An Awakin Festival In Warsaw! Posted by Iwona Khandro, Oct 18 2018 Over the last weekend in Poland, our local Awakin Team planted so many seeds of joy and love in Warsaw. It started with a public talk, then it was followed by a 9-hour Awakin Festival, and then a full-day Karma Kitchen at one of the best vegan restaurants in the city. My heart is still rejoicing with such sweetness and joy, from our days together! Such a blessing beyond words. Below is a photo from last October, after which few of us ended up having a spontaneous conversation at the door. That seed combined with the untiring laddership of monk Jin Wei, we started Awakin Circles in Warsaw. And last couple days, with Nipun's visit, gave us a tremendous opportunity to build on that momentum within our local community. As Jasky, our secret weapon from France, :) said, "The weekend felt like one big lesson in skillful means for reaching hearts, on ... Read Full Story

KindSpring Weekly: Spotlight On Kindness: Raising Posted by Ameeta Martin, Oct 16 2018 Latest issue of 'KindSpring Weekly' newsletter is themed Spotlight On Kindness: Raising Conscious Children. Parenthood is a path to selflessness and service in all cultures. Every parent wants to give to their children. The era of formal and distant parenting has given way to eras of helicopter and lawnmower parenting - with parents trying to remove obstacles in children's paths. Obstacles, however, are important teachers - allowing children vital lessons in resilience and growth in awareness. - Ameeta

A Poem, And Gratitude Posted by Jin Wei, Oct 15 2018 The seeds planted in the last year in Poland are blossoming beyond imagination -- as Karma Kitchen Warsaw just launched yesterday, following an Awakin, multiple circles, and much much more!!!! :) With my deepest gratitude and appreciation for all the hard work of our volunteers in Poland, and beyond, here is my small gift - the poem written by Polish poet CzesÅ‚aw MiÅ‚osz: Love Love means to learn to look at yourself The way one looks at distant things For you are only one thing among many. And whoever sees that way heals his heart, Without knowing it, from various ills— A bird and a tree say to him: Friend. Then he wants to use himself and things So that they stand in the glow of ripeness. It doesn’t matter whether he knows what he serves: Who serves best doesn’t always understand --CzesÅ‚aw MiÅ‚osz A few more leaked photos (thanks, Jasky! :))...

Laddership News: Surprised By Love Posted by Jane Murray, Oct 14 2018 This month's 'Laddership Newsletter' was just posted online. Two delightful stories this month of surprises, coincidences and serendipities conspiring in love.

Nuggets From Dimple Parmar's Call Posted by Aryae Coopersmith, Oct 13 2018 Last Saturday, we had the privilege of hosting Awakin Call with Dimple Parmar. The founder of Love Heals Cancer based in Delhi, India, Dimple Parmar is a force to be reckoned with. Determined to serve humanity and bring a smile to everyone's face, she is a person who believes in letting the power of love and care engulf one’s life. After losing her loving partner and husband Nitesh Prajapat to the formidable disease at an extremely young age (and having married him even after he received a Stage IV cancer diagnosis), Dimple has applied her business and entrepreneurial skills to guide and support those battling cancer. Her organization aims to provide information on natural self-care – healthy food, meditation, and exercise – and complementary therapies to heal body, mind, and soul. She also aims to assist with the emotional and spiritual dimensions of cancer, aiding families to discover that illness can ... Read Full Story

Towards Better Health, By Nisha Posted by Suchitra Shenoy, Oct 12 2018 As many of you know, Nisha and Ragu have been on a journey of learning about and sharing what they know on Nature Cure or Life Natural. Last week, along with the whirl of a Circle with Nipun, Meghna, Swara and Rohit on Gandhi in Today's World in Hyderabad, we had Nisha share with a small audience of 20 or so, on Towards Better Health. It was an engaged group of people that lead to a helpful Q&A and discussion afterwards. Nausheen Ahmed kindly summarized the session. Please read it at: http://akarma.life/2018/10/10/towards-better-health/ Many in the audience left with ideas for small changes or resolutions that they can make to their way of eating, their way of living. What's yours? :)

Awakin RAK - Sept 2018 Posted by Pooja Zaveri, Oct 10 2018 Our RAK Awakin Circle for the month of September was full of enthusiasm and marvelous. It began with the one hour of session of silence which was very welcoming. We had the passage reading from the Awakin Reading - The World Mirrors The Soul And The Soul Mirrors The World by Alan Watts. My perception was that human state of mind indeed reflects the facts in the world around and there can be no separation between the external world and the internal world that our minds are surrounded with. I would like to quote from Swami Vivekananda had stated in his work delivered in the year 1896 – The Free Soul – “ You cannot see your own face except in a mirror, and so the Self cannot see Its own nature until It is reflected, and this whole universe therefore is the Self trying to realize Itself. The perfect man is the ... Read Full Story

