The Power Of Kindness & KindSpring Posted by Michaele Premet-Rosen, Jun 10 2019 Was deeply touched by this share from someone new to KindSpring, who has requested a Smile Deck, and wanted to share it with all of you. Comment: I really am in need of some kindness and more so being willing and able to share it. I stumbled on this site in a bad state of mind and I'm feeling positive again just reviewing the site and seeing positivity. I've lost some faith in people and am hoping to gain it back through this process. And maybe find and inspire some friends as well. So it was this site that has inspired me. To even want to use the deck. Thank you either way for bringing a smile and happy tear to my face. She also shared this on how a small random act of kindness made a difference to her: "I was inspired to order these cards by a woman who bought my ... Read Full Story

Nuggets From Angela Oh's Call Posted by Chris Johnnidis, Jun 09 2019 This past Saturday, we had the privilege of hosting Awakin Call with Angela Oh. Angela Oh is an attorney, ordained Zen Buddhist priest, and nationally recognized expert on race relations and conflict resolution across race and religion. Her work in holding space for peace began in 1992 during the implosion of Los Angeles after the acquittal verdict of four police officers following the videotaped police beating of Rodney King. She became a clear spokesperson and mediator, speaking to the precarious position of the Korean American community whose businesses had been destroyed during the riots, vis-à-vis both the white majority and the African American minority. In 1997 Ms. Oh was named to the Advisory Board of President Bill Clinton’s One America Initiative, which published “best practices” for racial reconciliation. Angela has been a practitioner of Zazen (sitting Zen) for more than two decades, since 1999. Her role in both mediation and meditation ... Read Full Story

Smiles From Awakin Teens! Posted by Helen Kimura, Jun 08 2019 As summer fills the air, dozen teens gathered this evening for our third Awakin Teens Circle! A few photos from the spirited time together ... And a touching note from a teen afterwards: "Thank you so much for the amazing evening. I had the most fun that I have ever had and it was very eye opening as well. I was just wondering if you can send some information about good volunteer opportunities! I would love to volunteer this week and next week before my trip! Thank you so much again :)" Thank you to yesterday's guest, Andy, and much gratitude for all the new seeds planted, and for all the shared presence!

Heart Of The Matter Posted by Xiaojuan Shu, Jun 06 2019 Some of you will remember Fritjof Capra, from his Awakin Call and his talk at the ServiceSpace retreat. Below is a new video that was just issued, titled "Heart of the Matter", to highlight the importance of systems thinking for achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

Service-Space Hof-Sonnenweide Grows! Posted by Elisabeth Nussbaumer, Jun 06 2019 My husband and I live on a farm in rural Austria, with about 100 animals. After my recent exposure to ServiceSpace, I went up to my horses and donkeys and I asked them: "Which kind of service can we offer to the world?“ After about 5 minutes, one of my horses named "Rokita" gave me the answer and it felt so good and right that I began immediately with the implementation. I started with "Invitation for youth to be with animals". I will offer this in the afternoons every three weeks and we will see how it will grow. The first day is June 15th -- next week! To contribute for this afternoon, I used the idea from Laddership training -- they can choose between several possibilities. For example, take a friend to the animals, try to eat no meat for a while, give an act of kindness to a stranger … and so on. And if they want they can also contribute money for us, our farm and the animals. Below is the flyer. Of course in German but just wanted to share my joy.

Meghna Returns: Whirling, Twirling And Finding Home Posted by Anuj Pandey, Jun 06 2019 [Yesterday, I was quite moved by Meghna's share. At the time, I was didn't realize that she was the host of the legendary Awakin Circles in Ahmedabad for the last decade! Post circle, I heard some remarkable stories of that circle, like how a young man would fast every Wednesday and silently leave behind a bag of grains. Asked why, he responded, "At one point, I had decided to end my life. What kept me alive is the love I felt in the circle. Today, I can't help but want to pay it forward." In gratitude for Meghna's heart of service, here is a transcription of her share at yesterday's circle.] It's so wonderful to be here after many, many years. Listening to this week's passage, I was thinking of a music teacher I had when I was a child. Every time I'd practice music, it would always be about finding my ... Read Full Story

Gurukul With Arun Dada -- At Banyan Grove! Posted by Smita Navare, Jun 04 2019 Staying with Arun Dada at Banyan Grove was like living in a Gurukul. When I shared my experiences with a few friends, they asked me to document it in writing, so here are some highlights. It is an experience, just to witness and soak in a demeanor that is so humble, kind and joyous. Arun Dada's presence was so healing and strengthening, and it continued to show itself in the smallest gestures. Whenever any of us went out, be it 5 in the morning or 2 in the afternoon or late evening, he is always there at the door to say bye and open the gate for the car. And always affectionately there to greet us when we are back. If anyone is out, Arun Dada will always lovingly and gently inquire about their meals time of return etc. -- caring but not attached with expectations. When we are in the kitchen, he will ... Read Full Story

