First Awakin Circle In Romania! Posted by Ashima Goyal, Nov 23 2017 Anjali recently connected me with Adela, who is Romanian and had volunteered in Ahmedabad few years back, and who had attended many Awakin Circles there. She's now been back in Romania, and our meeting was a beautiful connection. While we were talking, she mentioned that when she'd come back to Romania from India, she had all these plans that she should start an Awakin Circle in Bucharest, but somehow it never happened. I have no clue what got into me then -- but I said, "Let's do one next Wednesday at my home. I can cook." The next day, I tried to fathom what that all meant. I felt very excited, even if it was just me, my husband, Adela and her partner. On Wednesday morning, I was so anxious, but as I finished the cooking and cleaning and setting up of the cushions, all the anxiety melted away... just like that. I was ... Read Full Story

Lesson In Prayer From My Mother Posted by Neeti S W, Nov 22 2017 As kids, I remember how we siblings (me and my younger two sisters) used ask so many questions to Mom and she relentlessly used answer without any grudge. Mom, our first teacher, was always sincere in answering the questions we asked not in a childish way to put us off but for us to think more deeply. In that age, she was a complete encyclopedia for us with all her supportive patience. I remember one day very vividly while walking on the street, we heard a siren of an ambulance pass by. Mom paused, while I tried to pull her to walk ahead, but she just was still, as if anchored for that moment. After sometime I asked her what she was doing at that moment and her answer ceased me for a while. She replied, "Whenever you hear the siren of an ambulance, just take a few seconds to pray for ... Read Full Story

Inspiring Link Posted by Matt Perry, Nov 22 2017 Changes for New Hope Humanitarian Awards Magazine-November 2017 by Jim Killon - issuu Issuu is a digital publishing platform that makes it simple to publish magazines, catalogs, newspapers, books, and more online. Easily share your publications and get them in front of Issuu’s millions of monthly readers. Title: Changes for New Hope Humanitarian Awards Magazine-November 2017, Autho...

Nanu Maa : Alipta And Aatmiya Posted by Kishan Laddha, Nov 22 2017 Nanu Maa, an elderly women whose generosity reaches far and wide since years experienced by many known and unknown brothers and sisters. Recently, she fell sick and learning about her poor health, Jayesh bhai rushed to her with few of us to ensure her well beings and needs. Witnessing the interaction, I felt it to be a sheer exchange of blessings. She was bed ridden for few days and even after that she ensured all the visitors receive water and are seated properly. She shared how she was inspired few years back with her limited resources she offered food to two children and how universe responded to her with abundance by receiving a pension she was expected from government but had forgotten. Ever since that incident she eats only after feeding children. Many of us know how generously she offered her home to Jayeshbhai, Virenbhai and Anar ben so that after ... Read Full Story

Fear Not The Narcotraficantes: A Glimpse Of Pilgrim Posted by Nicole Huguenin, Nov 21 2017 Another sacred story from Ann Sieben, the Winter Pilgrim that I have been honored to capture and share here. She's currently walking, without any possession but her clothes in Bulgaria. This particular story is from her pilgrimage in 2010: *** Fear Not the Narcotraficantes A Glimpse From Pilgrimage #4 -Denver to Mexico City: Dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe -Start: Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Church, Denver, CO, USA, Sunday October 10th, 2010 -Finish: Basilica Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico City, Mexico, -Wednesday, January 21th, 2011 -Days: 95 -Distance: 3,321 kilometers/2,064 miles Some events in life define what you really think, even if you never consciously had the thought. Increasingly in my walk south through New Mexico, many people, particularly priests, cautioned, even scolded me about continuing my pilgrimage on foot through the Chihuahua Desert. Not because of the desert itself, with its own inherent dangers, but because of the narcotraficantes, the heavily armed, ruthless, lawless men who control ... Read Full Story

KindSpring Weekly: Spotlight On Kindness: Giving Thanks Posted by Ameeta Martin, Nov 21 2017 Latest issue of 'KindSpring Weekly' newsletter is themed Spotlight On Kindness: Giving Thanks. As Thanksgiving day approaches across America, the hustle and bustle of the holiday season seem to have arrived at our doorstep faster than we anticipated. Amidst the flurry of guests, food, and the start of the holiday shopping, let us gently remind ourselves to actually take the time to -- give thanks, for the blessings in our lives all year round.

