Hello world :)

So happy to share that Awakin is back on it's feet, putting all of us in our silent seat in Sunita's warm and cosy home in Dubai. It's been months since our last circle of silence and it was beautiful to connect to everyone with and without words last evening. Some of us were seeing each other after almost a year and the joy was immense. I received the best hug I can remember and was lifted up in the air in joy and love by my dear friend in service, Tatiana.

After 30 minutes of just being in joy with each other and waiting for everyone to arrive, we made our way down to the quiet room in Sunita's house that feels designed and crafted just for Awakin. The hour of silence slipped by and we opened our eyes to share wide smiles and beam our gratitude at each other. Our sharing circle was essentially just 'Thank you'. It had been so long since the gift of connecting to each other in this manner that all we could manage to express was gratitude. In the spirit of Christmas kindness, Sunita had got all of us shiny hearts and stars as hangings for our Christmas trees.

While we'd been meditating, uncle was prepping a potato dish for dinner. Neha (a close friend of Sunita's) had also brought idlis and lip smacking delicious Sambhar! Dinner was simple and lovely with all of us sitting around on cushions enjoying the connection. It really felt like a family gathering. Adhar was helping 15 year old Rhea with her homework and some of were stationed in the kitchen to wash the dishes as they came in. I really felt that none of us wanted to leave the house, finding any reason to continue to sit around and just be with each other. (Sensing this I think) Sunita's son, 15 year Nirlok shared with us travel stories from a recent trip to Kenya and then sang us a song as rehearsal for a performance he will be giving in school today. I have to say this again, it really felt like a family gathering!

We're all collectively grateful for everything and intend to keep Awakin going in Dubai on the last Saturday of every month :)