Let Me Sow Love October

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.Where there is hatred, let me sow love.Where there is injury, pardon.Where there is doubt, faith.Where there is despair, hope.Where there is darkness, light.Where there is sadness, joy…

~Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi

Greetings to our friends and community,

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October brings a confluence of celebrations for St. Francis of Assisi, Mahatma Gandhi and Kuan Yin (Oct. 2, 4, 15 respectively). As I sat with this trio, I began thinking about what it means to be a non-violent, compassionate activist for peace and justice? In the midst of this pondering, a letter came from Anna Lubin, Resource Coach at Casa Esperanza Homeless Center.

Anna wrote: “On December 12, 2010, Casa Esperanza began its first ever meditation class for those members in the Residential Transitional Living program! The class is designed to allow a quiet space for members to channel their own peace and serenity while sitting for the duration of one-hour every Sunday evening. Many of the members, and especially those dealing with Mental Health and Addiction/Alcoholism, have expressed great interest in the opportunity to get connected with themselves. Many say that they have tried meditation in the past and it has helped them with depression, anxiety and has improved their attitudes all around.

My hope is that I can offer my members a sacred time during the week that will greatly benefit their health and well-being, as well as give them another, very practical, life skill that is both free and something they can carry with them through their transition into permanent and stable housing.”

In order to support this sacred experience, she is asking for meditation supplies: zafus, zabutons, incense, meditation CDs, incense, candles etc. She also is looking for persons who would be willing to donate an hour of their time to come and talk, or teach a class about meditation, yoga, or relaxation in general to her members.

Now this was a nonviolent, compassionate action I could be in total alignment with! The benefits of meditation, mentally, physically and spiritually, are well documented. I won’t list them here, and, I am sure many of you reading this could give your own testimonials. Making this available to our most vulnerable community members can make long lasting transformational change. Might you be one willing to be of service to this community? Anna can be reached at alubin@casa-esperanza.org

Thank you Anna for helping me answer my question!

Teresa, Thule, Tucker and all at Paradise Found