Laddership News: Laddership News: Transformation Posted by Jane Murray, Nov 19 2017 This month's 'Laddership Newsletter' was just posted online. In this month's newsletter Parag Shah reminds us that when we understand what we are, without trying to change it, we go through a profound inner transformation. Thu Nguyen, in describing her first Awakin Circle, points to the outer transformation that manifests and ripples from the collective inner transformations of the ServiceSpace ecosystem.

A Thanksgiving Wish Posted by Poonam Singh, Nov 18 2017 A Thanksgiving Wish: We brush history under the rug. We celebrate death. We don't acknowledge the death. It becomes about buying stuff and sales. We eat turkey but don't know why. We don't know the turkey. We don't see his eyes. We don't say thank you. We meet with family, play football, and celebrate. We need this. Yet it is so little. But we need a break. We call people pilgrims and Indians. False names. We don't know why. Thanksgiving. A time of thanks. Deep thanks. For the sacrifice, the lives lost. For the time with each other. For the break. God give us a break. We find gratitude in our hearts. Deep gratitude for each other. For all we have. Time off. Desperate need for time off. Many people have time off. God give us a break Thanksgiving could be about reconciliation. A promise not realized. To Forgive someone. Which we still haven't done. A time to admit the tragedies, listen to the pain, ask for forgiveness and move forward together. A deep sigh of relief to admit it. not in shame. But in truth. massacres upon massacres. And move ... Read Full Story

KindSpring Weekly: Spotlight On Kindness: World Posted by Ameeta Martin, Nov 13 2017 Latest issue of 'KindSpring Weekly' newsletter is themed Spotlight On Kindness: World Kindness Day. We are thrilled to share this newly revamped KindSpring newsletter with you. We honestly couldn't have imagined a better day to launch this than today -- the World Kindness Day. Our hope is to continue highlighting and amplifying all the good things that are happening in our communities and create a better collective narrative for generations to come. --The KindSpring Team

The Power Of Feminine Energy Leadership Posted by Poonam Singh, Nov 09 2017 It is the 1 year death anniversary of a beloved sister. There is a heaviness and sadness to the day and my body and head hurts. I feel I will get swallowed up in an abyss of sadness only I know about. On that exact day when I was in a stupor and not answering emails or phone calls, I happen to see an email from someone I had not met before. Her name was Abha and she is a board member at Maitri. She says in her email that she doesn't believe in coincidences and that my name has come up a few times and that we should connect. 2 days prior Nipun had met Abha at an event both of us were speaking at, and Nipun suggested to Abha that I speak to her. Nipun later told me that somehow deep in his consciousness he was connecting my ... Read Full Story

A Few Months Ago, I Was ... Posted by Yoo-Mi Lee, Nov 08 2017 A few months ago, I was caught up in tracking the number of videos that were being added to the KarmaTube site as the number inched towards 2,000. I was all set to mark the milestone here on this feed. Then, I got involved in setting up a new system of managing the video write-up process with Pavi, and noticed by happenstance a few days ago that the number of videos had surpassed the 2,000 mark. So, here is the big reveal: TA DA! KarmaTube now has 2,028 videos up on the site. It has been a true joy to work with all the volunteers and behind-the-scenes coordinators and tech wizards to add to this curated library of inspirational, social change videos that are touching the lives of our community of engaged viewers. This pledge on the most recent Video of the Week, Song for Rain, exemplifies the impact of KarmaTube ... Read Full Story

Nipun's Video At Dream Academia In Austria Posted by Harald Katzi, Nov 08 2017 Last month, Nipun visited Austria for less than 24 hours -- but is so fantastic to observe the ripples, which now includes two regular Awakin Circles, a potential visit to Startup Service in Auroville, upcoming Karma Kitchen and 1-day retreat in April, and lots of "labor of love" dreams! During Nipun's visit, during a 15-20 minute break between circles, our dear brother from Dream Academia, Manuel, popped open his car trunk, brought our some recording gear and asked some spontaneous questions. I'm so happy to share this video from his heart ... After the quick shoot, Manuel ended up texting his wife, who was running for public office in two weeks: "Uber cab is waiting for you at the door. You must come tonight." She not only joined, but ended up being among the last to leave, with Manuel literally pulling her out. :) #PowerOfLove