KindSpring Weekly: Spotlight On Kindness: Altruistic Posted by Ameeta Martin, Oct 09 2018 Latest issue of 'KindSpring Weekly' newsletter is themed Spotlight On Kindness: Altruistic Kindness. We feel the "warm glow" of kind acts regardless of whether it is strategic (something to be gained as a consequence) or altruistic (nothing to be gained personally). In the study below, psychologists have found there is something even more unique about altruistic kindness and our intentions behind altruistic giving. They conclude that altruistic giving should not be minimized by "tokens". - Ameeta

Oct/Nov 2018 - Upcoming London Gatherings Posted by Trishna Shah, Oct 09 2018 October / November 2018 - London Gatherings Following Nimo's inspiring visit last month, we are delighted to welcome guests from California next month, who will be sharing their incredible documentary film, Teach Me to Be WILD, at a couple of upcoming events. We look forward to seeing you at Awakin Circles in October! Awakin Circles: Pimlico, Harrow, Mill Hill Each month, you're invited to join Awakin Circles at locations around London, where we meditate for the first hour, engage in a circle of sharing based on a reading, and conclude with a home-cooked vegetarian dinner together. Weds, Oct 10th at 7pm (Pimlico, Central London) Weds, Oct 17th at 7pm (Harrow, Northwest London) Weds, Oct 24th at 7pm (Mill Hill, North London) To RSVP, visit Awakin London and use the drop-down box in the top right corner to select a date/location. Awakin Movie Circle & Community Screening of Teach Me to Be WILD (Nov 15/16) We are delighted to welcome ... Read Full Story

Just Came Across This Wonderful Talk ... Posted by Preeta Bansal, Oct 08 2018 Just came across this wonderful talk on Giving and Givers by the amazing VR Ferose -- at the recent Indiaspora Forum. Question is not how much we are willing to give, but how much we are willing to give up....

Nuggets From Mark Stevenson's Call Posted by Alyssa Martin, Oct 07 2018 Last Saturday, we had the privilege of hosting Awakin Call with Mark Stevenson. Mark Stevenson has described himself as a “reluctant futurist” and “pragmatic optimist”. He has been described by others as a rare visionary, with “an ability to express even the most complex scientific problems in terms easily understood by a layperson.” An expert on global trends and innovation who is also a gifted story-teller, occasional comedy writer and former stand-up comedian, he has been noted as “one of those rare visionaries who fascinates an audience and makes them laugh in equal measure.” His life is dedicated to “future literacy” and enabling us to answer the questions that the future is asking us in a way that makes the world more sustainable, equitable, humane, or just. Many of the world’s most pressing dilemmas result from old models that fail to keep up with modern challenges, he says. But instead of ... Read Full Story

Micro Moment Of Love In Burgos' Heart March! Posted by Ari Anna, Oct 07 2018 Last weekend, noble friends from different parts of the world came together in Burgos for an Empty Hands/ ServiceSpace retreat. On Saturday night Nimo brought us so much love and kindness through his songs. But the music didn’t stop… because on Sunday afternoon, moved by music and love we did a “Marcha del Corazón” (Heart March), inspired by others around the world. With a drumming group (from Madrid) and the music of Empty Hands we filled the streets of Burgos with happiness, music, smiles, dance and trucks of hugs. With Lorenzo sharing a lot of free hugs with the sound of music. It was very funny! Lorenzo is an Italian boy that i met in Burgos, but we live in Italy very near (coincidences, I doubt it!). A lot of people are very grateful, especially one lady. She told us in the first moments, “Thank you”, and then, “What is your organization?” We ... Read Full Story

What Is Within Your Means? Posted by Sarah Hurley, Oct 03 2018 While biking deep within Wompatuck State Park this summer, my daughter and I passed an elderly woman meandering slowly on a mobility scooter. As we exchanged greetings, I became aware of her physical and verbal stiffness and I was a bit surprised to see her alone so far down this particular wooded path. However, it was a beautiful day to be among the trees and I was happy to see her enjoying nature despite her disabilities. After a thorough tour of the northeast quadrant of the park, we met up with this woman again but this time I noticed she had a snow shovel in her hands. As we zoomed passed her I could see she was using the shovel to push debris off the bike path. Pine needles, twigs, rocks and other hazards were all being nudged away. She was taking it upon herself to improve the conditions of the ... Read Full Story