Bayarea: UnTickets? (+Teens, Retreat, Six+1 Lessons) Posted by ServiceSpace , Jun 04 2019 Dear Friends, Thank you to so many of you who came out for the glorious Jai Jagat shows last month! And this month certainly promises to build on those tidal-wave ripples ... June 8th @4PM, local teens are circling up! As a gifted educator, Andy felt schools should be about learning and not curriculum; about teachers being human and not "certified"; about students being happy, not merely successful. In 1995, he started a "school without a campus" in Seattle. It took off. They made the news for their kindness class. And it continues to thrive to this day. This weekend, Andy is anchoring our intimate Awakin Teens Circle in San Jose! More details/RSVP. June 15-16 weekend, Lee Mun Wah was a Chinese American educator when his mother was shot five times and killed by a stranger at her doorstep. It turned his life upside down, and his inner transformation journey led him into ... Read Full Story

KindSpring Weekly: Spotlight On Kindness: Kindness Is Posted by Ameeta Martin, Jun 04 2019 Latest issue of 'KindSpring Weekly' newsletter is themed Spotlight On Kindness: Kindness Is "Power". It can be easy to feel numb in the face of events happening "at" and around us. Numbness protects us from over-saturation of our senses and feelings of powerlessness. We cannot control the events themselves, but as Susan Fowler shows us in the article below, we can control and hold ourselves accountable for how we treat others - with kindness, compassion, and generosity. - Ameeta

Nimo & The Kids Posted by Michaele Premet-Rosen, Jun 04 2019 ❤️ What a gift the Jai Jagat show was Sunday. The love was palpable the moment you entered the lobby & were warmly greeted by all with smiles & offers of hugs 🤗. I met a few ServiceSpace folks volunteering there who are familiar with KindSpring & when I introduced myself as Mish from KindSpring, told me they knew me from my posts. Made me smile to connect with new “cousins in kindness”. ❤️ Shared some peace doves, kindness cards & more than one hug there, and was gifted with time (& gifts) shared with KS sister LeoLady 🤗. Left a Kindness goody bag with one of the Volunteers who promised to give it to Nimo for me 👍 ⭐️ The show is unique & totally inspiring and amazing. The kids are brilliant! As good as, or even better, than many of the Broadway shows I’ve been to. Vastly talented, full of spirit ... Read Full Story

Moved By Love: Kindness Is Love Made Visible Posted by Shaalini Srinivasan, Jun 02 2019 Latest issue of 'Moved By Love' newsletter is themed Kindness Is Love Made Visible. “Have you seen love?” Every story here is a story of love made visible through everyday acts of kindness - from holding the door for someone or offering water to pilgrims to starting a kindness drive or a skateboarding park in a village. We hope these stories bring a smile to your heart!

Nuggets From Lee Mun Wah's Call Posted by LuAnn Cooley, Jun 01 2019 I had the pleasure had the pleasure and profound privilege of hosting Saturday's Awakin Call with Lee Mun Wah, beautifully moderated by Birju Pandya. Lee Mun Wah is an internationally renowned Chinese American documentary filmmaker, author, poet, educator, community therapist and master diversity trainer. He has created several renowned films, including The Color of Fear and Walking Each Other Home, about racism; Last Chance for Eden, on sexism and racism; and If These Halls Could Talk, a dialogue among college students about race, racism and diversity in higher education. In 1995, Oprah Winfrey did a one-hour special on Lee Mun Wah’s life and work. The base of Lee Mun Wah’s body of work is his lived experience. He faced his father's own racism when his mother was shot five times and killed by a young black man. A promising young black man in one of his films brutally lost his ... Read Full Story

Six Lessons (Plus One) From My First Awakin Circle Posted by Aryae Coopersmith, May 31 2019 Have you ever found yourself standing in front of a door with the strange feeling that, if you choose to open it and walk inside, life will never be the same? For me, on a balmy summer evening in 2013 in Santa Clara, California, standing at the front door of the home of Dinesh and Harshida Mehta, I felt that this was one of those moments. I took a deep breath, opened the door, and walked inside. I was greeted in silence by a man about my age with a calm demeanor and a sweet smile, who put his hands together and bowed to me. This must be Dinesh, I thought. I wasn’t used to being greeted in this way. But I immediately understood his message, so I smiled back, placed my hands together, and bowed to him. My first Awakin Circle lesson: we share silence here; we acknowledge and honor the ... Read Full Story