Karma Kitchen On NBC! Posted by Elizabeth Pimentel-Gopal, Nov 08 2017 A beautiful story on NBC, about Karma Kitchen DC on November 7! Go Krishna! Some excerpts below ... Krishna Desar explained that the program aims to move people from transaction to trust, scarcity to abundance, and isolation to community. To encourage the transition toward building a community, guests are given the option to either sit at a larger community table where they can interact with others or take a seat at one of the personal tables. “We’re so hungry to connect to each other,” 50-year-old Kristin Pedemonti, a volunteer coordinator at Karma Kitchen D.C., said. “In a place like D.C. where there’s often so much power-hungry energy — this is just the opposite of that.” For Jess Anderson, 23, and Leo Guillemin, 27, who often go to the Himalayan Heritage restaurant, it was both surprising and exciting to be welcomed by Karma Kitchen volunteers on a cold Sunday afternoon last month that NBC News ... Read Full Story

Sister Lucy Meets The Pope Francis! :) Posted by Christine Lendorfer, Nov 07 2017 I thought some of you might take great joy in knowing that our very own Sister Lucy recently met Pope Francis and felt deeply blessed to be in his company. Some time ago she also met Sting, and US President Bill Clinton -- and I'm sure inspired them as well.

Karma Kitchen Detroit Posted by Nilam Chauhan, Nov 04 2017 It was Friday morning. I was cooking a meal that would be served that evening at Karma Kitchen. The forecast for the evening was rain. Karma Kitchen is an outdoor event with the food truck ‘Pink Flamingo’! But Somehow I was not worried! Deep in my heart I knew everything was going to be ok and left it to the universe! As we were arranging the tables and the vases with the flowers from our gardens it started getting cloudy. A few drops of rain began to fall. I was trying to just focus on what I was doing and not let the mind immediately rush to worrying about what steps to take next if it started pouring. Suddenly I hear Bharat Uncle's excited voice "Look up!" Up in the sky there was the most beautiful complete and clear rainbow!!!! The universe had gifted us with a colorful arch, a gate ... Read Full Story

Moved By Love: Small Acts, Noble Intentions: Posted by Shaalini Srinivasan, Nov 02 2017 Latest issue of 'Moved By Love' newsletter is themed Small Acts, Noble Intentions:. Did Jayesh bhai know how cutting nails of children will ripple out into an entire village coming together for flood relief? Did Khushmita know when she invited a couple into Karma Kitchen that it was their anniversary? Did volunteers and participants of the September retreat know how small acts of love will leave them transformed? Each story this month shows how something magical emerges from small acts done with noble intentions.

A Letter To The 1st Generation Posted by Poonam Singh, Nov 02 2017 This was a talk that I was meant to give at a gala full of very successful first generation Indian immigrants. I'm the next generation of Indian-Americans, and here are the words I had in my heart that I wanted to fully express here: "To the community members in the room here today… You are all so accomplished and have done so much for people back in India and here. I’m inspired by your dedication to serve. I’m inspired by your dream for collective action. I thank Bhupen Ji for his humility and grace in inviting the next generation to speak. I have wondered where you are many times in my life--as a young activist and change leader, not wanting to do anything but serve, and wondering where are the elders in the Indian Community who just want to serve. Not get degrees or positions or reach this epitome ... Read Full Story

London Community: Nov 2017 Update Posted by ServiceSpace , Oct 26 2017 Dear Friends, We look forward to seeing you at next month's upcoming gatherings in London! In case you haven't had a chance to RSVP for the special Circle of Sharing coming up this Sunday afternoon, Oct 29th with Children and Mentors from the Gandhi Ashram in India, it's not too late to join in at Ani's home in Mill Hill! Awakin Circles: Pimlico and Harrow Each month in London, we host Awakin Circles at three locations on three different weeks. When we come together, we meditate for the first hour, engage in a circle of reflective sharing in the second hour (inspired by an Awakin reading), and conclude the night by sharing a home-cooked vegetarian meal. We look forward to seeing you at an upcoming Awakin Circle this month... Tues, Nov 7th at 7pm (Pimlico, Central London) Weds, Nov 22nd at 7pm (Harrow, Northwest London) RSVP to join these circles from the Awakin London ... Read Full Story

Awakin Circle In Eisenstadt, Austria! Posted by Kathrin Pachinger, Oct 23 2017 Inspired by the beautiful Awakin Circle in Vienna, we have started the another Awakin Circle in Eisenstadt as well. Eisenstadt is a town (50 min drive away from Vienna) close to the Hungarian border. I´m very grateful to organize it every Thursday 6 pm in an apartment, sometimes in a small restaurant. We already had our second one.

Rev. Heng Sure's Talk On Patience Posted by Trishna Shah, Oct 21 2017 Last month, Rev. Heng Sure visited London and spoke at Amravati monastery, on "Why the Buddha regards Patience as a Supreme Virtue". I felt it was one of the best talks I've heard him give! [Play in new window]