At The Intersection Of Kindness Ave & Joyous Way! :) Posted by Elizabeth Pimentel-Gopal, Oct 02 2018 Last Friday, a crew of us convened a couple hours north of San Francisco, at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, for Kindness Circles with the Girls and Boys Schools -- which are literally named the Instilling Goodness and Developing Virtue Schools (IGDVS)! By the intersection of Kindness Ave and Joyous Way (yes, their streets are really named that :)) -- we pulled up around 7:30 AM to one of the buildings of the Girls' School. One student was already there setting up a projector, as we unloaded various materials and goodies for the circle -- including tasty treats that Sandy, Helen, and Helen's daughter Ellie had spent hours baking the day before! As we set up, the students filed in -- bright smiles on their faces, recognizing some of us from previous visits. We circled up, and began with a minute of silence -- which Audrey framed as just "taking a minute ... Read Full Story

KindSpring Weekly: Spotlight On Kindness: Working In Posted by Ameeta Martin, Oct 02 2018 Latest issue of 'KindSpring Weekly' newsletter is themed Spotlight On Kindness: Working In Community. Although every act one person does makes a difference, how does working in community help even more? Working with others unites people from diverse backgrounds working towards a common goal, saves resources, builds teamwork and camaraderie, promotes personal growth and self esteem, reduces stress and even makes one healthier by strengthening one's own immune system! - Ameeta

Moved By Love: Gandhi 3.0 Special Feature : Unlocking Posted by Shaalini Srinivasan, Oct 02 2018 Latest issue of 'Moved By Love' newsletter is themed Gandhi 3.0 Special Feature : Unlocking The Law Of Love. The Law of Love is a far greater science than any modern science - Gandhi. As a modern experiment to unlock this Law of Love, 70 global change makers came together for Gandhi 3.0 retreat. As we celebrate the 150th Birth Anniversary of Gandhi, we bring you stories from this special gathering.

Dr. V Celebrated By Google On His 100th B-day Posted by Viral Mehta, Sep 30 2018 For his 100th birthday, Google India (Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore too) are celebrating it by sharing this doodle on their homepages. For those not familiar with his story, here's a DailyGood article from a few years ago, as well as a 35-min documentary and more recent book, both titled Infinite Vision. Knowing his passion for leveraging technology for the good, Dr. V would've been tickled to see this :)

Nuggets From Sandra Waddock's Call Posted by Rahul Brown, Sep 29 2018 Last Saturday, we had the privilege of hosting Awakin Call with Sandra Waddock. An intellectual shaman takes on the three roles of the traditional indigenous shaman: healer, connector, and sense-maker -- helping make sense of the world in the interest of the greater good. This label not only describes those management professionals whom Sandra Waddock has interviewed for her book, Intellectual Shamans: Management Academics Making a Difference, but is also an apt description of her own role as an academic. Sandra Waddock is the Galligan Chair of Strategy, Carrol School Scholar of Corporate Responsibility, and Professor of Management at Boston College’s Carrol School of Management. With thirteen published books and nearly 150 papers, she shares her gift to push an agenda of change, responsibility and sustainability. She advises us to be ordinary difference-makers and actors for our common good, helping us heal old narratives and make sense of our world so ... Read Full Story

Gift Economy In Japanese :) Posted by Kai Sawyer, Sep 26 2018 We're getting ready to do our first Karma Kitchen in Okayama, Japan, on October 14th! We had a great discussion session with Maki Saionji and the members of Gift Economy Lab in Japan as well. Here is Katie Teague's video from few years ago, that we've subtitled, as a way to share core concepts to a Japanese speaking audience ...

Inspiring Link Posted by Pavi Mehta, Sep 25 2018 47 Years Ago - On May 1, 1969 Fred Rogers Addressed Congress "In 1969, Fred Rogers, host of the (then) recently nationally syndicated children's television series, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, testified before the Senate Committee on Commerce Subcommittee on Communications to defend $20 million in federal funding proposed for the newly formed non-profit Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which was at risk of being cut. Subcommittee chairman, Senator John Pastore, unfamiliar with Fred Rogers, is initially abrasive toward him. Over the course of Rogers' 6 minutes of testimony, Pastore's demeanor gradually transitions to one of awe and admiration as Rogers speaks." One of the best televised examples ever of the power of soul-force and a heart that is moved by love.