I recently sent the note below to our local Awakin Circle community in Toronto, and just wanted to share how grateful I am for all of you, as the invisible hands and ladderers in cultivating this community. We're doubling in size in January after 5 months - generosity really does scale!! ;) I am truly blessed to be on this path of stillness and service with you.

Sending you all much love, air hugs and blessings for the new year.

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Dear Friends,

I hope that your holidays are going well and that you've had a chance to pause and rest. When I look back at this past year and what I'm most proud of... It is the seeds that we planted to connect us to sit in stillness, share our collective wisdom and meal together. Whether it was an email exchange to coming out to one or more of our sittings, it was a joy to have shared that with you.

I didn't know how much interest or support there would be when we started in August. From our first circle in August where we were blessed with a visit from Dustin based in Santa Clara. Then in October, we received generous anonymous donations to make our own meditation cushions. In November, I was able to bring the hit of our circle's coleslaw recipe to feed 40 friends at the Banyan Grove's first Awakin Circle. Then in December, Sara decided she'd like to host the circle at her home.

I've been told that this kind of momentum/demand/excitement isn't the norm in other cities and that it seems like the conditions are ripe for Toronto to have more chances to sit and cultivate inner space and inner peace together. And there's so much more to look forward to in 2018!

In January, we will have two locations to sit!! One in Regent Park on January 10th and one near Dufferin Subway Station on January 24th. Please click on either link (or both!) to RSVP so we know how many people to cook for.

Also as a chance to pass on the ripples of kindness, on New Years Day (Monday Jan 1 at 1pm-3pm), a few of us will be giving out socks, underwear, coffee/snacks at Moss Park (Queen/Sherbourne) if you're interested to participate let me know!



I received this Buddha Doodles book as a Christmas present and I thought this drawing exactly reflects my gratitude to you all and how something as ordinary as inviting you over to sit together is such a radical act of service for the world.

For 2018, I wish you more moments of peace and love. May you be happy and may you get more chances to pause, have the courage to push the edges of personal growth, and find ways to do small things with great love. If there's anything that I can do to support your journey of service, please let me know.

In service,

Thu