News from the Centre – May 2015
Hello everyone,
I hope you are all doing well, wherever you are. Here on Salt Spring Island, the Centre is once again in its expansive mode. Program season is here and our community has begun to grow. The air is filled with the fragrance of blossoms and freshly mowed grass; the frogs and birds are singing in full force. We had unseasonably warm, sunny weather earlier in April, but we’re not yet done with spring rain.
There’s lots of news to share this month, beginning with the change of Centre Directors. Paramita is about to step into the next phase her life, beginning with travels to India before settling in Victoria. It has been a pleasure working with Paramita these past few years and we’re all glad she won’t be too far away when she returns from India. We hope she will visit frequently.
We are also saying farewell to Vivian, who has served the Centre diligently for 12 years and is now actually retiring. During that time, she has worked in every administrative position in the office, particularly keeping an eye on the Centre’s finances. We are enormously grateful to her for all she’s contributed. Enjoy your travels to England, Vivian!
I’m pleased to introduce you to Sally Adnams Jones who is stepping into the role of Centre Director. Her presence here is very welcome; in the short time she has been here, she has stepped into life at the centre with grace. To find out more about her, read “Meet Sally, our new Centre Director”.
The Dharma Sara Satsang Society AGM will take place in the satsang room on May 3, during which elections to the DS Board will take place, followed by reports from all departments. This year, for the first time, DS members will be able to vote electronically. If you are a member, you will receive (or perhaps have already received) information about those who are running for a position on the board and a ballot in your inbox.
In addition to the ongoing activities at the Centre, such as weekly Wednesday kirtan and Sunday satsang, Chandra has been teaching sadhana classes and Yoga Sutra studies to the resident Centre community as requested by them.
In this month’s newsletter
There are a few special articles to enjoy this month. Hamsa (Sue Ann), our karma yoga coordinator, has shared her story in “Community Journey”. It turns out her life as a karma yogi began in childhood though she didn’t discover a name for it till years later. I’m sure you’ll enjoy getting to know her in her delightful story.
Pratibha offers us her review of the book, “The Hot Belly Diet” by Dr Suhas Kshirsagar, a time-honoured Ayurvedic approach to health. The program he prescribes is designed to restore your body’s natural balance to heal itself, re-kindling and sustaining a balanced digestive fire that burns cleanly and brightly.
Also to ponder: “Trusting Life”, a reminder that all our worry and anxiety is not leading us to peace. We can relax into what life is offering us right now. Babaji reminds us to stand in the world bravely and face good and bad equally. Life is for that. Try to develop positive qualities as much as you can.
May spring blossom in our hearts.
Love,
Sharada