Do You Believe In Magic? Yes, I Do! Posted by Joao Perre, May 30 2019 Dear Pilgrim*, We often underestimate the hidden fears we accumulate along the journey of our lives. I am afraid (here we go) we manage to place them in remote corners of our mind in hope we never hear from them again. Unfortunately (or fortunately) fears are like boomerangs, you send them away, and they return even stronger. Last week I was fortunate to share the road to Santiago with seven beautiful people from different geographies and ages. Without surprises, I end up learning about many things. My fears included. Somewhere inside my brain, I tend not to pay much attention to the events around me that I cannot directly explain with my reason or science. I don’t spend much time thinking about “mystical” sources, and most likely, if they pass nearby, I turn it into humorous moments. I am afraid (opss, here we go again) I feel uncomfortable out of my mental comfort zone. At ... Read Full Story

Did You Know ... [About Audrey!] Posted by Bijan Khazai, May 29 2019 Last month, I finished my Laddership Circle with 17 others from around the globe. Julia, from Austria was one of them, and she mentioned all the goodness emerging, so I went to visit from Germany. Naturally, we all had one major topic in common: Audrey! It is her graceful holding of Laddership Circle that transformed so many of our lives, including ours. Fortunately for me, Julia sent me this smuggled copy of tidbits below, and I've been feasting on it ever since! I loved the story of the walk from  Santa Clara to Berkeley, the simplicity of it, and the courage. And wow! the decade-long sacred pause. I really enjoyed her interview on Laddership; much to learn from that. It's easy to imagine Audrey's beautiful beaming smile in front of my eyes! Here it is the Aweeedreeee inspiration for all of you to enjoy as well ...    Did you know that Audrey went on a mini walking pilgrimage? What most ... Read Full Story

Nishkam Seva (Selfless Service) Posted by Jignasha Pandya, May 29 2019 [Here's one of the recent stories from Trupti & Swara's pilgrimage around the holy Narmada river, republished from their blog: Reva Ni Vaato] As we were getting closer to Amarkanthak a bunch of us got an invitation for black tea. It was an unexpected yet a pleasant invitation as the man who was serving us tea had his shelter almost in the middle of a forest with hardly any people living around. He asked us to follow the orange sign boards as we walk further into the forest. He showed us a sample sign board we were meant to follow. We got curious as we had seen these boards in some of the remotest places. We had all these questions -Was it a group of people? Or the nearby villagers? Who puts up these little markers? We asked him if he knew who made them. He said for eight months I serve all the ... Read Full Story

KindSpring Weekly: Spotlight On Kindness: Planting Posted by Ameeta Martin, May 28 2019 Latest issue of 'KindSpring Weekly' newsletter is themed Spotlight On Kindness: Planting Local Seeds. Seeds carried by the wind from a distant tree have less chance of taking root than seeds that fall from a nearby tree. Likewise, when we plant seeds of kindness in our own communities and tend to them regularly, we more likely create a solidly rooted tree of kindness that branches in all directions. Let's plant small seeds of kindness nearby, rather than looking only for growth from afar. - Ameeta

Karma Kitchen In Surat: Passport Edition Posted by Parag Shah, May 27 2019 We had an amazing time yesterday at our monthly Karma Kitchen in Surat, as always. :) Every month we have a different theme, and this time, each guest got a "passport": It also included this description: "Every interaction we have in our lives gives us an opportunity to connect with another person at a deeper level. When you start out with an intention to be generous it spurs you past the confines of your own life and opens you up to all the various ways our journeys intersect with each other. At Karma Kitchen the beauty of that comes alive in different ways - such as the community table. Or the fact that every week strangers come together to volunteer as part of a once-in-a-lifetime crew that assembles and dissolves only to be assembled and dissolved again with a different set of people week after week after week. And the whole thing happens ... Read Full Story

Different Places, Different Faces -- But One Connection Posted by Lisi HaVinh, May 27 2019 In many places that we travel and visit across Vietnam (and beyond), we keep running into ServiceSpace again and again in different places ... in different faces ... having spent time with Hang Mai and Giang (photo above), Awakin Circle in Hue, Zilong visiting us at TTG, Tim Huang as well, and most recently Khang also visiting. We are so happy to feel into this uncommon "social network" and be inspired and nourished by your work ... pollinating and crossing our social field weaving into One. Thank you!

Nuggets From Gregory Ellison's Call Posted by Preeta Bansal, May 26 2019 Last Saturday, we had the privilege of hosting a unique and interactive Awakin Call with Gregory Ellison, ably guided by Aryae. Reverend Dr. Gregory C. Ellison, II is an artist who creates spaces for fearless dialogues. He challenges each of us, "who are you and how will you fight for freedom in your most authentic way?" Fearless Dialogues is a grassroots initiative that creates unique spaces for unlikely partners to engage in hard, heartfelt conversations that see gifts in others, hear value in stories, and work for change and positive transformation in self and other by "fearing less." It has engaged nearly 50,000 worldwide in more than five years. Ellison feels that lessening the fear of strangers is central to his walk as a Christian. He engages his fear by practicing "radical hospitality," simple but profound strategies that show people you see, hear and care about them -- a practice he ... Read Full Story