles. Check out some more about his journey towards the Re-love-ution! { read more }

Be The Change

Next time you are feel busy in your day to day, take a pause and reflect on your actions. What does freedom mean to you? Are you living a free life? For more inspiration, join this Saturday’s Awakin Call with Meredith May — author of “I, Who Did Not Die”. RSVP and more info here. { more }

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July 20, 2017

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One Sapling at a Time

In Bikaner, Rajasthan, northern India the landscape is mostly desert, making it a challenge to grow fruit bearing trees and other plants. In 2003, Professor Shyam Sundar Jyani and his students began working on some local neem trees, which were struggling. From this work, Shyam went on to found Familial Forestry in 2006, an organization that donates saplings of fruit bearing trees to villagers with the idea to ‘treat the tree as a family member.’ These trees provide shade to the families, food for them and for their livestock, and the seeds from the fruit can be used to grow more trees. To date, over 625,000 saplings have been planted in over 2,500 villages, utilizing a type of grafting that increase fruit yield and allows the trees to flourish with little more than natural rain water. Shyam was awarded for his exemplary services towards nature conservation by the President of India in 2012. { read more }

Be The Change

Want to help combat climate change? Plant a tree in your own yard, or if you only have a small spot, plant something native to your area. If you want to lean more about Familial Forestry, visit the Community Sociology website. { more }

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July 19, 2017

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Neema Village: A Place of Hope

In Tanzania, East Africa, a baby rescue center called Neema Village has saved over 100 abandoned, orphaned, and at-risk infants in just 5 years. The list is long of places the infants have been found — by the roadside, in a yard, a gravel pit, a hotel, a latrine… Mostly they are the babies of mothers who have died or were unable to care for them. Doris Fortson, co-founder of Neema Village says, “My husband and I were moved to do something about it for many reasons, including that we were retired and that I had been raised in an orphanage from age four to 18.” “You’re never too old to make a difference,” she adds. { read more }

Be The Change

Learn more about Neema Village and how you can participate in their work. { more }

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July 18, 2017

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Turning Waste Streams Into Value Streams

The vision of Sustainability 3.0 is a circular economy that mimics our natural ecosystem: the “waste” from products that have outlived their usefulness becomes “nutrients” for further production. This foundational shift away from the linear business model of “take, make, and dispose” could be a huge boon for the sustainability movement and could provide great opportunities for businesses. However, this shift would require “disruptive innovation” and radical change, which may be on the way. Read on to learn more about the promises and challenges of this exciting new movement. { read more }

Be The Change

Think of something you can do to reduce the waste you create. Can you use less plastic somehow? Start composting? Repair things instead of buying new ones? Choose one thing and start today!

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July 17, 2017

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Brother David Steindl-Rast on Matters of Heart

When Brother David reached out to his readers of Integral Yoga Magazine in the 1970s to write him on any matter on life and the spirit, one reader responded with an inspired request on matters of the heart. What do we mean when we talk of the heart space? Is it courage? Faithfulness? In his response, Brother David illuminates his view on what it truly means to life from love – in a heart-centred energy that radiates from our whole being. Drawing from his own spiritual tradition, he offers insight on how to develop our own understanding of what our heart-space is, how to live from this compassionate love, and find our own sense of home for ourselves, and others, in our hearts. { read more }

Be The Change

How could you allow others to feel at home through your heart? Offer a gift of love to anyone – family, friend or a stranger, and know that just this small act can allow another to feel at ease, loved and nourished – just like coming home.

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In Other News

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• Awakin Reading: The False Duality Between “Job” And “Service”

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July 16, 2017

Small Acts of Kindness

Featured Kindness Stories

	KindSpring inspired their sorority to start a “buddy bench” program to help lonely kids.
	On a rainy day, a good samaritan who stopped to help save his girlfriend’s life.
	Her previously unknown neighbors graciously reached out to her during her illness.

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